Baron Aldric leaned forward, tapping a finger against the parchment. His shrewd eyes studied Leon, weighing the risks and rewards.
"Exclusive trade rights… a tempting offer," Aldric mused, swirling his wine. "But tell me, why should I invest in your little war when the noble houses already dominate the land?"
Leon smirked. "Because they're stagnant. You, on the other hand, are a businessman. You don't rely on bloodlines and old traditions—you rely on profit. And I'm offering you something they never will: a monopoly."
Aldric chuckled, but his eyes glinted with interest. "A monopoly, you say? And what exactly do you have that I need?"
Leon leaned back. "Resources. My territory has untapped iron mines, fertile farmland, and soon, control over key trade routes. If you back me now, you'll be the sole merchant supplying my rising empire. Weapons, provisions, mercenaries—you name it."
Aldric's smile widened. "And what do you want in return?"
"Gold, weapons, and enough hired blades to reinforce my stronghold," Leon stated. "Your investment will be returned tenfold once I expand further."
Aldric rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "An intriguing proposition… but how do I know you'll survive long enough to make good on your promise? Lords like Reinhardt don't just disappear—his allies will come for you."
Leon's smirk didn't falter. "Then you'll be investing in the man who defeated them. And when I do, your name will be forever tied to the rise of a new power."
---
Sealing the Deal
Aldric remained silent for a moment before raising his goblet. "Very well, Leon. You have a deal."
Leon nodded, but Aldric's next words made him pause.
"However, there is one condition."
Leon's eyes narrowed. "Name it."
Aldric smirked. "I need someone to handle a problem for me. There's a rival merchant who has been interfering with my trade routes—a man named Velkan. He operates out of the Black Hollow, a lawless den of thieves and assassins. If you eliminate him, consider our partnership sealed."
Leon's smirk returned. "Consider it done."
---
The Journey to Black Hollow
Leon and Darius set out that night, taking a small force of elite fighters. The Black Hollow was notorious—a haven for criminals, smugglers, and exiled warriors.
As they approached, the scent of smoke and ale filled the air. Faded banners hung from the buildings, and rough-looking men watched them with suspicion.
"We're walking into a pit of vipers," Darius muttered.
Leon adjusted his cloak. "Then let's remind them that we're the biggest vipers in the pit."
They stepped into the largest tavern, where Velkan was known to operate. The moment they entered, conversations hushed, and hands rested on weapons.
At the center of the room sat a bald man with a scarred face—Velkan.
He looked up, his eyes flickering with recognition. "Well, well… the new warlord himself. What brings you to my humble establishment?"
Leon smirked. "Business."
---
The Serpent's Fang
Velkan leaned back in his chair, eyeing Leon with a mix of amusement and caution. Around him, his men subtly adjusted their positions—hands resting on hilts, eyes scanning for the first sign of trouble.
"Business?" Velkan chuckled, taking a slow sip of his drink. "I deal in many kinds of business, warlord. But I assume you're not here to buy weapons."
Leon smirked, stepping forward without fear. "No, I'm here with an offer—one that will decide whether you leave this room alive."
The tavern fell silent. Velkan's men stiffened, but their leader only raised an eyebrow. "Bold words, Leon. But I didn't get where I am by being easily intimidated."
Leon met his gaze without flinching. "Baron Aldric wants you dead. He sees you as an obstacle to his trade routes, a problem to be removed. I could kill you right now and be done with it." He let the words hang in the air before continuing. "Or… you and I could strike a different deal."
Velkan's smirk returned. "I'm listening."
---
A Dangerous Proposal
Leon sat across from Velkan, lowering his voice. "Aldric controls the wealth, but he lacks the muscle to keep his growing empire secure. That's why he's hiring mercenaries. But what if, instead of fighting against him, you controlled those mercenaries?"
Velkan's eyes narrowed. "You're suggesting I work for Aldric?"
