This post was inspired by a writing prompt in the Worldbuilding Community - Worldbuilding Prompt #1051 - Bargaining for Power
Enjoy !
It was easy for the courtiers to see the power dynamic in the throneroom, deep below the Northern Ice. King Hargrim might be their ruler, the king of the Deep Dwarves of Gorgar, as he sat dejected upon his golden throne, but it was Lady Teren of the Drow who was in charge.
"My Lord King," she stated with a chilling calm, "I feel I should remind you I am Viceroy here, with all the authority given to me by Lloth. You are king of the deep dwarves only through my grace."
"But I am still king. I was king before you came, and my people still obey me, not you."
"True. But if you are gone, then we can make them a true slave race, to join our other slaves. You are all that stands between them and that fate. Do you think you would survive if you challenged me ?"
Hargrim laughed a humourless laugh. "My Lady Teren, you have seen me on the battlefield, and I have seen you. Your dragon is truly a wonder to behold, it is master of the skies. But those skies are a mile above us. If I choose the battlefield and close before you can use your magic, then I could defeat you."
Then he gathered himself, reminding himself that wisdom was needed here, not wrath.
"But I do not wish to fight you. I accept you as viceroy. What I want is to see my people given the recognition they have earned fighting for you in your war against the unquiet dead. They have earned that."
Lady Teren smiled, this time showing the little warmth she was capable of. "And I appreciate the sacrifices your warriors have made in my name, I truly do. But you should understand that I cannot and will not show weakness. It would set a bad example to our other subjects. They might rebel, and we would have to put those rebellions down by force. Think how many lives you will save by asking for nothing."
"My people have suffered for your war, My Lady. If I ask for nothing, it will be they who rebel. Our warriors are veterans, thanks to your summons. Would you prefer them to depose me and force you to put down a rebellion by experienced warriors instead of tame slaves ? You and I have worked together well for many years. I am sure we can agree something which enables us to continue to do so."
She thought for a while, pacing back and forth in front of the throne as she did so. Courtiers backed away at each turn. They knew her savage wrath, and didn't want to trigger it by breaking her chain of thought.
Finally she reached a decision.
"You are right. You and your warriors have earned my respect. Even though the war against the undead is all but over, I may have need of your services again very soon. So, I propose three things. First, that your people be allowed to create a trade mission in the prosperous port city of Kelos, which you currently garrison to support the locals. Second, that the profits from that mission will be paid in tribute to the Drow, but in place of the current tribute you pay every year. Finally, I will ask my mistress to formally record her gratitude and thanks to you and your warriors for their heroism."
King Hargrim bowed. No longer having to pay the annual tribute was a massive gift, one which would enable him to pay for the upkeep of the families of the fallen warriors.
"But what of the isolation clause in the Underice Compacts ?"
The Compacts were the treaty that had kept the races deep below the Northern Ice in some kind of balance for a thousand years, preventing genocidal wars of extermination while allowing minor conflicts to run their course without spiralling out of control. The isolation clause was the one which prohibited any formal diplomacy or trade with the surface races beyond occasional casual contact. It meant that none of the Underice powers could seek help from outside.
Lady Teren grinned. "I am sure I can persuade my mistress to write in a small addendum. After all, if the trade post was a private venture by a small group of enterprising merchants, then it could be argued that it fell outside the restrictions of the Compacts".