The rapier came toward me; it was a clean and smooth strike, but also fast.
My blade moved and struck its lower side, breaking its momentum.
"Clean and smooth is not enough; it needs to be stable as well, or it would break and kill you," I said, and my blade moved ahead and tapped on his chest.
The fourteen-year-old boy nodded before attacking me once more.
I am training Heron; I tried to do that at least once a week. He is quite good; the base is very strong. The only thing he needs is experience.
Our mother taught him; I could see many similarities between his and mine fighting style.
All of which were gained from her.
Time passed, and the teen got tired, but he kept pushing. I didn't stop him, which is why I am training him. If he wants to become a good warrior, then he needs to learn to push beyond his limits.
"You are defending well, but not concentrating enough on your footwork," I advised, and lightly touched his foot with mine while I pressed him with attacks.
He stumbled before stabilizing himself. Only to find my blade on his neck.
"I think it's enough for today," I said, looking at his sweaty, tired form. He opened his mouth, but closed it. "Thank you for your time, brother," he replied.
I smiled and turned to Josie, who was sitting beside Carla.
It's rare to see the four of us together. Carla had been out for over a week and returned only yesterday. She is in the city for two more days before she leaves once more.
I miss her and worry about her.
The stronger we get, the more people will notice. There had been a few incidents, but she was able to handle them. She is quite powerful, one of the most powerful in Greltheaven.
Still, there are more powerful people that we are no match for, and their eyes have started to turn toward us.
I pushed those thoughts away and looked ahead.
"Do you want to try, little girl?" I asked Josie. "No," she replied decisively, making me sigh.
I tried many times to teach her. So, she would at least know some self-defense, but she did not want to learn.
Heron says she didn't have interest in it from the beginning, but used to practice with him in Oton when mom used to teach them. Since they left, she hasn't picked up a sword even once.
Soon, half an hour later, we ate breakfast before entering the carriage to take Josie to school.
"How did the meeting with Valboldar's representative go last night?" I asked. I am going to meet them today, and I want to get all the details before I do that.
"They want three stores, they are quite adamant about it," she replied, and I shook my head.
Each city in the merchant state will only get two stores, except Belnin, Oksall, and Meldhorn, or any other type of store we really need in their state.
They are not going to two stores for free; they need to give us something, and also, the ultimate decision regarding the store will be ours.
They could recommend it, but it will ultimately be our decision on the stores.
"They will not," I stated.
Soon, I dropped her off at her office before going to mine. When I stepped inside the office, I saw Valentina waiting for me there. It surprised me, usually she comes in the afternoon or evening.
Though most of the time, she talks through a message unless it's important.
I sat down and was about to ask her when she dropped a letter in front of me. I was about to ask her when I saw the letter. Most importantly, the seals on it.
One belongs to the city, the other to the house.
"It's interesting," she said, before I could ask. I looked at her before taking the official letter out of the envelope and began to read. It didn't take me long to finish it.
"It is," I replied.
The letter came from the city of Brimbale and its lady, Countess Elaetha Valaniel. She wants to come to the Greltheaven, leading a group of nobles.
She had been in contact with us since she arrived; there was some pause when Grimvale and I fought, but it resumed quickly.
It isn't just her, but also Baron Haldraven. Though contact with her is better than with him.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Her territory is in the southeast and has become a point from which merchants from Grimvale's dominion come to Greltheaven or go to Mirador Hold.
She understood that pretty quickly and devoted her city to trade.
I am quite impressed with her more, more than Haldraven, who is a merchant.
"So, are we going to allow it?" she asked. While we have been in contact with her and deepened the relationship. It wasn't enough to invite her into the dominion.
She wants to come and bring a group of nobles. It seemed like she was as politically shrewd as I heard.
"I think it's time," I replied, and she nodded before sighing.
"Grimvale won't be breaking the pack to attack us soon, not until he sees the chance or gathers enough forces. It would be wise to deepen the relationship."
"Especially with a person like her," she supplied.
Countess is no warrior; she is a political noble and a very good one, given what she can achieve. It makes her very dangerous, but also useful.
"Another thing, I have been contacted by an old friend from the academy, with whom I haven't talked in a while." She stated, and I turned to her curiously.
"He contacted me on behalf of the Nightingales, he was hoping. I would speak to you on behalf of his employer, Arthur Nightingale."
Hearing that, I laughed; they are trying a lot. I have been contacted by quite a lot of people regarding it, including Ralis Thorn. To make him the heir.
"How is Baron Nightingale? The family conclave should be ending soon, right?" she asked.
"Tomorrow," I replied.
I spoke to the old man yesterday, and he seemed quite happy. He got what he wanted and would be leaving as soon as the conclave ended. He didn't stay there more than he needed.
"I have to say, he is quite daring; not many people would dare to do what he is planning to do," she said, and I smiled.
