BRETVER 28TH YEAR 548 ASMERIAN CALENDAR
Connor awoke in what felt like another world, the King had retaken the throne his daughter was still unable to walk. He got out of bed and strapped on his boots, brushed his teeth, and readied himself for the day. Veronica was already awake and was cooking breakfast on the stove. "Good morning dear, what are you making?"
"Oh, nothing special, just some eggs and toasted bread. Would you go and wake the children please?" Veronica said as she opened up the stove and placed another piece of firewood inside.
"Of course dear, I'll have them down here faster than you can say the King's a man whore."
"Haha, well then, you best hurry Connor. Because the King's a man whore."
"Music to my ears Veronica!" Connor exclaimed as he rushed back up the stairs. He reached Jackson and Alice's room and opened the door. Jackson was already awake and practicing with his new Peiorn sword. "Morning son, do me a favor and wake up Alice and come down for breakfast when you're ready."
"Sure father, anything else that you would have me do?"
"No my boy, just be careful swinging that thing around. Your room doesn't need another window son."
"Ha, I don't think to have more of a view would be too bad, father."
"It will once you start burning up extra firewood just to stay warm in the winter," Connor said as he shut the door behind him. The Scottkey family had breakfast shortly after Jackson and Alice made their way downstairs.
Connor put his jacket on and headed out to his store to open it for the day. Business had been incredibly good and Connor was one of the wealthiest men in the region. Lord Daniels had yet to even surpass him. The Lord had a special announcement on this day that he had every intention of going to. He spent several years with Veronica in the Lucc Empire and knew full well how to deal with nobles and royalty. Unlike most of the merchants starting out in Greendale who had never dealt with Royalty or Nobility as there had not been such a government in sixty years.
Connor saw just up the street from his shop when he noticed a large man with a young female Varin at his shop, sitting at the bench just next to the door. He knew it could be none other than Mister Miller and the Varin Jackson wouldn't stop talking about. Connor approached the two with a casual walk. "How do you fare sir?" Connor asked as he came within a couple of feet of Miller.
"Ah yes, I'm doin just fine Mister Scottkey, I must say you don't keep your customers waiting long do ya?" Miller said as he greeted Connor.
"Please just call me Connor, how long have you two been waiting here?"
"Ah, we've just arrived from the Black's Tavern. Maybe three minutes at most Connor."
"I see, well let me just open the store and we'll talk about what I can be of service for," Connor said as he pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. As Miller entered it was like no store he had ever been in. He knew it was the largest store in Greendale but he's never seen so many different products under one ceiling.
"How did you get all of this Connor?" Miller asked with an awe-inspired look on his face.
"Ah yes, well when you've been traveling the world for as long as I have, making deals, friendships, and debts, you tend to acquire a few favors. The payment for the initial stock for this store, I actually made a large profit off of. I send most of my savings to Lexington where I know and trust a really smart and adept banker there who stores most of my profits. Should anything happen then all of my savings will be transported to Gregoria and kept at a safe location."
"Wow, may I ask why Gregoria? Why not somewhere else in Asmeria?"
"Simply because this country is ruled by a King who can't be held responsible for anything he does, whereas, in Gregoria, the Prime Minister can't open a bank vault and take what he wants, as the King can here."
"Fair enough, anyway, I've come for supplies for my trip back to Concord. Would you have any Theyri Plants and Siri Sap?"
"Yes, follow me and I shall give you a beautiful deal," Connor said as he started towards the back of the store.
"I'd Appreciate that Connor, but what would I owe you in return?"
"You're a smart man Miller, I'll let you know once we find your supplies. Here we are, Siri sap, how much do you need? I have eight, twelve, and twenty-ounce bottles."
"A twelve-ounce bottle should be more than enough, now for the Theyri Plants," Miller said as he grabbed a bottle and handed it to Ruby.
"This way, I do regret to tell you that Theyri Plants are quite difficult to find this time of the year so my stock may be limited," Connor said as he walked into a back room. Miller stopped just short of the doorway and waited for Connor to return.
"Here you go, this should be enough for whatever needs you may have," Connor said as he returned with a large linen bag filled with Theyri Plants.
"Thank you, Connor, now what is it that you wanted?" Connor said as he took the bag.
"Oh, I would just like to know why one of the most famed and skilled swordsmen in Gregoria who I might add is also a very wealthy man with a lot of property, enough to grow wheat on for sure, is doing here in Greendale. Also, why is it that he would also be in such a rush to head home and not even be there when my son and your seemingly adoptive daughter arrives and you're nowhere to be seen. And finally, why is it when I ask my son anymore about it, his lips seal tighter than the grip of the Cirnish crab?"
Miller brought his hand up to his face and covered his mouth. He stared directly into the eyes of the most famed bluffer and con man to have ever lived. Even if Miller wanted to, he could not force himself to call Connor's bluff. Connor leaned back on the counter as he did, he did not break eye contact even for a second.
