"There's no way I'm signing this!" said Astra, slamming it down on the table. Unbeknownst to her, she was feeling the effects of the massive amounts of caffeine in the coffee. "Why not?" said Minestus, with a sincere look on his face. "I had Belboz check it over for fairness. He even had me take off a clause about you obeying my every command to the letter upon pain of nine lashings." "It was over the top," said Belboz between sips. "See?" said Minestus, "What more could you possibly want?" "For starters," said Astra, "I want five silvers a week." She scoffed at Minestus horrified expression. "You are a dragon, you have a hoard! You can afford it." "Yes, but you see..." said Minestus, "we hoard our hoard. We don't like giving it away." "You won't be giving it away," agreed Astra, "it will be fair wages for a hard working assistant. And secondly, you will not take any actions against Aqualaria or Allaria for the entire length of my employment. AND I get a ten gold piece bonus for every one of those damnable mushrooms you make me eat." "Whew!" said Belboz, taking a big swig of his coffee. "She's a tough nut to crack, M." Minestus glared at Belboz. "Indeed...," he said dryly. "Anything else, princess?" "As a matter of fact," replied Astra, "there is. You and your minions and associates and what have you are never allowed to harm me or my family, in perpetuity. So even if I leave your employ, you can't harm me or mine. And you can't murder me just to end my employment." Minestus downed the rest of his coffee in one long gulp, then wiped his mouth with a fringe of Belboz's robe (to his loud and profane verbal chagrin). "That's ridiculous," he growled. "if I am to even consider this, that last item must be modified. I propose that me and mine leave you and your family alone for as long as you are in my employ and that if you stay in my employ for five years you will earn ten years protection (after leaving my employ). Ten years gives you twenty years protection. It will accrue double on every five year anniversary of your employment. What say you? You must agree before I even consider your amended contract."
|
2/20/2014 11:50:45 AM
Extending Enabled
21382852 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.