Leon shook his head. "No. I'm suggesting you work through him. Let Aldric believe he's won, let him think he's gained control over the region. Meanwhile, you become the unseen hand guiding the mercenary forces. You maintain control over the underworld, and Aldric funds it without realizing it."
Velkan rubbed his chin, considering the idea.
"And what do you get out of this?"
"Aldric remains useful to me, and I get to keep an ally who understands the darker side of warfare. A silent power behind the throne is far more dangerous than one standing in the open."
Velkan let out a low laugh. "You're more cunning than I expected, Leon."
Leon leaned forward, his golden eyes gleaming. "I don't just conquer land, Velkan. I conquer systems. Now, do we have a deal?"
After a long pause, Velkan extended his hand.
"We do."
---
Returning to Aldric
Two days later, Leon returned to Riverwatch, where Baron Aldric awaited him.
"Is it done?" Aldric asked, sipping wine as they sat in his chamber.
Leon smirked. "Velkan is no longer a problem."
Aldric's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Good. Then our agreement stands."
Leon accepted a scroll containing Aldric's seal—proof of their alliance. But as he turned to leave, Aldric added, "You surprise me, Leon. You didn't just kill him, did you?"
Leon paused. "Why would I waste a useful piece on the board?"
Aldric chuckled, shaking his head. "You're playing a dangerous game, warlord. But I like it."
Leon simply smirked. "I don't play games, Aldric. I win them."
---
The Seeds of War
With Baron Aldric's backing and Velkan's underworld influence secured, Leon's power was growing. But securing alliances was only the first step.
Now, he needed to prepare for war.
The noble houses would not sit idle forever. The moment they realized he had seized Reinhardt's territory and was expanding his reach, they would come for him.
Leon stood atop the newly fortified walls of his stronghold, watching as his forces trained below.
Darius approached. "The men are improving, but they're still not ready for open war."
"Then we'll make them ready," Leon replied. "How are the recruitment efforts?"
"Word is spreading," Darius said. "More mercenaries, displaced soldiers, and desperate peasants are arriving by the day. But training them takes time."
Leon smirked. "We won't wait for war to come to us. We'll strike first."
Darius crossed his arms. "You have a target in mind?"
"The Blackwood Valley," Leon said. "A strategic chokepoint between three noble territories. If we control it, we control the flow of supplies and reinforcements in this region."
Darius grinned. "Then we take it before they realize what's happening."
Leon's golden eyes gleamed. "Exactly."
---
The Blackwood Campaign Begins
Leon led his forces under the cover of darkness. Blackwood Valley was a vital trade route, lightly defended but critical to multiple noble factions. If he struck fast, he could claim it before his enemies could react.
His scouts had already mapped out the valley's defenses—only a single fortress guarded the passage. A relic from an old war, its walls were strong, but its garrison was small.
Leon called his commanders together.
"We have two choices," he said. "A direct assault, or we starve them out."
Elara, ever the strategist, frowned. "A siege could take weeks. But if we attack directly, we'll suffer losses."
Darius cracked his knuckles. "We storm the walls. Fast and brutal."
Leon considered both options. Then, an idea struck him.
"We do both," he said. "We feint a siege to make them desperate, then strike when they try to break out."
Elara's eyes lit up. "You want to lure them into a trap?"
Leon smirked. "They'll think they're escaping, but they'll be running straight into our blades."
---
The Battle of Blackwood
For three days, Leon's forces surrounded the fortress, cutting off supply lines and making it seem like a prolonged siege. The garrison, low on food and morale, began planning their escape.
On the fourth night, under the cover of fog, they attempted to flee through the valley.
Leon was waiting.
Hidden along the escape route, his soldiers ambushed them, cutting them down before they could regroup. The remaining defenders surrendered.
By dawn, the fortress belonged to Leon.
And with it, he now controlled the valley.
---
The First Response
Back at his stronghold, Leon received troubling news.
A messenger arrived, bloodied and out of breath.
"My lord," he gasped. "House Varian marches against us! Their army is already on the move!"
Leon's smirk widened.
"Then it's time to show them what real war looks like."