Chapter 100 - Trifarian Mercenary Company (1) (Patreon)

Camille Ferros seriously considered the proposal because, actually, there wasn't much that the Clan Ferros could lose. 

If the Doom of the Valyrian Freehold never happened, then nothing would happen as the Clan Ferros would still obtain a lot from the trade between the Valoran and the other continents. 

The riches of the entire continent that was untapped by them were extremely precious and tempting for the Heiress Apparent of the Clan Ferros, and it was certainly something that she would never let pass.

It would make the Clan Ferros richer than anyone could imagine, and they could increase the number of the Beyonders in their ranks, which was right now pitifully low. Even though the Clan Ferros had a few Mid Seqeunce Beyonders, they were without the direct protection of the High Sequence Beyonders.

And if the Doom of the Valyria Freehold really happened like the Targaryens were predicting?

Then, the benefits that the Clan Ferros could and would obtain from such a decision would be immeasurable and invaluable. Not only would they survive the Doom of the entire Freehold, but they would also have the foundation to develop.

Camille knew very well what the fall of the Doom would mean to the Clan Ferros. Without the shield of the Valyrian Freehold, its Dragons, Beyonders, and Legions, the Clan Feros would be left without any protection. 

Sooner or later, the Ferros Chamber of Commerce would be picked apart by the power Beyonder Factions. Unfortunately, without the protective umbrella of the Valyrian Freehold, the Clan Ferros wasn't particularly powerful, something that Camille realized and strove to change, but that would require decades, if not centuries.

Her best bet for the Doom of the Valyrian was to have some safe haven where they could reach before the approximate Doom of the Valyrian and remain there. If the Freehold indeed go destroyed, then the Valoran was the best choice. The best place to develop and where to live, mainly because the Valoran was too secluded from the rest of the world.

Even right now, it was almost impossible to reach the Valoran by normal means, and not even the Dragonlord Familes dared to wander into that place for some reason. Camille didn't know why, but she knew that on two occasions, the Freehold conducted a secret expedition into the continent of Valoran.

Several Saints and one Angel, together with a few Dragons at the Sequence 3 Extraordinary Creature and one Wyrm at the Sequence 2, ventured it not the Valoran but never returned, and their life talismans were broken.

Which means that they died in that place.

Since then, nobody from the Valyrian Freehold dared to venture into the Valoran.

Camille didn't know if Valkorion was brave or foolish enough to enter that place, but if he wanted to, she wouldn't stop him. She would give him the warnings and information the Freehold had about it and wish him luck.

His choice could change not only his fate but also that of many other people.

"Hmm... that seems to be doable. But any incoming investment will come after you have established yourself foundation in the Valoran. The Clan Ferros cannot risk any uncertainties in this. For now, I can provide you with the equipment for the Mercanries and other things as the initial investment and preferential treatment at the Ferros Chamber of Commerce. Any other real help will come after I see benefits."

Camille Ferros said that after she had given the idea some thought.

Both of them knew very well that the Clan Ferros, while being extremely rich; their resources were already stretched thin, and, at the same time, Camille needed to hide her involvement. 

Valkorion knew that even the help in the form of the equipment, weapons, and armor was already an enormous help as he would need to buy it from his own pocket, which would save him a few thousand Gold Dragon Coins.

"And what do you want back?"

Even though he knew that Camille was doing him a favor, he was aware that it wasn't really free despite their good relationship. 

"Nothing extraordinary, just when the Chamber of Commerce is in need of the protection for the caravans, your company will take the job. Of course, you would be compensated according to the market price for the similar services among the sellsword companies."

While the investment of the weapons and armor into the budging mercenary organization wasn't something big, Valkorion wanted to repay even that. Something that Camille appreciated because they were honest with each other. 

Valkorion knew that it was annoying that Camille donated to the new mercenary band that would be of top-notch quality, forged by the best Valyrian smiths, or come straight from the dwarven forges. 

So the topic of the quality was guaranteed.

The greatest advance in this was that, because he needed quantity this time, even with money, it would be hard to obtain. Some things were not just about the amount of money one had; it was also about the connections.

And the Clan Ferros was one of the best-connected factions in the world right now.

"Then we have a deal."

***

Several days later, Watto's Slave Shop, Volantis

Several days later, Valkorion ventured into the Watto's Slave Shop as he went to the courtyard behind the shop, where the slaves that he had bought were gathered.

The Toydarian was an annoying piece of ass, and now he understood why Camille was always so irritated with the overgrown flying insect. He was one greedy little shit, but at least he got the job done as he passed Valkorion a crystal-looking seal, which was the Slave Command Seal or the Slave Crest.

Valkorion dropped a drop a blood on the Slave Command Seal, which then lit up in a crimson light and started decomposing into the tiny particles that swirled in the air, as they then fused into his right hand in the form of tattoo.

"Our business is done; you can leave now."

The Toaydarian then flapped his wings as he went back to the shop. Valkorion looked at the men and women who were gathered in front of him. Just as he had agreed with Vato, all of them were the best of the best.

"Now."

Valkorion stepped in front of the slaves as all of the eyes were on him, making him rather uncomfortable at the moment.

"Many of you are certainly wondering what will become of you. I cannot guarantee anything, aside from one sole thing that I sear upon the Fourteen Flames."

Those of Valyrian origin, mostly because they were all Pure-Blooded, Valyrian, became more serious because swearing on the Fourteen Flames was considered sacred in their Valyrian culture.

"If you fight for me for the next five years, I can swear that I will release you, and you will earn your freedom. If you fight for me for the next five years, you will have enough money and riches to start a new life. After that, you will be free men and women to go anywhere where you want, far from the Freehold. But..."

Suddenly, everyone was listening intensively, even that one crazed Yordle that looked like it would murder someone at any moment.