Mark of the Fool

Chapter 460: The Final Financial Battle of Operation Grand Summoning Ascension

First of all, Khalik began, flipping to the beginning of Alexs proposal. Understand that these things I am about to tell come from lords beseeching their king, not a subordinate beseeching their boss. The situations are similar, but not equivalent. For example He ran his finger down the margin beside the second page. your tone in this would not be suitable for a subject addressing their monarch. You are missing the customary toadying, bowing, scraping and sickening compliments that accompany these things in a great effort to avoidoh what is the Rhinean term for it? Isolde said it once

Lse-majest, you mean? Alex asked.

Indeed! That is the word: an assault on the monarchs dignity, Khalik said. It is something that must be avoided, even when the king is as easy-going as my father. But yes, you need not worry about buttering up your boss as you would a king.

Actually, Alex chuckled beside the prince. My first instinct was to throw in as many compliments as possiblemaybe some begging, for good measurebut I didnt think that would set a good precedent for whats supposed to be a business partnership.

Indeed, you are most correct in this. Khalik nodded. Which is why proposals delivered to my father from other kingdoms ambassadors read decidedly differently in tone. When one ruler is conversing with another, it is important that they show each other respect, but in no way convey deference. It is the same with this.

He pointed to one of Alexs sentences. Here, your language is neutral, yet respectful: which is good for one seeking to craft an equal partnership. However, you have missed one important aspect to your proposal.

Alex flinched. What is it?

Simply puthmmm. The prince flipped to a blank page in Alexs notebook. Might I tear this out?

By all means.

Khalik ripped the page from the book and flipped back to the proposal.

In your proposal, you explain all the benefits of your business plan: you speak of great profits, grand rises in reputation and the speed with which you and Toraka Shale can reach the market if you were to act together quickly. Khalik wrote each of these points on his sheet of paper. You also give a good breakdown as to how this will increase the market share of Shales Workshop. These are all glorious points. However, you have failed to explain one matter: your capability.

Pardon? Alex cocked his head. I did that! On page six, I have the schematics for the product and I explain how capable it is! Not to mention that shes already got an example to look at.

Indeed, that is true, the prince said, but it is not the products capability that you missed out, it is your own.

Eh? My own, Alex paused, confused. Oh, Ive already taken care of that. When I negotiated my salary for my new job, I sang my own praises so much that it was almost sickening. She knows what Im capable of.

In general, yes. The prince nodded. But! You do not explain why you are uniquely positioned to do these things you speak of in this proposal. You should not only be selling your boss on the idea, you should also be explaining why youare indispensable in its execution.

Well, thats easy to see, Alex said. So far, Im the only one whos made anything with dungeon core essencewell, thats not quite true, I guess. Some Thameish crafters made weapons and armour out of dungeon core remains for the Heroes, but Im the only one whos made a golem before.

Mhm, that is true, but I have a question for you.

What is it?

Khalik frowned. Why are you telling me this? Put it in your proposal. Tell your future business partner why you are capable, and why you are irreplaceable.

Oookay, yeah, good point, Alex noted the point on his own piece of scrap paper. Anything else youd suggest?

A few things. Khalik flipped to the proposals first page. You have done an excellent job of explaining how a business partner can be valuable to the projectbut you should specify why Toraka Shale would be valuable to the project.

Right. Alex nodded along. Otherwise it might seem like Im looking at her as just a generic bag of coins to fund the project.

Too right, Khalik said. In the case of a lord making a proposition to their monarch, it is about convincing the ruler why something cannot occur without their intervention and royal treasury. After all: everyone and their goat wants the king to open the royal treasury. As for you, you must convey why Shales Workshop is indispensable compared to another business.

Hmmm, Alex frowned. Might not want to lean too heavily into that: I dont want her to get the impression that she has me over a barrel.

That is true, so in this case, you must strike a balance. If you do not show why Shales role is significant, then you run the risk she could be insulted or question your future loyalty.

Future loyalty?

Indeed. What guarantee does she have that you will not immediately dissolve the partnership as soon as you are able and move onto another workshop?

Ah yeah, fair point. Fair point, Alex agreed, making another note. This is already helping loads.

Good! And remember that a compliment to her and her business will put her in a fine mood, and make it more likely that she accepts your idea. Another thinghave you thought of what the current priorities of Shales Workshop are as a business?

What do you mean? Making money, of course, Alex said.

Yes, but how? Through expansion? Through invention? Through driving a rival out of business? Find out what Shales most immediate concern and priority isif you canand show how this proposal will help that along.

Oh thats bloody great! Alex said. Itll make my idea seem like it has a lot more of an immediate impact. Good thought, there Khalik.

I try. The prince grinned. As for the restI think it can stand on its own. Your He glanced at Alexs shoulder. ...friend helped you most of the way. What I have given you merely serves as the extra spice to enhance an already fine meal.

