As Reine gathered with the spirit spiders elders in a council, many of the elders were of the opinion that a spirit contract with Caine would only bring about benefits and very few disadvantages.

“Mistress, the contract will only last for twenty years till the gates re-open. Twenty years while contracting with a potentially powerful mage in return for receiving the aegis of protection that is the Astrea Empire. It is literally one hundred gains and no losses.”

Reine looked at the elder that spoke “Hardig, I am in agreement. It is just that I am unable to discern this Caine character completely. Who knows what the future may bring?”

Hardig smiled “Mistress, I hardly need to expound about how life is all about risks. Considering the job you’ve done since leaving the Logen Mountains, we are unqualified anyway.”

“Never that, my dear Elders. It is with your sage counsel that I am able to lead the spirit beasts well in the first place.” Reine’s manner became softer as she gave a smile to the elders. “It is just that, I am caught in one of those rare moments of uncertainty. Should I or should I not form a spirit contract?”

Hardig looked round at the rest of the elders, all of whom nodded towards him. “Mistress, the only one who can decide that is you.”

—

The castle bustled with activity as wagons were loaded and orders were shouted. It was a beehive of activity as Denter waded through the crowds in an attempt to reach the training grounds. He wanted to get in some last-minute training coordination done amongst the remaining troops before seeking out Calvus for a meal.

After shouting himself hoarse at the training grounds and signing off several documents with his signet ring, Denter proceeded to the militia office where Calvus was last known to be.

As he entered the office, Johan greeted him whilst Calvus barely nodded- so engrossed was he with the map in front of him.

Denter took one look at Calvus notating the map whilst barraging Johan with various questions about the militia training and readiness level before deciding to step out the office and head to the nearest food establishment.

It was half an hour before he reappeared in the office while bearing three big packets of food. Johan had a look like something just dropped from heaven as he spied Denter entering whilst Calvus stopped for the first time a long while before giving Denter a long grin.

“I assume you skipped or had a very light lunch as per your custom when rushing out high priority jobs, please do not skip out on the dinner I brought. The roster changes and patrol rotations will not become perfect just because you spare an additional half hour to further notate it.” Denter said as he waved the food around.

Calvus gave a rueful smile before putting his quill down and pulling out a smaller table. Johan went to the wine cabinet and selected a bottle of red wine and a pitcher of water.

“Grilled fish with mushroom gravy, eh. The benefits of long time partnership.” Calvus said as he opened his packet.

Johan eagerly opened his and found an entire roasted chicken accompanied by small buns of bread waiting for him.

As Denter opened his packet, a heavy aroma of lamb meat pervaded the room as a large shank with spices spread on top hove into view.

“For the Empire!” The three then toasted glasses. Denter and Johan’s contained red wine whilst Calvus had a cup of water.

As the conversation went round the table, Calvus ventured that the level of militia was higher than his expectations and Johan did a great job in getting the new militia up to speed in terms of combat training. Johan smiled and simply said that he had a militia background which aided him and ultimately it was the civilians that were foremost in considerations. This drew vigorous nods from the other two.

“Old Henry still refuses to increase the number of classes he is holding for the militia?” Calvus asked Johan as he sipped from his cup.

“Tch, such a waste. Injured he may be, shouldn’t stop him from increasing his workload.” Denter said while nodding dismissively.

“Every man has his circumstances, judge him not that quickly Romulus.” Calvus said as his attention was drawn by Denter.

Denter shook his head and forwent any comments. Going by his facial expression, it was unlikely that Calvus’s words made any inroads.

“Not everyone is possessed of the kind of will that lord Tarin has, at least old Henry can be considered to be paying his dues.” Johan said as he watched the conversation play out.

The other two at the table nodded.

Denter and Johan then discussed the martial arts of wielding a glaive and shared tricks that either have learnt over the years. Calvus listened intently by the side. While the blade was his preferred weapon, the glaive was a mandatory weapon for all officers. Having two masters of the glaive discussing how to wield it was highly beneficial for Calvus.

“Sir, are you not going to take the two leaves blade certification?” Johan asked as he stripped bare a chicken leg.

“There is no point in getting certified in the outer realm. I would say in Everdawn, only his highness and Tarin can serve as proper judges. There is no need for them to waste time on such frivolities. I will get certified upon our return to the core realm.” Calvus replied as he dipped a piece of sliced fish into the gravy and devoured it.

Johan gave a laugh at Calvus’s reply before raising his glass.

Denter ventured that the preparations for Everdawn was close to being perfected in its current state. He would give it a score of 95% readiness as he judged that everyone did a great job in the preparations.

Calvus replied that 95% was not enough for him when 96% is within reach. Denter agreed and simply cautioned about maintaining one’s health while working.

—

Aureus, Tarin and Edward were deep in discussion about the spirit beast tribes of the Arctine Ranges.

Edward suggested a show of strength would go a long way in securing alliances with the spirit beasts.

Aureus and Tarin exchanged an alarmed look before explaining to Edward how the circumstances are different this time around.

“There are no sizeable demon beast hordes in the vicinity of the Arctine Ranges and should a human force attack one spirit beast tribe, all the tribes will gather as one to exterminate the intruder. No, no displays of strength is allowed on this expedition in the Range.” Aureus said as he paced the room.

“Highness, the key is the Direwolf tribe. As long as we are able to convince them to fly our banners, the rest will go much easier.” Tarin said as he looked over the map depicting the Arctine Range.

Aureus nodded and the three discussed late into the night on the various strategies they could try out as they tried to recruit the spirit beasts.

—

Reine was atop a hill that overlooked the entire spirit beast encampment and deep in her thoughts as a breeze caressed her face.

As she looked at a group of spirit beast young playing by the edge of the encampment, her expression suffused with warmth. Soon, a hint of steel can be seen mixed within the warmth.

—

Reine made her way to the training grounds and upon reaching, she requested for a meeting with Caine. Caine promptly came out in a few moments. He had the look of someone eagerly waiting for a result but being prepared for the worst.

Reine smiled “I have come to discuss the terms of our spirit contract.”

Caine’s eyes widened before he gave a great smile and invited Reine into his own command tent for the discussion of the terms.

Reine and Caine began a discussion where they discussed their strengths and weaknesses and how they could complement each other. As Reine heard Caine’s analysis, she began to carry more conviction towards her choice of conducting a spirit contract.

Finally, it was agreed between the two that the first spirit contract that they would form between each other would last until the spirit gates re-open or for twenty years, whichever came first.

Reine stood and extended her right hand. Her spirit core pulsed with an ethereal white light as she clasped hands with Caine.

“I, Reine of the Spirit Spider Tribe…”

“I, Caine Smith of the Golem Magic Branch…”

“Hereby contract Caine Smith…”

“Hereby contract Reine…”

“As my Spirit Contract Partner…”

Aether and Spirit cores pulsed in tandem and as the light between the two cores mingled, a faint aria could be heard.

Both the contractors eyes widened in astonishment at the phenomenon of an aria sounding.

A burst of light went off in the command tent and energy speared forth into Spirit and Aether core alike.

A corresponding mark depicting an arc formed on both cores.