“You don’t have to do this, go somewhere else and have fun” Lucas told to his teammates as they prepared to meet Rosenborg with him. He felt shitty for interrupting their night out and for the most part he wanted for them to dump him and go to have fun elsewhere, although the selfish part of him hoped they would stay and help him face this threat which they seemed intent on doing. The team of operatives was kind enough. Luckily, both Lucas and his party member were careful and brought their weapons with them, safely stored in Lucas’s ring for now.

“The man drunk too much, he is speaking gibberish” Chen said, his hands busy weaving illusions. Every time he finished, another set of party appeared at one of the tables, slowly filling the tavern. Maggie was already out scouting, the agreement being that she returned when Rosenborg is five minutes away.

“Yea dude, stop the bullshit. We are a team, in good and bad” Ted said

“Well, maybe we should listen to our esteemed boss. You see he is making a noble sacrifice in the name of fun” Margaret said mockingly.

“Thank you” Lucas simply said, deeply affected by their willingness to stay with him. He needed to finish this business with Rosenborg quickly and then try to salvage what is left of the night.

“Fucking idiot” Lucas thought to himself just as Chen finally finished filling the room with illusion. It was kind of uncanny looking at so many copies of himself drinking or dancing or singing or generally doing stuff. A minute later, Maggie had entered, her appearance signaling Rosenborg is close. They went ant took their spot in the far corner of the room, trying to be as far away as they could when Rosenborg entered, the short temper of the man notorious. Five minutes passed agonizingly slow, but the door finally swung open and bulky black man, completely bald strolled through the door, his muscular frame flanked on both sides by adventurers that Lucas guessed were his lackeys and acted as the muscle to the man. His brown eyes scanned the room, before his deep voice boomed.

“Leave your parlor tricks aside and come face me eye to eye”

“Why, Rosenborg, you are impatient one. You know there is usually a puzzle before you face the final boss” Lucas said, his voice echoing throughout the room while all of the illusions opened their mouth at the same time. Chen has really outdone himself this time, but Lucas knew the mana will soon run out, leaving them exposed. On his side, Rosenborg drew his weapon, a mighty looking halberd with shorter edge on it barbed and wickedly sharp.

“And of course, as you know, there are usually defenses against brute forcing through the puzzle. So, let us see, for every wrong move, one of your lackeys will get arrow through the eyes” Maggie had the hardest task, trying to move without being seen, constantly repositioning herself to prevent the man from discerning where the real party is. Immediately after finishing his sentence, all Maggie’s in the room raised their crossbows at the same time. Rosenborg’s lackeys all took a step back and some of them even cast a pleading glance on Rosenborg’s back. The man himself gritted his teeth in rage before speaking again.

“How do I solve the puzzle?”

“We can start with the obvious? Why are you here?” Lucas’s voice echoed through the room.

“I heard you are having meetings with candidates for the head of the Adventurer’s guild, so I came to present myself” Rosenborg spoke.

“Well, it is well past working hours. You can go to the Loremaster’s office tomorrow and make an appointment” Lucas responded.

“Your lapdog is of no interest to me” Rosenborg said “I want to talk to you directly and I think you will be interested in what I have to say” he finished his sentence.

“Speak then” Lucas said.

“Only directly. This petty sorcery is starting to annoy me. Either you show up or I wait for the mana fueling this to run out” Rosenborg said, his voice resolved.

Lucas casted an inquisitive glance to Chen, seeing the man already sweating profusely from the effort. The illusions were starting to do to much at the same time, draining his mana at alarming speed. He could only hope they bought enough time for the operatives that they were promised were in their position as Lucas failed to see the path in which this conversation don’t end in an altercation and they sorely needed the numbers as they were out of their combat gear, giving Rosenborg’s man the advantage as they were fully equipped in theirs.

“Congratulations are in order, you have solved the puzzle” Lucas said as he tapped Chen on the shoulder. The Illusionist dropped his illusions, exhaling in relief as his burden was lifted. Lucas stepped out to the middle room, Ted flanking him on his left side, covering him.

“I thought you and I will speak and yet again you show up with another lapdog” Rosenborg said dismissively.

“That is your first mistake, Rosenborg. I don’t have lapdogs, I have peers” Lucas corrected the bulky man “and besides, you are the one that showed up with people armed to their teeth and you are scolding me. I thought you as a straight shooter, not a hypocrite” he finished. Rosenborg’s rage was once again flaring, his hands tightly griping the shaft of his weapon.

“Watch your mouth, my patience is already thinned by your tricks”

“And I thought you came here to talk. I do not respond well to threat and I already thrashed you once, haven’t I?” Lucas said, continuing to provoke the man.

