Clara
Levi Cortez
Fretasburge, Azarya 

"Alright. None of us will attack innocent people. That is not our style. There has to be people to rule over, after all. But know this. We are not against killing those who seek to stop us. We will carry out our duty to the people and liberate them from people who wish to rule them without compassion, but on our terms. You will see that this is a profitable venture for both of us." Levi said, walking over to the counter and telling one of the servants to run to his office. When they got back he handed the man a coin. The coin wasn't very interesting beyond the designs on it. 

"This is my promise. I will be there to get this coin back. " Levi said, and smiled. "Pleasure doing business with you."
Karen
William "The merchant"
Fretasburge, Azarya

He seemed to be displeased on Levi's words in regards to 'ruling' the commons. That was not supposed to be part of their deal, and it shouldn't be such... Years of thoughts about the goodness of freedom does put a man in a rather untrusting aura in regards to how he sees men attempting to 'rule for the greater good'.
"Good. I am glad that you will not kill innocents, and such pleases me immensely. However, there are two things that must remain in the clear at this deal that you wrongly assume to be in control of."

No smile crept up his lips, a starking difference to what happened to those of Levi. Instead, a scowl kidnapped the joy of his eyes, and replaced them with certainty on his own confidence and dominance over that agreement.
"You will not kill any prisoners, and will not slaughter any surrendering foes neither. You will have them sent to me, and I shall free them accordingly... As your words have showed me such, I do not believe that I should trust you with leaving people's lives in your hands. You are free to loot nobles and their belongings, keeps and whatnot, but both the people and those who have stopped fighting are to be spared."
-

Another sip from the wine, and it was, although hidden, noticeable that Levi was a pawn in his game, a brigand that he would make a favorable deal with to benefit both parts... Just like in a shop transaction, William sought results.
"No one is gonna rule over the commonfolk, that is another thing I must say. For the mere thought having even passed your mind, only a third of your men will be supplied until I can trust that you will not use those tools to simply replace the nobles with your brigands."

As his words turned harsh, the merchant's men had gotten ready for action, hands on top of their weapons' hilts, handles and whatnot.
"If the terms of our contract are broken, I am to make sure I get the payment from your corpse. You are not in control, Leviticus."

His mug's wine had been put down, and if someone was to look in it, they could notice the sips he had made were just falseties to trick people into thinking he was enough of a fool to not remain sober in a negotiation. Looking towards Levi, he awaited for a reply.
Clara
Levi Cortez 
Fretasburge, Azarya

Levi looked at the man, and shrugged. He could tell that the situation had changed, and he popped his neck. "Damn. You should know that I'm not much of a ruler. You misheard me. What I said was 'Liberate the people. Don't do anything stupid and tell your men to attack. I am more... Protected than I look. And my death will proceed your own." Levi said, sitting forward. 

"Let's talk numbers. You have fifty one soldiers with you. Scouts saw you a mile away, and counted your numbers. Why would you enter a tavern and not check your food. I am a bandit and you did not think to check your drink? That's suicidal. But don't fear. I didn't poison you. I did, however, have the goods on your horses outside checked for anything that could be used against me. You should listen to me when I say I have thieves among this group here. You should tell your men to check any gold they were carrying." Levi said, before standing up and taking a cup from one of the servants. "Also I have little need of your money. I am looking for someone I can work with, not someone to control me. Next time do your research before looking for pushovers." Levi said. 

Levi grinned again. "You are obviously untrained when it comes to dealing with men like me. You do not even consider that I could be playing you as you are attempting to play me. I have done this for years. But know this, "Robert" Should any of your men draw their weapons, their heads will be fed to the pigs." He sat on a stool and brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"You come to me, say you'll pay me to help you, but threaten me when my ways are different than yours. Do you forget where you rest your feet? Do you forget whose wine you sip so slowly?" Levi asked, maintaining his composure. He hated men like this. 

"I am not some beggar looking for a fucking handout. If you want to work together that is fine. But you are not the leader of us. Our business is our own. You do not meddle in my affairs. But watch your back. If you ever cross me or interfere you will die. Remember that well, Merchant." Levi said, emphasizing the last syllable.
Karen
William "The merchant"
Fretasburge, Azarya

He heard him speak, and held out a chuckle. The audacity! Well, he was bold, that was something William could agree in that regard. Mayhaps they would become friends after this endeavour, but for the time being he had to keep his laughter from leaving his throat, specially after he spoke about fifty-one soldiers... Heck, it was fifty plus himself, but the merchant cannot expect everyone to count in these days.
"You spoke about how there needs to be people to rule over, and I argued against that. Now, I will calmly answer you word by word, so that we can come to an agreement. Take a look at my wine, sir."

