“Yes, I see your point,” Grimble conceded. “Well, there will, of course, be a small wage paid.”
“How small? “ Aahz pressed.
“Sufficient to cover your expenses,” the chancellor smiled. “Shall we say fifty gold pieces a month?”
“Let’s say two hundred,” Aahz smiled back.
“Perhaps we could go as high as seventy-five,” Grimble countered.
“And we’ll come down to two-twenty-five,” Aahz offered.
“Considering his skills, we could pay . . . excuse me,” the chancellor blinked. “Did you say two twenty-five?”
“Actually,” Aahz conceded, “I misspoke.”
“I thought so.” Grimble smiled.
“I meant two-fifty.”
“Now see here-“ the chancellor began.
“Look, Grimble,” Aahz met him halfway, “you had three choices. You could double the size of your army, hire a magician, or lose the kingdom. Even at three hundred a month, Skeeve here is your best deal. Don’t look at what you’re spending, look at what you’re saving.”
Grimble thought about it for a few moments.
“Very well,” he said, grimacing. “Two-fifty it is.”
“I believe the figure under discussion was three hundred,” I observed pointedly.
That earned me a black look, but I stood my ground and returned his stare levelly.
“Three hundred,” he said, forcing the words out through gritted teeth.
“Payable in advance,” Aahz added.
“Payable at the end of the pay period,” Grimble corrected.
“C’mon, Grimble,” Aahz began, but the chancellor interrupted him, holding up his hand.
“No! On that point I must remain inflexible,” he insisted. “Everyone in the Royal Retinue is paid at the same time, when the vaults are opened at the end of the pay period. If we break that rule and start allowing exceptions, there will be no end to it.”