Me, My Spirit, And I [Book 1 Complete]

The arrival of three delegations in Westlin caused quite a stir. Representatives of the Gloddus Queendom were the first to arrive via land, the Dwarven delegation from the Ice Fang Peaks arrived by magical airship, and the Eastern Imperials arrived via teleportation. Coincidentally, they all arrived within days of each other with similar goals.

"Now hold your hammer, Miss Kariss. We are here to learn who leaked the secret of Ferrum Argentum and have a reckoning with your boss. We won't be satisfied until we can meet them," Yolden Hammerfell, head of the Dwarven delegation, said during their first meeting.

"I understand your concerns truly, but I have it on good authority that no Dwarves leaked any secrets. My benefactor is a reclusive individual, and I handle contact with anyone interested in our products or processes," Kariss explained.

"Are you trying to tell me one of these barely competent human smiths recreated ferrum argentum on their own?" Yolden asked in disbelief.

"Actually, the creator is a mage, not a Professed Smith," Kariss said, correcting the Dwarf.

"A Mage? Was it a Metal or Earth Mage?"

"Neither. I can't go into further details about my benefactor. I do apologize—he is rather reclusive, as I have mentioned."

One of the other Dwarves whispered in Yolden's ear, who nodded along before speaking. "There are questions from the Smiths we brought along. They couldn't help but notice the lack of smoke coming from your facility. How is that possible?" Yolden asked curiously.

"I am afraid I must plead ignorance. I am not sure what smoke has to do with steel production. I do know that our process is fully magical, if that helps," Kariss said with a bemused shrug and smile.

"Fully magical? That can't be right!" Yolden exclaimed. "How many Mages are you employing here?"

"Now, the exact nature of our process is a secret not even I know, and despite it being quite rude to ask about our employment numbers, I can assure you that we employ zero mages in the production process. We do have Metal Mages and Smiths on staff to help turn raw steel into useful products."

"Miss Kariss, please excuse me if I am rude, but that is a bunch of schist and shale! You just can't produce ferrum argentum this cheaply with magic. It just isn't possible—ask any Smith!" Yolden said in exasperation and confusion. "I demand to speak to your so-called benefactor. It is clear that you can't answer my questions."

"Mister Hammerfell, first I would like to remind you we call it steel, or Shadow Steel, here in Westlin, and as I have mentioned, the company's benefactor is reclusive. I can try to arrange a meeting, but I can make no promises."

The Dwarven delegation grumbled, but they had little they could do except return to their local lodgings while trying to figure out the mystery of Shadow Steel for themselves.

---

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, Miss Kariss. The Queendom of Gloddus and her majesty the Witch Queen are very interested in the new products coming out of Westlin. I have been instructed to see about purchasing your little company," Airallen Corvan, the leader of the Gloddus delegation, said with a polite smile.

"The Shadow Manufacturing Company is happy to entertain representatives of her majesty the Witch Queen, but I hate to disappoint you. The company nor its processes are for sale," Kariss said politely but firmly.

"Surely there is room for negotiation?" Airallen asked encouragingly. "The Witch Queen can be quite generous, after all."

"Her majesty's generosity is legendary, but the company's owner and benefactor are not inclined towards selling. In fact, I think they would shutter the doors rather than do so," Kariss said firmly.

"Do you truly have the authority to speak on behalf of the owner?" Airallen asked in a politely accusing tone. "Also, as representatives of her majesty, we have access to the tax records for Shadow Manufacturing. Did you know there isn't a specific owner listed anywhere?"

"I am fully authorized to speak on behalf of the owner, yes. As for the issue of ownership, you would have to speak with the City Lord who made special exceptions for our Company as part of the city of Westlin's status as a semi-independent city state. I am well versed in local law and all applicable tax codes," Kariss said with a toothy smile, showing that she understood the implied threat.

"I see. Then I have no choice but to ask that you arrange a meeting with this mysterious patron of yours," Airallen said smoothly.

"I can ask our benefactor, but as I told the Dwarven delegation, he is quite reclusive," Kariss explained.

The Gloddus delegation left their meeting with Kariss just as dissatisfied as the Dwarves.

---

"Welcome, gentlemen. I am Kariss, and you are the third delegation to demand a meeting with me this week. To what do I owe the pleasure of meeting an Imperial Ambassador?" Kariss said smoothly as she hid her nervousness. The Eastern Imperial government was not used to women holding positions of power.

