A Blade Unsheathed

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"Finally, I have you, Isolde, you damned bastard," said Lucien, leaning toward Isolde with a mixture of satisfaction and disdain. "You, with your filthy blood, daring to claim the inheritance of our father." He spat in her face, his hatred palpable in every word. "You're a disgrace to our noble family. Just because Father had an interest in you for being a mage, you thought that gave you the right to what is mine by birth. If not for that, I would have poisoned you like the others."

"The others?" I asked, fixing my gaze on Lucien. My tone was neutral, but enough to make him feel the weight behind my words.

Lucien turned his attention to me with a strained smile, trying to maintain his posture. "Oh, come now, Konrad, you must know how it is. That's how noble families work. My father had his legitimate wife, from whom I was, of course, born. But also twenty-three concubines and thirteen lovers. A prolific nobleman, wouldn't you agree? One always had to stay vigilant, ensure everything was under control. Otherwise, things like this," he said, gesturing toward Isolde with disdain, "could happen."

"In the North, things are not like this," I said without raising my voice, but my sharp tone and unyielding stare made him tense. "There, unity is not an option. It is a necessity."

"Oh, really?" Lucien said, attempting to regain his arrogance. "How delightful, Konrad. What hidden moral secrets do those frozen lands hold? More unity, less poison?"

"In the North, we are the shield that protects the empire," I replied, each word cutting through his sarcasm like a blade. "We don't have the luxury of dividing ourselves. If one clan breaks, we all fall. There, family conflicts are resolved through discussion or by remembering one's duty. Not with poison or daggers in the dark. We are a single force against enemies you here cannot even begin to imagine. If one fails, the entire shield shatters."

Lucien, who at first seemed eager to mock, now avoided my gaze. My presence unsettled him, and I knew exactly why. It wasn't my tone or my words; it was the cruelty he knew I was capable of unleashing if I ever deemed him a problem. He had seen enough of me during the campaign to understand that his position as Count would not protect him if I ever found him expendable.

"Perhaps that works in the North," Lucien finally said, diverting his attention back to Isolde. "But here, nobility is different. Power is not shared; it is taken. And I am the power now. The weak have no place here, and this bastard—" he spat the word like venom— "will be no exception."

Isolde lifted her head, her face marked by humiliation, but her gaze still burned with defiance. "You can call me weak all you want, Lucien. But the only thing that defines you is fear. You've always been afraid of those stronger than you, and that's why you'll never be more than a count of shadows and treachery."

The tension in the air was palpable. I looked at Lucien, my cold gaze meeting his. I said nothing, but the silence was enough to make him lower his eyes, a gesture that made it clear who was truly in control in that room.

"Not to interrupt this very touching family reunion," I said with a hint of irony, crossing my arms as I observed the scene between Lucien and Isolde, "nor to meddle in matters I clearly shouldn't be privy to… but you promised me something if I captured her alive."

Lucien turned to me with a nonchalant smile, his face reflecting absolute confidence. His wealth was as vast as his ego, and he knew fulfilling his promise would cost him no effort.

"Ah, right," he replied casually, as if the payment of twenty thousand gold coins was a trivial detail. "Her weight in gold… around twenty thousand coins, correct?"

"I assume there won't be any issues with the amount," I responded, keeping my tone neutral while looking directly at him. There was no need to pressure him; Lucien was a man who enjoyed showcasing his generosity, as long as it reminded everyone how far above them he stood.

"Of course not," he said with a soft, almost mocking laugh. "Konrad, I am not a man who goes back on his promises. My wealth is more than sufficient to fulfill this minor agreement. You'll have your twenty thousand gold coins as soon as you leave here. In fact, if you wish, you could receive them right now."

"I'm glad to hear it," I replied, my gaze unflinching. There was no need to doubt his words. Lucien could be cruel and ruthless, but he was not petty. His wealth and ability to uphold agreements like this were part of what solidified his power.

"Good," I said, crossing my arms while keeping my gaze fixed on Lucien. "About the plantations you offered me in exchange for my services. Where will they be, exactly?"

Lucien smiled, this time with an air of evident satisfaction. He leaned forward in his seat, as if savoring the chance to offer something he knew would interest me. "Near the capital, in the fertile lands of the Vinder Valley. They're extensive, well-maintained, and, most importantly, they generate steady income. They have direct access to the trade routes that pass through the capital, making them particularly valuable."

That caught my attention. Lands near the capital were a major prize—not only for their productivity but also for the access they provided to the richest markets in the territory. However, I wasn't the kind of man to accept promises without ensuring their validity.

"Near the capital?" I repeated, letting my tone make it clear that I was still evaluating the offer. "I didn't expect you to offer something so close to your center of power. What advantage do you see in parting with those plantations?"

Lucien chuckled softly, though his eyes revealed that my question had touched on something real. "Konrad, don't think of it as a sacrifice on my part. It's an investment. I'd rather reward someone of your caliber with something that ensures your loyalty and satisfaction. And, being pragmatic, I prefer the hands managing those lands to be yours. You save me unnecessary worries, and you gain a more than adequate source of income."

"Practical as always," I said, nodding slowly. "If what you say is true, I accept. But I expect these lands to be in the condition you describe. I have no interest in empty promises."

"They will be," Lucien assured, with a confidence that almost seemed genuine. "I'll provide you with the deeds before the day is out. And, of course, if you find anything amiss, you can bring it to my attention."

I regarded him in silence for a moment, weighing the situation. Lucien kept his word, not out of honor, but purely for self-interest. He knew that maintaining a good relationship with me was an asset he couldn't afford to squander.