He motioned towards the wine, and it was true that it was untouched, his lips still not wet from the grapes. As mentioned previously, the merchant knew better than to let his guard down.
"Funny of you to say that. I am certain that your men have each received a swift bite and kick from the horses, which might be the reason as for the screams outside which you did not care enough to hear. Your own men! Oh, sir, I have both killed and negotiated with many brigands like you but none of them ever claimed to be as clever as you have claimed."

He shrugged, sliding the mug over to him. It was untouched essentially, and it was made clear he faked having drank from the mug... A wise move, one could think.
"You think I would have them carry gold on themselves when walking into here? You underestimate me, Leviticus. Also, who said I wished to control you? All I said was that you were not in control. Not that *I* Was."
-

He smirked when he had kept on speaking, seeming unfazed by his insults and the way he still remained condescending and unwilling to look at what was in front of him... A businessman. An enterpreneur, not a nobleman.
"Nor am I attempting to play you. A little negotiation which goes both ways, that is what is being done. Tell me, how many caravans of innocent merchants have you taken down already? How much pride do you take in widowing good men's wives? You seem to believe the hounds are as much of a hassle as their master during a hunt, but I assure you that the less the dogs—guards, if you need me to explain the analogy—are forced into service, brainwashed and whatever else their lord does to them. As I am sure you know, desertion can get someone beheaded."
-

He went on, holding on to Leviticus' gaze.
"I know where I step, and so should you. Your troops are in need of better gear, and I have not offered you 'money', only equipment that you might need for your battles. Your men are hardened, as are mine aye, but yours' armors don't fit them properly, and are rusted and dented to oblivion, ragged and your folk have not been able to get anything but crude blades. I told you I would get the payment from your corpse because I am not a murderer, sir Leviticus. The people and their overlords would both unite against us if you are to act dishonorably instead of gaining their support, and I would go and fetch what would be mine from your remains. Better than having the debt pass to any children you have left in your life, no?"

The merchant knew where he treaded, and so did not only try using words against the bandit. Maybe a little incentive against violence would be of assistance.
"...If you lust for a fight though, your men being in the surroundings shouldn't matter much. My soldiers are better equipped, experienced, and in greater number than your people in this bar due to how many stormed this place before your folk could. I am certain that you know how the doors would bar entrance to a few folk at a time, which could be quickly dealt with by my folk. Then, my other swordsmen could cut down whoever is not willing to yield in here."
-

The trader looked towards his knights, motioning to wait.
"You have three choices here. Take my terms and prosper, reject them and let us depart in peace, or reject them and attack us only to be slaughtered. Your choice, really. I would like to meet you again in spite of your threats, though. Even if you reject my offer, you seem to have quite a few stories worth sharing... If you are to die that would be a shame, honestly. I am not too fond of having to kill someone due to a negotiation disagreement."

Amazingly, his words were not sarcastic. Calculated, sure, but that cannot be blamed on him after getting threatened so many times.
Clara
Levi Cortez
Fretasburge, Azarya

"Yet still you speak without proof. My men have not touched the innocent. We have never touched a hair on anyone's head who has not gotten in their position honestly. Their armor may be rusted and ill-fitted, yes. But why do you think that is? We are not greedy. Yes we are bandits. But even bandits can have morals." Levi said, but nothing he said seemed false. He was telling the truth. 

"Yes I know and have lived through many tales. I'm going to tell you one. It won't take too long but it is important. All you see here was built by me, but the idea was created by someone else. We were once called the Eclipse, and we were established to overthrow a malicious government. It was years ago, but we still hold that idea close. Instead of governments, we focus on men who should not be in the position they are in. For you to assume I would stoop so low as to harm innocent people you are mistaken, sir." With the last sentence there seemed to be a hint of sadness in Levi's voice. Levi looked behind him at a small painting. The likeness of his family was there, and he looked back at the man sitting in front of him. "Some of us are fighting for the memory of those we love." Levi said, looking at one of his men and nodding. They all took their hands off of their weapons. 

"I will not fight you. You seem to be an honest man, even if you do exude an air of snobbishness. But let me give you a word of advice. One day that unshakable confidence will bite you in the ass." Levi said, pondering his proposal.

Levi sipped his fresh well water, and nodded. "I agree with you, though. Obviously you outnumber us. At least those of us currently here. Your offer is commendable, but I need to know more. Are we just going to be your instrument in war? Are we going to be your servants, ants under your boot? If so you can go shove it. But if we are to be partners in something grand and profitable for both of us, then I could see the potential in that." Levi said, looking around the room at the men around him. 

