"Here are my terms"
We were currently in what seem liked the village elder's house, I, along with Noel and the man in front of me who called himself Nicholas and the Village Elder, Ador were negotiating.
"I want you to stay here guard this place and train a few troops including my men to guard this place, I'm sure someone strong as you is capable of doing that."
"And what do I get in return?"
"Initially we thought this was a base made by bandits but it looks to me that you all are farmers except you so the duchy will provide you supplies and buy what you make at market price."
"Aren't the terms too good to be true?"
Ador exclaimed while Nicholas was skeptical judging by his face.
"I'll be truthful, I'm going to make this a base at same time develop this land."
"Is it because of the Elves?"
Nicholas finally said what I wanted to hear.
"Of course, I have some business with them and while it may seem far fetched that they'll interact with you its better to be prepared than not?"
"As long as you assure the safety of my village and family I will do what you want me to do except going to war if I do that."
"Do not worry about getting drafted or being forced into a war, this place, I will make it into my family's escape route, just one of many."
"Fine, we accept as long as you do your part I will do my part."
"Does that include training my men?"
"If I'm not bored enough."
"Good, we have a deal."
The place went quiet for a little while, no one talked and I met eye to eye with Nicholas, it was until Ador coughed and stood up from the table.
"I think my grandchildren needs to be taken care off, it seems like a good day to play with them."
He laughed, and when he was no longer around, the atmosphere changed.
"How many Elves have you seen so far."
"A few, but they're only observing, what do you plan to do with them?"
"Nothing, I do not plan to make them my slaves or anything I just want to do research and learn more of their culture."
"Truth be told ever since we have placed ourselves here they have been observing us from afar but never too close for me to capture one of them."
"That confirms it, are there any other settlement like yours?"
"If its the bandits your looking for I already cleared them out a week ago after they tried threaten this place."
He said as if it was an easy thing to do, to which for his caliber it was.
"May I ask you a personal question."
"Go on."
"Why did you accept so easily."
"Because of the crest, I know the Von Castrell family never breaks its promises made to its citizens and if something were to happen to me I know you would help this little settlement."
He had a grin on his face.
"Besides, there are around fifty people here who only want peace and quiet and this is the best I can give them you developing this place may disrupt that a bit but if it makes life a bit easier I'll do it."
I just nodded as he was explaining things to me after he was done.
"Noel, send a letter to back to the house to bring a few more man that can be stationed here."
"As you wish Young Lord."
With that Noel left, now from four people to just two.
"Wanna have a go at it?"
I stood up and quietly walked to the backyard of this place I heard him stood up as well, when we arrived at the grassy plain a few meters where no one could see us.
"Dual handed, can't say that I've never seen it before, it does have its weaknesses and strengths."
"I'm just practicing."
"So this isn't your full strength?"
"For now it isn't since I've only been practicing dual wielding for a few months."
"I see."
As soon as he said that, I couldn't react as he arrived in front of me and kicked the right sword out of my hand, he then returned back to where he was.
"I can see clearly your right handed based on the strength of your grip, if you want to dual wield at least learn how to use the sword left handed more."
Shortly after he appeared in front of me again, this time his sword swung down towards my body, I immediately blocked it in the nick of time.
I parried him as his body was open, I knew it was a feint so I stepped back immediately creating distance between us.
"You've got good senses kid."
He then appeared behind me, I turned around but this time my back was kicked as my face landed on the ground.
As I was on the ground, I grabbed dirt on my right hand, when I turned around, this time I lunged towards him, as he was within my range I threw the dirt towards his face.
To my surprise he didn't blink and let it enter his eyes as he continued straight at me.
"I like your style kid, that's how I believe you should fight."
As he was faster than me I could see it, his sword was going to stab me to the left but to my surprise, I felt a strange pain sensation on my crotch.
"That should teach a punk like you, but I like your guts."
Nicholas laughed as he looked down on me while I was still in pain.
"I'll get you someday."