Chapter 36: The Commander's Price
The dining room of the Blackwood Estate was sickeningly lavish. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over a long mahogany table covered in roasted meats, exotic fruits, and expensive wines.
At one end of the table sat Lord Silas Blackwood, his cold eyes watching his guests carefully. To his right sat his son, Garret, who was wrapped in thick white bandages and glaring at Asher with pure, murderous hatred. Standing nervously in the corner was Vane, the secretary, who flinched slightly every time Asher moved his hands.
At the other end of the table sat Lucas and Asher. Lucas was calmly slicing a piece of roasted duck, his manners perfectly aristocratic despite his worn clothes.
Asher, on the other hand, was just eating bread. He looked completely unimpressed.
"Let us skip the pleasantries," Lord Silas said, setting his silver goblet down. "You received my letter. The diviners have confirmed it. A Beast Tide from the Dark Forest will hit Silvercross City in exactly fourteen days. If we do not prepare, the city will be reduced to ash, and your family will die with it."
Lucas wiped his mouth with a napkin. "And the City Lord's forces?"
"Incompetent," Silas scoffed. "The Capital refuses to send backup. It is up to the noble houses to defend their own territories. But I will be blunt, Grey. My mages are not enough. We need those... artifacts... your brother creates."
Garret slammed his good hand on the table. "Father! You cannot be serious! You want to buy toys from this trash?!"
"Silence, Garret," Silas snapped, not taking his eyes off Asher. "Name your price, boy. How much gold for a hundred of those 'Mana-Stunners'? I will pay whatever you ask."
The room went dead silent. Vane held his breath. Garret sneered, waiting for the slum rat to beg for a few gold coins.
Asher finally stopped chewing his bread. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.
"Gold?" Asher laughed softly. It was a cold, calculating sound. "What good is gold if a Troll crushes my house in two weeks? I don't want your money, Lord Silas."
Silas frowned. "Then what do you want? Materials? A workshop?"
"I will build the weapons," Asher said, his voice dropping to a serious, commanding tone. "I will arm your guards. I will even build defensive traps around your estate. But I have one condition."
Asher leaned forward, resting his elbows on the mahogany table.
"When the Beast Tide hits, I want full, absolute command of the Blackwood guards."
Garret choked on his wine. Vane's jaw dropped. Even Lucas paused, his knife hovering over his plate as he looked at his brother in mild surprise.
"Preposterous!" Garret screamed, his face turning red. "You want to lead our military?! You have no mana! You are a cripple!"
"I am an engineer," Asher corrected coldly. "Your guards know how to swing swords. They do not know how to deploy electrical grid-traps, manage choke-points, or use the weapons I am going to build. If you let your meat-head captains handle my tech, they will blow themselves up before the monsters even get here."
Asher locked eyes with Lord Silas. He didn't blink. He didn't show an ounce of fear.
"I am giving you a choice, Silas," Asher said softly. "Give me command of your men, and I will ensure your estate survives the Tide. Refuse, and you can fight the monsters with swords and prayers while my family watches from a reinforced bunker."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Silas stared at Asher. He looked for a bluff, for a sign of weakness. He found none. He only saw a brilliant, dangerous mind.
Silas slowly raised his glass.
"Fourteen days, Commander Asher," Silas said, sealing the pact. "Do not disappoint me."