Joll scratched his beard.

  “And what about you? What’s your part in all this?”

  “I’ll be handling things on my end,”

  Ares replied cryptically.

  “Let’s just say I have my own role to play in this battle. But trust me when I say that keeping you and your people alive is in my best interest.”

  Tyne’s nervous twitch returned as he muttered,

  “And if we don’t follow your plan?”

  Ares’s gaze hardened.

  “If you don’t, you’ll die. Simple as that. These mages won’t hesitate to wipe out anyone in their way. I’m giving you the chance to survive, to protect your men, and come out of this stronger. But if you want to throw that away, be my guest. Just don’t come crying to me when it all goes to hell.”

  The three men exchanged uneasy glances. Krad finally spoke, his voice resolute.

  “We’ll do it. You’ve proven yourself before, Ares. If you say this is the way, we’ll trust you.”

  Ares’s smile returned,

  “Good. You’ve made the right choice. Now go back to your people and start preparing. You’ve got two days, three at most. Use the time wisely.”

  The men stood, nodding their agreement. As they turned to leave, Ares called after them.

  “One more thing. Keep this quiet. The last thing we need is panic. Stick to your circles, and make sure everyone understands the importance of staying under the radar.”

  They nodded again and filed out of the mess hall.

  Ares leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes watching them until they disappeared through the doorway.

  He muttered to himself,

  “The pieces are falling into place. Now, let’s see who survives the storm.”

  In a chamber on Level Two, Sardias and Warrent sat across a long table from representatives of several merchant and trading organizations.

  They were men and women of varying ages.

  Sardias started talking first.

  “Let’s not waste time with pleasantries. You’ve all heard the rumors, haven’t you? Battles brewing across the ship, mage factions gearing up for war. These are not mere whispers—they’re facts.”

  The room fell silent, the merchants exchanging nervous glances.

  Warrent, who sat beside Sardias, added, supporting Sardias.

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  “Indeed. And when mages wage war, it’s not just their own kind who suffer. Collateral damage is inevitable. Your lives, your goods, your operations—all of it is at risk.”

  A stout man with a trimmed beard, who was clearly a leader among the merchants, spoke up. “We’ve heard about the skirmish in the practice rooms. But surely it’s an isolated incident? Just a clash of egos?”

  Sardias shook his head.

  “That was no simple clash of egos. It was the spark to a powder keg. The Third Circle and Frost Elves have been on the brink for weeks, and now the line has been crossed. The coming days will see this conflict spill across the levels, involving anyone caught in the crossfire.”

  “Even before this voyage, these two organizations announced that they were at war.”

  “This ship is just a playground for them to hit back at each other.”

  A middle-aged woman spoke, her eyes showing that she did not like what she was hearing at all.

  “If this is true, why warn us? What do you want from us, Lord Sardias?”

  Warren leaned forward, clasping his hands on the table.

  “We’re not here to ask anything from you. We’re here to offer guidance. You’re the backbone of trade and supply aboard this ship. If you’re caught unprepared, it will cripple not just your organizations but the entire ship’s ecosystem. We want you to protect your people, your assets, and your interests.”

  The stout man from earlier asked,

  “And what of Sylind House? What role do you play in this? Surely with your influence, you can ensure our safety.”

  Warrent’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

  “Yes, our influence is significant, but let’s be clear—it’s not omnipotent. Sylind Empire is the sole owner of Rudmer Island, a vast and prosperous territory. This is why you’re here, listening to us. You know as well as we do that aligning yourselves with Sylind House is a path to protection and profit.”

  Sardias nodded,

  “He’s right. You know what Sylas represents. His vision, his leadership. As his emissaries, we offer you the chance to position yourselves wisely in the days to come.”

  The sharp-eyed woman raised a brow. “

  “And what exactly do you suggest? How do we ‘act wisely’ in such chaos?”

  Sardias exchanged a glance with Warrent before answering.

  “First, protect your valuables. Secure your goods in places well-guarded and difficult to access. Second, ensure the safety of your people. Assign trusted guards, double your security measures, and avoid unnecessary travel through volatile areas. Third, and perhaps most important, maintain your connection with Sylind House. When the dust settles, those aligned with us will find themselves in a position of strength.”

  The stout man looked troubled.

  “And if we don’t align with Sylind House? What happens to us then?”

  Warrent’s smile turned cold.

  “Then you’ll be left to fend for yourselves, without the resources, protection, or influence we can offer. It’s a simple equation. In times of turmoil, alliances determine survival.”

  The merchants fell silent again, the weight of Warrent’s words sinking in.

  Sardias softened his tone slightly.

  “This isn’t just about power or profit. It’s about ensuring stability aboard Blue Hope. Without merchants like you, this ship’s economy would collapse. But without leaders like Sylas, chaos would reign. This is a partnership, one that benefits us all.”

  The sharp-eyed woman nodded.

  “Very well. We’ll do as you suggest. But if we align ourselves with Sylind House, we expect your support in return.”

  Warrent inclined his head.

  “And you shall have it. Sylind House does not abandon its allies.”

  Sardias stood, signaling the end of the meeting.

  “You have two days, perhaps three, before the battles begin in earnest. Use the time wisely. We’ll be watching.”

  The merchants rose from their seats,

  As they began filing out of the chamber, Sardias turned to Warrent,

  “They’ll fall in line. They always do.”

  Warren adjusted his glasses, his gaze thoughtful.

  “Not because they trust us, but because they know it’s in their best interest. Fear and self-preservation are powerful motivators.”

  Sardias chuckled. “True enough.”