Chương 42: Deals

Alex stared at Ethan in silence, nearly a full minute passed without a word. They were still standing in the guildmaster's personal room, gathered around the bed where she lay struggling through her breakthrough. The room itself wasn't large, and the lack of furniture made the situation even more awkward. Aside from the single chair beside the bed, there was nowhere to sit. So they were all still standing. Ethan leaned lightly against the wall while explaining everything he had learned.

Leah stood beside him, while Nivia and Ari remained near the foot of the bed. Alex hadn't moved much since Ethan finished. But the tension in his shoulders said enough. He had already suspected something was wrong. That was why he had pulled all of his guild members back to the settlement. Too many people had vanished. But hearing the full story was something else entirely, finding out an unknown player was manipulating events behind the scenes, that the Broken Dawns and the Valkyries were being pushed toward war.

And now the possibility that the Valkyries already knew the truth and were planning to attack anyway had caused Alex to short circuit as he processed all the information. Ethan just hoped his letter he had slipped under the guildmaster's door in Mountford would change things. But he couldn't be certain. The Valkyries' guildmaster was powerful. Everyone knew that much. Ethan had never met him personally, so he didn't have a read on the man's personality. But he had heard the stories. He was power-hungry.

Ethan just hoped the man craved personal strength rather than political dominance. So Ethan had included several predictions in the letter—events that would unfold soon enough. If those came true, they would give his warning credibility. But whether that would be enough to stop the coming conflict… that was another matter entirely. Alex finally broke the silence.

"Why is it that whenever you show up, you bring some kind of massive news?" Ethan shrugged.

"I like to think it's usually news that helps you out." He tilted his head slightly.

"Would you rather I said nothing?" Alex waved a tired hand.

"That's not what I meant." He ran a hand through his hair before glancing back toward the bed.

"It's just…" He exhaled slowly.

"I don't know. Things would be a lot easier if she just woke up." He gestured toward the guildmaster. Ethan understood that feeling completely. If she woke up—and especially if the breakthrough succeeded—the entire situation would change overnight. Any thoughts of the Valkyries attacking the Broken Dawns would disappear instantly.

"I'm sure she will," Ethan said.

"You just need to hold out until then." Nivia snorted from across the room.

"Hold out, he says." She crossed her arms and looked at Ethan with a faint smirk.

"You walk in here and tell us there's not one, but two groups coming after us. And your advice is to just hold out." Ethan shrugged slightly.

"It's still good advice." Alex rubbed the bridge of his nose before looking back at Ethan.

"And what about you?" he asked.

"Are you planning to help us?" Ethan gestured toward Leah.

"She's technically a Valkyrie. If they find out she's here helping you, she could become a target." Leah spoke immediately.

"That doesn't matter." Everyone looked at her.

"If they're going to start a war we don't need," she continued, "when we should all be focused on surviving and clearing these trials, then I want nothing to do with them. And if that's the path they choose, then I'll oppose them." She glanced sideways at Ethan.

"And you will too, won't you?" Ethan smiled faintly at her.

"You're damn right I will." His smile slipped.

"I'm not letting innocent people die if I can stop it." He paused briefly.

"But I'd still prefer it doesn't come to a fight." Alex nodded slowly.

"Wouldn't we all." He leaned back slightly against the wall before speaking again.

"You'll be staying here then?"

"Yeah," Ethan said.

"I've got a few things to take care of. And this is a good place to get Leah some more levels." Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"If that's the case, I might have some work for you." This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Leah perked up slightly.

"What kind of work?"

"Scouting," Alex replied.

"We still need people guiding new arrivals toward the settlement. And I want eyes out there in case anyone starts moving this way." He looked between the two of them.

"I can pay you per day you're out there. If you're already going into the desert anyway, it works out for both of us." Ethan chuckled.

"You don't really need to sell it. We would've done that anyway." He glanced around the room before adding casually, "But if you throw in a room for us, we've got a deal." Alex narrowed his eyes slightly at him.

"Done." Then he looked toward Ari, who had been quietly observing the entire conversation.

"Can you take care of that?" Ari nodded.

"Yeah. I'll sort it out. But you'll have to share. Space is growing cramped."

"Thanks," Ethan said. Ari gave a small nod and turned to leave, but before she reached the door, Leah spoke up beside him.

"Mind if I come with you?" she asked.

"I'd like to see more of this place. And I have a feeling these guys are going to have a lot more to go over." Ari smiled slightly.

"That's probably true." She gestured toward the hallway.

