Despite his jovial tone, Jack's mind was working a mile a minute. He'd left those instructions back at the village in the vague hope that B'arthon would send a delegation of some kind. But, based on the seasons and the time before the encampment could get moving, he knew there was no way the village nobles would be able to get an entire army to their location before they could move out. The most they'd be able to get this far this fast would be far too small of a group to be any significant threat. But he'd been expecting some expendable representatives, maybe Dek'thul, to try some sabotage or another assassination attempt, not the noble himself. So what had been a calculated risk to influence a few more minds or remove a potential future complication had just blown up into a much more complicated situation, but it also could be that much more beneficial.

Of course, that left the question, why had B'arthon himself shown up? Now that his pretense of being the spoiled son of a noble was gone, his clear understanding of subterfuge combined with his devious mind had placed him solidly in the position of one of the greatest threats to the encampment. Yet here he was, entirely at their mercy. That seemed so far out of character that Jack assumed the noble had to have a plan or ten in play to complicate things. It felt like they were playing a game of chess, except neither party could see the other's half of the board...

Lon'thul broke the spell of silence. "Found him just a little outside the camp. It's like he was waiting for an invitation or something. He had a few guards and a hunter with him but told them to remain there and wait for him. So I've got a couple of our hunters keeping an eye on them."

S'haar nodded and addressed Lon'thul. "Thank you for bringing him to us. See to it his escort is fed while they wait."

Jack spoke up, knowing B'arthon wouldn't understand what he was saying without translation. "While you're out there, make sure he didn't bring any additional surprises. I wouldn't put it past him to act as a distraction while someone like your father caused trouble. It's a long shot, but one I'd rather not be on the receiving end of." S'haar nodded in acknowledgment of Jack's orders but didn't say anything else that might offer any additional hint to B'arthon about what had been said.

For his part, B'arthon looked back and forth as if expecting an explanation, but when it became apparent none was forthcoming, he spoke up instead. "As much as I'm enjoying the looks of surprise and uncertainty on everyone's faces, I'm cold and hungry, and some of what I have to say is best said in less...public spaces."

S'haar raised an eye ridge at the noble's presumptions, but when Jack only shrugged, she nodded in concession before speaking to Sare'en, who wasn't far away. "Warm up whatever is most fresh and bring a healthy serving." Then, turning back to B'arthon, she continued. "Please come with us. While you are more of a guest than a prisoner at the moment, you are not free to move around the camp as you'd like."

The noble bowed to indicate his understanding and followed as they led him into a large tent often used for meetings among the camp's leadership. Jack and S'haar sat on one side of the smoldering fire, with B'arthon sitting opposite them. Orth'kun remained standing behind the noble, his hand resting easily on a spear he kept at the ready, his warning anything but subtle. Angela had already been in position, waiting. She'd evidently awakened herself as soon as she'd figured out who their guest was.

As S'haar stoked the fire back to life, Em'brel and Sare'en entered, holding platters laden with food and drink with Grim dutifully trailing after. Once the food was served, they both started to leave before S'haar indicated Em'brel should remain by the fire. After a moment's hesitation, Em'brel took a seat on the other side of Jack while Sare'en found a spot at the back of the tent out of the way but ready in case she was needed for anything else. Grim laid at Sare'en's in a surprisingly compact ball, appearing to be asleep aside from the one eye he kept focused on the intruder into his domain at all times.

B'arthon glared back at the beast. "Of all the asinine ideas you've come up with, allowing that beast into your camp is the most...insane. I keep wondering when it'll solve my problem for me."

Em'brel looked like she was about to say something, but S'haar spoke up first, her tone considerably calmer than the younger woman looked like she was going to be. "As much as we appreciate your concern for our well-being, I doubt you've allowed yourself to be taken into our custody to discuss how we run our camp. Which leaves the question, why are you here?"

B'arthon looked down at his meal as if choosing the next morsel to eat with the same care he was now choosing his following words. "I have several reasons for coming here. First, my pride wouldn't let me turn down the apparent challenge of your invitation."

B'arthon picked up his chosen morsel and inspected it closer before popping it in his mouth. Drawing out his response, almost turning it into a performance as he did so. "Second, I thought I'd offer you terms of surrender. I am prepared to provide a full pardon for all past infractions, real or imagined, for every member of your camp, the leaders included. Furthermore, all the camp's leadership will be placed in positions of responsibility and honor within my father's growing empire. You all clearly possess knowledge and skills that would be of great use in uniting our people, and I would prefer to work with you rather than against you."

