Jacob walked through the same halls he did a few hours ago, there was a brand new evanescence glow that came with the setting of the sun. It washed the walls with a dim golden light as he passed by gracefully, the small woman walking in front of him.

Xenia had neglected to come along as a show of respect for whatever private conversation Jacob would have with the head of the Wutherhorn house.

Jacob got to the silver door and it swung open carefully upon his arrival, he peered into the room that was a tad brighter than the halls, and then he moved in.

Upon entering, he was met with the gazes of the couple, the Primarch studied the young man carefully as he approached the bed with grace that could not be taught.

"You must be Jacob Ironfell." The man said in a low voice. To Jacob, he looked significantly better than he did when he lay on the bed with little to no life left in his body.

"Yes I am, Primarch." Jacob responded, he heard his fair share of tales of the man’s attitude, but he wished to see for himself.

Jacob wasn’t one to make assumptions of people based on the words of others, he wanted to experience people for himself, and then judge them based off his experience with them.

"I am familiar with your grandfather, he was a... passionate man." The Primarch said, struggling a little to find a word that would best suit his description.

"You speak of him like he’s dead sir." Jacob said, smiling, no matter the position anyone occupied, Jacob would never kiss anyone’s boots, as he also belonged to a family that was a world power.

"My apologies. My memory fails me, your grandfather and I met a couple scores ago."

His wife looked at him with eyes wide, she could not recall the last time her husband rendered an apology to anyone, especially someone significantly younger than him.

But Jacob had saved the man’s life, so it was normal for the man to feel indebted to him.

"It’s alright, no offense was taken, how do you feel?" Jacob asked, his gaze not wavering from the man for even a second.

The Primarch sensed an immense level of confidence in Jacob’s gaze, something he admired a lot.

’This boy is extremely powerful, and he knows exactly how powerful he is.’ The Primarch mused to himself. ’He would be of great assistance to the Wutherhorn empire.’

"I feel..." the Primarch started, he looked down at his arms, closing his fists tight, and then looked back up at Jacob. "...Stronger than ever—a spry young buck—if I were to say."

Jacob smiled as the man spoke to him, he knew the quality of the Elixir of Alvira, as it didn’t just heal the dark plague, it also gave the subject a renewed level of vitality, stamina and strength.

"That’s good to hear, it was nothing to help a friend out."

"Friend?"

"Yes, Primarch, I consider Light my friend. He came to me for the cure."

The man scowled at Jacob’s words, a facial expression that the young man immediately picked up on, he sensed that there was a hint of bad blood there, and he didn’t want to pry, so he remained silent.

Before he could change the subject, the Primarch beat him to it. "I wanted to see you for myself, and thank you. You have done a great deal for this family already, for your compassion and good exploits, you shall be rewarded with whatever you desire."

"Oh no! I didn’t do this for a reward—" Jacob decided to go tbe modest route, but he only expressed this as a show of reverse psychology, so that when he finally asked for something, the Primarch would have no choice to agree.

The Primarch cut him off right when he was being modest. "Nonsense! We are the Wutherhorns, we have gold, century old-wine, fresh produce, women —riches and treasure buying your imagination. You name it."

As soon as the man was done talking, Jacob placed his finger on his jaw and thought for a moment.

’I have no true need for all these things he mentioned, as we already possess this back at the castle. I’ll ask for something substantial instead." Jacob thought.

"So what will it be?" The Primarch asked with an outstretched palm.

"I have no imminent desire for any of these things, but there is one thing I do wish for."

"Speak of it." The Primarch urged, looking at Jacob eagerly.

"I understand that your house and mine are not exactly on the best of terms, therefore, it would please me if you would send a delegate to the Ironfell stronghold with a treaty. A connection between both houses, signifying that we are a unified stronghold."

The Primarch’s wife’s eyes widened, marveled at the request of the young man, she didn’t understand why a young man like Jacob would be so advanced in his years.

Most men she knew at that age, like her sons, were only interested in chasing women and power, frolicking around aimlessly.

But not Jacob, she sensed that every move that the young man made was calculated and careful, in a good way.

"I will admit, that was not a response I was expecting, I am impressed by you Jacob Ironfell, and as thus, I will grant your request, I will have a delegate deliver this to your stronghold at once." The Primarch said and with a flick of his hand, a servant left the room hurriedly.

Before long, Heimdall entered the room with practiced grace, his eyes closed as usual.

He didn’t say nothing, as was already clear to Jacob that he could read minds, he only nodded at the Primarch and was out of the room in less than two minutes.

’Wow how convenient, communicating with his subordinate with only his thoughts.’ Jacob mused inwardly, smiling lacklusterly.

"I have instructed the treaty to be sent to the Ironfell stronghold at once, along with all the other things aforementioned, as a show of gratitude, you have done well." The Primarch looked back at Jacob as he spoke.

"You are too kind, Primarch." Jacob nodded his head and smiled.

"There will be a feast in honor of my return on the fourth day of the next week, I hope you will attend, there will also be gladiator fights as is tradition in Wutherhorn history. It would be my honor to watch you fight."

’Oho! This old man already wants to see me fight, well if there’s time I won’t mind giving them a little show.’ Jacob mused again.

"It would be my honor." He replied simply, and they talked for a bit longer, until it was time for Jacob to politely excuse himself and give the couple time to rekindle.

"He’s a fine young man." The Primarch’s wife spoke finally, smiling at her husband, no one was more overjoyed at his return than her, she decided she would give to him what he had been missing for two years, as she was still very much capable of it.

"Yes he is, I hope to see him again soon." The Primarch responded.

The Wutherhorn estate was filled with quiet celebration that night, only a fraction of what was to come.