“I hadn’t known you then” Rosenborg said through the gritting of his teeth, words Lucas just spoke striking a nerve.

“I’m Lucas and I’m honored to meet you” Lucas said, feigning ignorance to the reaction of the muscular man.

“Enough of this bullshit, let’s finish what I came here to do. As you are well aware, I’m running to be the head of the Adventurer’s guild. When I win, I plan to move it somewhere deep and make a settlement around it, to avoid being dependent on the existing one” Rosenborg started, but Lucas interjected.

“I know you want to be a king, but I’m afraid you will have to that on your own. Camp Hearth invested much into the guild to just let it walk away”

“And that is where my offer comes in. Pack your bags, relinquish this settlement to my care and leave. Of course, I will probably have to take that eye candy you have over there as a tax for your life, but she does need a real man” Rosenborg said, pointing to Maggie. Lucas could feel Ted tensing and going for his club and even Lucas himself felt rage boiling inside of him. He battled with himself, not wanting to give the man his satisfaction. Rosenborg obviously did his homework and came prepared. Yet another matter he needed to look with his network.

“I remind you once again that I don’t order my teammates around, and I guess they are really close to caving your skull now” Lucas said.

“Hah, I would like to see them try” Rosenborg responded cockily.

“Of course, if you so much as lay a finger on them I would be forced to stop you” Lucas said, instantly deflating the burly man. It was encouraging to see Rosenborg still wanted to avoid fighting him, meaning he is trying to intimidate him to get his way.

“And I do not like your use of “when” about your victory at the election. Correct word to use is “if”

“And who do you think is going to beat me? That Leon bitch? Hah, you are deluding yourself. My kind is sick of endless rules and regulation. They are powerful and this world is build for the powerful. The weak should not have a say in the matter and yet, this settlements protect them” Rosenborg started his tirade. Lucas fought the urge to roll his eyes and once again interrupted the man.

“Then we are in luck, because I’m the strongest one around. Or do you think a month in prison changed you that much?”

“I’m ready for you now, but you are strong. Your mindset is the one at fault. I would gladly be your mentor if you ask nicely. And of course, the previous demand must still be complied with”

“You are threading a dangerous line, Rosenborg. Consider your offer rejected and get out. And just so you know, after the elections are finished, I’m coming for your ass and I will throw you into the darkest pit imaginable” Lucas said, not bothering to hide his rage. He didn’t even want to look at the siblings, hoping they will manage to rein themselves in a bit. Murdering of the candidate, extremely one that was their fierce opposition was a surefire way to turn the entire guild against the town. Lucas will have his exercise in patience and he will make sure Rosenborg lose. And then he will eat his words.

“A pity. You know, I can just attack you on the spot and you will not be able to defend yourself, as I’m currently untouchable.” Rosenborg said, drawing his halberd. Ted’s club went out at the same time and all of the lackeys Rosenborg brought with him were already advancing. Luckily, the door burst open from the outside, six operatives rushing inside, weapons drawn.

“HOLD!” Lucas shouted, halting his forces “Rosenborg, I already thrashed you and your men once and this time I will not extend to them the courtesy of staying alive this time. So, the decision is yours” he finished, looking intently at the man, sword already drawn and “Doom infusion” cast.

Rosenborg turned around himself and looked, noting the lost advantage in number with six new combatants entering the fray. His gears were turning as he evaluated the situation, before coming to the same conclusion Lucas had just presented to him.

“Enough! we came here to negotiate and negotiations are finished. But know this, Lucas. Soon this town will burn and I will revel in it.” Rosenborg said as he turned to leave. After he exited the premise, Ted let a frustrated snarl.

“Why haven’t you gutted him?” he shouted at Lucas

“Politics” Lucas said with a heavy sigh.

“That is your excuse. Politics are more important so he can threat and disrespect Mags like that” Ted continued shouting.

“Calm down, Ted. I’m a big girl and can speak for myself. And Lucas didn’t had many choices here” Maggie stopped Ted’s shouting, her face tight and her anger subdued.

“I’m sorry. After this shit with politics is over, that man is finished, that I promise to you.” Lucas said, his voice genuine. That was enough for Ted to calm down, extending his hand.

“Deal?” Ted asked

“Not just a deal, an oath” Lucas said as he grasped his hand. They shook on it and after that the vote decided it was time to call it a night. Just in case, Lucas assigned operatives as a shadow escort for his teammates and finishing that, Margaret and he were on their way home, their escort silently following them. The walk was quick and uneventful and soon enough Lucas was entering his house. He dropped on the bed, tomorrow promising to be a interesting day.