Early the next morning, Morgan sat inside his office, watching the sunrise through the large window behind his desk. It was a habit he had developed many years ago to clear his thoughts before work began.
A soft knock interrupted the silence.
"Enter."
The guard stationed outside opened the door, allowing a middle-aged butler to step inside. The man bowed respectfully.
"Sir."
Morgan turned his chair toward him.
"What has brought you here this early? You have interrupted my sunrise."
The butler felt a chill run through him. The words sounded calm, but anyone who had served Morgan long enough knew better than to mistake calmness for kindness.
"The procedures have been completed, Sir," the butler replied carefully. "As per your instructions, we managed to secure the assistance of the rogue Grandmaster."
Genuine interest appeared in Morgan's eyes.
"Good. Bring him in."
The butler bowed once more before leaving.
As the door closed, Morgan allowed himself a faint smile. The news pleased him greatly. The experiment had already consumed a tremendous amount of time, resources, and manpower. Several attempts had ended in failure, and while Morgan possessed considerable knowledge, there were limits to what he could accomplish alone. A Grandmaster's assistance might finally change that.
A few minutes later, the door opened again and the butler returned. Behind him walked a man dressed in deep blue robes. His face was hidden behind a thin veil, preventing anyone from seeing his features clearly, but the confidence surrounding him was impossible to miss. He carried himself like a man who knew exactly what he was worth.
Morgan studied him briefly, and the Grandmaster returned the look without the slightest discomfort. The butler remained perfectly still between them, unwilling to attract attention.
Finally, Morgan stepped forward.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Grandmaster."
The man smiled faintly.
"You may call me Boulder."
"I assume there is a reason for that preference."
"There is."
Morgan nodded.
"Then Boulder it is."
The two men shook hands.
"I am glad you found time to visit my home."
Boulder chuckled.
"Humble is not the word I would use to describe it."
The response earned a slight smile from Morgan.
"I couldn't ignore an invitation from Sir Morgan," Boulder continued. "Especially after hearing so much about you recently."
"And what exactly are people saying?"
Boulder rubbed a ring on his finger. A moment later, two elegant chairs materialized beside him.
"That depends on who you ask."
Morgan's eyes briefly rested on the seat before he took a seat. The display hadn't escaped his notice, nor had the subtle message hidden behind it. Boulder was reminding everyone present that he was not someone easily intimidated.
"We all heard about the fall of the Starborn Clan," Boulder said as he sat opposite Morgan. "News of an event like that doesn't remain hidden for long. Even the secluded factions have begun discussing it. The name Morgan Vonte has spread much farther than before."
Morgan simply nodded. Recognition was neither surprising nor unexpected. A clan such as the Starborns did not disappear every day.
The butler soon returned carrying a tray, pouring fresh tea for both men before stepping back.
Boulder lifted the cup and took a small sip, his eyes widening slightly.
"Good tea."
"It should be."
Morgan took a sip of his own.
"It comes from the Northern Kingdom, Arden. The king grows it personally within his private gardens."
Boulder glanced at the cup again.
"Then I doubt many people have tasted it."
"Very few."
The Grandmaster smiled.
"Then sharing it with me is quite the honor."
Morgan set his cup down.
"Considering the nature of the work I intend to discuss, offering ordinary tea would have been rude."
Boulder laughed softly.
"Fair enough."
The conversation gradually became more serious.
"I assume you've already heard why I summoned you," Morgan noted.
"I've heard very little," Boulder admitted. "Your son delivered the invitation, but he refused to explain anything beyond the fact that you required my expertise."
Morgan nodded.
"That sounds like Kai."
A trace of amusement crossed his face.
"As my firstborn, I entrusted him with the task. Fortunately, he completed it without complications."
"Then perhaps you should enlighten me."
Morgan rose from his chair, walked toward his desk, and removed a single folded sheet of paper from a drawer. He handed it over, and Boulder accepted it.
The room became silent as the Grandmaster read. His relaxed demeanor slowly disappeared, his expression noticeably more serious by the time he reached the final line.
"I see."
His eyes lifted toward Morgan.
"You weren't exaggerating."
Morgan remained silent.
Boulder looked at the document again.
"A contract from the Sleepers."
The butler stiffened at the name. Even speaking the organization's name carried weight.
"I see why you insisted on secrecy," Boulder added.
Morgan folded his hands behind his back.
"Will you sign it?"
Boulder immediately shook his head.
"No."
The answer came so quickly that even the butler seemed surprised, and Morgan's gaze narrowed slightly.
Boulder met it without hesitation.
"Signing that contract would expose my identity permanently," the Grandmaster said. "I have no intention of doing that."
The room grew quieter, and the butler suddenly found the floor incredibly interesting. Neither man looked away.
After several seconds, Boulder smiled.
"Don't misunderstand me, Sir Morgan. I respect you greatly."
"Yet?"
"Threats don't work on me."
Morgan stared at him, then let out a short, genuine laugh.
"You noticed."
"It would have been difficult not to."
The tension eased immediately, and Morgan returned to his seat.
"No matter. We can use a Guardian Oath instead."
Boulder nodded.
"That is acceptable."
The butler quickly refilled their cups. This time, neither man commented on the tea; the discussion had finally reached its destination.
Morgan took a slow sip before placing the cup down.
"Excellent."
He looked toward the butler.
"Prepare the room."
The butler bowed.
"At once, Sir."
Morgan paused for a moment before asking,
"And the subject?"
The butler hesitated.
"Barely alive my lord."
A faint smile appeared on Morgan's face. The answer was far from reassuring, but it was enough. As long as the subject remained alive, there was still a chance.
"Good."
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
"Then perhaps this attempt will succeed where the others failed."
The butler bowed once more before leaving the office.
Meanwhile, Boulder quietly finished the remaining tea in his cup, genuine curiosity appearing on his face for the first time since arriving. Whatever awaited them beyond that door was clearly important enough for Morgan Vonte to involve outsiders, and that alone made it worth seeing.