Darius watched everyone observantly and stroked his chin, his gaze sharp beneath his composed expression. His role would come later, this part of the meeting was Ryker’s. Today was about setting the foundation, letting both sides speak without pressure, and gauging the mood.
He’d already begun to suspect that the red-haired man seated beside Riven, Lord Fenric, if memory served him well, was meant to serve as an extra pair of ears and eyes, not just a silent participant. Still, all Darius could do was watch and wait.
Ryker leaned back slightly in his chair, arms spread across the armrests in that deceptively casual way he had when things were tense. "I figure it’s best we start small," he began. "As you know, Ironshade has been... difficult to access for some time. But recent efforts, led by our Alpha"—he nodded subtly to Darius—"have reopened the gates. It is a cause for celebration I believe but we are here for business. Trade that is."
Ryker paused, letting that land. Riven gave the faintest nod.
"Our priority now is not expansion," Ryker continued, "but sustainability. Our trade needs to be reciprocal. So while we are open to bartering and coordinated deliveries, we expect fair valuation of what we provide."
Fenric leaned forward, clearly prepared to say something, but Riven lifted a hand and spoke instead. "What is Ironshade offering?"
Ryker didn’t blink. "Ore. Iron, of course. And fine metalwork, our smiths haven’t gone dull. Our reserves are intact as well, If you doubt us then we are ready to take you there. You will find our gemstones are still as clear as the first snows. And we are willing to open trade routes west again. That land’s wild, and risky. But it always brought wealth when tended properly."
Serena noticed one of the Dawnbreak wolves, an older woman with long grey braids scribble something on a small scroll.
"And what are your expectations in return?" Riven asked, tone still cool but alert.
Ryker folded his hands. "We expected medicine, herbs, cloth and many others. We do not produce fine textiles like you do, and we’ve had shortages in our healers’ supplies, non-critical, but it is not something we are going to oversee. We would also like news and work on new maps. Ironshade has been in the dark too long."
"And?" Riven pressed.
Ryker gave a faint grin. "And access, not just immediately but it is one of our requests. But, in time, a chance to re-enter broader foreign markets. Dawnbreak is a hub. You will be the crossroads, we want to move carefully, but forward."
The delegate nodded and looked down briefly and silence filled the room. Darius pulled himself closer to the table and placed his hand under his chin and watched the other man. He wished the goddess would reveal his thoughts to him in some sort of miracle.
And then Riven leaned back and said, "These are all acceptable starting points."
Darius relaxed a fraction. So far, so good.
Riven placed his goblet down with a soft clink. "However..."
Darius’s shoulders straightened. He almost smiled, it would be too good to be true just to say yes to accept Ironshade terms.
"...there’s concern. From Alpha Thalia herself."
Ryker didn’t move. "Speak freely."
"We question whether Ironshade is ready. You see, reopening your gates is one thing. But you have been isolated for years. Your Alpha is young, barely tested on the political stage. And there are... whispers. That Ironshade’s internal unity is still fractured."
Julian stirred, his eyes flashing behind his spectacles. But he said nothing. Darius tilted his head and nearly scoffed, how ironic that someone that around his age was using that in a talking point against him.
Riven continued, undeterred. "We know that twenty-five years ago, Ironshade withdrew from its alliances with both Dawnbreak and Nightmoor and among other Nothern packs. We know that your former Alpha fell into instability. That there were years of silence and confusion. That more than one village was nearly abandoned."
He paused, then added, "We know that Ironshade never sent word to explain any of it. And now, suddenly, you reappear. With offerings, with smiles and polite wolves and feasts. And yet, no explanation."
Darius’s jaw tensed. He didn’t move, but his gaze darkened.
Riven’s voice didn’t change in tone. He wasn’t aggressive, just confident and oh so certain of his words. "So yes, Dawnbreak is interested. But Alpha Thalia would rather not invest in an unstable ally. She believes Ironshade still owes the North an answer. Why the sudden return?"
Ryker tilted his head. "We’re not here to justify the mistakes of a past generation. We are here to rebuild."
"That is not enough," Riven said smoothly. "A trade partner is one thing. But a political ally? You must earn that trust again."
Darius slowly rose from his seat.
The whole room shifted.
"I am young, yes," he said, voice cool. "But I remember those years you speak of."
He moved around the table slowly, each step measured. "I remember the certainty in my father’s eyes when he made the decision. I remember the day we closed the gates. I remember the silence. I lived it."
Riven held his gaze. "Then perhaps you understand why we ask."
"I do," Darius said. "But I will not apologize for taking time to clean a dirty house before welcoming guests back in."
Cedar gave a quiet nod of agreement from the corner.
Darius willed himself to remain calm, this was part of his duty after all. "Ironshade did what it needed to survive. And now, we stand ready for the next page in history."
Riven said nothing. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveI~Fire.net
"Dawnbreak may have its doubts. But we know what we are offering. And I suggest you consider whether the alliance you risk turning down is one that others would leap at."
Riven didn’t respond immediately. His eyes narrowed just slightly, then he reached again for his goblet.
"It seems," he said, "we have much to discuss."
Ryker exhaled quietly.
Serena, who had been holding her breath, finally let it out. The mood hadn’t turned hostile, but the lines had been drawn. And the game had begun.