Chapter 12 – The tutors – Part 2

"What's this?"

"My resignatio-"

"Denied"

"But-"

"DENIED!"

"Your Majesty!", Broadframe wailed, "I can't do this anymore! Please just let me return to quietly-"

"DE! NIIIIED!"

The offending letter was promptly ripped to shreds in the Goblin King's hands, accompanied by a tired but no less intimidating glare.

'If I have to deal with this shit, then so do you.', the goblin's stare seemed to convey.

Broadframe sobbed but got back to work anyways.

Honestly, just a few days ago, he'd have never dreamed of acting like this, to anyone. Never dreamed of this degree of sheer incompetence, of unprofessionalism… in Gringotts no less! Most of all, he'd never dreamed of getting used to his majesty's presence, of acting like this before his own ruler. Yet, he was tired, he was exhausted, he was done… and did he mention that he was tired?

At some point, he had just… lost the energy to care for etiquette. Etiquette wasn't important. He'd rather rest his eyes for those precious few seconds than waste them on something like etiquette.

His Majesty didn't seem to mind.

He had no doubt he would, once they were both less done with… everything.

The whole Evans affair was turning out to be even more of a clusterfuck than he had first feared.

The results of the investigation to date had shown as follows. Some of the most precious and irreplaceable artifacts had been taken from the artifact vaults. The trust fund of the young heir had been regularly emptied, with no records of where the money was going or who had taken anything. No records of access to the artifacts vault were found either, to make matters worse. So they had no way to identify the thief. Especially since the previous account manager wasn't talking. To top it off, just as his mind shields had been broken, the goblin had died before any information could be gleaned.

Luckily for them, the artifacts had recall runes worked into them that couldn't be blocked by any known magic. Thus, they had promptly recalled them and had a team working on screening the lot for any tampering or damage. As luck would have it, nothing irreversible had been found.

Gringotts would likely have to make up the difference in gold out of their own pockets, seeing as it wasn't possible to find the culprit currently. No magical residue had been left after all this time to possibly identify a suspect either. Thus, pay they would. If only that was all they'd have to do to make things right…

No, the Evans were no idiots. His first action as soon as the Clan leader had left had been to get the original contract.

Very few Clans or Families had survived long enough for the original treaties to still be in effect over the Ministry's generalized ones, so it didn't take him long to find the appropriate file and carry it back to his desk.

He had gone over the contract with a fine-toothed comb and what would you know… As expected of one of their first contracts it left a lot of leeway to the client and not enough for them.

Worst case scenario, they would have to pay double for anything that had gone missing, including the priceless ancient artifacts, which… would bankrupt the Nation. Which would likely mean death or enslavement of their race, unless they did the dishonourable thing and fled. That would go against anything they stood for though, and make them no different from the wizards they despised…

For now, his majesty had decided, they would wait and see what the Evanses would demand. The recent movements of the Clan really didn't allow them to make a prediction and pre-emptive offer, unless…

The Clan leader was currently feeling very protective of the young charge he had rescued.

But what could they offer to assist the child?

King Ragnok still hadn't come up with a satisfactory suggestion, when Broadframe daringly interrupted his thoughts.

"Your majesty… I just received word that Mr. Evans is here."

Well… there went that idea.

"Clan leader Evans! We meet again!", Broadframe waved the man and his companion into his office.

"Greetings once more, manager Broadframe.", Verde nodded to the goblin and gestured to Viper, "I hope you don't mind that I've brought a companion today. This is Viper, a consultant of the Clan. They'll be assisting me in the negotiation later."

Broadframe gulped as something seemed to catch in his throat. That didn't sound good.

"Of course that's alright", he managed to finally reply, after a second of awkward staring. "His Majesty will be here shortly. Would it be alright if I report on our progress until he arrives?"

"Certainly, please do."

So Broadframe did, in detail.

Verde looked at him unwaveringly, not showing any reaction as he listened to the disappointing report.

"So, basically, the thief walks free.", he finally concluded. He knew who it had most likely been, and so did the goblins. Alas, they had no proof, and no one would accept Dumbledore had possibly done something wrong without irrefutable evidence. Maybe not even then.

Verde sighed heavily, took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes.

"Given the likely culprit, that doesn't surprise me as much as it should."

At that moment the doors opened once more and the goblin king made his way in and toward the seat usually taken by Broadframe, who had understandably stayed standing.

"Clan leader Evans. It's a pleasure to meet one of our oldest clients in person."