"In fact," Lucien said, reclining on his makeshift throne with a calculated smile, "these lands are only the beginning. You've proven to be much more than a mercenary, Konrad. You're a leader, someone with vision. I can't help but think about what we could achieve if you worked for me... permanently."

I watched him calmly, letting his words hang in the air. Lucien continued, his tone growing more enthusiastic. "I want you to become my captain of the guard. You and your legion would have full authority over the security of my domains. Your men would be an extension of my power, and you, my right hand. One hundred thousand gold coins annually, in addition to the plantations you're already receiving. Unlimited resources, and access to anything you need. What do you say?"

For a moment, I let the silence weigh between us, my gaze fixed on his. Finally, I spoke, my voice firm and direct. "No."

Lucien's smile faltered, and for the first time in a long while, he seemed genuinely confused. "No? Konrad, perhaps you don't fully understand what I'm offering. This isn't just any proposal. It's stability, it's power. It's—"

"It's an anchor," I interrupted, my tone unchanged. "Lucien, I didn't come here looking for stability. I'm not a man to be tied to a single lord. My strength lies in my freedom, in my ability to choose my contracts and seek battles worth fighting. Becoming your captain of the guard, no matter how much gold you offer, means locking myself within your domains. And that doesn't interest me."

Lucien tried to recover, though his discomfort was evident. "Konrad, you're rejecting something any sensible man would accept. One hundred thousand coins a year, authority, influence… Do you really prefer wandering, serving whoever pays more, over consolidating yourself here with me?"

"I prefer seeking greater challenges," I replied, my tone sharp but calm. "Your conflicts, as intriguing as they are, aren't the only game in this world. There are larger wars, more dangerous contracts, and fights that offer me something gold can't buy: a purpose worth pursuing."

Lucien exhaled, frustrated, but tried to maintain his composure. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You're a difficult man to persuade, Konrad. But at least tell me this: can I trust that you won't become an enemy in the future?"

I pulled another scroll from my belt—the same contract I'd shown many others before him. I held it out to him. "Sign this, and you won't have to worry about that. Fifty thousand coins every five years, and I guarantee I'll never take up arms against you. I won't be your captain of the guard, but I won't be a threat to you either."

Lucien took the contract, read it quickly, and finally nodded. "You know how to secure your position, Konrad. Very well. I'll have the payment prepared. But remember: even if you won't work for me, I hope we can at least maintain a… functional relationship."

"That depends on you," I replied, storing the signed contract. "I always honor my agreements, Lucien. Just make sure you honor yours."

Lucien said nothing more, but it was clear he understood my point. My freedom wasn't for sale, and though he had wealth and power to spare, I had already decided I wouldn't submit to anyone. The relationship would remain professional, but he knew he would never have control over me. And that, more than the rejection, was what truly unsettled him.

"And what will you do now, Konrad?" Lucien asked, watching me with a mix of curiosity and calculation. "As I understand it, you have nearly six thousand men under your command. Few can afford a mercenary company of that size."

"That won't be a problem," I replied calmly, crossing my arms and meeting his gaze directly. "I can fund myself by delving into dungeons. For some reason, the ones here are surprisingly easy for those of us who've faced the northern dungeons, with their corrupted mana and abominations. It's almost amusing by comparison."

Lucien smiled, though his expression betrayed an interest beyond the jest. "Dungeons, of course. But six thousand men are expensive to maintain. Will that alone suffice?"

"Not necessarily," I said, allowing a faint hint of amusement to cross my face. "I was thinking of heading east to acquire slaves. I could once again become one of the empire's favored suppliers. Plantations always need hands, and beastmen and demi-humans are in high demand. Or perhaps I'll go south. Centaurs are useful both for plowing fields and… causing problems."

"Problems?" Lucien repeated, a spark of interest in his eyes.

"Yes," I replied, my tone casual. "The Free Cities. I've worked with them before, and they know how costly it is to ignore my reputation. I could extract gold from them simply with the implicit threat that someone might hire me to become their enemy. It's always profitable to be the sword that remains sheathed… when everyone knows how sharp it can be."

Lucien chuckled softly, though the discomfort in his expression was evident. He knew my ability to create problems was as valuable as it was dangerous.

"And the capital?" he asked, trying to maintain control of the conversation. "You mentioned training your men. Is that also part of your plan?"

"It's a possibility," I admitted. "I have men with magical potential, but they're untrained. If I find a mage in the capital willing to work with them, I could turn those soldiers into something far more dangerous—a force that relies not just on swords but on disciplined magic. It would be a significant shift in my capabilities."

Lucien nodded slowly, his mind working quickly to analyze my words. He understood that no matter what path I chose, I had the potential to alter the balance in any region I set foot in.

"Konrad," he said finally, his tone attempting to be friendly but laden with a warning, "whatever you decide, I hope you remember who has been your ally thus far."

I looked at him with a faint smile, letting the silence do the work of reinforcing my position before responding. "You don't need to worry, Lucien. As long as you honor your agreements, you won't have to see me as an enemy. But you know how I operate. My loyalty ends where the contract does."

Lucien let out a nervous laugh. "Of course. That, I understand perfectly. But if you decide to head east, south, or even to the capital, it will be interesting to see the impact you leave in your wake."

"It always is," I replied, my mind already considering the many paths before me. Each one promised gold, power, and unique challenges. And I was ready to take them on, one by one.

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honest reviews would be greatly appreciated

Any opinion and comments are welcome