Dmitri responded again.
"If either of you were to treat those of the Legion of Mizzryr as mere slaves, you would also incite the wrath of the Silent Legion as well as that of House Olear."
At this moment the guard returned with weapons that Pharod would be gifting Asher.
As Asher glanced at them, he again spoke.
"Benjin, I am sure you meant no disrespect, but you have left my subordinate in chains. If he is not freed immediately, you will be slain where you stand."
Benjin tripped over himself moving to free Flint.
With his chains removed, Flint regained a significant amount of his own composure as he replied.
"Benjin, I be the Master Smith of the Legion of Mizzryr now. Where be me gear? I know ye keep me crown with ye at all times."
Benjin quickly spoke to the guard by his side and removed a masterfully crafted dwarven helmet. It bore the insignia of Adamant Hold at its center and was adorned with enough gems and crystals that it could only belong to a king.
Flint graciously placed the helmet upon his head and bowed before Asher.
"Asher, I know not who you are. I know not where you came from. But with the respect you have shown me, and the service you done for me clan, I will forever be in ye debt.
As a King I've never bowed before anyone. But now I bow before ye, and I pledge meself to ye service.
If ye will allow it, Me and me clan will forever be your Master smiths."
Asher smiled as he replied.
"Master Smith, you will bow before no one. You are a king, and once we return to Adamant Hold, you will be reinstated to your position.
You are also the Master Smith of the Legion of Mizzryr. As a part of House Mizzryr, you will be offered certain protections and should anyone desire to conquer you again, they will face more than just the dwarves."
Tears could be seen in Flints eyes as returned to his feet and began to evaluate the weapons that were brought out for Asher.
When he finished his evaluation he quickly responded.
"These weapons are finely crafted and will serve a warrior well. Asher, I suggest ye give these to one of me members of me Kings guard when they rejoin us. They ain't fit for a King, much less a Grand Master.
When ye ore and crystal deliveries come in, Ill craft ye any weapon of your choice from em.
Till then, I reckon these will have to do."
Pharod was clearly displeased by this statement. Primarily because he was unsure how Dmitri would respond.
As if on cue, Dmitri spoke again. "Pharod, these weapons are not befitting one of Asher's rank. As such, you will now be expected to supply the materials Flint requires to create Asher weapons of his rank at no expense.
These will not be counted with the ore delivery you owe him, and they had best be of the highest quality.
Master Flint, if the materials Pharod supplies are not satisfactory, inform Asher immediately. He will handle the situation.
Benjin, don't believe you are getting off scot free. Your negligence in freeing Master Flint immediately when the decision was made will incur further expense on your part.
Before I state your payment, I must ask, with the expenses you have already incurred, will you be able to continue to perform your duties in your own house?
You know as well as I do, the Dowagers of the other Houses will not aid you. After all, you and Pharod are among the only male leaders within the drew."
Benjin thought long and hard before he replied.
"Truthfully Grandmaster, this will cripple my organization. Most of my slaves are the Adamant Dwarves.
(Adamant Dwarves are similar to other varieties of dwarf in size and stature. The do however bear skin that looks more like lava rock than flesh, and their eyes glow with a molten sheen much like the lava you would see exuding from a volcano.)
(Dwarves looked mostly like humans, they were however much shorter and much wider. They were extremely strong and durable and possessed a natural skill in mining and smithing.)
If I am to return them, I lose the ability to further my income and pay the expenses of my own house.
I am currently at a loss on how to comply with your demands."
Hearing this Dmitri appeared to be lost in thought before he replied.
"I am afraid I can allow you to be in a position that does not allow you to care for the drew in your employ.
Therefore, I am ordering you to disband your House, and place the drew that follow you under the leadership of Neve.
You will also turn over ownership of all that you own within Crystal Cave. You will then become her secretary and aid her in all that she desires.
She will lead the drew of the newly formed House Mizzryr.
The Legion of Mizzryr may not be announced at present, but House Mizzryr must be formally created, otherwise the Legion can not exist in the future.
Pharod, if any of your guards wish to join House Mizzryr, you will allow them. With the payments you are already expected to make, will your House be able to continue to thrive?"
Pharod responded without hesitation.
"With the agreement that Grandmaster Asher has so generously made me for the use of his Legion, we will survive, and I anticipate we will soon thrive, as I am well aware of the training they have received."
Hearing his response Dmitri then continued.
"If that is the case, then we will consider our business here concluded.
Benjin, lead Asher to his new estate, and introduce Neve to her new subordinates.
Pharod, make your delivery to Adamant Hold as soon as possible."
At this point Asher spoke again.
"Pharod, remember the slave quarters belong to me. In the matches you enter my people in, earn as many new recruits as you can. I can not have a Legion without recruits after all."
