Trade or Trick?

The night breeze carried the scent of iron and mine dust as Lucas stared at the scroll still spread out in Grimwick's hand. Around them, the atmosphere grew tense—even the usually boisterous kobolds seemed uneasy and retreated into the shadows.

"The terms are simple, Lord Lucas," Grimwick said with a smile too wide for a gnome's face.

"Exclusive access to rare materials from my Underdark network. Mithril, adamantine, dragon scales, and even some artifacts that are… shall we say, difficult to obtain through normal channels."

Lucas frowned. Such an offer was too good to be true, and his instincts screamed that there was a trap somewhere.

"And in return?" Lucas asked cautiously.

"Ah, very reasonable compensation," Grimwick replied, his small eyes gleaming with barely hidden greed. "Only 30% of all iron ore production from this mine. For life."

A deadly silence fell between them. Even Seraphina, usually expressive, fell silent with a look of shock on her face.

"30%?" Lucas repeated in a dangerously quiet voice. "Lifetime?"

"Consider it as an... investment fee," Grimwick continued with surprising confidence. "The rare materials I'm offering are worth thousands of times more than regular iron ore. It's actually quite generous of me."

Lucas felt anger begin to boil inside him. 30% of lifetime production meant giving up almost a third of his territory's economic foundation. At the current rate of Mining Golem production, that meant thousands of units of iron ore per year - astronomical wealth for this suspicious gnome trader.

"And if I refuse?" Lucas asked, his voice dropping to a tone that made even Night Thralls move closer on protective instinct.

Grimwick's smile faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Oh, of course you are free to refuse, Lord Lucas. But... opportunities like this don't come twice. And this region... well, let's just say there are many dangers for a territory lord who is... unprotected."

[Threat Detected]

[Grimwick Goldweaver reputation updated: Hostile]

[Warning: Potential future conflicts predicted]

That was a fatal mistake. Grimwick had just threatened Lucas indirectly, and in front of Seraphina and her Night Thralls.

"Are you threatening me?" Lucas asked in a voice so cold that his breath was almost visible in the night air.

"Oh no, no," Grimwick quickly backtracked, but the damage was already done. "Just... an observation about the reality of the political situation in this region."

Lucas exchanged glances with Seraphina. Their blood bond pulsing with shared indignation and something else - predatory anticipation. The vampire queen clearly did not appreciate this arrogant gnome trader.

"I have a counter-offer," Lucas said finally. "5% of iron ore production, for a one-time delivery of materials I specify. Take it or leave it."

Grimwick's expression changed from confident to outraged in seconds.

"5%? That's insulting! The materials I offer are worth a fortune! You clearly don't understand the value of what I'm providing!"

"I understand perfectly," Lucas replied with an eerie calm. "I also understand that you are trying to scam a new territory lord who you think is naive and desperate."

The tension in the air grew so thick that it was practically visible. The kobolds who were still watching from a distance began to retreat further, clearly sensing that the situation was about to turn violent.

"Fine," Grimwick said in a voice that was suddenly much less friendly. "If you don't appreciate the reasonable business proposal, perhaps we can settle this through... alternative methods."

"Alternative methods?" Seraphina finally spoke up, her voice carrying a dangerous undertone that made every creature within a 50-meter radius shiver involuntarily.

"A business duel," Grimwick replied with returning smugness. "Old tradition between merchants and territory lords. We each put up stakes, and the winner takes all. Very civilized, very... final."

Lucas knew about trade duels from the knowledge he inherited when he became the Lord of Darkness. It was a form of magical contract that was binding - participants bet resources or services, and the winner was determined through a series of challenges that could range from riddles to actual combat.

"What are the stakes?" Lucas asked, curiosity overriding caution.

"Simple," Grimwick said, his confidence fully restored. "If I win, I get 50% of the iron ore production for life plus exclusive mining rights to the inner level of this mine."

Lucas felt a chill run down his spine. The inner level - exactly where the kobold leader had warned about the angry dwarf ghost. Grimwick either didn't know about the supernatural threats there, or he knew something Lucas didn't.

"And if I win?" Lucas pressed.

"If you somehow manage to win," Grimwick said in a tone that suggested he considered victory impossible for Lucas, "I'll provide all the rare materials you need for the next five years, completely free. Plus, I'll share information about the political situations and threats in this region."

[Duel Niaga Challenge Accepted]

[Stakes: High-risk, potentially massive rewards]

[Grimwick's confidence level: Extremely high]

[Recommendation: Analyze opponent's background before accepting]

"What kind of challenges?" Lucas asked, stalling for time to think.

"Three challenges," Grimwick replied with barely contained glee. "First, challenge of wisdom - riddles and strategic thinking. Second, challenge of power - magical demonstration. Third, if needed, challenge of will - direct confrontation."

Lucas began to understand why Grimwick was so confident. This gnome trader was clearly no ordinary merchant - there was a power behind his confidence that suggested he was far from helpless.

"My Lord," Seraphina whispered into Lucas' ear, her voice so low only he could hear, "there's something off about this gnome. His aura... there are traces of dark magic. Old magic."

That explained Grimwick's confidence. He wasn't just a trader - he was a magic user with significant power, probably specialized in mental manipulation and illusions. A business duel against an opponent like this would be extremely dangerous.

But at the same time, the potential rewards were astronomical. Free rare materials for five years could accelerate Lucas' development territory from years to months. And information about regional threats invaluable to survival.

"I need time to consider your offer," Lucas said diplomatically.

