Macha's Journey 201 A Generous Offer

When they were invited into the office, they found themselves in a room with light wood paneling decorated with a few pieces of art. The pictures appeared to be drawn and painted by a child and depicted a questionably drawn person hitting various creatures on the head.

Instead of sitting at his desk, Chief Axtell moved to make tea and carried it to a small resting area.

"Lord Valois, we did not realize the man we brought in was a relation of yours," he began. His hands shook as he set the teacups down on the table.

Tyr did not pick up the cup or say anything. Instead, he crossed his legs and sat there in silence. His gaze rested on Macha and he waited patiently.

Sweat started to bead on the Chief's forehead. Not only did Laki have the last name of the King, but he was also related to one of the most powerful families in the country.

It was then that Macha remembered that she was supposed to handle the situation. She grabbed the teacup and took a sip of the tea.

"Why is Laki being detained?" she inquired.

She still held onto that ever so small sliver of hope that there was a mistake or misunderstanding.

After she asked her question a light knock sounded from the door. A plain looking woman with wire-rimmed gla.s.ses opened the door and peeked her head in.

Her voice sounded nasaly and she pushed her gla.s.ses up the bridge of her nose. "Chief, Lord Swat is here. Did you want me to show him in?"

She hated to interrupt his meeting with Lord Valois, but Lord Swat was a n.o.ble too.

The Chief's eyes buldged like a frogs, "Yes, yes! Please," he begged while wiping the sweat from his brow.

Lord Swat and the woman came from the same family, so he hoped they could settle the problem without it getting complicated. As things stood, he was unsure what Lord Valois was thinking or if there would be a lawsuit between the two families.

Tai Shan entered the room. Upon seeing Macha, he gave her a warm smile and opened his arms for a hug.

His grey eyes were filled with affection when he admited, "I was just thinking about asking you out for a lunch date. How have you been?"

Today he dressed in tan python leather pants, a black silk s.h.i.+rt, and a smokey grey jacket. A few silver necklaces hung around his neck and his hairstyle was purposefully messy.

Macha was excited to see her brother but confused as to why he made a sudden appearance. She smiled as he ruffled her hair, "I was actually going to visit you today, but I guess you came here for some reason..."

The Police Chief set a teacup down for Lord Swat. So far there did not seem to be any discord between the two parties. Now they all looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

He sat down and folded his hands in his lap. "Lord Montfort and Qara engaged in a fight last night at a bar called Kingfish Lounge. They inflicted heavy damaged to the establishment and caused a disturbance. The owner is seeking reparations. Since they are related to you and under your employment, I can waive the disturbance punishments but cannot stop the owner's request for reimburs.e.m.e.nt."

Tai Shan's brow furrowed with fear. "Lord Monfort? The King?!"

Macha quickly patted his hand, "No no no. Tyr's uncle, definitely not Freyr."

The news of a Tyr having an uncle surprised him, but he brushed it off. As long as it had not been the King, he did not need to worry as much.

His wrinkled brow relaxed slightly, "Ah. Sorry, I can't recall another Montfort. Is Qara all right?"

Qara was one of his better employees. She was a hard worker, capable, and commanded respect from the other employees. For her to create a disturbance like this was unusual.

Macha explained, "We recently found him. We actually wanted to ask if you would employ Tyr's uncle. Through a series of events, we acquired an extra airs.h.i.+p and hoped that he could work as a Captain for you."

She gave a tight smile and a nervous chuckle.

An airs.h.i.+p was expensive. Despite saving a little bit every month, he still did not expect to buy one for another fifty years.

His head tilted, "You have a spare airs.h.i.+p you're willing to lend me?"

If he had an airs.h.i.+p, then he could expand his business. This proposition would help the Swat family immensely.

Tyr, who had not said a word so far, reached into his pocket and brought out an envelope. He handed it to Tai Shan.

Skimming through the contract, he found that there was no fee for using the s.h.i.+p. Instead of a fee, Macha would receive a portion of the earnings made. His brow furrowed.

"You yourself don't want a fee or a percent of the profits?" he asked Tyr.

Tyr waved his hand, his voice sounded disinterested when he explained, "There's no need. Macha can have it."

This was part of his plan to raise the Swat family's wealth and influence. While he did not receive a cut for himself, he still created an ally. Eventually, if she married him, their money would be joined anyway, so it did not matter.

Tai Shan handed the contract back, "This is too good. I couldn't..."

The offer seemed too generous. He understood his sister dated Tyr, but for the Valois family to get nothing for their aid caused the Swat family to appear as if it were a charity case.

Tyr got up and opened the door, "May I have a word with you?"

He did not understand why a poor family like the Swats would not jump at this opportunity. The Rosenkrantz had gladly accepted this sort of a.s.sistance after the war.

The situation seemed tense and Macha and the Police Chief kept their mouths shut. They did not want to make it any worse.

After Tai Shan walked into the hallway, Tyr closed the door.

They stepped away from the office and Tyr explained, "I'm planning to marry Macha. If your family isn't doing well, it would be difficult for my mother to accept the union. This sort of aid is nothing to me, but very helpful to you. Do you want to make it impossible for your sister to wed me?" A dark brown eyebrow shot up at this accusation.

Tai Shan opened his mouth but did not know what to say. He had pride, but he did not want to prevent Macha from getting married. He looked around trying to think of another way to handle this.

In a low voice he explained, "I really would prefer if I paid a fee for using the s.h.i.+p. It seems wrong."

"I can just as easily give the s.h.i.+p to Macha in full. Right now she and I are joint owners on two airs.h.i.+ps. You can pay for the maintenance on the airs.h.i.+p. All I ask for my payment is that you employ that worthless excuse of an uncle I have as the Captain."

The thought of Laki caused Tyr's upper lip to shoot up. Last night when Macha had asked him to agree to her idea, he regretted letting the man live.

The contract felt heavy in Tai Shan's hand. He closed his eyes and settled his uneasy heart. He would not let his pride stop him from accepting this offer. Other n.o.bles may whisper about it, but vanity was something only the rich could afford. He refused to let his own pride stop his sister and family from enjoying a good life.

His voice was hoa.r.s.e when he nodded his head. "Fine. Thank you for your generous offer. I'll sign the contract."

When they reentered the office, Macha and the Police Chief were talking about the pictures on the wall. They seemed to be in a good mood and were laughing jovially.

Tyr did not move to sit down. His cold voice destroyed the good mood that had warmed the room. "Macha will pay for the damages that Laki and Qara owe. Now that this is settled, take me to see the idiot."

He wanted to have a few words with his uncle privately. This sort of behavior would not be tolerated, and he wanted to make that clear. Although he was forcing Macha to pay for the damages this time, it was only to punish her for wanting to bring his uncle back with them.