The council chamber was filled with an air of quiet tension. For the first time, The Maxwell Dominion was not meeting an enemy across the table—but a potential ally.
Lord Calder of Stonehaven had arrived.
Alexander sat at the head of the table, his posture relaxed yet deliberate, his deep blue eyes fixed on the noble across from him. To his right, Silas, ever the strategist, observed the scene with quiet intensity. His sharp gaze studied Calder, reading the subtle cues in his expressions, searching for deception or weakness.
Elias and Marcus stood nearby, arms crossed, their presence a silent reminder that while diplomacy was being conducted, strength was always within reach.
Across from Alexander, Lord Calder remained composed. He was a man who had survived many power struggles, and he carried himself accordingly. His graying beard was neatly trimmed, his noble attire subdued but refined—not ostentatious, yet not without presence. A man who had learned to move carefully in the game of power, never overextending, never revealing more than necessary.
Between them, the fate of their first diplomatic encounter hung in the balance.
The Opening Move
Calder observed Alexander for a long moment, then spoke.
"You have made quite the name for yourself, Lord Maxwell," he said, his voice calm yet carrying weight.
Alexander did not flinch. "And you have come to see if that name is worth remembering."
A small smirk crossed Calder's lips. "A man who understands the game. Good."
Silas leaned forward slightly, his tone measured but firm. "Let's not waste time with pleasantries. Why are you here?"
Calder exhaled slowly, folding his hands together on the table. "The war has changed things. The Kingdom is no longer stable. Nobles are choosing sides. Some will rise, others will fall."
He locked eyes with Alexander.
"The question is, where will you stand when the dust settles?"
What Calder Wants
Unlike Viscount Vale, Calder was not an enemy.
But nor was he a friend.
He ruled Stonehaven—a fortified city controlling key trade routes, one of the few independent territories that had thus far remained untouched by the greater conflicts in the Kingdom.
For years, Calder had carefully maintained neutrality, ensuring that his city was a center of commerce, a place where warring factions could do business without political entanglements.
But now, neutrality was no longer an option.
The war between Varenia and Eldoria had disrupted the balance. Nobles were forced to pick sides, and the longer the war dragged on, the less control Calder had over his own fate.
"I come to offer an arrangement," Calder continued, his voice smooth. "Trade, resources, and… security."
Silas narrowed his eyes. "Security?"
Calder nodded. "If the war spills into the frontier, you will need allies. Varenia's nobles are watching you, just as I am. Some may seek to crush you before you grow too large."
Elias scoffed. "They've already tried."
Calder gave a slight smile. "Indeed. But what happens when the Kingdom's armies march?"
The room fell silent for a moment.
What Alexander Needs
The Maxwell Dominion had strength.
It had warriors. Industry. A growing economy.
But it was still young.
Expanding was one thing—holding that expansion against ambitious noble factions was another.
Calder's words were a test.
Would The Maxwell Dominion stand alone, defying both nobles and the Kingdom?
Or would it accept alliances, choosing strategy over defiance?
Silas met Alexander's gaze. He already knew the answer.
The Offer
Calder reached into his coat and placed a sealed parchment on the table.
"A trade agreement," he stated. "A formal recognition of The Maxwell Dominion's right to exist, in exchange for exclusive trade rights on select goods between our territories."
Silas studied the document carefully.
On the surface, it was a fair deal.
But there were hidden implications.
It meant recognition—but also potential obligations.It would secure trade routes—but might limit expansion.It would protect The Maxwell Dominion from certain enemies—but tie them to Calder's interests.
Alexander had a choice to make.
The First Move in a Larger Game
Silas was the first to speak. "This agreement protects us from some nobles. But what of the others? What if Varenia itself turns against us?"
Calder's gray eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Then you will need more than one agreement, Lord Maxwell."
A calculated pause.
"Perhaps… this is merely the beginning."
Alexander exhaled slowly. His fingers tapped softly against the table.
This was not just about trade.
This was about positioning. Influence. Survival.
For the first time, The Maxwell Dominion was not just defending itself.
It was being courted.
The real game was only just beginning.
The Silent Decision
The room remained silent for a long moment.
Elias looked ready to reject the deal outright. He hated political maneuvering—too much talk, not enough action.
Silas, however, was deep in thought. He understood the weight of this decision.
Marcus shifted slightly but said nothing. He was a soldier, and this was not his battlefield.
Tyrell, standing near the door, watched Calder carefully. His scouts had already investigated Stonehaven. Calder was as cunning as they came, but he kept his word when it suited him.
Alexander took a slow breath, then finally lifted the parchment.
"I will review the terms," he said.
Calder's smile was small but knowing.
"Take your time, Lord Maxwell," he said smoothly. "But not too long. The world is moving quickly."
And with that, the meeting ended.