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[Thrax]

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The two men, one, a human soul and the other daemonic, faced each other at long last. Looking at the other, both felt as if they were looking into a mirror, for their physical features were perfectly identical. Only their voices were different: the Baron's tonal lilt being unmatched by his counterpart, whose own voice resounded a deep bass and slightly monotonic.

"Please, have a seat," the Baron, playing host at Whitehall, suggested to Anthraxas, extending his hand toward a comfortable-looking reading chair near the door of his office. His words and tone hinted at no malice or unkindness in the least, and that, as much as anything, kept Anthraxas on his guard. Nevertheless, he sat down slowly, followed in turn by his host who seated himself at a huge stone desk across from him. "Thank you for coming so quickly," the Baron added.

"Why did you call me here?"

"Direct. I like that. And it's a fair question. You are here because we have important matters to discuss and issues to solve between us."

Anthraxas shifted slightly in his chair. "Yes, we do! As in the fact that half of what you own is rightfully mine."

The Baron smiled. "Disputable at best... brother, but I am prepared to honor your claim. I give you full and free access on all my lands and the right to do as you please, with the proviso that should your predatory urges take hold of you, as I know they will, you will find somewhere else to sate them. No vanquish, robbery, or pillaging, either. I will not have you make a mess of the order I have established here."

The daemon could not believe what he was hearing.

"Furthermore," Thrax continued, "I will place one third of my gold reserves into your account and will give you fifty percent of all tax revenues and income from my serfs and holdings."

"Why are you doing this?"

Thrax leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. "Because you are, after all, my brother, and I take care of my kin. I freely confess that without your aid along the way, my progress to this point in life would have taken longer at best, and would not have succeeded at worst."

"You could not have done it without me."

"Perhaps. Even likely. But that is a question that shall forever remain a mystery."

"And if I refuse? One third is not half!"

The Baron leaned forward, placing his hands on the table in front of him. His eyes flashed anger. "Then take it up with the Master---*your* Master! I am sure he would see things *my* way!"

Anthraxas' eyes widened.

"Yes. Oggaroth is free again and has returned to his former avatar, Lord Spawn. It is he with whom I shall appeal for arbitration should it come to it. And do not delude yourself for one minute that you, a misbegotten sell-sword, an insignificant body-stealer, would come out the better against me---a noble with power, position, and influence useful to him and the cause!!"

The daemon stood up, rage filling him to the point of madness. He reached for his kryss.

"Oh calm down. Calm down my heady brother!" Thrax chided him condescendingly. "You really *must* learn to rein in that nasty temper of yours like I have. It will be the end of you if you don't."

The daemon, stifling his anger, reluctantly sat back down.

"This is a fair deal. You have the run of things around here, within limits of decency; ample gold. What then do you lack?"

"Stay away from the Matriarch."

"What's that?"

"I don't like repeating myself."

The Baron could not repress a grin. "So, you have feelings for her."

"I know what she wants. Other suitors don't matter to me, but you I will not permit as one."

"Ah, your worries are groundless, brother. I am a happily married man with two fine children. I mean for it to remain that way. Hence I will not be found competing with you for her, or anyone else's, affections. The Matriarch and I have renewed our friendship, but that is all. Fear not."

Anthraxas nodded, only half believing. "I wanted to hear you say it," he replied. He considered the bargain for a few moments. "I accept. I expect the gold to be in my account by day's end," he stated, rising to his feet. "I also have taken residence in the small tower behind this place," he added, expecting to shock the Baron.

Thrax was unfazed. "I know, and have known for some time. I always keep a close eye on perceived threats," he replied, smiling.

Unperturbed, the daemon completed a chant, departing in a sudden flash of azure incandescence as the spell of recall transported him away.

Thrax breathed a sigh of relief. That takes care of that. Now... who's next?