The next morning the caravan rode with renewed urgency. Logan barely slept. Mira only rested in short bursts. Renn could not relax at all and kept checking the core chamber as if expecting it to explode. The guards moved in tense silence. They knew danger followed them like a shadow.

By midday Logan finally saw it. Outpost Brinn rising in the distance. Its wooden walls still patched with rope and metal sheets. Guards stood along the top looking worn but alert. Smoke curled from a cooking fire. The gate was reinforced but scarred.

Logan felt something tighten in his chest. Familiarity. Responsibility. The memory of arriving there the first time. The faces of soldiers swinging cracked weapons. Rhea standing with cracked armor and tired eyes. This place deserved better than constant fear.

As the caravan approached the gate guards shouted in recognition. Open the gate They shouted down the wall. Its him Its Logan

The gates cracked open. Logan stepped out of the wagon carrying the Guardian Set chest. Mira and Renn followed.

Captain Rhea rushed forward armor dented but spirits sharp. She stopped in front of Logan breathing hard. You made it Logan I thought the Silver Courts caught you. I thought the Crimson Trace got to you. We heard rumors but we did not know what to believe.

Logan smiled faintly. I told you I would come back.

Rhea stared at the chest. Is that

Logan nodded. The Guardian Set. The first real weapons from my new forge. For Brinn.

The soldiers gathered close murmuring with awe and disbelief. Logan knelt and opened the chest. The crossbow shimmered with its beastbone limbs. The short blade hummed faintly like a heartbeat.

Rhea’s eyes widened. Logan this is beyond anything we have ever had.

Logan handed her the crossbow. Try it.

She lifted it testing its weight and draw. Her expression hardened. This is light but powerful. Balanced. Silent. Logan this is a miracle for soldiers like us.

Mira stepped forward. That is only the first model. We can refine more once we gather data.

Renn added nervously. Just do not overload the core. It is safe but not idiot proof.

Rhea ignored Renn and turned to Logan. You risked everything to bring this here.

Logan answered softly. You saved me when you had no reason to. This is the least I can do.

Rhea shook her head. Logan you do not understand. With weapons like these we can hold the border. We can stop losing people. We can survive.

A soldier approached with tears building in his eyes. Logan sir my brother died because his sword snapped during a patrol. If we had this we could have saved him.

Logan’s chest tightened painfully. He touched the soldier’s arm. Then we make sure no one else dies from broken steel.

Rhea motioned for a training dummy to be brought forward. Soldiers set it up quickly. It was wrapped in old armor plates.

Rhea loaded a bolt and fired. The bolt smashed through the plate and embedded deep into the wood. The soldiers gasped. Rhea turned to Logan slowly.

Logan this will change everything.

Logan nodded. That is the point.

Before they could continue a horn sounded from the watchtower. A guard shouted. Riders approaching from the northwest

Logan’s stomach tightened. Not again.

Rhea snapped into command. Positions Shields up

The guard shouted again. Wait Their banner is white They come with no weapons drawn

Rhea frowned. White banner means treaty or request. This is unusual.

The riders approached slowly. Their armor carried gold inlaid patterns. Not mercenaries not bandits. A small diplomatic group.

Logan recognized the patterns. Silver Courts. But not soldiers. Representatives.

Mira whispered. They found you. And they came to negotiate.

Renn trembled. Negotiation with the Silver Courts is never negotiation.

Rhea stepped forward ready to intercept. Logan stood beside her gripping the Guardian Blade.

The lead rider dismounted and removed his hood revealing silver trimmed robes and polished armor. His expression calm controlled but dangerous under the surface.

He bowed slightly. Captain Rhea. Logan Mercer. I greet you on behalf of the Silver Courts. We request a peaceful exchange.

Rhea narrowed her eyes. Your scouts attacked us. Your mages tried to collapse a canyon.

The representative answered calmly. Those were field units acting without central approval. I am here with official authority. We come not for battle but for an offer.

Logan’s voice was flat. What kind of offer

The representative smiled faint. One that concerns the future of this realm. One that concerns your extraordinary work Logan Mercer.

Rhea stepped in front of Logan. State your intent.

The representative continued. The Silver Courts wish to hire Logan Mercer as the royal artificer of our kingdom. We will grant him land wealth guards apprentices and a laboratory like no other. In return he will build exclusively for us. No other faction. No merchants. No Coalition.

The air froze. Soldiers stiffened. Mira’s hand went to her knife. Renn swallowed loudly.

Rhea’s voice cracked like a blade striking metal. You want to take him from us

The representative smiled politely. Not take. Invite. With honor.

Logan felt cold anger rise. And if I decline

The representative’s expression softened with false sympathy. Then we fear the realm will fall into chaos. Weapons like yours cannot be allowed to spread unchecked. For the good of the realm we may be forced to take stronger action.

Rhea stepped closer to him. You speak of peace but threaten war.

The representative shrugged softly. War is simply the failure of negotiation.

Logan stepped forward. Enough. I will give you my answer right now.

The representative waited.

Logan spoke clearly. I will never work for the Silver Courts. Not now. Not ever.

The representative’s polite mask cracked for a split second. Just long enough to reveal cold calculation.

Then he restored his smile. I see. Then may the consequences fall where they must.

He turned to leave.

Rhea stepped beside Logan. You made an enemy of a kingdom today.

Logan whispered. No. They made an enemy of me.

He looked at the Guardian Set. At Rhea. At the soldiers of Brinn.

And he knew the realm’s wars had officially begun.