Evergreen, 4th of Budrise, year 179 BN

Richard watched as Lord Kirk came into the hall, his one good eye glancing over all three of them. The man walked next to another man, middle-aged wearing a long black quilted vest. Lord Kirk seemed to lock eyes with Benjamin for a moment, but as Richard observed Benjamin, the man was busy doing something with his fingernails. Benjamin's background was something Richard was curious about, mostly because the knowledge he possessed was far greater than anyone else Richard had encountered so far in Evergreen.

Taking a seat, Lord Kirk crossed his arms. The tall man next to him stood with his arms behind his back.

"Let's make this quick, I have other matters to attend to." Lord Kirk started out saying. "What's this urgent news that requires my attention?" He was speaking out loud, but his gaze was seated on Gregor.

The red-haired dwarf pointed at Richard. "Richard here will tell you what's so important," Gregor stated.

It wasn't like he knew anything anyway, Richard never told him. Even on their way here, they spoke mostly about the ongoings here in Evergreen, as well as details about Richard's idea to mass-produce steel. While he was curious about the urgency of Richard needing to meet Lord Kirk, Gregor wasn't all that interested in what was about to take place. Truthfully, he wanted to know how Richard's outing went and to learn more from the young man about blacksmithing. It just so happens that the outing Richard had seemed to be related to the news he came bearing, so Gregor could wait.

Richard nodded once at Gregor as he took a step forward. There were a few guards present but like the last time he came here, they stood still at a set distance from them. Close enough to act if anything were to happen, but far enough that no one would pay them any mind.

"I'll get right to the point, considering I don't believe there's a need to dance around the subject." Richard opened his pouch and received the scrying stone that he obtained after the bronze box was destroyed. Seeing the object in Richard's hand, Lord Kirk adjusted himself in his seat. He knew exactly what it was, he had two of them himself but never used them as he saw no need. "I obtained this on my journey to Valewater, and the information on here is of great importance to you."

Lord Kirk motioned for Aiden to retrieve the scrying stone from Richard, and Aiden wasted no time. As he returned to Lord Kirk's side, Richard continued to speak. "I'm not sure how much of that information is true, but you can verify it yourself. As you can see the information contained within the scrying stone can be quite damaging if fallen into the wrong hands."

As he turned the scrying stone over in his hand, silence fell over the room, punctuated only by the subtle cracks of the torches that lined the walls of the grand hall. Aiden, standing a respectful distance away, watched his lord closely, attempting to gauge his reaction to the content contained within the stone.

Even as the transparent window was projected from the scrying stone, Aiden couldn't read it. The text was backward from his angle making it difficult to read what was written, but from the facial expressions his lord was making, it was indeed grave. After a brief moment the transparent window that was being projected vanished as Lord Kirk's gaze narrowed. "This is a serious accusation," he stated, his eyes fixed on Richard's. "How exactly did you come across this?"

Reading Lord Kirk was a bit difficult, the man controlled his expressions perfectly. However, the tone of his voice shifted slightly in a way that startled Richard. The lord was shocked...? Seemingly curious to know of the source, which Richard could acknowledge. There was a history lesson Richard had to learn, but from what he's picked up so far in his time here in Evergreen, he had a gut feeling something on the scrying stone had to be true.

His brain worked into overdrive as a seemingly meaningless memory emerged in his head. He was at the tavern run by Roxanne, gazing over a map. She was speaking to him, they were having a conversation. But, she said something to him.

'Take the river, it's faster than walking, but you'll cut through Dustwell territory and as long as you don't cause any trouble, you should be fine.'

'Why do you say that?'

'There's been a lot of bad blood between Evergreen and Dustwell, a lot of skirmishes at the border. This map must be new because this section here used to be under Lord Kirk's control.'

'How do you know this?'

'My husband fought over the village that was there and died. As for the other bits of information, it's merely second-hand rumors from listening in on conversations. Most of it I just take in and think little of. Unless the information is coming from the source, I don't trust it much.'

His memory was a bit hazy, but he recalled there was a conversation like that with the woman. Evergreen and Dustwell fought over a village and Evergreen lost. How? Richard wasn't too sure, nor was he interested. But, the scrying stone mentioned something about the battle. Valewater helped Dustwell in more than one way and was the reason Evergreen ended up losing.

Lord Kirk might have been doubting that skirmish ever since his defeat and blamed himself, his tactics, or some reason as to why he lost. But now, he had a valid reason to justify his loss, and it was due to a third party.