That bombshell left everyone speechless. It was a very generous offer, one that Jack would have a hard time refusing. But it wasn't the human's call. S'haar looked at their guest with narrowed eyes. "That sounds too good to be true. But tell me, what will happen to us, specifically?"

B'arthon looked around the room. "Well, Jack will be installed as my chief advisor back in the village while you go and lead our armies against our enemies. With the great S'haar, slayer of the monster De'haar, leader of a flawless mated wolgen hunt, and Lady of the Dragon outpost at the head of our armies, most villages will surrender outright. The few who resist will be swept aside quickly and mercifully before integrating the survivors into the empire."

S'haar's glare hardened. "What about Ger'ron, Fea'en, Tel'ron, and Em'brel?"

B'arthon shrugged. "Much the same. Fea'en will be restored to her position as the master woodworker in the village. Ger'ron will be placed in charge of the defense of one of the forward borders of the empire. Tel'ron will be given control of a workshop and workers to spread the knowledge he's already gained..."

S'haar's expression made it clear she'd noticed the glaring exemption from the list. Finally, B'arthon acknowledged his omission. "Finally, Em'brel shall be officially bonded to me."

As the room started to react and several people cried out wordless objections, B'arthon held up a hand. "This will be a marriage in name only. She'll be expected to provide an heir, but not for some time, and frankly, I don't care if she has her own partners after that. This is a diplomatic move rather than a conquest."

Stolen story; please report.

Angela cut in, sputtering her indignation. "Diplomacy for what? You already own the one village she has any claim on. What more could she offer you?"

B'arthon looked at the AI as if she was stupid. "That little village? It was a stepping stone far past the point of relevance now. Our marriage will be the union of Lord A'ngles' empire and the Dragon's outpost. Ashes or not, that place made waves in the world around it. This union will add considerable credibility and prestige to our empire, giving us all the justifications we need for the pardons I offered."

While this offer had sour points, it was still surprisingly generous. Everyone was stunned into silence, everyone but S'haar. "So let's see if I understand what you're saying. You want to wield me like a weapon while holding Jack hostage. You want to wield Ger'ron as a shield while holding Fea'en as a hostage. And you want to use our outpost to entice the numerous villages while holding Em'brel as a hostage. Do I have that right?"

B'arthon shrugged. "Well, if you must think of it in those terms, yes. Though I'm not some cruel overlord. I prefer my subordinates to be happy. I'll see to it you'll have plenty of time to spend with each other. But it must be clear who's in charge, and it will not be any of you. I respect what you were trying to accomplish, I even wish it had been possible, but the simple truth is your naive optimism was doomed from the start. So join me, and let's build something that stands a chance at really making a difference!"

Finally, Jack spoke up with Angela providing translation. "And what about those who don't comply? What will happen to villages that resist or individuals that don't conform to your new world government?"

B'arthon shook his head as if regretful. "Compliance is not optional. Anyone who resists will be dealt with. I expect there to be friction at first, but soon enough, the benefits of the empire will become apparent, and most will fall in line. The few exceptions will serve as an example to the rest. It is unfortunate but necessary."

Jack nodded, acknowledging some of B'arthon's points. "There's a certain wisdom to your words. The empire you'd build would undoubtedly stand for generations. I can see many similarities between it and one of the greatest empires from my own people's ancient history, called Rome. But your empire would inevitably fall prey to the same flaws built into Rome's foundation."

The human continued, a far-off look in his eyes as if he could see the event he was describing. "Ruling an ever-expanding centralized empire by force, you'll eventually fall prey to your own success. It will become increasingly expensive in resources and manpower to defend an exponentially growing border until you hit a point of stagnation. Your empire might hold there for generations, maybe even a millennia, but with all the power vested in one man, or even a few, it's only a matter of time before someone is not up to the task of maintaining such a precarious balance. And when your empire falls, it will take the known world with it."

Now the human leaned forward as if trying to impart his passion and belief to the noble opposite him. "Instead, why not work with us? What we are trying to build won't turn into a grand empire overnight, but it may lay the foundation for further growth and prosperity for your people for ages to come. We can create a world where education and cooperation unite your people, rather than force of arms!"

