As the duo moved from the slave quarters, Dmitri noticed that Asher carried no weapons.
While he made a mental note of this, the duo continued in silence on the path to Pharod's Castle.
When they arrived, Dmitri took the opportunity to speak with much disdain in his voice.
"Pharod, you attempted to deceive the Silent Legion. This is the heir of Nadra Olear.
All her possessions rightfully belong to young Asher here.
Furthermore, I see your most talented gladiator is unarmed. This is a disgrace and completely unacceptable.
I expect that you will provide young Asher with proper weapons befitting his station.
You will also reimburse him for the utter disrespect you have shown him by your omittance.
He is the HEIR of the founder of the Silent Legion and my own cousin. You will bow to him and apologize directly, or you will taste the edge of my blade.
I will personally examine the weaponry you provide him within the next 10 minutes. If they do not meet my satisfaction, I will take it as a personal affront to the entirety of the Silent Legion and we will descend upon you in full force.
Not only will this slave camp fail to survive, but all of your assets and your entire familial line will be wiped out tonight.
I also expect to be fully reimbursed for the expenses incurred on this trip as well as the time the legion has invested into evaluation the information you supplied.
We do not tolerate half-truths. I am sorely tempted to remove a hand in order to remind you not to attempt to undermine the legion.
It would be in your best interest to convince to do otherwise."
Pharod's face turned many shades of red and white as Dmitri spoke. He quickly whispered to the guard nearest him with utter terror clearly written upon his face.
The dwarven smith Flint Stormshield could be seen in the background with shackles upon his arms and legs. Clearly, he was the only one enjoying this turn of events.
Pharod quickly moved to the floor and began to grovel at Dmitri's feet. At this point he cared only about his own survival; his reputation could afford the hit it would take from being seen this way.
"Grandmaster Dmitri, I am truly sorry for my thoughtlessness and am begging your forgiveness.
I meant no disrespect and I have requested for two magically enchanted dwarven battleaxes to be brought out for young Asher.
They will be here within your timeframe I assure you.
As to repaying the legion, you have but to name your price and you will receive it. I meant no disrespect and have no intentions of making an enemy of the legion.
As to repayment of Asher, he has but to make a reasonable request and I will see to it as well.
Flint bring out the armor you crafted young Asher please. Perhaps this will lighten the blow."
Flint did as he was bid to do.
Asher's eyes lit up as he donned the masterfully crafted chainmail.
Seeing the quality of the craftsmanship made Dmitri's eyes sparkle as he spoke again.
"Pharod you have no right to use my name and should only speak my station. That is an honor you have yet to earn.
I have decided how you will repay not only me but young Asher here as well.
Your affront could have cost young Asher his life, and the legion our gallant reputation.
As such, you will purchase Flint Stormshield from his current owner and turn him over to Asher to act as his personal blacksmith.
He will have need of him as he obliterates the shadow legion insignia and replaces it with the newly formed Legion of Mizzryr of House Mizzryr.
They will be granted the status of Legion out of respect of Nadra and in honor of her rightful heir.
You will further grant him this palace, the slave grounds, the slaves, and all of the resources that are contained within this place.
As a further means of recompense, you will host a gladiatorial event in Asher's honor as recognition of his status as heir of Nadra. You will at this time present Asher with a shipment of your finest ores and metals for the use of arming his new Legion.
Bear in mind that this event will be witnessed by the entirety of the Legion. Should you represent Nadra's heir in a manner less than he deserves. We will require further penance.
I will personally oversee this transaction. If so, much as a pebble is removed from this place, you will repay Asher with a boulder.
As it stands, I will allow you to take your guards and all that belongs to them.
However, in return, you will send all midnight beasts that are currently in your slave pens to Asher. They will be the beginning of the Legion of Mizzryr.
You have one week to comply. In that time, I will remain here with Asher."
Flint let out a huge guffaw of laughter as events proceeded. His former master began to grin from ear to ear, as he knows this would cost Pharod dearly.
Pharod turned whiter than he had been before. He had invested much of his fortune in this camp and the midnight beasts.
Even more of it remained within his vault within the palace. If he were to do as Dmitri requested, he would become a pauper overnight.
More so, if he were to host such a spectacular event.
Asher only now glimpsed the true power of the Silent Legion. His face clearly showed his pleasure at the expense Pharod would incur.
Yet he did not desire to completely create an enemy of Pharod.
He respectfully replied. "Grandmaster Dmitri, while I do desire to create the Legion and House you have mentioned. I do not yet wish to make our presence known to the world.
May I make a counter proposal.
Pharod's guards in the slave quarters are at this time already disabled. As such they already belong to me.
