"That's what I was afraid of," he confirms. "It seems they'd negotiate for armor instead. For the corecloth I can make." It's decent armor, decent in ways they don't have their hands on right now. It won't be perfect but combine it with some of what they have, and it would keep more of their troops alive for certain. It's something he can live with, reluctantly.

Jesper sighs and drinks deeply. He's troubled of course, this was basically his fear for two and a half years. "I did this to myself. I've been making too much of it, and started lining some of my fashion with it for our new brand. We were trying to help people look good and also be ... safer." And a little bit didn't seem like a big deal. Like the protection enchantments Hilda were doing. Innocent, right? Except it adds up when it comes to him.

"But I think it's only a matter of time. I'm still shocked they haven't made us help them but ... I can feel the noose." A rope around his neck to make him a true captive. There are ways they can persuade him. They can threaten his friends, his business, Mag's inn, make it impossible to say no.