"Oh, I'm afraid time is a luxury we don't have," Grimwick replied with a smile that showed too many teeth. "This offer expires in... let's say, the next five minutes. After that, I will leave and never return. And of course, I will spread word about... unreasonable young lords who do not appreciate legitimate business opportunities."

[Time Pressure Applied]

[Reputation threats detected]

[Decision required: Accept duel, decline and face consequences, or find alternative solution]

Lucas felt the trap closing around him. Grimwick had maneuvered the situation with skill that suggested extensive experience in manipulating desperate territory lords. Accept the duel, and he risked losing everything. Decline, and reputation damage plus potential future problems.

But there was a third option that Lucas suddenly realized.

"Seraphina," he called in a voice carrying authority, "what do you think about... our guest?"

The vampire queen's eyes lit up with immediate understanding. She stepped forward, and suddenly the atmosphere around them changed dramatically.

A vampiric aura began to emanate from Seraphina with an intensity Lucas had never felt before. Temperature dropped noticeably, shadows seemed to become deeper and more alive, and most terrifyingly - a sense of primal predator hunger filled the air.

[Seraphina Vampiric Aura: Maximum Intensity]

[Fear effect: Massive]

[Intimidation bonus: +500]

[Area effect: 100 meter radius]

Grimwick's confident expression evaporated instantly. His small eyes widened with genuine terror as the full weight of the vampiric presence hit him like physical force.

"You..." he stammered, "you're bonded with... with an Ancient Vampire?"

"Not just any vampire," Lucas said in a calm voice but carrying an undertone of menace,

"Vampire Queen. And she really, really doesn't like merchants who try to scam her partners."

The kobolds around them collapsed to the ground, overcome by the fear aura. Even the Mining Golems in the mine halted operations for a moment, sensing a supernatural predator nearby.

Seraphina moved with a predatory fluid grace, circling Grimwick like a cat toying with a mouse.

"Little gnome," she purred in a voice like velvet over steel, "do you know what happens to merchants who insult my Lord with offers that are... inadequate?"

Grimwick tried to maintain composure, but his hands were shaking uncontrollably. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cold air.

"I... I was just... legitimate business..."

"30% for life," Seraphina continued, her voice dropping to a whisper that was somehow more terrifying than a shout, "for materials probably stolen from corpses in the Underdark. Did you really think my Lord so naive?"

Lucas watched with fascination and slight concern as Seraphina demonstrated just how intimidating ancient vampires could be when properly motivated. He had never seen her use her full aura power like this - the effect was beyond anything he expected.

"Here's my final offer," Lucas said as Grimwick clearly reached the breaking point, "Leave now, never return, and spread word that this territory is under protection from powers you do not wish to antagonize. Do that, and you leave with your life and your... questionable business intact."

"Or," Seraphina added with a smile showing fangs gleaming in the moonlight, "we could discuss alternative arrangements that involve you becoming permanent... resident of our territory. In a capacity that is much less... alive."

[Ultimate Intimidation Successful]

[Grimwick Goldweaver status: Completely demoralized]

[Negotiation position: Overwhelming advantage]

Grimwick cracked completely. With desperate movements, he began packing up contract scrolls and backing them toward his cart.

"This... this isn't over," he sputtered in a breaking voice, "You think you're safe with your vampire queen? You think protection like that lasts forever?"

Lucas felt spike of alarm. Even in panic, Grimwick hints at something - knowledge about threats that could potentially overcome even Seraphina's power.

"What do you mean?" Lucas demanded, stepping forward.

But Grimwick was already reaching his cart, hands fumbling with reins with obvious panic.

"You'll find out soon enough, Dark Lord! Enjoy your brief moment of power!"

With that cryptic warning, the gnome trader snapped reins and the cart lurched into motion. But as he pulled away, his voice carried back on the night wind with a chilling prophecy:

"YOU WILL REGRET IT, DARK LORD! THE PROTECTION YOU THOUGHT WAS ABSOLUTE WILL CRUMBLE! AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I WILL RETURN TO CLAIM WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE!"

His voice faded with distance, but his words lingered in the air like an actual curse.

Silence fell over the mining area as Seraphina's aura gradually subsided. The kobolds slowly recovered from fear paralysis, and the Mining Golem resumed operations with mechanical persistence.

"Well," Seraphina said with satisfaction, "that was... educational."

"Educational and concerning," Lucas replied, his mind racing with the implications of Grimwick's parting words. "He knows something about the threats that are coming. Something he thinks could overcome even you."

Seraphina's expression became serious. "Ancient vampires have enemies, Lucas. Powers that existed long before current age. If Grimwick had connections to such forces..."

"Then we need to prepare," Lucas finished. "Whatever storm he predicts, we need to be ready."

[New Threat Identified: Unknown powerful enemies]

[Grimwick Goldweaver: Hostile, planning return]

[Territory status: Temporarily secure, long-term threatened]

[Recommended action: Accelerate defensive preparations]

Lucas looked toward the direction where Grimwick had disappeared, his mind already working on contingency plans. Mines were secure, resources flowing, but clearly there were forces in this world that were far more dangerous than simple bandits or hungry monsters.

"Seraphina," he said with a firm decision, "starting tomorrow, we accelerate everything. Defense upgrades, resource gathering, power development. Whatever Grimwick and his backers are planning, they're going to find us ready."

Vampire queen nodded with approval. "Finally, proper challenge. I was beginning to think this region was too boring."

Thunder rumbled in the distance - whether from approaching storm or the omen of troubles ahead, Lucas couldn't tell.

But one thing was certain: a brief period of peaceful development had just ended abruptly.

War was coming.