"Greetings, Miss Kariss. I am surprised to see a woman as the head of a metal production company, but excuse my rudeness—I am Ambassador Caralius. The High Imperator of the Eastern Imperium has requested that I secure an exclusive Imperial Contract for the purchase of Shadow Steel, as you call it. We are willing to pay premium prices for your entire stock and do so indefinitely," Caralius explained as if he was offering something precious.

"I would be happy to arrange a Contract to sell Shadow Steel directly to the Imperium, but we have other Contracts we are obligated to fill as well," Kariss said.

"You misunderstand. We are requesting exclusivity—no one else will be able to buy or sell Shadow Steel except through official Imperial channels. We are already purchasing everything available in the local markets," Caralius said, clearly talking down to Kariss.

"I apologize, but that is not an option. The owner has no intention to supply any one group, or nation in this case, with exclusive access to our products," Kariss said in a tone that was less polite as the obviously sexist Ambassador smiled politely but fakely at her.

"My dear woman, surely it would be better for us to speak directly with the owner, yes? It would be best if we presented our proposal to him, after all. Don't you agree?"

Kariss sighed openly and pointedly. "As I told the Dwarven delegation and the Gloddus delegation, the owner is a recluse and has not agreed to meet with anyone at this time."

"Surely a pretty young woman like yourself could convince him?" said the slimy Ambassador. "I am sure I could make it worth your efforts."

"Ambassador Caralius, this is the city of Westlin—this is not the Imperium. Things do not work like that here, and I assure you that the owner is completely immune to any perceived charms I might have. I will of course relay your request, but I do not expect him to agree to meet with anyone," Kariss said testily before quickly ending the meeting.

---

"You were watching during all three meetings, right, Shada?" Kariss asked after the third meeting.

"Indeed. One group wants our secrets, the next our entire company, and the third wants to create their own monopoly. All three groups are buying all the steel we have put on the open market, even going so far as to offer excess sums for products others already purchased. Seems good for business to me," Shada said nonchalantly.

"It is great for business, but not without problems. I have had to increase security, and we have turned away obvious spies already. I also heard that the Queendom and Imperium have begun putting pressure on the City Lord to reveal the company's owner. While he is holding firm in light of your help with the Hag, he is beholden to both groups. He will eventually be ordered to reveal what he knows," Kariss said in concern.

"I suppose that we must come up with a proper solution. You were correct, of course. I have no desire to meet any of the three, except maybe the Dwarves, but that is from personal curiosity more than necessity. However, the obvious problem is how? I don't know how they would react to know a spirit of all things was running a company," Shada mused as he glided in lazy circles around Kariss's office.

"I have stressed that you are quite the recluse to all three parties, but they are not going to be satisfied until you meet them," Kariss said, not knowing Shada was circling her.

"I have a small golem I could use, but honestly, they might find that insulting and think we were playing tricks. I will speak with a few people about a solution," Shada said before ending the meeting.

---

"You want me to create what?" Vanestra asked Shada when he proposed his idea.

"I need a golem that I can pass off as human in order to meet with the annoying delegations that are hounding my Company," Shada explained.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"You realize that golems, especially the kind of spirit golem you can control, are not easy to make, correct?" Vanestra said in exasperation.

"Of course I do. They are also awkward and far less convenient than my spirit form, but I do need some means of meeting the delegations."

"I see. I can't make one that size quickly. It would take weeks, but there is a simpler solution. Particularly reclusive mages have been known to use illusions to meet people. I am sure Alexzandrous knows the spellwork for it," Vanestra said, offering an alternative.

"Would they accept an illusion? At that point, I might as well just use a fake communication device to talk to them."

"You could always reshape Root into something less cute and childish. I mean, they are likely already expecting an eccentric recluse. I can ward the golem so it can't be recognized as a spirit golem," Vanestra offered.

"That might be best considering the time constraints," Shada said contemplatively.

---

"You know this looks ridiculous, right?" Kariss asked Shada as they placed the Root golem on a small metal chair at the heart of a conference room table. The small chair was made of polished and shaped steel and vaguely resembled a throne.

Instead of Root, Shada had transformed the golem into a small old man. He had even had custom clothing made to fit it and had worked hard to give it a realistic look despite being only a foot or so tall.

"I do, in fact, but it should also throw the delegates off balance when talking with me, and besides, it is amusing," Shada said, explaining his reasoning.

"And you plan to go by Shadow? Isn't that a little too obvious?" Kariss asked.

"A bit, but there is nothing obvious to link Shadow to Shada besides the names' similarity," Shada said while making the final adjustments to his Shadow golem form.

"Very well. I will let the delegates know you are ready for them. I am still not sure it is a good idea to meet them all at once," Kariss complained as she stood up.

