"Chief! You’re the chief, right?" A middle-aged man stood up fast and offered a cigarette to Magnus. "Chief, I’m Ray Beaumont. We’ve got over 1,200 people camped out in Brightmoor Town. A while back, soone from Ironvale County ntioned your convoy. We were hoping we could talk... maybe you’d consider taking us along?"
Plenty had surrendered before, but this was the first ti soone ca under the banner of "negotiation." Though the five of them kept humble, they clearly ca with sothing in mind.
Magnus gave them a calm once-over. Their looks weren’t hostile, but he didn’t let his guard down. "Our convoy’s already packed. We’ve got no room for a crowd like yours."
"Exactly!" Sophia stepped forward, resting a hand on Magnus’s shoulder like she owned the place. "We can barely feed ourselves. Who’s got food for you lot?"
Even after the refusal, none of the five flinched. Like they’d expected this answer. Ray kept smiling. "I think it’s worth reconsidering. Bigger team, more strength. One more ally, one less threat."
More allies, fewer threats? That had an edge to it. If they weren’t allies... they’d be threats?
One of the n beside Ray chid in, "We’re serious about joining you. A rge. You folks stay in charge. All we ask is to take second-in-command."
"Yeah," another added, "just let us handle logistics. We’ll provide all the support you need."
Second-in-command? Logistics? Magnus laughed to himself but didn’t show it. He stayed level. "So, what happens if we say no?"
Ray’s smile stayed, tone flat, "I’ll be honest. We can’t beat you. Fewer guns, maybe fewer gems, but if we go to war, I’m confident we could take down at least half of your people. Think about that." His eyes locked onto Magnus’s, cold and direct.
The five had been polite; now their masks were slipping.
"Go back," Magnus said, his face cooling. He stood and turned toward Emily and the others. "Get ready for a fight."
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
The won snapped to attention. Emily and Sophia moved fast, hopping out of the camper to rally the team.
"Wait - what? You can’t be serious!" Ray blurted, voice rising in panic.
The other four surged up too, two of them instinctively moving to block the door.
"We’re being unreasonable now?" Sophia’s eyes flared, finger stabbing toward Ray. "You barged in threatening war, now suddenly we’re the ones out of line? Say it again - who’s really crossing the line here? Speak clearly. Magnus may be patient enough to let you walk away, but ? I’ve got no such temper. You don’t explain yourselves right now, nobody’s getting off this damn truck!"
"We - we just... ca to negotiate!" one of the n stamred, voice cracking. "Even in war, there’s that, uh, rule about not killing ssengers! What you’re doing, this ain’t honorable!"
"Who’s treating this like a war between nations? Piss off," Sophia barked back. "I only know one thing - you bastards ca here all set to kill. So if I gut a few of you first, that’s just fair! I’m wrong, am I?"
"Hey, calm down, Sophia, don’t ss up the truck," Liana quickly stepped in, sensing Sophia was ready to draw blood.
Just then, frantic knocking hit the door. Grace burst in, panting. "Magnus! They’ve got - mortar rounds! More people incoming, and two tanks. There’s definitely mortars..."
Ray and the other four had all just been sweating bullets. Now, hearing the report, their shoulders eased a bit, smugness creeping back into their eyes. Ray stepped forward with a grin. "Like I said before, maybe we can’t beat you outright. But putting half your people in the ground? That won’t be hard."
Tanks, mortars, and over 1,200 n... The weight of that hit the won hard, expressions shifting fast. Sophia started to speak again but was tugged back by Charlotte. All eyes turned to Magnus.
The five from the outsider group looked more confident now. Another man chuckled, "We didn’t co here out of fear. Don’t get it twisted. We’re just worried about damaging your supplies, your trucks. That’s why we played nice. If not for that, you think we’d still be here playing diplomat?"
Magnus watched their faces closely. It was obvious now - this talk of being vice leaders was just a front. They wanted to swallow the Ice Regint whole. The fake courtesy, the fake humility - it was all to get inside. Once in, they’d try to take him out and seize control.
"Fine then..." Magnus exhaled casually and looked at them. "Just like you suggested. From today on, we rge into one. I stay as commander. You five, all get the title of vice commander."
Sophia looked like she’d just been slapped. "Magnus! Are you out of your mind? Who gave you the right to decide this?!"
"Shut it! I’m still the one in charge here!" Magnus snapped back, voice sharp as a blade.
"You damn bastard, Magnus! You - "
Ray laughed. "Commander, you’re young, but you handle things like a seasoned vet. Steady and firm. I respect that. Truly."
The five n were grinning wide now, pleased as cats with cream, while Magnus’s female team stood there frozen, unable to believe he had just given in that easily...
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