[Maria's PoV]

As Jamie grasped the edge of the parchment contract, Maria's eyes widened in alarm. She wasn't alone in her reaction. Every person in the room seemed to lurch forward instinctively. They moved to stop what they feared would be irreversible.

From Maria's vantage point, the only one who remained indifferent was the gnome, Emyr. The cannon wholly absorbed her attention as she checked valves and gauges.

"So," Jamie said, his voice smooth and edged with a hint of challenge. "May I take it that you're all interested in this knowledge?" A confident smile played upon his lips. His eyes glinted mischievously as he surveyed the soldiers and captains.

Maria's expression shifted from shock to realization. She clenched her jaw, internally berating herself. 'That son of a bitch. I need to remember what he's like,' she thought. Relief mixed with irritation. Relief that the situation hadn't escalated beyond repair. But irritation at having been duped by Jamie's theatrics.

Her patience was waning. Without a second thought, Maria drew herself up and strode forward with purposeful strides. Soldiers and captains parted before her, some stumbling as she brushed past them.

"Of course we are," Maria interjected, her voice cutting through the murmurs. She stood beside Jamie. "Don't you dare to behave like barbarians. Understand the difference between a negotiation and a threat." Her eyes locked onto Captain Mordrick.

She didn't need an introduction to know his type. She knew many captains with the same arrogance. Already, Maria held a poor impression of him.

'He doesn't grasp that the true value here isn't in the cannon or the ammunition,' she pondered silently. 'It's in having individuals capable of creating something extraordinary.'

"But, my lady..." Mordrick began, attempting to regain his footing, his voice lacking the earlier bravado.

"House Hafenstadt will make this acquisition," Maria declared, leaving no room for argument. "It does not need the approval of the City Guard."

Mordrick's face flushed with frustration and embarrassment. "Then why were we summoned?" he demanded, his tone verging on petulant anger.

Maria tilted her chin upwards, her gaze unyielding. "So that you could witness the power of this weapon firsthand. While you know I am informed of its potential," she explained. "I will not tolerate any refusal to train our forces in its use." There was a warning in her words, a prescience of the political struggles she anticipated within the Guard. Especially given that many of its members had noble blood.

A tense silence hung in the air. Mordrick hesitated, then took a halting step backward. He attempted a bow, though his bulky frame and belly made the gesture awkward. The effort was both a begrudging acknowledgment of Maria's authority and a subtle display of resistance to her influence.

Jamie leaned forward, a merchant's smile playing across his face as he regarded the scene.

"So," Jamie began, his tone smooth and confident, "I take it you're ready to make a purchase?"

Maria met his gaze, her eyes calculating the next steps. "We are," she replied curtly. "What is your price?"

Jamie gestured toward the imposing weapon. "Each cannon comes with twenty rounds of ammunition," he explained. "But, they require a lot of iron and serpentine to produce." He paused for emphasis. "Our initial price is one thousand gold pieces per unit."

"Yet," Maria interjected, her voice hinting at negotiation to come.

"Yet," Jamie echoed with a nod, recognizing the game they played. "We can reduce that price if you help us with contracts for iron and serpentine on our behalf." He glanced at Knall, the dwarven alchemist standing nearby. "My alchemist can attest that we currently lack enough materials to produce more than one cannon."

Maria began to pace slowly around the cannon, her fingertips grazing the metal as she assessed its value. She mentally calculated the costs, her years of experience in commerce guiding her thoughts.

'Let's see... around five hundred gold pieces' worth of iron,' she evaluated.

'Add another two to three hundred for the serpentine,' she continued. 'Not to mention production costs. The glyphs inscribed are dwarven magic, crafted by Knall.'

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Her gaze shifted to the sturdy wooden carriage supporting the cannon. While well-crafted, there was nothing particularly rare about the timber. 'All told, close to nine hundred gold pieces in production expenses. His profit margin must be slim. He's aiming to profit by selling an expensive, rare item. Instead of a large margin.'

Maria's eyes flicked back to Jamie, who awaited her response with that ever-present smile. 'It's workable,' she thought. 'I can negotiate better material costs and secure a discount, but even then, it's a price we can't afford right now.'

