Aubrie’s voice was firm, unyielding, and yet not unkind, as she addressed Simone’s trespassing. “Simone,” Aubrie said, “What a lovely surprise.” Aubrie’s lips twitched with amusement, like she was in on some joke I didn’t get.

  Simone’s revelation about the Purp and the gem in the dagger hung in the air—an intricate web of danger and desperation.

  Aubrie sighed, again with the smirk lingering. Simone was easier to deal with. For all her fire, she was as easy to read as an open book.

  "Trespassing in the restricted section again, were we, Simone?" she asked, her voice still firm but I could still sense a subtle gentleness about her.

  Simone blurted out, "I'm here to make a deal with Saya. I need a gem or Drea’s a goner!"

  “What a coincidence! I’m here to make a deal with Saya too.” Aubrie chuckled, towering beside me. Her hand rested on my shoulder, steady and oddly calming. Even my own mother had avoided such close contact. “Official business.”

  I felt the unspoken tension between them.

  "Simone," Aubrie continued, her voice hardening as she approached closer to Simone, "perhaps it's best if you make a graceful exit. Unless, of course, you'd prefer some… assistance from the guards?"

  Simone gritted her teeth, battling with the weight of Aubrie's authority. "Aubrie, please!" she pleaded. "Don't you understand? Drea needs a weapon, and you know it!"

  Aubrie held up a hand, silencing the impending outburst. "I understand, dear," she said, her voice softening. "But the elves have their reasons.”

  “Saya’s been keeping another weapon, Drea’s old dagger!” My hands clench as Simone just put me under the bus. “The elves don’t know about it so it’s none of their business!”

  Aubrie's amusement vanished. Her jaw clenched as her intense blue eyes met mine, full of unspoken disappointment. If looks could kill. Ouch. But the dagger was my trump card. I’m not sorry.

  Finally, Aubrie addressed Simone. "As I can still safely say that I haven't witnessed any transgressions," she said, her voice clipped, "I'll let your careless words slide. Even if this information is true, Saya has no reason to help you, or even believe you."

  Aubrie reached into her side pouch and produced two rolled-up scrolls, each tied with a bright red ribbon. She carefully untied one, and the paper seemed to glow a little as she spread it out on the table. "This," she declared, "is a contract drafted by the Elven Lord. It outlines the terms of your… cooperation."

  Simone and I looked over it. My heart hammered. Cooperation? What did that even mean?

  Aubrie placed the second, identical contract on my cot right above my hidden backpack. "This one," she continued, her voice devoid of emotion, "is blank. I trust you'll find a way to put it to good use, perhaps with Simone in mind. My intentions are part chivalrous and part having you owe me, Saya. After all, having someone in your debt can be… advantageous."

  Lyanna flitted over the blank contract with excitement, [“An unaccounted for weapon and contract, how fun!”] Who knows when she woke up.

  Some yells were heard from outside the tent.

  Aubrie shot a sharp glance that made it clear she wasn’t planning to wait around. “I’ll be back shortly, and I’d appreciate it if any unwanted guests saw themselves out.” Her eyes landed on Simone as she spoke.

  She stepped toward the tent flap. “I trust Lyanna will fill you in on the details.”

  Then she was gone, leaving me behind with a throbbing head, a stomach doing flips, and two land mines in the form of magical paper. I stared at the documents—thick parchment with a smooth, almost waxy finish. Their edges were gilded with a thin layer of gold.

  I stared at the blank contract and the cot. This was for how to make Simone owe me, I realized. Instead of having it stolen by Simone, I could make a magically binding contract with her.

  I reached for the first contract, my stomach doing backflips. What exactly did the elves expect from me? As I held it, I swear it weighed as much as an encyclopedia from the library. The enchantment was heavy. I saw the foreign words in Elven script, each symbol a swirling vortex of meaning that demanded my full attention.

  With a wave of Lyanna’s hand, the Elven words transformed into English. The demands were clear and unyielding:

  

  
1. Territorial Sovereignty: The elves wanted absolute control over the Steel, including all its resources and the right to govern it independently.


  
2. Non-Aggression Pact: A binding agreement ensuring that neither party would initiate hostilities against the other, effectively ensuring peace and stability in the region, provided.


  
3. Weapon Usage: A clause stipulating Saya's role in combating the Orc threat. She would be trained in wielding weaponry infused with Malvaos powers, utilizing her unique ability to control them.


  
4. Cultural Respect and Preservation: A clause emphasizing the protection and respect of Elven cultural traditions and practices, with severe penalties for any violations.


  
5. Military Alliance: A mutual defense pact, where both parties would come to each other's aid in case of external threats, bolstering the strength of both nations.


