[31] Hammering out the details

In Cassandra's dimly lit chamber, the air was thick with anticipation as Elara and I prepared to finalize our deal with the pirate lord. Before we started, I gave Elara a knowing look and whispered, "Let me handle this."

Facing Cassandra, I started the negotiation with confidence. "We propose a 90-10 split. The Sea Wolves take 90%, and you get 10%."

Cassandra's reaction was immediate and visceral. Her eyebrow arched in disbelief, and then her fist slammed down on the table, her eyes flashing with fury. "Ten percent? Are you out of your fucking mind? I demand a 90% cut!"

I remained unfazed by her outburst, meeting her fiery gaze with calm resolve. "That's not going to work for us. But I'm willing to negotiate. How about a 20% cut for you?"

Cassandra leaned back, her anger simmering just below the surface. "Twenty percent? You're testing my patience. I say 50%."

I countered firmly, "25%. That's more than fair for the passive role you're playing in this."

She narrowed her eyes, considering the offer. After a moment, she replied, "30%. But on one condition – you spend one day a week with me."

The request caught me off guard, and I hesitated, glancing briefly at Elara, who looked equally surprised. "One day a week? That's an... unusual condition. May I ask why?"

Cassandra's expression was inscrutable, a mix of domination and boredom. "Consider it part of the deal. I find you... interesting. And I like to keep interesting people close. It's non-negotiable."

I weighed my options, aware of the potential risks and benefits. Finally, I extended my hand. "Alright, 30%, and I agree to your condition. One day a week."

We shook on it, finalizing the deal. Cassandra's smirk was enigmatic, leaving me to wonder about her true intentions.

As Elara and I left her chamber, I could feel her curious gaze on me. "One day a week with Cassandra, huh? That's going to be... interesting."

I nodded, a mix of apprehension and curiosity in my own thoughts. "It's part of the game, I guess. We'll see how it plays out. For now, we've got a deal that works in our favor, and that's what counts."

***

In the treacherous waters of the Devil's Choke, particularly in the northern section controlled by Cassandra, our new operation as the Sea Wolves began to take shape. Ships, seeking safe passage through the pirate-infested strait, were willing to pay for the assurance of security. Our strategy capitalized on this, offering protection by hugging the coast of Cassandra's territory, a route slightly longer but infinitely safer.

"We charge each vessel based on size," I explained to our team during a briefing. "Bigger the ship, higher the fee. Seventy percent of the take is ours; the rest goes to Cassandra."

Our mercenaries nodded, understanding the simplicity and effectiveness of the plan. We stationed them on each ship that hired our services. Before any vessel with our mercenaries on board began its journey through the choke point, we sent a message to Cassandra. This ensured she was aware and would hold back any attacks.

"Remember, we board at the designated location," I continued. "Once on board, we fly our flag colors for the day. And those colors change every damn day to stop any fkers trying to impersonate us."

Elara, overseeing the operation, added, "Stay sharp, stay focused. We're not just mercenaries; we're guardians of these ships. Any sign of trouble, you know what to do."

Our mercenaries, a mix of seasoned fighters and strategic minds, boarded the ships at the agreed-upon locations. Each boarding was methodical, with our team ensuring no detail was overlooked.

As a ship prepared to set sail, I watched our men hoist the flag – a symbol of the Sea Wolves' protection. The colors, vibrant and distinct, would be different the next day, a tactic to keep potential imposters at bay.

"Alright, let's move out!" shouted one of our team leaders, a seasoned sailor named Drake. The mercenaries took their positions, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of pirate ships or unexpected threats.

Onboard, the captain of the merchant vessel, a burly man named Captain Hargrove, approached me. "Heard a lot about you lot. Never thought I'd be hiring mercenaries, but these are desperate times."

I gave him a reassuring nod. "We'll get you through safely, Captain. The Sea Wolves have your back."

Q: Are you good at negotiating?