As reports of the battle spread, neighboring kingdoms began to take notice. The rebellion’s growing strength and defiance of Volteria made them both an inspiration and a threat. In the courts of kings and councils, debates raged over whether to support Juri Winkler’s rebellion or to crush it before it could destabilize the region.
Juri, ever aware of the delicate balance, knew that the rebellion couldn’t win this war alone. To survive, they needed allies.
One morning, Juri received a sealed letter bearing the crest of Tharion’s Marches. It was from Lord Calvian, the influential member of Tharion’s council who had sent Captain Serale Dren to negotiate with the rebellion.
“Commander Winkler,
Your recent victory has proven your strength, but strength alone is not enough to secure your future. The council of Tharion invites you to Ashmar Fortress to discuss the terms of a formal alliance.
I must warn you, not all members of the council share my vision. Your words—and actions—will determine the path forward.
—Lord Calvian”
Juri read the letter carefully, his sharp blue eyes narrowing in thought.
“What do you think?” Kira asked, leaning against the table.
“It’s an opportunity,” Juri said, folding the letter. “But it’s also a test. Tharion’s council isn’t united, and if I misstep, we could lose their support—or worse, push them toward Volteria.”
Juri decided to attend the meeting at Ashmar Fortress, bringing Kira and Valeria as part of his delegation. Halrick would remain at Freehold Keep to oversee the rebellion’s defenses, while Garrick coordinated intelligence-gathering on Volteria’s next moves.
Before departing, Juri met with Eren Vas in the engineering workshop. The rebellion’s chief engineer had been working on a series of prototypes, including portable mana barriers and communication devices.
“If you’re walking into a den of politicians, you’ll want something to level the playing field,” Eren said, handing Juri a small device. “It’s a compact illusion generator. Use it to buy yourself a few seconds if things go south.”
Juri smirked faintly. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
The road to Ashmar Fortress was long and treacherous, winding through the rugged hills and dense forests that bordered Tharion’s territories. The delegation traveled with a small escort, their banners hidden to avoid drawing attention.
Kira rode beside Juri, her usual sharp wit tempered by unease. “You trust this Calvian?” she asked.
“I trust that he sees the value in supporting us,” Juri replied. “But trust doesn’t mean we let our guard down.”
Valeria chimed in from behind them. “Tharion is pragmatic. They’ll support whoever offers them the most stability. It’s up to us to convince them that’s us—not Volteria.”
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Ashmar Fortress loomed ahead, its towering walls and iron gates a testament to Tharion’s engineering prowess. Inside, Juri and his delegation were escorted to the council chamber, a grand hall with high ceilings and banners representing Tharion’s various factions.
At the head of the table sat Lord Calvian, a man in his early fifties with a weathered face and piercing gray eyes. He stood as Juri entered, offering a respectful nod.
“Commander Winkler,” Calvian said. “Welcome to Ashmar. Your reputation precedes you.”
Juri inclined his head. “Thank you for the invitation, Lord Calvian. I hope this meeting will benefit both our causes.”
Around the table, other council members exchanged wary glances. Some, like Lady Rynne, a sharp-eyed noblewoman with a reputation for hawkish policies, openly regarded Juri with suspicion.
“Let’s not waste time with pleasantries,” Rynne said, her voice cutting. “You’ve dragged this region into chaos, and now you expect us to risk our own stability to support your rebellion?”
Juri met her gaze, his sharp blue eyes unflinching. “The chaos wasn’t caused by the rebellion. It was caused by the nobles who oppressed their people and the kingdoms that stood by and let it happen. We’re not asking for handouts, Lady Rynne. We’re offering an alliance—one that benefits Tharion as much as it does us.”
The meeting lasted for hours, with Juri fielding questions and accusations from the council. Rynne and her allies argued that supporting the rebellion would provoke Volteria and destabilize the region further. Calvian and a few others countered that a strong alliance with the rebellion could deter Volteria and strengthen Tharion’s position.
Juri laid out the rebellion’s vision: a world where power wasn’t concentrated in the hands of a few, where trade and cooperation could flourish without the constant threat of war.
“The nobles thought their power was unshakable,” Juri said. “They were wrong. The rebellion isn’t just a movement—it’s a new way forward. But we can’t do it alone. If you support us, you’re not just backing a rebellion—you’re shaping the future.”
As the council deliberated, Juri was approached by Lord Tyran Dreykar, a younger member of the council known for his progressive views.
“You spoke well in there,” Tyran said, his tone quiet but sincere. “Better than I expected.”
“Does that mean I’ve earned your support?” Juri asked, a faint smirk on his lips.
Tyran chuckled. “Let’s just say you’ve convinced me you’re not the madman Rynne claims you are. But you’ll need more than words to win over the council.”
“What do you suggest?”
Tyran hesitated, then leaned closer. “Prove your value. There’s a Volterian spy network operating near our eastern border. If your forces can dismantle it, it’ll show the council that you’re not just talk.”
Juri relayed Tyran’s suggestion to Kira and Valeria, and the rebellion quickly mobilized a task force to deal with the Volterian spies. Using intelligence provided by Tharion, Garrick led a team of sharpshooters and saboteurs to infiltrate the spy network’s base of operations.
The operation was swift and decisive. The spies were eliminated, and critical intelligence was recovered, including details of Volteria’s troop movements and plans to sabotage Tharion’s border defenses.
When Juri presented the evidence to the council, it had the desired effect. Even Rynne was forced to concede that the rebellion was a valuable ally.
After days of negotiation, the council of Tharion’s Marches voted to support the rebellion. The alliance was formalized with the delivery of supplies, engineers, and a small contingent of Tharion soldiers to reinforce the rebellion’s western defenses.
As Juri and his delegation prepared to leave Ashmar Fortress, Calvian pulled him aside.
“You’ve done well, Winkler,” Calvian said. “But be careful. Volteria won’t take this alliance lightly. And not everyone in Tharion supports this decision. You’ve made allies, but you’ve also made enemies.”
Juri nodded. “That’s the nature of rebellion, isn’t it?”
With Tharion’s support secured, Juri returned to Freehold Keep to prepare for the next phase of the conflict. The alliance was a critical victory, but it also raised the stakes. Volteria’s aggression would only intensify, and the rebellion now had more to lose than ever.
As Juri stood on the battlements, watching the horizon, Kira joined him.
“You think this will be enough?” she asked.
Juri’s sharp blue eyes gleamed with determination. “It has to be. We’ve come too far to stop now.”