Chapter 592: Sacrificing a Pawn


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    Krummor spoke with a serious tone, "Lastly, and most importantly, a safe house for our


    agents in the city. Nothing ostentatious though, just a discreet location where we can regroup and coordinate.


    "Considering you''ve been in this city for far longer than Adam and Daneli have, your suggestion on this matter would be very useful to us."


    Brigham thoroughly digested the conditions offered by the dwarf. The first andst conditions could be met with ease. However, it was the second condition that bothered him.


    He thought about it for a few more moments before stating, "Forgive me for being blunt, Magus Grimriver, but the second condition is very difficult for me. You must know that before a policy is passed in the council, it has to go through a vote."


    "That is why you must convince the majority of the council. I''m sure a man of your caliber won''t have much problems calling in a few favors," Krummor said with a smile. But there was something in his tone that left no room for refusal.


    Brigham frowned upon realizing the underlying meaning in the dwarf''s words. But before he could reply, Krummor continued, "Now, allow me to exin what you will gain from this."


    Seeing that he had Brigham''splete attention, he spoke after a brief pause, "We will provide you intelligence on the Umbra Thieves'' operations, including names ofpromised Magi and merchants.


    "This will give you leverage to protect your interests and strengthen your position within the city council. Additionally, should you or your family evere under direct threat, you would have the Twilight Brotherhood''s full support our des, our spells, and ourwork."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Brigham''s heart stirred upon hearing the dwarf''sst statement. He could bear the losses done to his business, but what he was really afraid of was the bastards under Kissingering after his family.


    Just the Twilight Brotherhood''s promise of helping his family if they were under attack was enough for him to agree to the alliance. Family, that''s all that mattered. However, he still didn''t agree. Not yet.


    He nced at Krummor and asked in a solemn voice, "What about the city? Should there be a time when Ravenfell is under attack, will the Twilight Brotherhood still offer their help?"


    Krummor nodded with a smile. "We admire your unwavering dedication to the well-being of the city. It is precisely that virtue that makes you the ideal partner for our cause."


    He then nced at Elrick andmanded, "Hand Magus Flynn the rest of the documents."


    "Yes, my lord." Elrick respectfully nodded before conjuring three more scrolls from his ring and presenting it to Brigham.


    "This is?" The old patriarch asked as he began unfurling the first scroll.


    "The one you''re holding contains the scope of cooperation," Krummor began. "In cases such as these, I like to be as clear as possible in order to avoid misunderstandings. Rest assured, we hold confidentiality to the highest degree and also expect you to do the same.


    "In such situations, secrecy protects both parties from themon enemy or any other rivals. Lastly, I have also detailed the exit n in that scroll. On the off chance that our alliance might end, which I hope it doesn''t, I would like it to end without animosity."


    Brigham shifted his gaze from the scroll and toward the dwarf who was looking at him with a genuine smile. A momentter, he nodded.


    Krummor added, "It goes without saying that we will not request actions that endanger your house''s standing. Simrly, we ask that you do not demand overt support that could possibly reveal our presence in the city."


    After a moment of thought, Brigham wordlessly nodded once again.


    "Good." Krummor then nced at the second scroll that was tied with a red ribbon. "That one contains detailed actionable intelligence against the Umbra Thieves. You can consider this a trial period, in a manner of speaking, after which you will be expected to fullymit to the alliance."


    Brigham took a deep breath and got to his feet. "I will review this. If your ims prove urate, you will have my full cooperation."


    Krummor too got down from his seat andughed heartily. "We would expect nothing less, Magus Flynn." He stepped toward Brigham and extended his hand.


    "Let this arrangement serve as the foundation for a partnership that safeguards both our house and the ideals we hold dear. Together, we will see our enemy undone."


    Brigham firmly shook the dwarf''s hand and sincerely said, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Magus Grimriver."


    "Likewise," the dwarf replied.


    With that said, Brigham and Elysande nodded at Adam before they left the private library through the secret tunnel.


    After the bookshelves slid shut,pletely sealing off the tunnel, the young dwarf who had arrived at Ravenfell with Krummor suddenly voiced out his thoughts, "My Lord, why did you give him information about the Umbra Thieves even though he hasn''t formally allied with us?"


    Krummor turned around and nced at the young dwarf. He replied with a chuckle, "A gesture of goodwill, Thalren."


    "Judging by the old man''s reaction to that information, it feels like you''ve given away too much," Thalren said with a pout. "Won''t such concessions diminish your power?"


    Krummor took his seat by the firece and conjured a long wooden pipe and some tobo leaves from his storage artifact. As he methodically filled the pipe with tobo, he nced at Daneli, Adam, and Elrick, and asked, "Youds think the same?"


    Elrick shook his head with a knowing smile. Whereas, Daneli and Adam nodded, clearly agreeing with what Thalren had said.


    Krummor snapped his fingers and the tobo lit up in soft mes. He took a deep puff from the pipe, savoring the taste of the fresh leaves. "Tell me, do any of you y chess? Or at the very least, know how its yed?"


    The three young Magi nodded simultaneously.


    "Then you understand that sometimes, to win, you must sacrifice a pawn. Or even a knight." Krummor''s lips curled up into a smirk. "Does losing a piece means that you''ve lost the


    game?"


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