At that, B'arthon sat back and sighed, shaking his head. "So that's it then? Our two visions of the future stand in direct contradiction to one another? I can't support yours, and you won't join mine, forcing us to be opponents from this day forward? I must say, I envy you and your people for having such lofty ideals, but I know my own, and I know that your dream is no more substantial than any passing fantasy the mind conjures in the night."

S'haar interjected again, this time more cold and assertive. "There's just one flaw with your conclusion. You won't be our opponent. While maintaining prisoners as nomads isn't normally advisable, I'll make an exception for you. You will swear a blood oath to remain our prisoner and have guards assigned to you at all times, or I will execute you myself before we leave this location. I don't know if you came here expecting my partner's compassionate nature to allow you to walk free once more, but I am in charge, not him, and you will answer to me!"

B'arthon shook his head again, but this time he did so with a wry smile as if S'haar had missed an obvious joke. "Oh, I'd have been insulted if you'd taken me any less seriously than that. Honestly, if I were you, I'd have jumped right to the execution without offering the option of captivity. However, while you and Jack might be idealists, you're not complete idiots, and I assumed you'd somehow seek to remove me as a threat. And yet, I'm here anyway, enjoying your hospitality without significant concern for my freedom or well-being. Doesn't that make you wonder why that is?"

This time it was Jack who spoke up. "You've got hostages."

B'arthon nodded in recognition of Jack's assessment while also correcting him. "Oh, I wouldn't put it that way, but many of the members of your little camp do have friends and family back in the village. During times of war, it is entirely possible that one of your raids meant for Lord A'ngles could go wrong, resulting in some of them being injured or even killed."

Sare'en shot to her feet, cutting in for the first time while Grim raised his head and started growling at her perceived threat. "You wouldn't!"

Realizing she'd shouted loud enough to gather everyone's attention, the young female wilted back into her seat, petting and calming Grim down. B'arthon nodded in recognition of what she'd said. "You're right. I wouldn't, and I won't. I will swear a blood oath here and now that so long as I remain in charge of my father's forces, no such action shall ever be taken. Never again will this threat be used to gain leverage over you. Honestly, it's a better deal than anyone else is likely to make you."

In the silence that followed that proclamation, Jack wondered if the noble was bluffing or not but had enough doubt that he wasn't willing to call him out on it. However, it was Em'brel who spoke up first. "But that will only hold true so long as you remain in charge! No one else will be beholden to your oath!"

B'arthon shrugged nonchalantly. "Then it is in your best interest to do what you can to ensure I retain that position for as long as possible. Listen, I'm not pretending we're friends or anything, but there's no reason to make this any worse than it has to be. We're opponents in a life-or-death struggle of ideals, but I think we can all agree that we want to keep the conflict limited to the combatants involved. You agree to that, and so shall I."

Honestly, Jack could see no reason not to agree, but it was also clear this wasn't just an offer of fair play. It was also a warning. Whatever levels they were willing to sink to, whatever games or tricks they were willing to play to get the upper hand, B'arthon was ready to go further down that road than they were willing to follow. Not that either party expected the other to fight this out like some kind of honorable duel, there was still going to be plenty of strategy and subterfuge, but he was letting them know that they should think very carefully before crossing certain lines.

Of course, he was only willing to be so generous because the noble obviously thought that his greater numbers lent him more power on the battlefield. Jack wondered how much would change once the first barrage of bolts struck down his front line...

S'haar had obviously been thinking on the same lines. "Agreed. I'll have stones brought, we can swear our oaths, and you can depart our camp."

B'arthon nodded but held up a hand to forestall the conversation's conclusion. "Yes, but there's just one more thing. The third reason I decided to pay you a visit. I'm here to ask you for a favor."

At this, Angela had had enough, stepping forward and looming over the noble as she raised her voice. "You have the gall to come into our camp, hold hostages, blackmail us, dictate the terms of war, and now you're asking us for a FAVOR? What is wrong in that deficient little meat sack you call a brain?"

B'arthon held up his hands in a placating gesture, although his voice remained calm and unbothered. "Well, the favor isn't for me strictly speaking, and I think you, in particular, may be interested in the nature of the favor."

With that, B'arthon reached into one of the pockets of his coat. Several hands fell to various grips attached to swords, spears, and a gun, but as B'arthon withdrew his hand, everyone froze. Sitting in his hand was a piece of machinery that could have only come from their ship. From it came a small feminine voice speaking the language of the argu'n. "Hello? Is this the part where I introduce myself?"