"I do believe you know a great many things Connor, but tell me, if I were the sum of your assumptions, what would you do?"
"I'd do a lot but here's what I wouldn't do," Connor said with a smile. "I wouldn't do anything to serve as an aid to the King."
"So, what do you want to know, exactly what?"
"Are you still in service to Gregoria?"
"Aye, I'm a Ritter of Gregoria, my service lasts until I draw my last breath."
"Are you by chance responsible for several defectors against the King of Asmeria, attaining safe passage to Gregoria."
"Let's say I was, then what?"
"Then my friend, I'd like you to be under my employ. I've received word that there are many merchants and former authorities who are trying to make their way to Gregoria which would do two things, hurt the King and make me a lot of coins."
"So you're telling me that you want to turn my ability to smuggle men and women alike to Gregoria into a business?"
"In a sense, yes, now I have no loyalty to the King of the house of Asmeria. I'd like nothing more than to see it burnt to the ground. But, alas, I'm no politician, but I do have the blood of the great house of Scottkey running in my veins and I owe the royal family a debt of blood and wrath for what they did to my father and mother."
"Ha, I don't owe them that much Mister Scottkey, but I cannot accept your offer right now. I have another man that'd I'd have to talk to first. I must say, you are terrifying when you get someone on the fence."
"Ah, tis' but the life of a dishonest merchant." Connor chuckled as he stood up straight. "As far as I'm aware Miller, you're a friend of my son and my family. Above all else, you are a Ritter of Gregoria and I'd trust no one else with my schemes."
"Take those supplies, they're my gift to you for being a friend, no strings attached," Connor said as he walked to the door. "Now, the men under my employ will start arriving very soon. It's best that you and Miss Ruby here take your leave unless there's anything else you need." Connor said as he opened the door.
"No, but I'll keep your offer in mind and I do believe a meeting should be in order soon. At least before I depart for Gregoria next month."
"I'd love to have a sit down with you on the topic," Connor whispered to Miller as he exited the store.
"I'll await word from you Connor, Allies of Gregoria are far and few, but most welcome," Miller said as he started down the street. "Come on Ruby, time to head home."
Connor went back inside and readied the shop to open once his employees arrived. Several men worked at his shop, all of whom were under the age of thirty and had experience as clerks and salesmen. Connor also had just bought another shop owned by an older gentleman who was running the shop along with his two slaves. His name was Keller and he was a very good man as far as Connor could tell, though he did have a short temper he was never violent.
Connor greeted Keller who took over the store in Connor's absence. Connor looked up to the clock tower in the church in the center of town and saw that he had half an hour until Lord Daniels's speech. He made his way to the central plaza at a leisurely pace and took his time viewing other shops and vendors as he often did. It was a good way to see what had the people's interest when it came to goods.
Connor arrived several minutes early to the speech and saw that there was a crowd growing in the plaza. Connor made his way towards the front of the crowd and stood just below the balcony of the church. There were many religions in Asmeria, in the south they worshiped the Kno which was the God of peace and justice. Along the coast they worshiped the Zima who was the Goddess of wind and good fortune. However, the Tyrant King tried to create his own religion and had the church of Asmeria created which was relatively unharmed during the war.
Connor turned his attention to the balcony as the crowd started getting more energetic Two bannermen carrying the Seal of the Territory, which was made by Lord Daniels. Then the Lord of the land made his first showing since the announcement at the horse stadium. He gestured to the crowd to become silent and cleared his throat.
"Good morning to you, the commoners of Greendale. Forgive me for not addressing you sooner, I have been incredibly busy with hunting down traitors fleeing Asmeria and spies that aid them. It has come to the attention of his majesty the King that our Northern border has been left weakened and indefensible by the Gregorian's during the last war. It has fallen upon myself and those I am to rule over to build new defenses and structures to protect ourselves should any nation try to attack from the north again." Lord Daniels exclaimed with enthusiasm. "This will, of course, bring with it new opportunities for the economy of the territory and bring you, the commoners of Greendale, plenty of opportunities for work and coin alike."
Connor started to think about all of the outcomes that could happen if he secured a deal with Lord Daniels to supply and help finance the construction of such a project. His face lit up with a newfound opportunity. Connor knew that there could only be a few things more profitable than the construction of a castle.
"People of Greendale, in order to finance the castle the tax on entry and exit of the inner township will be raised to fourteen coppers and all of the coin produced in this way will be sent to the trust for the castle. My men will post letters around on bulletin boards and any establishment that would like to spread the word."
"The Scottkey General Store will gladly help spread the word!" Connor shouted.
"So will the Black's Tavern!" Another man shouted. Connor assumed it was Jonathan Black, the owner of Black's Tavern. Then suddenly several other men shouted that they'd help, but the one voice that was heard the clearest was Connor's and Lord Daniels was able to look straight down at Connor and gave a subtle gesture to him.
Connor turned and headed back to his shop, he had heard enough of the speech. He needed to head back and make ready for a grand scheme that could make him a fortune.