"You want me to come work for you?" Bradley asked incredulously.

"Yes, I want to hire you as my full-time engineer. I need a man of your talents to assist with a project," Will said vaguely.

"I can't, I'm the second son of a count. My father expects me to go into the military. He expects me to become the Engineer Commander for Guardians in the future," Bradley shot back in disbelief.

Timothy vont Alms planned his children's entire lives. Neither of the vont Alms children had a say in their future. And now Will was asking him to disrupt his father's plans for his life. Bradley momentarily shivered in fear, thinking about his father's unpleasant reaction.

"That's curious, I always thought you'd end up teaching engineering classes at Knight Academy?" Will spoke truthfully.

"I did too, but my father demanded I become a future military commander. Didn't your father set expectations for you?" Bradley was shocked at Will's laissez-faire attitude to the Fermion's cultural norms.

In these medieval times, family decisions outweighed personal preference. Your noble families decided where you went to school, your future occupation, who you'll marry, and how many children. Yet to Bradley, Will had freedom.

"Yes, my father and mother encouraged me like yours. Just because I'm the third son of a baron, and you're the second son of a count doesn't mean we don't have familial responsibilities," Will retorted.

"I have no choice; my father insists that I follow his plans?" Bradley hung his head in dissatisfaction.

"I know you enjoy your engineering classes, your friends, but did you enjoy being a commander?" Will asked.

"No, I hated it. Unlike my creative classes, engineers in the army mostly work on mundane things like bridges, castles, forts, cathedrals, and catapults. It's boring really. Most of my classes are, 'if this happens do this,' the profession hasn't changed much in 200 years. But it's a lucrative business, and my father says it will secure my household and bring honor to the vont Alms family," Bradley replied.

"But are you not imaginative, your always drawing. Show me your ideas?" Will said supportively.

Bradley slowly took out a stack of stretch drawings. There were drawings for different types of bridges, castles, and a trebuchet. What caught Will's eyes were the different carriage designs.

"Do you think your father would not approve of you working for me? What was the reason he demands you see me for lunch?" Will asked emphatically. After seeing those drawings, Will felt Bradley was the correct choice.

Yet Bradley was too afraid of his father to make a move without permission. He would need to align his invitation, with the City Lord's life plans for Bradley. This was duplicitous, but he had yet to meet any other creative types.

"I told you, my father wants to make sure he's able to purchase the casino voting shares. You know I can take a lower bid just to make sure your father gets his share.

However, I have another business in my even more lucrative in mind, but it requires your assistance. Moreover, if you work for me, I'll give you 10% of the voting shares," Will replied truthfully.

"I don't know, I'll need to take this back to father?" Bradley was uncertain. In his heart, he felt working for Will would be better. But, first, he needed his father's permission.

"Bradley, we are adults are we not? Would not your father admire you finding such a lucrative position, with close access to me? Let me provide you with more details.

When you agree to work for me, you will be given your department. You won't have to climb the army ladder to become commander in 20 years. However, your pay will exceed the Engineer Commander Post.

You'll already be in leadership. In addition to working on my projects, you are free to work on your own. I may even finance some of your projects.

We both know your father; what do you think he'll want? When you get home and describe to him, what I'm telling you now, what will he say? Your father will tell you to take the job, both for the lucrative pay, voting shares, and so he can gain close access to me.

Surprise your father with your backbone. Free yourself from him and accept my job offer now!" Will finished his speech climatically.

"Okay, I'll do it! Let's sign the contract," said Bradley shaking Will's hand and accepting a gentlemen's deal.

"Vanessa comes here please," Will said, motioning her over.

"Yes, Boss Will?"

"This is Bradley vont Alms, the City Lord's second son and my newest employee. He will be my second in command, please serve him well.

Both Bradley and Vanessa were surprised at Will's words.

"It is a pleasure to meet you sir noble. I am in your care," Vanessa said curtsying.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Bradley stuttered.

"Vanessa send a runner to the Merchant Guild and to receive a noble contract. Also, send over the waitstaff I wish to celebrate with dessert," Will said.

A waiter removed the lunch plates and then brought out dessert. This was the same dessert Will had when his family and the Duke's had dinner at Anne's family bakery.

"People will think that we are on a date," Will said grabbing another spoonful of cake.

The excitement of Will's speech had cooled on Bradley. Will could see panic set in on the man's face. Bradley was realizing he defied his father's orders, not just for the voting shares, but for his life.

Bradley felt both fear and excitement, which caused him even more anxiety. What would his father say when he returned home. Would his father be pleased or disown him. Bradley felt paralyzed before he remembered he agreed to a job with vague details.

'Oh gods, what did I agree to?' 'What if I traded one tyrant for another.' 'I'm not even the main character in my own story,' Bradley cursed his bad luck.

"Will, can you tell me more about this job, now that I agreed to it?" Bradley dared to eke out those few words.

"No, not until the contract is signed and you've taken a vow of silence," said Will blasély.

"A vow of silence!" Bradley flinched in surprise.

"Yes, a vowel of silence. I want to make sure our discussions are kept between us. Moreover, you'll be working on a major project, I cannot afford to have the details leaked," said Will getting up from his seat.

