It wasn't surprising that Judra reacted so strongly.
The contents of the document laid out Rus's offer: within two years, Rus would provide Judra with 5,000 gold coins.
In return, once Judra inherited the barony, he would not only return the Beak Mountain Mines and the Thousand Needle Forest to the Eagle Territory, but also transfer control of the Gray Mountain Mine to Rus.
This mine was no small asset.
Ironforge's ability to support a Third-Tier knight like Angell, and to fully equip the elite 100-man Ironforge Legion in chainmail, stemmed from one key advantage: its own iron mine—as well as its local smelting and forging operations.
Their externally traded weapons, chainmail, and plate armor were the lifeblood of the territory's economy.