  
6. Subordination to Elven Authority: This clause establishes a clear hierarchy, placing Saya under the authority of the elven council in matters pertaining to the contract. It outlines the expectation of respectful conduct and adherence to elven laws within their territory. However, it avoids using the harsh term "mutiny" and instead focuses on the consequences of "failing to uphold your obligations" under the agreement.


  

  I don’t know when I had placed the first parchment down, but I had the second clutched in my hand. It was as if the first parchment was too heavy for me to deal with. Unlike the heavy elven script scroll, this blank parchment felt light, almost eager.

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  The blank scroll was a blank canvas, not yet heavy with responsibility. This scroll was a chance to forge a future for Simone, and maybe even myself.

  The weight of Simone's tearful plea pressed down on me. This blank contract, a symbol of potential, could be the key to her sister's survival. Every second counted.

  I put down the blank contract on the table, my brain buzzing. Simone was desperate, with a timer running out of sand. The elves' offer? Yeah, that could sit tight with all its complicated demands. Right now, I had her sister’s life in my hands.

  I looked Simone square in the eye. “Let’s make a contract, just between us. You'll help me with any means possible in exchange for the knife.”

  “Dagger,” Simone corrected.

  “Knife, dagger. Same thing.” I replied.

  The defiant glare she gave me screamed that she was used to getting the last word—though, for now, she was playing nice because I had her precious knife. She needed it to save her sister, and she knew I wasn't about to let it go easily.

  Lyanna perched on my shoulder, her tiny body tense. "[This is risky, Saya! Elven magic can be brutal, even in a simple contract. Are you sure about this? But using it under their noses? I love it!]" She clapped. How quickly her mood could change.

  “It’s only harmful if the contract’s broken, right?” I see that I’m right, because Lyanna’s crossed her arms in consideration.

  I flashed a confident grin at Simone. "Alright, Simone. This contract ensures you get what you need sooner rather than than later." I grab a nearby pen and paper. For drafts. I don’t want to mess up the magical contract obviously. "Here's the deal: with your knack of finding Malvao weapons, we’re going to solve the mystery of the missing weaponry in the tunnels. In return, you get the dagger as an advanced payment."

  Simone's brow furrowed. "Advanced payment? You’re going to trust me with this after I'm done helping you?"

  Saya smirked. "Good point. Are you saying I shouldn't trust you with it after your sister’s healed? We’ll add that in the clause too. You need the… dagger now, and this contract ensures you get it. Besides, with the extra weapons, we both come out ahead."

  I scribble the deal on scratch paper so we both can see if it looks right. Simone looks over my shoulder. “So Lyanna, what happens if one of us breaks the deal?"

  Lyanna shivered on Saya's shoulder, her voice barely a whisper, "[It depends on the wording, Saya. It could be anything from a simple binding to a slow, agonizing loss of something precious...]"

  —

  The scratch paper read:

  Conditions:

  

  
• Simone will help Saya find and secure Malvao weapons in the tunnels using all possible means she can. She or her sister will not betray or directly or indirectly harm Saya ever. Even after the weapons are retrieved.


  
• Simone will always be truthful to Saya.


  

  

  
• Saya gives the dagger as advanced payment. If Simone doesn’t help or backs out, she gives the dagger back.


  

  Consequences:

  

  
• Saya can change the terms if the deal gets too hard without penalty to either person so long as the terms are less risky to both. Simone can renegotiate or give the dagger back.


  

  Sign if You Agree:

  —

  “This good for you?” I asked.

  Simone stared at the scratch paper, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Whoa, hold up, Saya. This is, like, a major commitment. You’re saying I can’t even bail out? What if things go totally sideways? I’m not trying to get burned here.”

  She shifted her weight nervously, biting her lip. “And you can just change the terms whenever? That’s, like, super sketchy! What if I end up worse off? This whole deal is giving me serious vibes.”

  She glanced at the dagger. Her eyes sparked hope and anxiety. “But I really need this, you know? For my sister and all. If this is the only way to get it, then... I guess I have to roll the dice.”

  Taking a deep breath, she leaned in, grabbing the pen with a fierce-looking face. “Alright, but I’m throwing in my own conditions. If you change the terms and I don’t vibe with it, the dagger stays with Drea until we can hash out a new agreement. And if I get into serious trouble, you’ve gotta have my back. No ditching me, understood?”

  She scribbled her conditions below mine. “Just promise me we’ll keep it real. If things get gnarly, we need to figure something out, alright? I don’t want to be left hanging.”

  The added text said, Saya puts Simone and Drea’s health first. No way will Saya ever abandon us or put us in danger, directly or indirectly. This is non-negotiable and unchangable.

  I rewrote everything on the magical paper. Slowly. Carefully. Making sure every word was right.

  When I finished copying, I took a deep breath. My hand trembled as I signed my name.

  I couldn’t be sure, but I thought Simone’s hand shook as she signed too. “Alright, Saya, let’s do this. Just don’t make me regret it, okay?”