"I am not wasting time with three separate meetings. Besides, I can play them off each other for our Company's benefit," Shada said in his most conniving voice.

"As you say," Kariss responded before going to fetch the waiting delegates.

The three group leaders chose to enter the double doors to the conference room together, so all three stopped and stared in confusion at the miniature human sitting on his metal throne at the head of the conference table.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Yolden said, turning to his peers who were equally dumbfounded.

"I am afraid I haven't a clue. There must be an explanation—a display piece perhaps?" Airallen suggested.

"I am sure we will find out in time. Let's get settled before this mysterious Shadow person shows up," Caralius said, to which the others nodded.

The delegates chose their seats carefully. Caralius was at the foot of the table with Yolden and Airallen to either side. The other gaps were filled in by scribes who, ironically, were using Shadow Scribe office supplies.

"Welcome," Shada said simply, to the confusion of everyone who was staring at the animated talking miniature human.

"Uhmm, excuse me, what is the meaning of this?" Caralius said uncertainly.

"You three asked for a meeting, not I," Shada answered without answering.

"I am afraid I do not know what you mean. Are you this mysterious Shadow?" Airallen asked curiously.

"Who else would I be?" Shada responded.

"Now see here, is this some sort of illusion?" Yolden asked in an annoyed tone.

"A golem, actually. I quite prefer not to leave my workshop unattended," Shada explained.

"Excuse me, Mister Shadow, but you plan to conduct a meeting with representatives of three nations by puppeting a golem from a distance? Am I understanding this situation correctly?" Caralius asked as if waiting for a punchline to a joke.

"Indeed, Ambassador Caralius," Shada said.

"Why?" Airallen asked next.

"Yeah, why?" Yolden chimed in.

"Why not? Much safer meeting strangers this way, and I don't have to leave my workroom," Shada said as if that was all the reason he needed for this eccentric behavior.

"I see. Very well then," Ambassador Caralius said with a sigh. "Mister Hammerfell, I suspect you should start first since yours may be the easiest request to resolve."

"As you obviously already know, we are here to find out who leaked the secret of this 'steel' as you call it. Until now, only the Master Smiths of the dwarfholds knew how to make it, and they don't produce it on the same scale as your Company. It is practically considered a sacred metal by my people!" Yolden said while leaning forward intensely.

"No secrets were leaked, Mister Hammerfell. I discovered how to make my Shadow Steel completely independently without any information from the dwarfholds," Shada said in an attempt to reassure the disgruntled dwarf.

"I am afraid I don't believe you. I have been told you are a Mage, but one who neither follows the Path of Metal nor Earth. How could you ever figure out how to make something it takes years of training to produce successfully?" Yolden demanded.

"Would you believe divine inspiration?" Shada asked the skeptical group.

"Are you trying to say that a bleeding God told you how to make steel? Is that why the Temple is going crazy over that Holy metal making box? Do you know how that was created? Did you make it?" The flurry of questions came from around the conference room from startled delegates and their leaders.

"Hmmm, I never said that a God told me how to make steel, nor did I ever claim to be the one to make the Golden Goose that is now producing Holy metal for the Temple," Shada said in a way that carefully avoided lying.

"But you know, don't you? Did you steal these things from the so-called Agent of Sierra?" Caralius asked in accusation.

"I do know who made the Golden Goose, and I can assure you that no secrets were stolen from anyone. The knowledge of how to make steel came from my experiments," Shada explained while again avoiding answering questions about being the Agent of Sierra.

"What be the process then, oh mysterious Shadow? How did you create steel?" Yolden asked.

"Mister Hammerfell, why should I answer such a question? Do dwarves share the secrets of their crafts so readily?" Shada said while turning the question back on the dwarf.

"Of course not, but... I apologize. I recognize the rudeness of my question, but you are producing steel at a rate that should be impossible. Not even our best Smiths can match the output of this facility. Steel, as you call it, is sacred because it holds enchantments well and is a key resource in keeping our nation secure," Yolden explained.

"I assume that your Smiths produce steel by refining raw ore in a furnace using air and charcoal, yes?" Shada asked.

"I can neither confirm nor deny that without revealing secrets I am forbidden to speak of," Yolden replied stiffly.

"I take that as a yes then. My process is purely magical in nature," Shada said.

"Yes, that is what your manager said, but it makes no sense. We have Duplicators that can produce steel, but the Essence cost is prohibitive," Yolden said while shaking his bushy mane of hair and beard.

"I don't use Duplicators to make steel," Shada said simply.

"Then how, by the Gods, are you making it?" Yolden asked, his frustration becoming ever clearer.

