CHAPTER 89 Taxes

CHAPTER 89

Taxes

Rufus

“You would have us believe that a horse is to blame, Commander General?” Agatha demanded. She was the Witch of Winter’s End, otherwise known as the Sorceress of Ice.

Which was actually incredibly impressive, since witchcraft and sorcery were completely different schools of magic, and both required a lot of study. To have titles of each implied the human was exceptionally talented … if mocked for having a heart of ice.

And a tongue to match.

“Belladonna Windrunner was simply a courier, Witch Agatha,” I stated. “The molten ash vane, as I believe, is being added into circulation by a poisoner in the Dark Enchanted Forest and made deliverable through a contract with the Peldeep Assassin Assembly.”

“So Peldeep is to blame? Or the Dark Enchanted Forest?” the Wizard Lorthar asked, stamping the cane that he held onto even while sitting in a half circle with the rest of the present council members. The wizard was a representative of the Mages Tower.

The Continental Council was made up of high-level individuals representing each of the major nations on the continent. Chloe or myself usually sat in for Nilheim. Today, Witch Agatha stood in for North Sumbria, Prince Lucial Neftor for the Empire of Sands, Earl Oakley from Sumbria, Master Thomas Martin for Servalt, and Knight Commander Bastian for Peldeep. No one came from Drendil, but the new regent had sent an apology and assurance that he would attend the Summer Masquerade event.

As the host, Their Royal Highness Rowen presided over the council meeting. The monarch was guised as a young lady in blue silk robes with ornaments in their long black hair. They wore heavy coal eyeliner and glossy lipstick, and a touch of glitter on their cheeks. The glitter reminded me that I was missing Bronwynn’s performance at Herman’s to be here.

I’d had some time to calm down on my way here. I was used to using my job as a focus, and today was no different. I wasn’t saying that was healthy, just that I was doing it.

Slake casually lounged on my shoulder, and were it not for the grimalcat, I might have thrown caution to the wind and told Their Royal Highness I was not available until the appointed time.

Even if the appointed time was during an explosion of fireworks and magic.

“Well, Sumbria is innocent,” Earl Oakley huffed, his nose stuck in the air. Knight Commander Bastian was staring at the man with such an empty expression—purposely devoid of emotion to the point it was uncanny. The earl, for his part, kept sneering at the drakin noble every chance he got.

“The situation is not as clear as it was when I saved you from an ogre,” I said, rubbing in the fact the elf had required saving. He’d gone pale and angry when he saw me, and then outright panicked when he realized I was the Dark Lord’s right hand. It had done wonders for my nerves.

I placed my palm on the podium in front of me and leaned forward to look each member of the council in the eye. “No ruling nation has condoned, registered quest, or acted against the international treaties. In fact, the targets of each case were the nation’s own government . As such, it is with little doubt that I direct our attention to the individuals who are violating their respective sovereign law.”

“Are you not saying that because the poisoner is from Nilheim and you don’t wish to face repercussions?” Master Thomas asked. The half elf had pale gray skin and mixed blue-green hair, closer to aquamarine than teal. His parents were friends with the king and queen of Servalt, a selkie and an elf, and one of the leading forces in the revolution. Despite only making his debut at the Spring Ball, Master Thomas was already a force to be reckoned with.

His tribal tattoos glowed faintly if I looked closely. He was activating an ability.

“No,” I said simply. “As I’m sure Jack Laverick reported in Servalt, the Assassin’s Guild took a contract from Duke Lector Yarrow for the hits on King Keith, deposed King Simon and Queen Thalia, and Servalt’s own Queen Delia and King Astor. I am of the belief he was attempting an insurrection to make himself king of Servalt, and using his connection with Marquess Dorset to assassinate the Drendil rulers so the marquess and the kidnapped Princess Henrietta would take the throne, effectively gaining control over two kingdoms at the same time.”

“We are not fools; we were there for King Keith and Queen Henrietta’s report.” Witch Agatha shot me a look that said, “get on with it. ”

I’d adopted a casual stance behind the hip-high podium they’d provided for my evidence; the bottle of molten ash vane acquired by Slake in Servalt, copies of the registered poisons from each assassin’s guild, and the assassination quest receipts from Duke Lector in Servalt over the last year—many of which coincided with molten ash vane sightings—were all laid out in front of me.

“If the poisons are being made in Nilheim, then as per Section 42 of Trade Violations in the treaties signed by the Continental Council, all goods traveling through the Dark Enchanted Forest of Nilheim will receive a tax cut of one point seven percent for twelve months from the time set out by the Continental Council. The earliest account of the poison I have on file is summer of last year, when a civilian tried to assassinate Duke Francis of Drendil at his own birthday party.

“Too, Servalt’s Assassin’s Guild was blackmailed into using molten ash vane three times by Duke Lector, and as an authority of Servalt, they are in violation of Section 43b. Servalt would be issued a fine of one thousand gold pieces for each infraction, to be levied and paid to the Continental Council.

“As individual civilians of each nation, excepting the Empire of Sands, have been caught in the handling and use of a restricted potion, Servalt, Peldeep, Nilheim, North Sumbria and Drendil would all be subject to a vote of confidence to continue standing on the council for the duration of the investigation.”

Unease swept through the council at that last part, though Their Royal Highness only smiled an amused fox grin. Their Royal Highness was very aware of my intention for calling to motion the vote of confidence, which would force each nation to step back until I had time to further my investigation back home.

“I am in favor of beginning the tax reduction for twelve months starting on the first of next month,” Their Royal Highness voiced their opinion. “Allowing each trade guild the opportunity to prepare and report moving forward.”

Earl Oakley, moved by his emotions and not his business sense, argued, “But if they’re at fault, they should be punished from the time of the breach of trust!”

“As long as the molten ash vane case is completed before we pass the first sighting date from last summer, there is no difference. They’ll still be penalized for twelve months either way.” Witch Agatha pointed out. “And if it is not resolved within the year, we will extend it to a two-year penalty.”

There was something to be said for dealing with my peers. If the tax change started now , going into summer, then each nation would be able to push forward more than their usual commercial sales and take advantage of the new rates with careful planning and consideration for profit. If they set the twelve months’ starting date to last year, then it would cost everyone in time and resources to backtrack receipts and distribution of refunds .

Their Royal Highness stood then, putting to motion each order of business. As expected, no one decided to vote themselves off the council, Nilheim would reduce taxes, and fees would be paid.

Now, I just needed to find the poisoner in time to save my kingdom … from taxes.