Brad didn’t answer immediately. The smiles in the room were nice, but his mind fell into the horrors of his past.

  He had worked as a grocer for nearly a decade — since he first had turned twelve.

  It was a family owned business, and when he arrived he initially intended on returning.

  However—

  “I,” Brad started. “I can’t accept.”

  Cade’s smile didn’t vanish. “That’s quite alright, friend. Whatever business you have to attend to, I understand. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like.”

  Brad straightened his posture. “I just have one question for you.”

  Cade’s expression didn’t change. “Yes?”

  Brad swallowed. “Who brought me here? Matter of fact, why am I here?”

  Cade’s smirk didn’t leave his face. “Well, you’re here because you were outside our walls. Since Torian’s departure from the empire’s corruption, we’ve housed any refugee who needs help.”

  Brad didn’t move. “How do you know who does and doesn’t need help?”

  Just then, a man came in and delivered a topographical map, where it was a three dimensional graph of a location.

  Cade thanked the man as he left, then returned his attention to Brad. “Your heartbeat didn’t change when you asked, which shows you genuinely care about the answer to that.”

  Brad’s heartbeat sped up. “How? How could you possibly know that?”

  Cade walked toward Brad. “The divine Goddess Nythris gave me her blessing, of course.”

  The air in the room tightened.

  When Cade finally got close enough to Brad he put his hand on Brad’s shoulder. “Look, I know you have some family troubles back at Krail, we all do. But you either go back to a corrupt system, or you can learn how to fight it. What do you say?”

  Cade tracked Brad’s heartbeat fluctuation. He could smell the sweat beading on his forehead, and fear radiated out of Brad’s pores.

  Brad was completely shocked. “How— how do you possess this much power?”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Everyone in the room grinned, but Cade held a subtle softness in his expression. “When the world lies on its back, all it takes is one push to tip the scales. It isn’t about selection, it’s about choice.”

  That hit Brad like a brick.

  Because at that moment he realized something terrifying.

  He had been lying on his back for years.

  Maybe now Cade was tipping the scales.

  Or maybe…

  “I accept.” Brad said as he shot one knee to the floor bowing to Cade.

  Cade gritted his teeth. “Get up.”

  Brad remained firm on the ground.

  Jerek stood from his chair and approached.

  The titanic figure’s metal glove grabbed Brad by the shirt and pulled him up.

  “Don't,” Jerek said. “He’d rather you spend your time doing more useful things than worshipping him.”

  Brad nodded. “I understand.”

  Cade then walked back over to the topographical map. “Listen up people.”

  The room shifted focus back to the matter at hand.

  “In the year since the battle of Follier Mound, where Torian made his retreat — we’ve gained twelve territories, seven small, four mid, and one large-sized territory. Hundreds of thousands of men women and children now live under our protection, and that’s barely a dent.”

  Brad went to take a seat.

  Cade continued. “You all have played your part,” Cade pointed to Brad. “Listen closely. We only could have accomplished that due to either our intel, our infantrywork, our ranged attacks, our food supply, or multiple other reasons.”

  Brad nodded.

  Cade began walking around the room. “So Brad, ask yourself—which of those jobs suits you best?”

  Brad was stumped, he had sold groceries his whole life, he didn’t have an answer.

  Cade stopped his pacing when he was behind Brad, and leaned in close. “You don’t have to get it right first try, do a bit of it all until you find your place.”

  Brad nodded. “Alright.”

  Cade stepped back and continued. “That leaves three main issues to be resolved. The Reprisal, Rex, and who is leaving people at our gates.”

  “Well,” Rona started. “Personally, I think our best course of action is to investigate who is leaving people at the gates.”

  Jerek shook his head. “No, they’re bringing refugees here for a reason. They’re likely on our side, and we shouldn't waste time with that yet.”

  Various other members of the room spoke and Brad and Cade were quiet.

  Cade had slowed his pace to a stop and stood completely still.

  “Quiet.” Cade spoke to the room.

  In an instant the room completely stopped speaking.

  Cade sat down for the first time. “Brad, what’s your take.”

  Brad gulped. “Uh, I don’t know. I mean I’d like to know who saved me, but I don’t think it’s the most pressing matter. Maybe the Reprisal? But I don’t think any of those is the best way to go. I think gathering resources and refining is priority one.”

  Cade nodded. “Thank you.”

  The room stayed quiet.

  Five minutes had gone by and no one had said a word.

  Cade stood once more and began moving his hand along the topographic map.

  “Brad is correct.” Were the first words spoken in minutes, and they came from Jerek.

  Cade shifted focus. “What makes you say that?”

  Jerek stood. “You see, they haven’t attacked us yet. That means only one thing, they’re getting their resources together to be more powerful. I’d rather not take any chances of being the underdog in a fight for freedom. So I say we raid dungeons for resources.”

  Rona and the rest of the room thought hard.

  Cade processed and thought as well.

  “Resources it is.” Cade said softly. “That should prepare us for all three of our main issues as well as several of our other issues. Well done, Brad.”

  Brad smiled.

  Cade gestured a cleaner over. “Thank you for the assistance.” Then tossed him a coin.

  As the room cleared of maps and other war materials the two generals and other high ranking officers stood as well.

  Brad followed.

  “Good work.” Cade spoke to the room. “Dismissed.” Clean. Functional. Not flashy.

  The generals and other officers slowly exited the building but Cade and Brad remained.

  Cade walked over and grabbed his coat from the rack. “Come on, man. Let’s grab a drink.”