Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance-Chapter 210: AND SO THE TALKS BEGAN IN EARNEST

Serena took the seat Charlotte had indicated, her cloak trailing behind her as she walked. Her back was straight, posture precise, every motion measured. She nodded once to Charlotte, who remained standing slightly behind her, hands folded at her front like a dutiful second.

Across from her, Riven’s gaze had not left her face. For the first time since she had met him, the carefully practiced calm that usually cloaked his expression had slipped. His brows were drawn ever so slightly, eyes narrowed, not in suspicion, but calculation. The same way one might study a chessboard after discovering a hidden piece had been present all along.

The plan that Darius and the others had concocted was looking to be in their favour. Serena did not flinch, she nearly smiled even.

Instead, she folded her hands in her lap, fingers loosely entwined, and turned her eyes to Elen. The younger woman’s face bore more overt shock, widened eyes, parted lips, shoulders drawn back stiffly. She looked not just unsettled, but wrong-footed. Serena swallowed carefully. She could almost see the thoughts spinning behind those stormy eyes.

They had not known.

That much was certain now. Dawnbreak had arrived under the impression that Ironshade was operating alone.And now, with a Crimsonclaw ambassador revealed at the table, their understanding of the landscape had shifted entirely.

Darius did not allow the silence to linger. He stood slowly, drawing every eye to him, his hands clasped behind his back. His tone, when he spoke, was calm, but resolute.

"As you can see," he began, voice steady, "Ironshade does not approach this union blindly, nor without allies of equal standing. The presence of Crimsonclaw signals our intent to rebuild, not just with Dawnbreak, but within the wider tapestry of our people."

Riven opened his mouth and then closed it again, visibly unsettled. He looked to Serena, then back to Darius. At last, he managed, "I was under the impression Lady Serena was one of your council people."

Charlotte tilted her head, her lips twitching.

"Assumption," she said lightly, her voice lilting with an unmistakable Eastern accent, "is the lowest form of knowledge."

A few muffled chuckles rumbled from the Ironshade side of the room, Cedar, perhaps even Silas. Serena blinked slowly and watched Riven careful, she did not miss the unmistakable dip of the corners of his lips.

Charlotte dipped her head in mock deference. "As Lady Serena’s second, it is my role to assist in the bridging of old ties with new foundations. I trust our presence is clearer now."

Riven gave her a long look, eyes narrowing further.

Then Serena stood, slow and poised. "My apologies for the manner of our introduction," she said evenly, addressing the table as a whole. Her voice did not shake, though her pulse thundered in her ears. "It was not done to deceive, but to allow space for proper foundation. Crimsonclaw extends its hand not only to Ironshade, but to Dawnbreak, and all those who would remember what unity once brought us."

Serena hoped that Riven would not take her offer, it was simply a bluff. She had no tangible ties to Crimsonclaw to cash in that offer.

"We do not come in force, but in faith. We acknowledge the past, and the long silence that followed. Our presence here is a signal: that Crimsonclaw wishes not to dominate, but to rebuild. Where there were burned bridges, we will lay stone anew."

Julian, seated at the far left, leaned forward with interest. Elder Iris gave a small, approving nod. Ryker, as usual, remained difficult to read. But it was Riven whose shoulders slowly eased, his breath leaving him in a measured exhale.

"I will admit," he said at last, "this changes our understanding of what is being negotiated."

"Good," Darius said firmly, cutting in before the mood could drift. "Then let us speak plainly. Dawnbreak’s proposal included two primary interests: restoration of the Silverridge Pass trade route, and military terms concerning rogue activity in the low valleys."

Verec straightened slightly, his grey brows rising in alertness.

"We are prepared to engage both conversations," Darius continued. "But Ironshade does not stand as it once did, that much is clear to everyone. Our concerns now must weigh the presence of other powers. Crimsonclaw’s involvement demands a revisitation of the stakes."

"I understand," Riven said slowly, nodding once.

"Then allow me to clarify," Darius said. "Trade must serve all parties. No monopolies, no long-standing tariffs favouring Dawnbreak’s merchants. We seek fairness, and Crimsonclaw’s resources, spices, fine metals, ink stones, arcane silk are part of the new arrangement."

That caught Elen’s attention sharply. Serena did not miss the way her fingers twitched against her lap.

"And the rogue matters?" Riven asked.

"That will be a separate discussion," Darius replied. "With Serena present. As per her station."

"We have handled rogue incursions along our eastern borders for years," Serena said. "Ironshade will find Crimsonclaw a capable partner in that regard. Our shared knowledge can provide clarity, tactical maps, den patterns, even recruitment movements."

Riven’s lips parted faintly. He looked at her with renewed focus.

"This was not expected," Verec muttered beside him. "Not at all."

Darius stepped forward and laid both hands on the edge of the long table. "Then adjust your expectations, and we shall all walk away from this room with stronger ground beneath us."

The chamber went quiet again. The Dawnbreak wolves exchanged brief glances, unspoken words flashing between them.

Charlotte leaned toward Serena, her voice low. "You are holding your own."

Serena kept her chin high. "I intend to do more than that."

At the head of the table, Darius inclined his head slightly toward her, a silent signal of approval.

Riven finally gave a slow nod, lifting his hand slightly as if in surrender. "Let us continue the talks with the understanding that we are no longer navigating a two-way bridge, but a road built anew, with many turns."

"Then let us proceed," Darius said. "With clarity. And purpose."

And so the talks began in earnest.