While the information itself may not be true, Richard was more than willing to bet that in Lord Kirk's eyes, it was. Meaning, that even without verifying the other bits of information contained within the scrying stone, Lord Kirk was already thinking that most of it, if not all had to be true.

Aiden coughed once drawing Richard's attention. "You will answer the lord, or I will see to it that-" Before Aiden could finish Lord Kirk raised his hand signaling the man to stop talking.

Richard nodded once before he spoke. "I did not know what it was, I was requested to deliver a box from Disceroa to Valewater. The requester was a man named Mitch, but he informed me that he was given the task by someone else. An unarmed source. In return for doing this, I gained information on the market in Valewater, as well as a contact in Disceroa who would sell me certain goods at a discount. On the journey to Valewater, my group ran into some raiders, presumably from Suncrest as they were chasing a group of villagers from Disceroa. The conflict with them ended up in the box being destroyed and the contents revealed. After recovering it, I decided to return here swiftly to bring this information to you."

"I see," Lord Kirk said as he rolled the scrying stone in his hand. "Can anyone attest to this?"

Benjamin who was uninterested in the whole affair thus far looked up. "I can. I was present when Richard received the box and during the conflict."

Benjamin planned on saying nothing if he could avoid it. Given who he was meeting with, he'd rather not be in the man's sight. The main reason he was here was to make sure the scrying stone was delivered because he knew the implications it would have if Richard sold it to someone else. While Richard seemed to be a kind man, he was still a merchant. Merchants sought money more than anything else, so it wouldn't surprise him if Richard did end up selling the scrying stone to someone.

While Benjamin didn't care too much for Lord Kirk, he wasn't one to betray his own interests or those of his home.

Lord Kirk's gaze rested on Benjamin for a while. "Very well," he said as he placed the scrying stone on his lap. "The contents will need to be verified, but a reward should be given out for your loyalty." His eyes locked onto Richard's. "For bringing me this scrying stone, I shall grant you one privilege that can be used for anything you wish. As long as it is within my power to do so."

Aiden's brow raised after hearing that. Was the information that great? His lord hadn't given out a privilege to anyone in years, and the last person to receive one was Issac. Issac asked to be exempt from taxes, which Lord Kirk granted allowing Issac to not pay taxes for anything until he died. Which in hindsight turned out not to be the best decision given the man's wealth today.

When Richard came here, he was hoping to leverage the information to gain an advantage, but he wasn't expecting something like this. Hearing that he could ask for anything he wanted made his heart leap out of his chest. What should he ask for? Many ideas were running through his mind at the moment, but he should settle for something that could benefit him now and in the future.

He would like an entire district within the city to be under his control, so he could use the district as he pleased. But it was unlikely to come to fruition as Richard was not nobility, or had shown any capacity to govern. He also didn't plan to govern the citizens within the district, he'd use it to build the facilities he required for his plan.

"I'd like to acquire a few plots of land, large in size."

Lord Kirk was silent for a moment. "What would you use the land for?"

"The weapons I've made you before were unique," Richard stated, using Lord Kirk's own words and not his own. To him, they were basic steel weapons, nothing more. The most unique ones he forged were the damascus steel ones that took more time and were of higher quality. "The uniqueness lay in not only how they were forged, but the material they were forged from. Steel."

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"Steel you say?" Lord Kirk looked at Aiden for confirmation, but his aide shook his head. "Where did you obtain this steel?"

Richard smiled. "I created it."

"Those are some bold words, and you must know lying to your lord is punishable by death." Lord Kirk said.

"It's true!" Gregor interjected. "I couldn't believe it at first either, but the lad even showed me how to make steel."

Lord Kirk waved his hand. "Silence! While you are in my presence Gregor, you shall not speak unless spoken to."

The burly dwarf puffed air as he crossed his arms.

"I'd never lie about such a thing. I am more than willing to give you a demonstration of the process, but given that this material so far has only appeared here I must suggest that the demonstration be limited to only a select few." Richard said.

Lord Kirk nodded once and motioned for Richard to continue.

"My plan for the land is to produce steel not only for weapons and armor but its applications can be used for a variety of projects. With your support, this venture could significantly enhance the military capabilities of Evergreen. And," Richard smiled at this part as he raised a finger. "Evergreen being the sole producer of steel would make this our specialty. Merchants from all over would come here once they learn and witnessed the usage of steel. Bringing with them merchandise and money."

