For the grand duke this was what he exactly wished for. A chance to finally make amends, to fix his pride whilst not endangering any other. Perhaps his hired protectors will continue to curse him, telling him that he risked his life for nothing. That it would have tainted their pride to fail this mission.
Still, it was a risk worth taking for the man who had done so little yet had all the power to do so much more.
"Could I have a name before we begin negotiations?" The grand duke asks, the same noble facade from before still firmly implanted upon his face.
"Young boy, you should know better than that. You can speak whatever you like, but never can one parlay with death." The woman replies as she goes to grab, the blood-stained white poppy that had gotten stuck. The small dribble of water was unable to carry the flower past the first interval of higher stones.
"Then I wonder what has propelled you to meet my demands? It would be far simpler to ignore "strange demands" from one of your targets."
"Business is business. If rumors started to rise that we do not respond to a call. Then men and women will doubt our excellence."
"Three dead assassins are not what I would call "excellence." It's a difference between nobility and murderers I suppose."
"The noble nobleman speaks with hypocrisy. Especially for one so proud to have survived the pups."
The general feeling of the situation does not match the hostile words. The both respectively older man and woman keep a calm aura between them. A mutual consensus that the other is below them and unworthy of even a trickle of emotion.
"However even those unworthy of living often stand the trial longer than those truly worthy. You may speak your suggestion, pup. I shall listen."
"How quickly death has gained ears."
"I'm not death. It is far stricter and more unreasonable than I." the elder flower-dressed woman says as her hand travels vertically against the old man's neck. Even with only the fingertips touching his bare skin, he could feel his fight-or-flight instinct kick in. "It's even more sudden than that, pup."
"I would like to put a hit on those who have hired your "group" to kill me. I might not be aware of who or what, but my duchy's wealth is always available for those… Deserving of my favor." The grand duke of Creseytesia recollects himself, showcasing some of the "funner" aspects of his birthright. The old woman does not respond, her attention focused on the white poppy in her hand. The poppy wilts in her hand before she drops it on the ground. The dirt where the poppy meets swallows the wilted flower.
"You may call me Flora, grand duke." She says with a benign smile on her face, her hands reaching for the dirt where the poppy landed. "Are you sure you truly know the cost of what you speak of?"
"If I couldn't pay it then I would've been dead by now. My rule might have been flawed, but luckily the treasury has not followed that same fate…. However, I would like to come to a compromise... I wish to know the identity of the other contractor. Otherwise, I might accidentally underestimate your… "Services.""
"Another service of us? Divulging another client's name… Normally I would decline, however if you're prepared to keep this matter in consideration when paying the price. Then there could be common ground."
"i will double my first intention."
Flora laughs softly, shaking her head. "Triple it and I will tell you the name and if you offer 4 times the amount then I will even explain the reason why I haven't killed you yet."
"Fine, 4 times the amount it is." The grand duke decides to give in to the outrageous price, for once in his life giving up wealth instead of character. Flora on the other hand whilst not having a youthful excitement, seems to be properly satisfied. The smile of a veteran car saleswoman finishing yet another high value sale visible on her lips.
"We were hired by Vessen Heris Assar, someone you're well acquainted with I presume?" Flora says as she reaches for the ground where the wilted poppy became the ground's nutrient. An entirely new bundle of poppies already standing proudly as she pulls them out. Handing one over to Dalbert Estian. "We were quite surprised to have a one of the slave masters ask for the dead of a distant grand duke. However, it seems your alliance proposal with the Kingdom of Revay has become a source of concern for the slave masters. Vessen took the initiative and proposed for your elimination, in the hope that instead of seeking a new ally your son would be too preoccupied with its father's murderer."
"Vessen… That meddler! Always trying to create business where it doesn't belong!" The grand duke yells, unable to hide the visible rage and hatred.
"The hatred seems to be mutual. It doesn't matter. Luckily for you, grand duke our guild noticed... That Vessen either lacked common sense or purposefully tried to spite us. He had already "arranged our reward" a measly 2 pouches of gold. A measly price even for the frailest of political leaders."
"Your opinion of me has been noted." The grand duke responds, the noble facade again more prevalent.
"As long as the payment doesn't notice it. Otherwise, young Dersten Estian will have some flowers delivered." Flora responds, reestablishing the power balance of this conversation.
"Normally, we would ignore the matter and take our price afterward. Unfortunately Vessen is a loveless man. Taking matters far enough whilst simply not slitting his throat seemed nearly impossible. The meager payment is also the reason we decided to send the little pups first. A simple cost-gain decision." Flora explains as she hands over one of the white poppies. Dalbert Estian, the grand duke accepts it and grabs the note and quilt he had brought with him. He writes the name "Vessen Heris Assar" upon it and throws both in the small stream of water.
He turns around, to see only the empty forest remain. His eyes immediately turn back to the poppy and note, also already gone. A sigh escapes his mouth, his hearth beating wildly.
"It's done. I've done it. Now to finally finish what I… what we started." He mumbles lightly before he returns to the tavern.