A vowel of silence invoked the gods. A vowel of silence was a rite, where one or two people agreed to secrecy at the expense of their lives. Braking a vow of silence meant death. Only with a vow of silence, could Will make sure Bradley kept their discussions confidential.

"Let's head to the Merchant Guild. Mr. Murphy should have the contract and priest there waiting for us?" Will said walking out the door with Bradley in tow behind.

Even though the meals at his establishment were free, Will always paid his tab. After all, free food was a loss of income, and it set a good example for his employees. If the boss paid his tab, surely he expected them to pay as well.

As the cadets walked to the Merchant Guild in silence, no one stopped to question him like before. The nobles and merchants knew the City Lord's sons. Seeing Will and Bradley walking together, brought rumors of graft.

The graft was political corruption for personal gain. Bradley was known for his weak backbone and daydreams. Passerby's gossiped of the City Lord's plans for the upcoming auction. It didn't take long before other merchants and nobles heard of the City Lord's scheme.

Bradley could feel the stares and sneers. He did not use this much attention. He preferred to hide away in an obscure place in the mansion and concentrate on his drawing.

"Here we are," Will said stopping.

Bradley wasn't paying attention to his surroundings and collided with Will. Will lurched forward but did not fall.

"The duo walked in the door to see Vanessa and Mr. Murphy waiting for them in the Merchant Guild's lobby.

"Boss Will, we are just waiting on the priest. She is on her way," said Vanessa.

"Thank you Vanessa you may return now. I am such a lucky boss to have you as my senior clerk," Will said.

Vanessa's face reddened as she curtsied and left the building. After she left Mr. Murphy frowned at Will.

"You spoil her, she is just a clerk. There is no need to praise her. She does her job well, or she doesn't have a job," Mr. Murphy said leading them to the conference room.

"How is our old friend from yesterday?" Will asked jovially.

"That imbecilic brat, he'll have his grocer cleaned out by the end of today. The Thompson brothers estimate the construction will take two months and cost 20,000 gold. The Mage Guild wanted 5,000 gold for the magic wards. It will cost you 20 a month for a guild to stand guard," Mr. Murphy finished, opening the conference doors.

"Thank you Mr. Murphy for your assistance. You are assistance," Will said.

"I guess you'll reach out at some point about your staffing needs. Besides clerks do you need anything else?" He asked.'

"I'm thinking about hiring the more prominent moneylenders and I'll need to recommend an experienced person to run the whole thing," Will finished.

"I know the perfect person, but he's in the capitol working for the crown. I'll reach out to him and see if he's interested," Mr. Murphy thoughtfully said.

At that moment a priest walked down the hall towards the conference room. She was carrying a ceremonial dagger at her waist. The priest wore a light blue robe; the dagger was stuffed in her white belt. She wore thong saddles and had two long plaits in her hair.

"I am priestess Thea, shall we proceed?" He motioned them into the conference room.

Will, Bradley, and priestess Thea walked into the conference room. The priestess closed the door behind her and took out her dagger.

"First you are required to donate to the Church of Aether," she said sticking her hand out.

Will gave her 5 grand gold coins, and she shut her hands in satisfaction.

"Are both parties make a vow of silence, or only one?" she asked.

"Just one," Will pointed to Bradley.

Bradley was visibly sweating. When he saw the dagger he wanted to rescind his commitment to Will. However, doing so would open him up to ridicule and disgrace his family name.

Priestess Thea began to recite the rites, "I beseech you Aether, father of the heavens and Lord of the skies who carries words on the wind to bring your wrath down on Sir. Bradley vont Alms should he divulge anything he learns, hears, or sees in service to Sir. William vont Ballard," she paused.

Then she instructed Will to slice his finger with the dagger and drop three drops of blood on it. Afterward, she instructed Bradley to do the same.

Then she continued the rite, "By their blood, they invoke the vow of silence. Should Sir. Bradley vont Alms break his vow of silence let him suffer at fate works than death," she finished.

Bradley watched as the dagger glowed with golden light, before implanting itself in his chest next to his heart. Bradley could feel the pinch of the dagger as it pricked his heart. At this Bradley turned pale as a ghost. Was this the price of freedom from his father?

"Thank you, Priestess Thea!" Will bowed.

The priestess left, and Will and Bradley sat quietly in the Merchant Guild conference room. Will looked at Bradley smiling.

"Are you ready for what the big project is?" Will asked.

Bradley could only muster up the courage to nod.

"I want you to build an airship. A flying mode of transportation for non-mages to travel from one city to the other. An airship is a flying galleon attached to a bag filled with hot air. On the bottom of the balloon, is a carriage with a driver, crew, and passengers.

However, I don't know if a magic spell or magic object can make objects fly for long-distance travel. It will be your job to figure out how to get this project off the ground," Will finished.

Hearing Will, Bradley's eyes widened in surprise. He forgot about the dagger pricking his heart and began to picture the blimp as Will described. He shuttered in excitement.

"Moreover if you have any profitable ideas, I'm happy to fund them and we'll split the profit 50-50. While you are working on my project you are free on yours. Your title will be Director of Research and Development. If you can create the airship for production, I'll increase your salary," Will said.

Will and Bradley left on good terms. Bradley smiled in agreement and left to inform his father of what happened today.