# The Grandmaster of Sarthas - Chapter 20

Author: Ceberune
Tags: Character Development, Fox, M/F, Plot Development, Rabbit, Suggestive, Tiger, Wolf

#7 of The Grandmaster of Sarthas

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Kitsune monarch approached the seated amarok carefully.&nbsp; Nothing was quite as disturbing that walking up on a phoenix taking care of their ancestral weapons.&nbsp; Watching a male wolf copy those motions with unerring accuracy did not help matters as the wolf spoke.&nbsp; "I see why you flunked out of Sharp Shooter School Your Majesty."&nbsp; The wolf said in a playful manner.&nbsp; The fox king sputtered a moment before sighing.&nbsp; "I was never one for sneaking around.&nbsp; I was always a sucker for a fair fight."&nbsp; The wolf chuckled.&nbsp; "Says the monarch that used his 'celebrity' status to intimidate competition at the Midrarian tournament."&nbsp; Alhundro chuckled at this.&nbsp; "Considering your training, that would all be part of the 'fair' fight.&nbsp; Your Sensei is all for underhanded tactics.&nbsp; That is why most of his students are courtesans.&nbsp; Their battlefield is lies and deception.&nbsp; You are a warrior by nature, trained in the ways of honorable combat that the Pheonix live and breathe, and yet you do not hesitate to cheat when the opportunity presents itself."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; The wolf chuckled and placed his blade back onto the pedestal that sat nearby after placing it back in its saya.&nbsp; "My master taught me what he used to win the wars he has fought.&nbsp; Because of my upbringing, I do not have the 'benefit' of the concept of honor or fair.&nbsp; I understand the concepts now, and would like if things could be kept on fair footing, but I will not hesitate to take the low road for the purposes of victory and survival."&nbsp; The King smiled.&nbsp; "That is what I wanted to hear.&nbsp; I am sure that Bianca and Bomani have tried to give you some ideas on how to use your Estate for the best profits, or any profit at all.&nbsp; I would like to add a proposal of my own.&nbsp; One that would keep with the best practices of the nation in which it is located."&nbsp; Ceberune chuckled.&nbsp; "How kind of you Alhundro."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; The fox chuckled.&nbsp; "Your predecessor kept with the local druid circles in keeping no more troops on the Estate than he needed to keep it safe.&nbsp; Something that always hit the nation's bottom line.&nbsp; We make out talons through the hiring of our hunters and mercenaries to the world, and this estate refused to keep its own hirable unit."&nbsp; The wolf smirked.&nbsp; "You want a free male Amarok to raise an army, within your boarders, for the purposes of taxable income?"&nbsp; He asked.&nbsp; Alhundro smiled.&nbsp; "You have no ties here.&nbsp; No family and no political history in Horia.&nbsp; Your Estate would become a political wildcard, one that could provide me with some leverage to pass some laws that I have been working long and hard to get done."&nbsp; The wolf chuckled. &nbsp;"I have no interest in getting involved in the politics of your nation Alhundro."&nbsp; The fox smirked.&nbsp; "Then don't, but realize that you are in position that will make you a target.&nbsp; Lords will constantly wish to speak with you, invite you to Council meetings, or just bore you to death with small talk.&nbsp; I will be more than happy to tell them to leave well enough alone, but nobles being nobles, you will have spies constantly sneaking in here and likely assassins soon after."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; The wolf grumbled.&nbsp; "Can I appoint a spokesperson?&nbsp; Having to show up in Horia every six months for a Council meeting will cut into the ability to raise a proper army."&nbsp; The fox laughed.&nbsp; "Like the idea do you?"&nbsp; the wolf chuckled.&nbsp; "Anything that makes you a target of the Matriarchy is always amusing Alhundro."&nbsp; The fox waved off the concern.&nbsp; "If I lived my life with worry of what another nation can or would do to me if they had half the chance, I would never leave my room at the Palace."&nbsp; The wolf smiled.&nbsp; "Consider your army raised Alhundro."&nbsp; The Monarch offered the wolf his paw which was taken in friendship by the Grand Master.&nbsp; "I and the coffers of my nation thank you Lord Onyxclaw."&nbsp; He teased the wolf.&nbsp; Ceberune chuckled.&nbsp; "I could almost get used to the title..."&nbsp; he said with no small amount of sarcasm.&nbsp; The King laughed.&nbsp; "Best get used to it.&nbsp; All the workers on the Estate will call you by that title, as per their standing contract.&nbsp; All visiting nobles and their messengers are also expected to use that title.&nbsp; Bowing isn't quite as formal here as it is in the East, but it is recognized as a respectful greeting."&nbsp; The wolf grumbled.&nbsp; "I think the army will just be calling me 'boss'."&nbsp; Alhundro chuckled at that.&nbsp; "How mercenary of you."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; The wolf chuckled.&nbsp; "I will consult with my compatriots about the planning of this new company.&nbsp; We can meet in a month or two to discuss things in person?"&nbsp; He wolf asked.&nbsp; The fox nodded.&nbsp; "Excellent.&nbsp; I will see that I have the time.&nbsp; It is not often I get to meet with someone who could kill me in more ways that I can count, kill all my honor guard, then go up in front of my Council and make it all look like my fault."&nbsp; The wolf had to laugh.&nbsp; "That thought had never crossed my mind, but thank you for the ideas.&nbsp; Never hurts to plan for the future."&nbsp; He says teasingly.&nbsp; "As if you do not already have a rudimentary plan with several contingencies..."&nbsp; the fox fired back.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The wolf smirked.&nbsp; "All this talk of murder aside, I have to thank you."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; The fox quirked his head. &nbsp;"For what?"&nbsp; he queried.&nbsp; "For taking care of Nadia while I recovered."&nbsp; The wolf said with sincerity.&nbsp; The fox nodded.&nbsp; "A service I would gladly perform again.&nbsp; Though with a few diet changes next time.&nbsp; And perhaps with bigger quarters.&nbsp; It seems no matter where I went in those rooms of mine, she was able to find me, pounce me or seduce me."&nbsp; The wolf chuckled.&nbsp; "Better you then me."&nbsp; He teased, Alhundro chuckled.&nbsp; "Trust me.&nbsp; She was using me as a substitute.&nbsp; She wanted you the entire time."&nbsp; The wolf chuckled.&nbsp; "I need to find her a good male to focus on.&nbsp; I am trying to get her away from looking at me as the be-all end-all male."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; Alhundro chuckled.&nbsp; "Good luck with that my friend."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; "But before a certain rabbit royal comes out here with the wailing voice that she is starving, we may want to return to the estate."&nbsp; Alhundro said.&nbsp; The wolf chuckled.&nbsp; "It is getting to be around dinner time.&nbsp; Surprised she missed lunch..."&nbsp; he said musing.&nbsp; Alhundro laughed.&nbsp; "Bomani kept her quiet for most of the afternoon."&nbsp; Ceberune chuckled.&nbsp; "Best get cooking then before the poor tiger dies from exhaustion."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; Alhundro smiled.&nbsp; "And do not forget Nadia..."&nbsp; he said.&nbsp; Ceberune chuckled.&nbsp; "Come on Nadia.&nbsp; You may as well watch me cook as I know you will want something to do around here, at least for the time being."&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; The female fox popped out of her hiding place and looked around happily as she followed her master back to the estate.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/V1YDlPOn
Part of the series The Grandmaster of Sarthas
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