Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 592: Sacrificing a Pawn

Krummor spoke with a serious tone, ”Lastly, and most importantly, a safe house for our agents in the city. Nothing ostentatious though, just a discreet location where we can regroup and coordinate.

”Considering youʼve been in this city for far longer than Adam and Daneli have, your suggestion on this matter would be very useful to us.”

Brigham thoroughly digested the conditions offered by the dwarf. The first and last conditions could be met with ease. However, it was the second condition that bothered him.

He thought about it for a few more moments before stating, ”Forgive me for being blunt, Magus Grimriver, but the second condition is very difficult for me. You must know that before a policy is passed in the council, it has to go through a vote.”

”That is why you must convince the majority of the council. Iʼm sure a man of your caliber wonʼt have much problems calling in a few favors,” Krummor said with a smile. But there was something in his tone that left no room for refusal.

Brigham frowned upon realizing the underlying meaning in the dwarfʼs words. But before he could reply, Krummor continued, ”Now, allow me to explain what you will gain from this.”

Seeing that he had Brighamʼs complete attention, he spoke after a brief pause, ”We will provide you intelligence on the Umbra Thievesʼ operations, including names of compromised Magi and merchants.

”This will give you leverage to protect your interests and strengthen your position within the city council. Additionally, should you or your family ever come under direct threat, you would have the Twilight Brotherhoodʼs full support—our blades, our spells, and our network.”

Brighamʼs heart stirred upon hearing the dwarfʼs last statement. He could bear the losses done to his business, but what he was really afraid of was the bastards under Kissinger coming after his family.

Just the Twilight Brotherhoodʼs promise of helping his family if they were under attack was enough for him to agree to the alliance. Family, thatʼs all that mattered. However, he still didnʼt agree. Not yet.

He glanced at Krummor and asked in a solemn voice, ”What about the city? Should there be a time when Ravenfell is under attack, will the Twilight Brotherhood still offer their help?”

Krummor nodded with a smile. ”We admire your unwavering dedication to the well-being of the city. It is precisely that virtue that makes you the ideal partner for our cause.”

He then glanced at Elrick and commanded, ”Hand Magus Flynn the rest of the documents.”

”Yes, my lord.” Elrick respectfully nodded before conjuring three more scrolls from his ring and presenting it to Brigham.

”This is?” The old patriarch asked as he began unfurling the first scroll.

”The one youʼre holding contains the scope of cooperation,” Krummor began. ”In cases such as these, I like to be as clear as possible in order to avoid misunderstandings. Rest assured, we hold confidentiality to the highest degree and also expect you to do the same.

”In such situations, secrecy protects both parties from the common enemy or any other rivals. Lastly, I have also detailed the exit plan in that scroll. On the off chance that our alliance might end, which I hope it doesnʼt, I would like it to end without animosity.”

Brigham shifted his gaze from the scroll and toward the dwarf who was looking at him with a genuine smile. A moment later, he nodded.

Krummor added, ”It goes without saying that we will not request actions that endanger your houseʼs standing. Similarly, we ask that you do not demand overt support that could possibly reveal our presence in the city.”

After a moment of thought, Brigham wordlessly nodded once again.

”Good.” Krummor then glanced at the second scroll that was tied with a red ribbon. ”That one contains detailed actionable intelligence against the Umbra Thieves. You can consider this a trial period, in a manner of speaking, after which you will be expected to fully commit to the alliance.”

Brigham took a deep breath and got to his feet. ”I will review this. If your claims prove accurate, you will have my full cooperation.”

Krummor too got down from his seat and laughed heartily. ”We would expect nothing less, Magus Flynn.” He stepped toward Brigham and extended his hand.

”Let this arrangement serve as the foundation for a partnership that safeguards both our house and the ideals we hold dear. Together, we will see our enemy undone.”

Brigham firmly shook the dwarfʼs hand and sincerely said, ”It was a pleasure to meet you, Magus Grimriver.”

”Likewise,” the dwarf replied.

With that said, Brigham and Elysande nodded at Adam before they left the private library through the secret tunnel.

After the bookshelves slid shut, completely sealing off the tunnel, the young dwarf who had arrived at Ravenfell with Krummor suddenly voiced out his thoughts, ”My Lord, why did you give him information about the Umbra Thieves even though he hasnʼt formally allied with us?”

Krummor turned around and glanced at the young dwarf. He replied with a chuckle, ”A gesture of goodwill, Thalren.”

”Judging by the old manʼs reaction to that information, it feels like youʼve given away too much,” Thalren said with a pout. ”Wonʼt such concessions diminish your power?”

Krummor took his seat by the fireplace and conjured a long wooden pipe and some tobacco leaves from his storage artifact. As he methodically filled the pipe with tobacco, he glanced at Daneli, Adam, and Elrick, and asked, ”You lads think the same?”

Elrick shook his head with a knowing smile. Whereas, Daneli and Adam nodded, clearly agreeing with what Thalren had said.

Krummor snapped his fingers and the tobacco lit up in soft flames. He took a deep puff from the pipe, savoring the taste of the fresh leaves. ”Tell me, do any of you play chess? Or at the very least, know how its played?”

The three young Magi nodded simultaneously.

”Then you understand that sometimes, to win, you must sacrifice a pawn. Or even a knight.” Krummorʼs lips curled up into a smirk. ”Does losing a piece means that youʼve lost the game?”