Breaking with the family and the consequences that will happen after that. Given the nature of the family, they will react. I already moved some of my hidden forces into his territory.
She left soon, and I focused on the hours of work.
Hours passed, and soon, it was evening, when I walked out of my office once more and stepped into the conference room.
"Lord Silver," The people greeted. I nodded and sat down.
There are six people in the room. Beckette Reed, Rindale, Robins' deputy, is taking his place since he is not in dominion. The other four are dwarves, all men.
"Thane Goldvein, thank you for gracing my dominion with your presence," I said to the middle-aged blond dwarf.
People may call him a dwarf, but the man is above five-five, slightly shorter than me. He is a pure-blood dwarf; they are as tall as average humans.
People believe that they are short, but pure-blooded dwarves are not. They are nearly as tall as humans.
The man in front of me is handsome with yellow hair, thick golden blond hair, and a beard with a metallic glint, which suits him a lot.
He is a Thane, it's what dwarves and a few northern kingdoms call a Lord. He is from a powerful clan and controls one of the top cities of Valbolder.
"It's my pleasure, Lord Silver," replied the man.
"How do you like the city so far?" I asked. "It's wonderful, it's hard to believe, it has grown so much, in such a short time," he replied; I smiled at his praise.
It was not easy, and it's not going to be easier, but I will do it. I owe it to this city and my citizens.
"I especially like the Artisan's Garden,"
I have let the foreign dignitaries tour the artisan garden. To enamor them and also get more investment and other things from them, and it is working well.
It's not without its problems, but the pros far outweigh the cons.
"Seeing the blacksmiths' meld the mist of legacy into the iron heated in our furnace had given me the vision of great Khaz-Thalar." He added with his eyes turning distant for a moment.
Khaz-Thalar was the titan legacy of the forge type; a single place to hold a record of forging the most artifacts.
It was the world's most powerful legacy until it was destroyed during an incursion.
It endured many incursions until it could no longer.
Currently, the highest-level legacy forge is a spirit, very powerful, but nothing compared to the legendary forge of the Khaz-Thalar. That was really something, even before it had turned into legacy.
"Thank you for your kind words, Thane Goldvein," I replied.
The man's eyes cleared, and he smiled before they became very serious.
"It's not praise, Lord Silver. After seeing what I saw, I believe Velvet Garden has the potential to reach great heights. House Goldvein and the state of Valboldar would be willing to be partners in that," stated the man.
"I am glad to hear that," I replied. Keeping the tone neutral, I don't want to encourage him.
"So, we were hoping you would give us more stores to deepen the partnership."
"We are not asking for much, just four stores, and in exchange, we will increase the important precious metals and gems for you, and provide you with even more armaments, among other things, including alchfire orbs," he said.
It's a very tempting offer.
Carla had said he was asking for three, but now he has taken the number to four; this man is really something. However, I could respect him asking straight to my face.
"My apologies, Thane Goldvein, but I can't promise you more than two," I replied, shaking my head.
I could see the disappointment appearing on his face. He looked quite bad when disappointed.
"Though I promise you. If we find any store that suits our vision, we will invite them to Velvet Garden. It won't matter if we have already found two," I added.
That seemed to light up his expressions.
I intentionally gave him hope and added vision. So, he wouldn't force the issue further.
"Thank you, Lord Silver, it means a lot," he replied. He understood, I wouldn't agree, and forcing would only make things difficult.
"We have given you our best people, but you have only chosen one. Surely, you do not consider the others that bad?" he asked.
We had asked all states to give us a list of twenty people whom they believe are suitable for stores, and send them for the interview to us. We have chosen only one from their list, which is quite good, because people from five other states were sent, but we chose none.
"It's not the talent, level, or expertise. It is how they align with the vision that makes us choose them, Thane Goldvein." I replied, and the man simply sighed.
"Then I really hope your people come to our state soon and find the people who suit your vision," he stated, and I smiled at that.
I had sent three teams into merchant states, far fewer than I liked, but I do not have people I can trust to find me the right stores. Those three will have to do the job, and they'll have to do it quickly.
An hour and ten minutes later, the meeting ended.
I was able to convince him to increase the size of the gem and precious metals orders. They are leading producers of it, and we need themβespecially the high-quality ones.
I left the office soon after and went home.
Hours passed between dinner with family and a little work after, before I went to bed at my usual time, after practicing my aura for an hour.
I was asleep when the knock rang out on my door, waking me up.
"What happened?" asked Carla, waking up; she is alert, but seeing my expressions, loosened up. "Something," I replied; they wouldn't have disturbed, if it wasn't anything important.
A moment later, I appeared beside the door and opened it.
Garzong is there, standing with the night shift mage. "There is a message from Lady Mariha," he informed.
