Heavy Metal

Rusty let the silence hang in the room, as though he were weighing the director's words carefully. Inside his helmet, however, Alexander's voice rang out.

"They're threatening you. Standard guild politics. They want you under their thumb."

Aburdon chuckled as his voice was dripping with mockery.

"Balance, he says. What he means is extortion. Pay their prices, lick their boots, or they'll make sure your shop burns before the week is over."

Rusty's hand tightened slightly on his cane. He had already learned enough of these people to know that if he defied them outright, they would move against him. Yet if he bowed too deeply, he risked being exploited. After tilting his head, he tried to appear composed and responded.

"I see. Then perhaps you can explain the price you consider acceptable. I am still learning the ways of this circle."

Drexel scoffed, but the guild director's smile widened.

"Wise words. Very adaptable. That is good."

He leaned back, folding his hands.

"Let us say this. Your wares are impressive, perhaps too impressive for a newcomer. But this is fine, just an opportunity to earn more coin!"

He said while licking his lips.

"How about this? You will match Master Drexel's rates, no less. Anything lower, and the guild will reconsider your position…"

At first, the words sounded like a suggestion, but the threat was unmistakable. These merchants had no intention of letting him encroach on their business. Regretfully, he had no easy way to refuse. His standing in the city was fragile. His only allies were a handful of street urchins under his roof, and even his guides agreed with the danger.

"I don't like this, Rusty, but you'd better accept their terms; if we go against the merchant guild, it will only worsen the situation."

Alexander said, and Aburdon chimed in shortly after.

"Not like we have a choice. They have plenty of ways to shut us down."

Rusty nodded slowly, buying himself time to think. The merchants of this city were clearly under the guild's boot, but that did not mean he had to surrender. Still, what would refusal bring? Sabotage while he was in the dungeon? A boycott by every shopkeeper in town? He knew how these people thought. If this man commanded it, the rare metals he needed would never reach his forge.