"I only consider this for them. I would die for each man here with me, without question. They have stood by me through a lot, and most look up to me to guide them. So for them I will accept. But know this, if any of them die, you better hope I die with them."
Karen
William "The merchant"
Fretasburge, Azarya

William was surprised by that. How fortunate that he had found someone unwilling to raid honest, hardworking merchants and farmers. Still, he seemed to not understand his point in regards to their equipment, as he was referring to them needing better gear, not an insult... Just the truth really, if they planned to live longer than a month.
"That is reassuring. However, I would make a case that greed can prove to benefit people immensely considering how it motivates you to keep going and do what you need to do to achieve your goals."

The masculine figure heard attentively each of the words that dropped from Leviticus' mouth, a sharp look seeming to still be up in his eyes. Someone's tone could be changed at will, so although the outlaw's speech was pleasing, it was also up to judgement on everyone's part. Eclipse... Malicious government... All that looks to be slightly too strange as not many bandit groups even had a name to go by except for their ethnicity/nationality in most cases—such as 'the cumans' if you seek for a historical example unrelated to the roleplay—though a few might have had in their quest to look quirky. Nonetheless, eclipse was still a good name. Following Leviticus's kindness, a nod was sent towards one of the hedge knights and they too took their hands off their weapons. The men still were ready, though, but looked less prone to fighting.
"Why do you call yourself a bandit, then? What makes you believe that the kingdom has any power in regards to the decision of wether or not you are to be made an outlaw, seeing that you have hurt the government itself, not the innocent citizens? You may have years of experience, but you still have to learn how not to give a fuck."

He laughed, having his own canteen opened and a real sip being taken out of it. The object had not been poisoned, and there seemed to be good quality mead in it.
-

"Want some? I have had this on me for quite a bit, and know that your men weren't able to touch it... This canteen of mine holds some value to it after all. *Sentimental value*, that is."
He shrugged, as he offered to pour some of the alcoholic beverage in Levi's mug, a gesture of openness in spite of distrust. William was willing to talk, and seemed content with doing business with that man.

"Either way, you are not going to be a simple servant under my boot. You are to maintain the terms of honor and mercy even to your foe that I have offered you, but other than that you are free to be autonomous. You are the warrior, and I, the merchant. The soldier and the supplier... For one needs the other in order to be an actual force. In spite of that, I would say that suggestions and insight would be good for both of us to share between one another, and keeping me updated on what you do is most likely going to be needed so that I can take or not routes and the sort to get to your folk. I admire your eagernerness to die for them, but fret not. I will not harm them so long as they do not harm my men, me or something of the sort. Keep our terms honored and it is not going to be an issue."
Clara
Levi Cortez
Fretasburge, Azarya

"We are bandits. We take what is not ours and keep it. Yes, we may leave the innocents alone, but we still take what is not ours. It is a sin that I'm willing to bear. However, don't take that as weakness. I may seem like I don't care but that's the point. I do care. It's what's kept me alive this long. I allow them to call me an outlaw because it means I am on their radar. The more infamy I gain, the more influence I have. I have been playing this game a long time. Look around next time you enter several cities. There are bounties on my head larger than many people's entire worth. Yet, my identity is only known to some. I revealed it to you since I've trusted you from the start, but you do not offer me the same respect. I do not resent you for this, however. I understand privacy can be an important aspect of many people's character."

At this Levi took another sip of his water, and removed the cloak surrounding him, revealing dark black armor, fitted very well, and a dark blade with a hand-and-a-half length handle. It was obviously very well made, and there seemed to be an almost swirling pattern to the darkened steel blade. The entire outfit was very well maintained, and a hood could be seen attached to the neck. Levi removed his gloves, and revealed a scarred pair of hands, rough from work. He nodded, and took a clean mug from behind the counter and set it on the table. "They will not touch anything of yours. Your men will not be touched by any of mine, and your soldiers are allowed anywhere the New Dawn holds under it's reach. They will be provided rest and food, that I can promise." Levi said, sitting at the same table as the merchant. He pulled a small parcel from where it was placed by the servant and unwrapped it. Inside was a small book and a beautiful quill pen and ink holder. Levi began writing in the book. He wrote The Mechant, Offer of Work, No Known Amount inside and signed his name. He sealed the book again and wrapped everything back up. What he wrote was not known to anyone but Levi, and you couldn't see exactly what was written even looking straight at it. It was as if the handwriting was illegible, but it was beautiful. Levi was writing in his native tongue, with sweeping letters and sharp curves. After Levi was done he looked back at the man. 

"I accept."