The Silver Pact
Gideon reached into his leather coat and produced a thick, leather-bound parchment scroll bound with silver thread, the Blackwood Covenant.
"This covenant establishes mutual defense obligations, standardized military rations, integrated civilian evacuation routes, and shared intelligence distribution," Gideon explained, unrolling the draft across the stone table. "If a single village on the outer ridge is attacked, the entire valley mobilizes as one."
Elder Varis stood from his bench, adjusting his heavy fur mantle. "And what of our traditions? Our local councils?"
"Your local governance remains untouched," I reassured him. "This alliance is built to protect our heritage, not erase it. But i