The Silver Feast had become an unexpected fixture in Elysian's new routine, a necessity born of circumstance rather than choice. While he harbored no particular fondness for these gatherings since it only signified problems that needed to be solved. However, he recognized their undeniable utility in addressing the myriad issues that demanded his attention. The young noble found himself caught in a delicate balance between reluctance and pragmatism.

One unexpected boon of these gatherings, being one of the owners of this fine establishment, was the substantial savings they afforded him in sating Bran's legendary appetite. The servant's capacity for consumption had long been a source of both amusement and consternation for Elysian. As Bran indulged, Elysian could finish some work that needed his attention, saving a lot of time you might say.

Now that he thought more about it, Elysian realized the double purpose the Silver Feast afforded them. Not only did it provide a good flowing source of income, but the true value of it lay in the intelligence it yielded. It afforded them some valuable information coming from the merchants and other more common folks who did not avail the services of the Velvet Chamber. It would not surprise him at all that the woman had also other means to collect valuable information he was not privy to.

Throughout her time with her, Elysian's perception of Amara underwent a profound shift as he witnessed her masterful navigation of her businesses' intricate social dynamics. Her genius, once merely suspected, now revealed itself in stark relief against the backdrop of Ironspire's complex political tapestry.

The young master found himself drawing parallels between Amara and a master weaver of silk. Just as a spider crafts its web with meticulous care, Amara had spun an intricate network of connections and informants throughout Ironspire. Each strand of her web vibrated with whispers and secrets, feeding back to her a comprehensive picture of the city's true state.

What impressed Elysian most was not just Amara's ability to gather information, but her skill in synthesizing it. She didn't merely collect isolated facts; she wove them into a cohesive tapestry, discerning patterns and implications that others might miss. In her hands, disparate threads of gossip and rumor coalesced into a detailed map of Ironspire's power dynamics, economic undercurrents, and looming threats.

As he watched her work, Elysian felt a renewed appreciation for the value of such a keen mind and deft touch in his inner circle. Amara's talents, he realized, could be instrumental in reshaping the future he sought to avoid. Her web of information could serve as an early warning system, alerting them to dangers before they fully materialized.

Yet, even as he admired her skills, Elysian remained acutely aware of the double-edged nature of such talent. He knew that in the grand game they were playing, Amara was both an invaluable ally and a potential threat. Her ability to uncover secrets made her indispensable, but it also meant she could turn that knife to him if he was careful. With her reputation in the past, it would really be a deadly mistake

"...the death toll has been significantly lower than a couple of days ago, thanks to our new system," Amara reported, her eyes gleaming with a mix of relief and pride. She turned to Thomas, inclining her head respectfully. "I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to you and the other members of Iron Claw for your meticulous implementation of our plan. Your efforts have helped us mitigate the losses to just a handful."

As Amara's gaze shifted to Elysian, her satisfied smile morphed into a concerned frown. "Young master, are you with us?"

Elysian's distant eyes snapped back to focus. "Huh? Oh, yes, of course," he stammered, straightening his posture under Amara's scrutiny.

"As I was saying," Amara continued, her tone carrying a hint of reprimand, "we owe Iron Claw a great debt of gratitude."

"Ah, right," Elysian cleared his throat, turning to the older man with renewed attention. "Thank you, Thomas, and to all your men. Without Iron Claw's assistance, the casualties would have been... unthinkable."

Thomas's weathered face softened, the ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "There's no need for thanks, boy." The word 'boy' now carried a warmth that belied its former derision, tinged with newfound respect. "We may walk in Ironspire's shadows and deal in its underbelly, but we're citizens all the same. We won't stand idly by while foreign scum like the Crimson Talon and Dread Raiders run amok." His voice hardened with determination. "Rest assured, Iron Claw will continue to lend its strength. We'll do whatever it takes to prevent unnecessary bloodshed in this conflict."

Elysian's lips curved into a genuine smile, a spark of hope kindling in his eyes. "Good," he said softly, then with more conviction, "Good. Your help means more than you know, Thomas."

Thomas's face darkened, his weathered features contorting into a scowl. "Crimson Talon reached out to us," he growled, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "They extended an olive branch, knowing full well we're aware of their alliance with Razor Spike and Savage Fiend in the underground ruins ambush. They proposed a partnership, promising to double whatever the Dread Raiders offered."

Elysian let out a derisive snort, his eyes gleaming with cynical amusement. "It seems our friends at Crimson Talon caught wind of the Dread Raiders' overtures." He arched an eyebrow, curiosity piquing his voice. "And what response did you give them?"

Thomas heaved a weary sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly. "As we discussed," he replied, spreading his hands in a gesture of helpless acquiescence. "I rebuffed their offer but assured them we wouldn't align with the Dread Raiders either."

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"Good," Elysian nodded, satisfaction evident in his tone.

Thomas's eyes hardened, a flicker of barely contained rage dancing behind them. "I won't lie, boy. Part of me yearns to strike back at Crimson Talon for that ambush two weeks ago." His gaze locked onto Elysian, intensity radiating from every line of his face. "But you're right. It wouldn't serve our interests to let either of these major syndicates emerge victorious and seize control of Ironspire's underworld."

