24 Contract today, Conquest tomorrow

The offer hung in the air for a moment as the bandits considered what it would mean. It was a common contract that could be found in most areas. Binding the spirit meant they would perish if the contract master died. It was often used to ensure the guaranteed loyalty of high ranking officials or guards assigned to high profile nobles. There were certain security related companies that required it as an employment condition to protect state secrets.

The effects were known to be permanent. Technically it was reversible, but the cost of the magic involved was prohibitively expensive. It wasn't something taken lightly. The bandits begun discussing it among themselves. The leader Terry, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.

"I won't force anyone to sign who don't want to. We had enough tyranny from that traitor. Way I see it we got less men, this is the only chance we're going to get for revenge. They took our old lives from us. We got a change for new ones right here. Isn't this what we wanted men!!"

Riled up from the speech, the men were shaken from their recent setback. They hooped and hollered excitedly. Where there eyes had been dull and lifeless before, there was now a certain passion for life that could been seen. Having almost accepted defeat, they made an emotional turn around. Having hope and a reason for living have always been powerful and primal instincts.

It seemed they couldn't sign the contract fast enough. Zanir soon had a contract with a little over a dozen names on it. The last step was for him to sign the bottom. It would finalize the contract and establish the spirit link. Looking over at the bandits one last time to make sure they were ready, he could only chuckle. They'd already poured a few drinks and had a toast waiting.

Seeing that they were more than ready he signed the contract. At once he felt a strange icy sensation that ran from his tailbone all the way up his spine. Stopping at his brain he felt the foreign feeling slowly settle and become familiar. Right away he felt a bond with the bandits. He could see what appeared to be tiny threads connecting out to each bandit.

The threads ran into the torso of each bandit coming right into a ball of light. Somehow he knew that if he ripped those threads out the bandit would die. With all of their lives in his hand there would never need to be a reason to doubt their loyalty. Normally he wouldn't want to use such extreme measures to control people but they did volunteer after all.

After toasting together to celebrate the new partnership everyone got down to planning. The bandits were able to provide information on the layout and number of enemy they'd face. They also knew what guard routes their old comrades were most likely to take. Taking them by surprise wouldn't be an issue.

They needed an edge. Together with Zanir and Reed they could dig plenty of pits and set spike traps. Traps and battle tactics might not be enough though. Taking a look at the equipment they had brought him the inspiration he was looking for. It looked like most it was just cobbled together from odds and ends.

He ordered the bandits to gather up all of the weapons, armors, and components they had. They were confused but obliged as they piled everything up in the middle of the clearing. Once it was all gathered up he went over and absorbed the entire lot. Everyone was puzzled as to what Zanir was doing.

Meanwhile Zanir had to log all of the notifications to an appendix. There were far too many for him to listen to right now. His idea was correct. The system was able to redesign the armor and weapons using the existing items and components. Conveniently the spirit link had provided the data needed to size them. All he had to do now was wait a few hours and they would be complete.

"Your new weapons and armor will be ready by tomorrow."

The men were shocked. Normally to make decent equipment you would need an anvil and a forge. They had no idea how he could make stuff disappear and reappear. For now everyone went back to discussing the plan for the raid. They were going to set out tomorrow and take back the iron mine.