An actual contract was signed.
But unlike the earlier one, this was not a final agreement. It was a promise. A promise to come back to the table and finalize everything once the King returned from cleaning up his lands.
It became a quiet lesson to the cadets.
King Garick told them clearly.
"Never promise what you cannot deliver."
His voice was calm but heavy.
He explained that without knowing how much damage he would find back home, or what resources might be lost, he could not guarantee locations or delivery schedules yet.
But he promised they would revisit the deal. And then, almost smiling, he added that by the time they did, perhaps these young ones would have come up with something even more revolutionary.
He hadn't planned to stay this long. And yet now, knowing he was leaving his daughter behind for an indefinite time, he found himself wishing he didn't have to leave at all.
But duty was duty. And Garick intended to leave at first light tomorrow.