"I think we are all interested to know that answer," Caralius said.

"Indeed," Airallen agreed.

"I will not share the exact method for how I produce steel. I can tell you that it can be done manually, which is likely how the dwarves make it."

The dwarves all grimaced at this statement.

"I will even go so far as to explain how I am doing it, but not the spells or enchantments involved. Steel is an alloy, a mixture of two elements: iron and carbon. You all should know what iron is, but carbon is something that can be purified from coal, charcoal, and indeed a variety of things. I then mix a small amount of carbon into the iron to get basic steel."

All the dwarves had deep frowns and angry expressions now.

"You can't be telling everyone the secrets of the sacred metals like that!" Yolden practically shouted.

"Again, I ask why not?" Shada asked.

"I know little of the work of Smiths, and it appears that you know the dwarven method even if no dwarf told you, but I too would like to know how you are processing metal so efficiently," Caralius said while the dwarves grumbled amongst themselves.

"No, I have already said all I will say on the topic of the process of steel making," Shada stated with finality.

After consulting with his group, Yolden stood up. "If you will not share the process, then are you willing to relocate to the dwarfholds? We will pay you handsomely for your steel and won't seek your secrets further."

Yolden's words caused a stir among the other two delegations. The dwarves were very insular and didn't allow humans into their holds often. To be offered a position there was practically unheard of.

"While I am honored that you value what I can produce so highly, I have no desire to relocate my Company nor myself at this time," Shada said, then turned to the other two delegations. "I will not be selling my Company, nor will I be granting anyone exclusive access to steel production."

"I must protest! You have not even given me a chance to present our offer!" Caralius exclaimed.

Airallen had a more thoughtful look on her face than the others and remained quiet.

"I don't need to hear your offer. My decision was made before this meeting," Shada said in a firm, serious, and somewhat imperious tone.

Caralius listened with his eyes narrowed and an angry look on his face and was about to speak until Airallen beat him to it.

"Mister Shada, you are currently operating in Westlin under the protection of the City Lord who must answer to both the Queendom and the Imperium. We could simply seize your Company and all its facilities if we were to agree on such," Airallen threatened.

"Actually, you cannot. I would rather shutter the doors and destroy the machines than allow my work to be seized. I know for a fact that all three of you have sent spies to try to discover how I am making steel, but let me be clear—you won't find the secret. The machines that produce my products all have built-in enchantments that will banish them to the Etheric Plane if they are tampered with. I can trigger those enchantments at will," Shada threatened back.

Everything went quiet as Shada and the three delegations stared at each other across the steel and Wyldwood conference table.

"Do I need to trigger those enchantments, or can we negotiate some trade agreements in good faith and without resorting to threats?" Shada asked the silent delegations.

"The dwarves of the Ice Fang Peaks would be honored to set up a trade agreement and trade route with the Shadow Manufacturing Company," Yolden stated respectfully.

Shada nodded his head graciously like a king holding court.

"We could stop any such trade route," Caralius said.

Not if we use the Depths," Yolden said, much to everyone's surprise.

"Steel is so important to your people that you would try to run a trade route through the Depths of all places?" Airallen asked in surprise.

"For ferrum argentum of this quality and quantity? Most certainly," Yolden Hammerfell said emphatically.

"I see," Airallen said simply.

"Ambassador Airallen, you didn't happen to note who my original investors were when I established this Company, did you?" Shada asked.

"I did not," Airallen said while looking to one of her staff who carried a stack of papers.

"One moment," the clerk said as they rapidly began looking through their documents.

"I can spare your poor clerk the reading. My financial backers were Archmage Alexzandrous and High Seer Vanestra... Aseralis."

The entire Gloddus delegation paled at Shada's statement.

"I do not believe Witch Queen Kiera Aseralis would be pleased to learn that you suggested seizing property which her parents were heavily invested in," Shada said with a feral grin.

"I... I did not know... the Witch Queen didn't tell me... I..." Airallen stuttered as her delegation shifted nervously.

Shada looked at the rest of the Gloddus delegation. "I suggest that you withdraw for now and seek clarification and a new negotiator," Shada said dismissively.

"I apologize for any confusion or misleading statements I might have said. The Eastern Imperium would like to negotiate for trade and trade routes with the Shadow Manufacturing Company and the dwarven nations of the Ice Fang Peaks," Caralius said after the Gloddus delegation left.

"Very well, but I have things to do. Please speak with my manager Kariss about such things. I have experiments to attend to. Good day, gentlemen," Shada said as he exited the golem and pulled the golem and throne into his inventory, making it appear as if he teleported, much to the surprise of the remaining delegations.