CHAPTER 214: DO NOT MISTAKE THIS AGREEMENT FOR SURRENDER

Darius waited in the council room for Riven and Elen to return from their break. He knew they had gone after Serena presumably to question her about it. Silas had a wide smile on his face, of course the man was pleased with what had gone down. Darius suspected he was even happier with Charlotte, yet again Silas had found a way to insert himself. Unfortunately it would mean that Darius owed him yet again.

Riven entered with a storm brewing behind his eyes, his steps clipped and sharp across the polished floor. Elen trailed behind him like a shadow barely stitched to his heels, her expression a mix of apology and embarrassment. Darius observed them without rising, his fingers drumming slowly against the armrest of his chair.

Silas gave a half-laugh under his breath, clearly enjoying himself.

"Delegate Riven," Darius said, tone dry but polite. "Lady Elen. Shall we proceed?"

Riven said nothing at first. He only lowered himself into his seat and adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves with unnecessary care. When he finally looked up, his eyes met Darius’s squarely. "Let us finish this."

Darius nodded and straightened. "Then let us return to the matter of the trade route." He gestured to the parchment laid out across the council table, detailing the proposed paths between Ironshade and Dawnbreak. "As I stated earlier, Thornridge will serve as the starting point. The trail will wind west through Ridgepine and connect to Silver Hollow on your end. We will handle clearing and fortification of the road."

"Fortification is not enough," Riven said. "We require shared oversight. This arrangement must be balanced."

"And it shall be," Darius replied. "Your scouts will be allowed on the route. Silas has already arranged for shared patrols, each guard post will house one Dawnbreak and one Ironshade soldier. Reports will be sent jointly to your leadership and mine."

Silas leaned forward then. "Maps are being drawn, as well as patrol rotations. They are already being discussed. We will issue a full schedule by the end of the week."

Verac spoke up. "We will need guarantees in writing. Should any harm come to our men on your side, Dawnbreak will answer to its people."

Darius swallowed and nodded to Verac’s words, Ironshade had no resources to spare for any skirmish more than it already had to quell the rogues every now and then. No one on either side would like to come to blows, it might even make the Tribunal step in and Darius wanted to avoid all that paperwork and headache completely.

"As will Ironshade," Darius said. "We are not eager to let blood stain what should be a trade path."

Elen finally found her voice. "This alliance, if we can even call it that requires trust. And yet, earlier today, we were made fools of. Crimsonclaw’s involvement was not known to us. It was not hinted at all. It places everything in question."

Livia, who had been silent the whole time save for when she scribbled something in her book finally spoke. "We did not deem it to be necessary, after all Alpha Thalia had not taken us seriously for a bit. It does make one wonder, why now?"

Riven shot her a cold glance, but she met it with ease, the picture of a Western courtier enjoying her game.

Darius raised a hand to halt the brewing tension. "This council will not splinter over bruised pride. Crimsonclaw’s presence is not a betrayal of any sort and I do apologise if it comes off as that. The East has been silent for years. That silence ends now."

A moment passed between them and then Riven exhaled. "Two moons. That is the trial we agree on. After that, we revisit the terms."

Darius nodded once. "Two moons it is."

Silas leaned back, tapping the table once with his knuckle. "My men will liaise directly with your captains. I assume Dawnbreak still trusts Elric of the Windward Trail?"

"Of course," Riven said. "He’ll be the one leading the western flank."

"Good," Silas replied. "He and Captain Theon will get along well enough, I suspect."

The council moved swiftly after that. Specifics were outlined. Elen scribbled names and border marks onto a fresh sheet of parchment. Julian asked for hunting grounds to be respected near Pineveil. Ryker, ever silent, muttered once about securing the outer stretches of old rogue paths. Evelyn and Iris gave their measured approvals.

By the time the last seal was pressed into wax, Darius exhaled slowly and stood.

"Then we are agreed. Let Thornridge bear witness to the first inkling of unity between Ironshade and Dawnbreak."

There was no applause or a toast. But heads dipped in solemn assent.

The Dawnbreak wolves began to rise, gathering cloaks and murmuring among themselves. Elen still looked pale, but she moved with purpose now. Verac seemed wearied, muttering to Riven in low tones. Only Riven lingered.

He turned to Darius as the others filtered out. "We will keep watch. Do not mistake this agreement for surrender."

Darius’s expression did not change. "Nor should you mistake hospitality for weakness."

Riven gave a slow nod, the tension thick between them. Then he turned, sweeping out into the hall without another word.

Silas was the first to break the silence. "Well," he said, stretching his arms behind his head, "that went rather well, all things considered."

"Better than expected," Iris muttered.

"I wouldn’t count your blessings too soon," Julian said. "They ARe wounded. And a wounded beast can be the most dangerous."

Darius didn’t respond. His gaze lingered on the door where Riven had vanished. The wolves of Dawnbreak had come expecting compliance. Instead they had found Crimsonclaw instead.

And now, the real games would begin.

Darius glanced around the chamber. "You’ve all done well. Ironshade has shown strength without arrogance. I thank you."

He turned, cloak sweeping behind him as he strode toward the doors. Just before exiting, he paused and said, "Elder Julian, have a full report drafted and sent to my office by sundown."