"Come on then, I'll give you the tour." Leah gave Ethan a quick glance before following her out. The door closed behind them, leaving Ethan alone in the room with Alex and Nivia. For the next several minutes, Alex continued asking questions. Some were about Arrowtown, others about the necromancer and the strange cultists shouting about the Broken Dawns. Nivia chimed in occasionally, pushing for clarification on small details. Ethan answered everything as best he could, including details about Bella.

Just incase she left the necromancer alive. And eventually the questions stopped. Alex leaned back slightly, studying Ethan.

"I had a feeling you'd come back," he said. Ethan raised an eyebrow. Alex continued, "I actually have a present for you."

"Why would you do that?" he asked.

"I already told you I understand why you did what you did." Alex chuckled.

"It's not for that, although I am sorry and hope you can forgive me." He said.

"But this is just part of your share, more than anything." He turned his head toward Nivia.

"Mind taking him to Donovan?" Nivia nodded.

"Of course." After hearing his words, Ethan quickly put two and two together. Alex had promised him a share of the colossus. And it seemed he had kept his word.

"Thank you," Ethan said sincerely. Anything taken from that creature would be incredible.

"Let's go then," Nivia said, already heading for the door. Ethan gave Alex a small nod before following her out into the hallway. Alex stayed behind, returning to the guildmaster's side. As they walked through the guildhall, Nivia glanced sideways at him.

"Thanks for coming back," she said.

"That information is going to help a lot." Ethan shrugged slightly.

"Hopefully." She continued, "Alex was going crazy trying to figure out why everything was going wrong."

"I can imagine." They walked through several corridors before arriving at a larger room filled with tools, racks of materials, and a heavy wooden desk near the center. Behind the desk sat a broad-shouldered man in a sturdy chair.

"Donovan!" Nivia called. The man looked up and smiled.

"What can I do for you?" Nivia gestured toward Ethan.

"My friend Ethan here has some items with his name on them. We're here to collect. He might want to commission something too, but I'm not sure yet." She looked over at Ethan. He nodded.

"I might. I just need to see what I'm working with first." Donovan leaned back slightly.

"Alright then, let me check the ledger." He pulled out a large book and began flipping through the thick pages. After a moment, his finger stopped. He looked up at Ethan.

"So you're the mysterious boy who helped slay it."

"Hit the finishing blow as well!" Nivia added cheerfully. Donovan raised an eyebrow.

"That so?" Ethan shrugged.

"It wasn't just me. Thane and Alex did most of the damage." Nivia cleared her throat, clearly unimpressed.

"And Nivia of course."

"Yes, of course," Donovan agreed. He tapped the page.

"Looks like your share includes a few plates of armor and half a tusk. Both are incredibly durable materials." He leaned forward slightly.

"I've already made a couple spears from the other tusks. And the armor plating is excellent if you want something durable. Not ideal in this heat, but incredibly strong." Ethan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Donovan continued, "We can craft it here for you. Alex left a note saying guild prices apply. Or you can take the materials elsewhere… even sell them." He paused slightly.

"Though I'd prefer the chance to make an offer first." The man sounded casual, but Ethan could tell he very much wanted either the materials or the chance to work them.

"I don't have much use for the tusk," Ethan said after thinking for a moment.

"What are you willing to pay?" He probably could have done something with it, but he needed money more right now. Especially for the plan forming in his mind. Donovan rubbed his short beard.

"I can give you five silver." Ethan glanced to the side and caught Nivia rolling her eyes.

"You can do better than that," he said. Donovan sighed.

"Fine. Six silver, fifty copper." Ethan nodded slowly.

"I'll just take the material then." Donovan blinked.

"H—Hold on!" Nivia laughed quietly.

"Ah, whatever," Donovan muttered.

"Eight silver. No higher." Now they were talking. Ethan tilted his head slightly.

"Let's call it four silver and you make me an armor set from the other plates."

"Three."

"Four silver twenty copper."

"That's not how this works!"

"Four silver thirty copper." Donovan groaned.

"Fine! Stop it now, you little bastard." Ethan laughed and extended his hand. Donovan grabbed it and shook. Despite the theatrics, Ethan knew the man was still happy. Working with colossus material alone would probably earn him several levels.

"So," Donovan said, releasing his hand.

"What kind of armor are you after? The material doesn't really lend itself to anything light." Ethan smiled.

"That won't be a problem." He leaned forward slightly.

"I want a full suit." A grin spread across Donovan's face.

"That's what I wanted to hear! Come here then, let me get a look at you and we'll make some plans." Ethan stepped around the table, eager to begin as well. Although he would be giving up some comfort, the appeal of having armor once again made him giddy. Donovan looked him up and down.

"Okay, I can work with that. I'm going to need to use some other materials but we can work that out later. For now let's go over exactly what you want." Ethan chuckled.

"Sounds like a plan."