As such I would prefer to make that my base of operations.
I would propose that we amend your offer to allow Pharod to retain his palace and except for the weapons for my personal use, he be allowed all that lies within.
In return, he will host the midnight beasts in many gladiatorial events under the guise of owning them.
As I am feeling rather generous, I will also grant Pharod with 50% of the monetarily winnings from the gladiatorial events. All other winnings will belong to the midnight beast that accrued the win.
As to the orcs and drew that are now in my service, Pharod will be expected to arm and provide armor for those that do not have it from the armory of his own soldiers.
Flint will be gifted to me by Birtle's owner, as he attempted to take my life. Should he refuse to do so, I will take great offense, and will expect him to face me directly in combat to alleviate the dispute."
Pharod's complexion improved greatly, while Flint's current owner began to turn white at the prospect of facing Asher directly in combat.
Yet Flint's current owner dared not speak. Was he to offend either Dmitri or Asher, who knew what the ramifications might be? He would be lucky to leave with his life.
Dmitri smiled as he responded.
"Asher you need not use my title. To you, I am merely your cousin Dmitri.
After all, you are now Grandmaster of the Legion of Mizzryr.
Should you choose to live in the shadows at this time, I cannot deny that request. However, you will receive your shipment of ore. Pharod will also owe you a palace.
You may request one from him at any moment and he will be expected to either build you one or donate his own.
Further, once you decide to announce the existence of your legion, Pharod will be expected to host the event I mentioned before. You will also see to the other demands that I and Asher have made.
Pharod, are these terms to your liking?
Benjin, you currently own Flint Stormshield. Asher is correct in stating you tried to take his life. As such, a single slave and his armaments are not a satisfactory repayment.
You will also submit your finest ore and your best crystals to Asher to support the rise of House Mizzryr and its Legion.
Further, you will be responsible for transporting or creating a satisfactory forge and smithy for Flint in a location of Asher's choosing.
You will also be required to donate all items that Flint possessed when he was captured to Asher, furthermore you will donate all the equipment that he crafted that currently resides in his current smithy.
Flint Stormshield, you know better than anyone what it is you need to practice your craft. You will personally oversee the construction of your forge.
If there is anything else you require to properly perform your duties for Asher, speak now."
Flints eyes sparkled as he responded with great mirth as he hastily replied.
"Mighty Grandmaster, I alone can not arm a legion. I would request that those that were taken in the raid of Adamant Hold be gifted to Asher's service.
Me kin would also need their gear returned to them if they are to properly perform for Grandmaster Asher.
Further, the equipment that Benjin has supplied is not up to the task. I need me forge in Adamant Hold.
I humbly request that that city be gifted to Grandmaster Asher along with all the resources that were plundered from her.
If that is possible, then the gear of his legion will be second only to that of your own."
Benjin paled beyond comparison at that statement. He currently used the mines of Adamant Hold to fund his entire existence. Without it, he would be a pauper.
As he started to refute the demand, Asher replied.
"Master Smith Flint brings a valiant point. Though I do not think his request is adequate.
If we are to arm an entire legion, we will need all the supplies and the dwarves that once resided within Adamant Hold to return.
In this, Pharod and Benjin will share the expense as I will lay claim to the palace within Adamant Hold. In this I am claiming payment for Pharod's debt.
As this is such a massive request, I am also willing to forego the event that he was to host in my honor."
Dmitri was unable to withhold his amusement as he responded.
"Grandmaster Asher, if that is your desire then it will be my command.
Once this is done, the debts owed to you by Benjin and Pharod will be considered paid in full.
Benjin, you will lead Asher and his group directly to their new home as soon as their business here is concluded.
Should you or your House need employment or financing, Asher has a legion he is creating.
He will also be claiming Nadra's inheritance, so financially speaking, he will be more than capable of financing a legion.
As you are aware, Nadra's vast fortune occupies half the wealth the legion accumulated in her reign.
Pharod, the same will be true for you, should you or your group require employment, Grandmaster Asher will have more than an adequate amount of funds to accommodate you."
Pharod and Benjin both appeared paler than ever before. Doing as requested would easily extinguish both of their fortunes.
Seeing their faces, Asher spoke again. "In order to acquire all of the dwarves you will require a vast amount of wealth.
I suggest you both earn that wealth by using my legion in gladiatorial events. This will allow you to increase your own wealth while fulfilling my request and expanding the reputation of my forces.
Each of them will bear the mark of my House.
This of course will mean that you will be required to treat those of my House and my Legion with the utmost respect befitting those of their station.
To do otherwise will incur my wrath."