He turned to Amara, offering her a respectful nod. "Your assessment was spot on. It's in Ironspire's best interest—and Iron Claw's, particularly—to let these two scum tear each other apart." A grim smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "With any luck, we might just rid ourselves of both of them."

Elysian's lips curved into a satisfied smile, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Good. Maintain this course," he said, relishing the prospect of finally purging Ironspire of the two cancerous syndicates that had long plagued the city with chaos and corruption.

Thomas leaned forward, a cunning glint in his eye. "We've informed them that Iron Claw is open to conducting the usual business previously handled by Savage Fiend and Razor Spike," he explained, his voice low and thick with barely contained excitement. "With Warren and Damon out of the picture, this presents an unprecedented windfall for our organization. Our coffers will swell, and our ranks will grow as more seek to join us."

Amara's brow furrowed, her expression a mix of concern and pragmatism. "It's an inevitable consequence of the current unrest," she mused, her voice tinged with resignation. "Many find themselves without honest work." She glanced at Elysian, seeking his approval before continuing. "Perhaps we could provide employment for some of these individuals?"

Elysian nodded, his eyes thoughtful. Encouraged, Amara pressed on. "While we may not have an urgent need for extra hands, offering work could alleviate hunger for them and their families. More importantly, it might deter them from turning to crime out of desperation, which would only compound our current problems."

Thomas nodded, a hint of pride creeping into his gruff voice. "We're already a step ahead, my lady. That's precisely why we've taken over the transporting services previously run by Damon and Warren." His expression hardened slightly. "Make no mistake, I'd rather not work with either faction. But the coin from these operations is crucial to sustaining my growing forces."

Elysian leaned back, his fingers steepled in contemplation. "A delicate balance indeed," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over his advisors. "We walk a razor's edge between pragmatism and principle. But it keeps Ironspire's people fed and steers them from darker paths."

Amara's posture shifted, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Young master," she began, her voice low and measured, "regarding the investigation you tasked me with, I've uncovered some... intriguing information."

Elysian's eyebrows rose, surprise etched across his features. "Already? I'm impressed, my lady. What have you learned?"

Amara hesitated, carefully weighing her words. "In researching how your family ascended to rule Ironspire, I've stumbled upon a curious question." She leaned forward, her voice dropping low, barely audible to everyone present. "I wonder if your family truly owns these lands, but rather serves as caretakers for other nobles?"

Confusion clouded Elysian's face, his brow furrowing deeply. "What exactly are you implying, Amara?"

"Let me approach this from a different angle," Amara said, her tone cautious yet probing. "You're aware of Ironspire's mine, correct?"

"The copper mine, yes," Elysian replied, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"And who owns this mine?"

"Duke Ryland of Emberwin," Elysian answered, his confusion mounting. "But it's just a copper mine. There are far more valuable deposits across Thorin. It's common knowledge that the reserves are nearly depleted. Besides, the Duke owned it long before my family took control of Ironspire."

Amara's eyes glinted with a sharp intelligence. "If that's truly the case," she paused, letting the tension build, "why hasn't the Duke relinquished or sold the mine to your family? Maintaining ownership doesn't seem logical, given the costs and risks associated with Ironspire's position on the kingdom's frontier."

‘Now, that I think about it. She’s right.’

Elysian leaned forward, his eyes sharp with intrigue. "You're suggesting there's more to this mine than meets the eye?" When Amara hesitated, he pressed further, his voice low and urgent. "What aren't you telling me, Amara?"

Amara sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Nothing concrete... yet. But too many forces seem inexplicably interested in Ironspire. It doesn't add up."

Elysian's brow furrowed, skepticism etched across his features. "Interested in Ironspire? This godforsaken place?" He gestured dismissively. "We're perched on the empire's edge, bordered by Grimwold and the Everpeak Mountains. It's where exiles and society's outcasts end up. Why would anyone fight for such a place?"

"That's precisely the question, young master," Amara replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "I've lived here most of my life. I know its dangers, its grim realities. I've often wondered why your father agreed to take on this... burden."

"He was offered a chance at nobility, to become a baron," Elysian countered, but his voice lacked conviction. Unbidden, thoughts rose in his mind:

'But that's not the whole truth, is it? Father never seemed the type to relish ruling. He lived for the battlefield, the thrill of combat. Administering Ironspire? That never suited him. And Jareth's vehement opposition... there's more here than I've been told.'

Amara's derisive snort broke through his musings. "What use is a title when other nobles have such influence over your land? The merchants and influential families who control Ironspire's economy have stronger ties to your neighbors than to their liege lord." Her eyes narrowed. "Alderwick, Highbury, even distant Goldreach—their reach extends far deeper than it should."

Elysian remained silent, the weight of realization settling upon him.

Amara pressed on, her voice low and intense. "These families comprise nearly the entirety of Ironspire's economy. Their power is... immeasurable."

Elysian exhaled slowly, unable to dispute her words. Suddenly, Amara's earlier question about the true rulers of Ironspire took on new, unsettling significance.

"But there's more," Amara added, her voice barely above a whisper. "The royal family's role in all this... it's intriguing, to say the least."

Elysian's eyes widened, shock evident on his face. "The royal family? What do they have to do with this?"