Pharod bowed acknowledging his compliance as Asher turned and walked away.
Dmitri, Benjin, and Flint followed closely on his heels and he returned to the slave quarters.
When he arrived, he explained all that had transpired to Neve before he returned to speak to the army that had assembled.
"From this day forth you are all members of House Mizzryr. Those of you that seek to join my Legion, will be allowed to do so, as I have already verified each of your fighting prowess.
For the time being we will all be travelling to Adamant Hold with Flint, King of Adamant Dwarves.
He and his dwarves will install the insignia of House Mizzryr upon all your weapons and armor. Those of you that do not currently have gear, will have gear provided to you before we leave from Pharod's armory.
Any drew that wish to return to drew society, will be allowed to under House Mizzryr. Those that do not, will be welcome to return to here.
This will be our home and continue to be our training grounds. The midnight beasts will be requested to join the Legion of Mizzryr as well.
Those of you that are willing will join the gladiatorial arenas under Pharod's care.
You will expand the reputation of the Legion, even before it is known what your insignia represents.
Everyone here will be offered the same opportunities. You may join House Mizzryr, Adamant Hold, the Legion of Mizzryr, or you may return to your original homes.
Neve and I will require your response before we leave Adamant Hold.
Soon, Flint began leading them all toward Adamant Hold.
The journey was long and strenuous, and Dmitri spent most of his time discussing matters with Asher and Neve.
Dmitri quickly agreed with Asher in that Neve would become the Dowager of House Mizzryr. To all outsiders, she would appear to be in complete control.
Few would know that the group belonged to Asher. This was primarily due to the fact that few drew would willingly serve in a house ran by a Midnight Beast.
Even one with such a significant background.
This was a prospect that Neve both cherished and despised. She cherished it, as it gave her the opportunity to improve her life and that of those around her.
She also realized that she could easily grow her house but accepting those that society shunned. She would extend an invitation to those like her.
All the unwanted, the misfits, would finally have options.
At the same time, she realized that much like Flint, she would be unable to aid Asher in his hunts.
Kings and Dowagers after all had certain responsibilities that must be seen to.
Then again, so did Grandmasters. As exciting as all of this had already become. She feared what this would mean for their relationship in the future.
With that matter settled, Neve's mind wandered as Asher and Dmitri continued to discuss matters.
The primary matter that needed tending to is of course how to deal with the White Walkers.
They were the only group that held an equal strength to the Silent Legion.
They were in fact the balance that kept the members of the Silent Legion in check.
Eventually Asher decided upon a plan that bordered upon insanity.
He desired to challenge the Grandmaster of the White Walkers to a duel.
This would be suicide for most anyone else, as even a scratch from the White Walker blades would mean death.
While Dmitri did not agree that this was a wise decision, he did agree to be the mediary and setup the duel within the arena at Adamant Hold.
Dmitri communicated this via a magical ring he bore. The Grandmaster of the White Walkers agreed to meet them in 1 weeks' time.
There was a possibility that he would arrive before Asher and his group.
Dmitri next spoke of Nadra's inheritance.
It mostly consisted of fine jewels and coins, though there were unique weapons and armor as well. Most were taken as trophies from those that stood against the Legion.
It would all be transferred to Adamant Hold.
As the Silent Legion stood far closer to Adamant Hold than the slave camp they had left, Dmitri imagined the inheritance would also arrive at Adamant Hold before Asher and his group were able.
The remained rather jovial as they arrived at Adamant Hold nearly 9 days after they left the slave camp.
When they arrived, Benjin turned all the assets of Adamant Hold over to Flint. Asher arranged this on the trip, this would ensure none knew who the true Grandmaster of the Legion of Mizzryr would be.
Nor would they even realize the Legion existed in the first place.
With that matter taken care of, Dmitri next introduced Asher to the Grandmaster of the White Walkers.
To Asher's surprise, the Grandmaster was an albino drew female. While similar in appearance to Neve, she bore the typical size for a female drew.
You see, female drew's are typically far larger than the males. This particular drew stood as tall as an orc.
"I am known as Grandmaster Alanna Baenfall. Daughter to Dowager Baenfall. As you see, I have brought 10 members of the White Walkers as witnesses to today's events.
Should you best me in combat, you will earn the right to own a white walker blade. You may even replace the insignia of your house upon that blade should you belong to one.
Should you lose, you will forfeit both your life and the blade in your possession.
Do you agree to these terms?"
Asher smiled and nodded his agreement.
Flint lead the two combatants toward the arena.
Once inside, no words were spoken. Only those of the Silent Legion that had delivered the inheritance, Flint, the White Walkers, and Neve were allowed inside.
This momentous occasion could not be witnessed by just anyone.