"You speak of transforming Evergreen into a center for steel, an endeavor that promises both wealth and power," Lord Kirk mused. "Yet, such a venture is not without its risks. The secrets of steel, should they be as you claim, would be coveted by many."

Even he would take action to find out the secrets of a material that can generate superior weapons. He could still recall the first steel weapon Richard made, it took a while before the sword began to show signs of folding. As for the weapon Richard made later on, he shuddered at that. Obsidian was known for its sharpness, strength, and durability. However, the material was difficult to work with, which is why the weapons and armor made from it were so rare and expensive. Even more so the blacksmiths that could use obsidian were in high demand.

The Mitsugah that Richard forged last time was beautiful, and it only took a few strikes before his prized obsidian sword dented. His obsidian blade could cut through armor with ease, which is why it was feared on the battlefield. But the Mitsugah Richard forged was even of higher quality.

If he could outfit his entire army with such weapons, he could easily dominate the entire region. Yes, if such a person was able to do that, there would be countless others far and wide coming to find the person responsible for the creation of these weapons, and the material they were made of. After all, if such weapons could be produced on such a large scale, it meant the material wasn't difficult to work with. No matter the resources required, he would try to find out how he could make his own.

Richard nodded, understanding the gravity of Lord Kirk's concerns. "Indeed, my lord. The process and the knowledge would need to be closely guarded. That is why the land and the facilities on it would need to be secured and possibly even hidden from prying eyes. With your backing and the right precautions, we can safeguard the secrets and the production."

Which was the reason he wanted to keep Benjamin by his side. The man was skilled and could be in charge of the security of his facility. If things panned out the way Richard pictured, then it was safe to say that people would be trying to find out how to produce their own steel. Even if it meant paying someone on the inside to reveal the information. He couldn't have that, and while Benjamin had a mysterious background, the man had proven himself to be trustworthy and capable.

Lord Kirk leaned forward, the weight of strategic foresight pressing into his words. "The safeguarding of this knowledge, Richard, is paramount. If we are to harness this advantage, we must ensure that it remains within Evergreen and does not fall into rival hands. The implications of a breach could be dire, not just for your operation but for the security of our entire realm."

He paused, letting the gravity of his statement sink in before continuing. "As such, we will need to implement stringent security measures. Military forces will have to be stationed at your facility for its protection. Only personnel vetted for their loyalty and trustworthiness will be deployed. Do you have any plans in place for this aspect of the operation?"

Richard, who had been contemplating the logistics of his ambitious project, nodded in agreement. "Yes, my lord. Security is a cornerstone of my plan. Benjamin, whom you've met, will be integral to establishing and overseeing the security protocols. His expertise, though not widely spoken of, is unparalleled in matters of defense and surveillance. With him leading our security, I'm confident we can protect the facility from both external threats and internal espionage."

Benjamin hearing this twitched, he was not at all going to work with Richard for the time being. He told him before they arrived here that he was planning on doing his own thing as he was well-funded from their outing. Now here, the man was telling him that he was part of his security. Benjamin never agreed to this, but seeing the grin on Richard's face it seemed that he knew that.

Richard did what Anitta would say 'Throwing him under the bus' a phrase he was still trying to wrap his head around.

"Moreover," Richard added, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of his security strategy, "I plan to incorporate a series of discreet but effective measures: including the construction of hidden compartments within the facility and restricted access to sensitive areas."

Lord Kirk nodded thoughtfully, apparently satisfied with Richard's preliminary plan. "Very well. I am pleased to hear you've given thorough consideration to these matters. However, remember, the responsibility of this operation's security doesn't rest solely on your shoulders. As it becomes integral to Evergreen's defense and economy, it will also be under the protection of my forces. Regular reports and updates to me or a designated representative will be essential."

"I understand, my lord," Richard affirmed. "I am committed to maintaining the highest security standards and ensuring that this venture serves to strengthen Evergreen, not expose it to new vulnerabilities."

"And what of the manpower?" Lord Kirk queried. "Such an operation would require skilled labor. Do you intend to train workers yourself, or do you have another source in mind?"

"I plan to start with a small team, training them myself," Richard replied. "As the operation expands, we could establish an apprenticeship program. Not only would this ensure a continuous supply of skilled workers, but it would also offer employment and advancement opportunities for the people of Evergreen."

Richard had Gregor to help him out with the training, but he'd like to have people capable of doing math and able to read and write. Finding someone like that outside of the nobility would be difficult, and he might have to deal with some snobby people who thought themselves better than others.