Ah, this is the best, Alex said. Dont know how Ill ever repay you.

That armour will be a good start. The prince sipped his drink. And perhapsif this proposal goes as well as you anticipateI might ask you for a discount on one of your fineproducts.

The thameish wizard looked at Khalik sharply. Really? You think youd order one?

Absolutely, oneof them would make a kingly gift for my father and mother. So yes, I think I would. And that simply means thatto repay your debtyou must make sure the proposal goes well, then.

Yeah! Alex jotted down his final note for his business plans potential revisions. Well if it does, the first thing Im going to do is get you so drunk, you wont be able to walk straight. Seriously, mate, your plan helped me get that dungeon core fast. I couldnt do any of this without you.

Hah! Well, it is for my own benefit as well, Alex: your staff might help me avoid a grisly fate in the hells.

Oh I dont think itll come to that: well have Baelins spell-marks to protect us, Alex countered.

And for that I am gratefulbut these are demons that we will now battle, not simple muupkaras. Who knows what unexpected dangers we will face. So, I will be more comfortable with your staff complete, and on our side.

Right, fair point, Alex said. I suppose the only thing to do now is finish this proposal and hope that all goes well. Both at Shales, and in the hells.

A toast, then. Khalik raised his goblet. May your proposal go well so that you will live through our coming battle.

Alex chuckled wryly, raising his cup. Andshould I diemay my proposal go so well that I can die a rich man!

Hah, you can be morose sometimes, but stillwell said. Cheers! And may a river of gold fall upon you!

The two young friends clinked their goblets together.

Well, then, nothing more to it. Alex whispered to himself, pacing back and forth in front of Shales office. In one hand he clutched a copy of his business proposalwith the original being perfected over several nights and given to Toraka some days earlierand in the other he held a rather hefty box.

Ican carry that for you, father, Claygon noted, glancing up from his book.

Its alright, buddy, I didnt grow all these great, big muscles just to let them go to waste, you know, Alex said, nervously glancing at the door. Besides, Im so nervous I might jump out of my skin if I dont have something to hold onto, Id

His sentence was cut off as the door suddenly opened.

Alex, youre early, Toraka said, blinking in surprise. I was just about to step into the washroom, how long have you been waiting out here?

About ten minutes, maybe, he lied. Likely, it was closer to twenty or more. Im surprised you didnt hear Claygon coming down the hall.

Well, I was busy making some calculations and I have my music golem going a little loudly, Toraka said, then turned and nodded at Claygon. Good day to you.

Hello, Claygon said mentally while waving at her.

She smiled. Ill never tire of seeing that. Anyway, Ill be right back. You both can go wait in my office. Alex, pour yourself a drink. Strong or not.

Oh, Ill leave the strong stuff for later, he said. In case I need it for celebration orconsolation.

Well spoken, well, then go and pour yourself some minted water or something. Ill be back. She strolled down the hall, leaving Alex and his golem to shuffle into her office.

With shaking hands, Alex poured himself a tall glass of mint water and sank down in a chair before her deskputting his box downas Claygon took his place at his fathers side, burying himself in his puzzle book.

Alex shifted nervously, eyeing his business proposal spread open on Shales desk. It looked like it had been thoroughly reviewed with several notes scribbled in the margins.

He gulped, praying to the Traveller that all those notes meant good things.

He glanced at the office door then leaned over, trying to figure out what her notes saidbut, they were in a language hed never seen before. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves.

This was not the time for weakness.

Father Claygon said. Are you alright?

I am, Alex said quietly. Just steadying the heart. Soon well know how thisll all end up. Being nervous wont change anything about i

He paused, hearing Shales footsteps echoing down the hall.

Time to do or die, Alex, he muttered.

You make yourself comfortable? Toraka stepped into her office, shutting the door behind her. Ah, I see that you have. And you didnt start with the strong stuff, after all.

She rounded the desk, sat in her chair and glanced out the window.

So, are you enjoying your new home? She asked, nodding to the bakery across the street.

Alexs bakery.

A closed for repairs sign hung from the door, right above a sign that read under new management. There was a light on inside: no doubt Troy was in there, cleaning the kitchen and giving it some much needed love after years of neglect.

Well, I havent had too much time to enjoy it yet, Alex said. Just working on getting things cleared out, butgot to say, he nodded to the proposal on the desk, thats been occupying just a tad more space in my head.

And I can see that, she said, flipping through the proposal. Have you ever written one of these before?

No, actually, this is my first, he said.

Well, you did an excellent job, it reads like it was prepared by someone accustomed to writing dozens of proposals, Toraka said.

Alex mentally thanked both the Mark and Khalik. Im glad you think so.

I do. And I have to say, the opportunity to bring golems like Claygon to the market? She looked up at his golem hungrily. Well, I find that intriguing.

Very intriguing.

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