"Your Majesty. The pleasure is mine", Verde said as he got up and bowed to the goblin, as courtesy demanded.

"I have been informed of the happenings and chose to personally take charge of the investigation. It's a matter of the whole Nation's honour and credibility after all."

"Indeed. I appreciate you taking the matter as seriously as you have."

"Now then, I trust Broadframe has briefed you to your satisfaction?"

"He has, I didn't even have to ask for clarification on anything. Thank you, Broadframe."

"It was my honour"

"Then, would you be agreeable to discuss the matter of compensation?"

"Of course. My companion Viper will advise me should the need arise if that's agreeable."

"Certainly. It's a pleasure, Viper"

"Mou, the pleasure is mine, your Majesty.", the small adult bowed as Verde had.

Verde decided it was in his best interest to take charge of the negotiation, King or not.

"I believe that seeing as the victim is mainly my grandson, the compensation we discuss should mainly benefit him as well. Rest assured, that it is not our intent to take advantage of the situation. Should the matter be resolved to our satisfaction today, I shall let the matter rest."

The king almost managed to hide the relieved slump of his shoulders. That sounded like the damage could possibly be kept to a minimum.

He nodded for Verde to continue.

"I'm not one to make excessive demands, or hurt those I am allied with, so I'll come right out and tell you our proposal. There is one item we'd like you to loan us, we'd also like the funds that have been misappropriated to be returned in full. With a guarantee that no one but my grandson will have access to his account henceforth, not even myself. Last but most importantly, what my grandson needs most right now, is a quality education. We would like you to spare a full-time tutor for him and allow him permanent access to your library. He will sign a binding contract not to share any of the knowledge they teach that isn't widely available to wizards otherwise."

The king stared at the small adult in front of him, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It never did. Those demands were surprisingly reasonable, really mainly benefitting the child. They would have to sacrifice some of their pride and their secrets, but only to one individual, one they had wronged first.

The king really didn't have the heart to deny those terms, rightfully fearing what other demands would take its place, yet… the last time the goblins had shared their expertise had not ended well. For them. Yet there could be much worse demands to be made.

"What item are you interested in loaning?"

"One fragment of the Chains of Heaven."

The king raised an eyebrow in surprise. Whatever he had expected, that wasn't it. In fact, their demands were so reasonable he wanted to become suspicious but…

"We will be the ones wording the contract", Ragnok stipulated finally.

"As you wish", Verde readily agreed.

"Very well, we have a deal"

That went surprisingly smoothly, Viper thought privately. They hadn't even had to step in. Then again, they'd have demanded much more in the first place so maybe it wasn't that surprising.

Many a goblin would be offended by the terms of the agreement, mainly the ones sharing their knowledge with a human, but both Broadframe and Ragnok were actually quite satisfied, if not relieved with the outcome.

"Then young Laurence shall be treated the same as a goblin. I shall call upon Teemor and Bree to tutor young Laurence. Teemor used to be my own tutor in my younger days, while Bree is currently the best instructor for Mind Magics, which are the foundation of proper study. Should they judge your grandson qualified for higher education, more specialized tutors will be arranged then. As soon as he has a solid foundation in mind magics, we shall grant him access to our Royal Library. Are these arrangements acceptable?"

"Very well, we have ourselves a deal, your Majesty."

Verde smiled in satisfaction.

"When can the tutoring start?"

"I will have to check with the goblins in question but next month at the latest."

"Perfect"

Shortly thereafter, Verde and Viper left to fetch the loaned piece of chain.

Ragnok heaved a heavy sigh, knowing he'd have to inform his subjects of his decision lest they be affronted by the child's presence at one point or another. In fact, should he prove worthy, it may be a good idea to make him a friend of the Nation. Thanks to him, they'd really evaded a calamity after all, and befriending the next generation of Evans was in itself a good idea.

His gaze fell on Broadframe, who was shamelessly slumped on the floor, relief obvious.

"Broadframe", he addressed the goblin.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"You're fired"

"Yes?"

The hopeful tone in his voice really annoyed the Goblin King.

"From now on, you'll be my assistant."

"Eh?"

"Any complaints!?"

"Of course not… your Majesty."

Ragnok pretended not to see the despair on his subjects' face and nodded in satisfaction. He really needed an assistant who wasn't afraid of being himself around him. His old one was driving him crazy with that stick he seemed to carry up his butt at all times.

-

Yes, I'm alive. Though idk if I'll vanish again...