Lord Kirk leaned back, the gears visibly turning in his mind. "And the initial costs? Infrastructure, materials, security—these will not be insignificant."

"I am aware of the financial implications," Richard conceded. "I'm prepared to invest my own resources to begin with, but I will also seek investors. With the prospect of Evergreen dominating steel production, I believe we can attract the necessary funding. Additionally, the revenue from selling steel products and the economic boost from attracting merchants will more than compensate for the initial outlay."

He already had someone in mind to invest in him. If he wanted to wait and take years to build the facilities and equipment needed, then he could use his own money. But, for this project, Richard wanted to see it operational as soon as possible, which required more money than he currently had on hand.

As for materials and the like, he already had a way to secure the ore he needed. What was left was a viable route and a seller, something he could find in Disceroa. Or, he could go to Devilin, or across the river to Espheo and the like. The route had to be fast, one that could be completed in a matter of a few days if not shorter. With his carriage and verlpax, he could do it, so he mostly just had to find a reliable source of ore.

Lord Kirk's gaze sharpened, his interest clearly piqued. "Very well, Richard. Your proposal holds potential, but it will require careful planning and discretion. I will grant you the land on one condition: that you keep me informed of your progress and consult with me before making any decisions that could affect Evergreen's security or reputation."

"Of course, my lord," Richard said, a sense of relief washing over him. "I understand the responsibility that comes with this privilege and I assure you, I do not take it lightly."

"Then it is settled. Aiden," Lord Kirk turned to his aide, "prepare the necessary documents to transfer the land to Richard. And Richard," he looked back at the young man, "make Evergreen proud. You have been granted a rare opportunity; do not squander it."

"My lord, if I may," Richard interjected gently, ensuring he had Lord Kirk's attention once more. "Once the steel production facility is operational, I propose entering into a military contract with you. With the enhanced strength and durability of steel weapons and armor, I believe we can significantly boost Evergreen's capabilities in the ongoing war."

Lord Kirk's expression remained contemplative, the flicker of strategic consideration passing through his eyes. "Your weapons have indeed proven superior," he acknowledged. "And the prospect of arming our forces with such quality is appealing. However, as you are aware, the war with Thornhill presses on even now. We cannot afford to wait indefinitely for this advantage."

"I understand, my lord," Richard responded, his tone earnest. "I assure you, I aim to have the facility up and running as swiftly as possible. I'm committed to supporting Evergreen's war effort and ensuring our soldiers have the best equipment available."

Lord Kirk nodded, the matter weighing visibly on him. "We shall revisit this proposal once your facility is operational and producing as you've promised. For now, our focus must remain on utilizing the resources at our disposal. Your initiative could indeed turn the tide in our favor, but until it bears fruit, we must be cautious."

"Of course, my lord. I only wish to prepare for the future and ensure that Evergreen stands strong against its enemies," Richard said, bowing slightly to emphasize his dedication.

"Very well," Lord Kirk concluded. "We will speak of this again when the time comes. For now, focus on your endeavor."

With that, the meeting came to a close. Richard, Gregor, and Benjamin bowed and began to leave the grand hall. "Benjamin," Lord Kirk spoke up causing the man to stop. Richard and Gregor both paused as well to look back at them. "Stay behind for a bit, there's something I'd like to discuss."

Richard nodded to Gregor and the two of them left, leaving Benjamin in the presence of Lord Kirk.

Benjamin rubbed the back of his neck as he walked back in the direction Lord Kirk was. He truly did not want to be in his presence, he's been avoiding him all this time for a reason.

Lord Kirk looked at Aiden and nodded subtly. "You can leave us Aiden, I'll be there in a minute."

Aiden bowed slightly and took his leave. Making sure to glance at Benjamin once before exiting the grand hall. He thought it was a pity that the man was born outside of marriage, or else his skills could be used to benefit the family. Yet, he was to never speak to the matter or his heritage to anyone, and after his mother's death, Benjamin left the family.

"Yes, lord?" Benjamin asked as he stood in front of Lord Kirk.

"Relax, this isn't a formal meeting. I just want to know how you've been doing after all this time. Have you spoken with your father?" Lord Kirk asked.

His father, Benjamin wanted to laugh at that. In his eyes, he had no father. It was even worse that the person asking could be considered related to him. Lord Kirk is his father's brother and could be considered his uncle. If not for the fact that Benjamin was an illegitimate child born out of wedlock and was be forever a bastard.