Not long ago, a thousand gold pieces would have been a trivial expense, especially for the promise of bolstering the city's defenses. But their coffers were at their limit after the attacks and the efforts to rebuild the city.

'I can recoup the funds once we resume our... alternative trade routes,' Maria concluded. Considering the smuggling operations that had filled their treasury before.

"Very well," Maria announced, her voice firm and resolute. "We'll take four units."

A ripple of surprise passed through the soldiers and captains standing nearby. They exchanged astonished glances, some murmuring among themselves. To them, a thousand gold pieces was an exorbitant sum, something they would take a whole life to obtain.

"However," Maria interjected, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "We will assist you in securing better contracts for iron and serpentine, in exchange for discounts."

Jamie inclined his head. "Agreed," he responded, his tone measured.

"I'm not finished," Maria continued, her gaze unyielding. "Secondly, we will buy the first two cannons on credit." She paused. "You will have access to materials and supplies from Hafenstadt under my seal, thus transferring your debt to me."

A flicker of surprise crossed Jamie's features, but he composed himself, nodding once more. "I sense there's yet another condition," he said.

"There is," Maria confirmed, her eyes reflecting a steely determination. "For security reasons, we will make a magical contract ensuring that you cannot supply our enemies."

As they heard, a ripple of unease passed through the onlookers. The soldiers and captains exchanged glances. Recognizing the need for a safeguard, they nodded in agreement.

"Excellent," Jamie agreed, his voice calm and reassuring. "We're all on the same side." He extended his hand, and Maria clasped it, sealing the agreement with a decisive shake.

Though this was the first step in a journey that promised to be long and arduous, some of the soldiers and captains seized the moment to celebrate. Applause echoed off the high walls, and murmurs of approval rippled through the ranks, a sense of cautious optimism taking root.

Jamie stepped closer to Maria, lowering his voice so their conversation would remain between them. "Great solution," he remarked.

"It's what we can manage for now," Maria replied, her shoulders lifting in a slight shrug.

"I understand," Jamie said.

"How long do you think it will take to deliver them?" Maria asked, an urgency threading her voice. Her eyes searched his face for assurance.

Jamie scratched his chin, his gaze drifting as he calculated. "The first cannon is easy. We have all the materials ready. It should take about a week to complete. Then, another five days to install it, and an extra five to train your people." He paused. "The second one is more challenging. We'll need the materials to arrive in the city before we can begin."

"I'll take care of that," Maria asserted without hesitation. He could almost see the gears turning in her mind, mapping out the contacts and negotiations to secure the iron and serpentine.

"Very well," Jamie agreed with a curt nod.

As they continued talking, Maria became aware of the furtive glances cast her way by the surrounding soldiers. Whispers fluttered through the ranks, carrying the familiar rumor and speculation. They spoke of the "preferential treatment" that Jamie seemed to receive and the tales that the two were in an unofficial affair. A soft scoff escaped her lips as she shook her head, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The notion was almost amusing.

She knew that her defense of Jamie during the negotiations would likely only stoke the fires of gossip. No doubt, eyes had watched every interaction, tongues ready to wag.

'Let them talk,' she thought with a subtle shrug. 'If gossip keeps unwanted suitors at bay, then the rumors served a purpose.'

"Thank you," she said aloud, her voice holding a note of sincerity as she turned to face Jamie. Rising onto her toes, she pressed a gentle kiss against the bard's cheek.

The gesture was swift and seemingly impulsive, yet calculated enough to reinforce the whispers and disarm him. Jamie stood still, caught off guard. His usual composure was wiped from his face, replaced by a mixture of surprise and bemusement.

'Even he can be surprised,' Maria thought, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. 'That's for the theatrics.'

With a composed demeanor, she pivoted and began descending the stone steps of the tower.

As she made her way down. Reaching the base of the tower, she walked toward her waiting carriage.

A figure emerged before she could reach it, sprinting toward her with haste. The soldier's armor clinked with each hurried step, his helmet held loosely under one arm. His face was flushed, and his eyes were wide with alarm.

"Milady! Milady!" he called out, his voice strained and breathless.

Maria halted mid-stride, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Speak! What happened?" she said.

The soldier gulped in air, desperately trying to steady his breathing. "He was captured," he managed to say, his voice trembling with urgency. "The Governor."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.