AT THE ROYAL CAPITAL
Merchant Fredrick is about to propose "his" Idea to the Merchants Guild about building a frontier settlement.
"Ahh Fredrick long time no see" a man said behind him.
"Oh, Yes indeed it has been a while" Fredrick says looking towards the man quickly remembering who he was "What brings you to the Guild?"
"Business Fredrick just business anyways what about you?, you rarely come here"
"Oh i just have some business to attend to then I'm out of the city"
Fredrick said his good-bye's to the man and entered the Merchant Guilds main building. Walking up to the receptionist. "I have a meeting with the Council"
"Oh Mr. Fredrick, yes you do indeed please follow me" The receptionist said leading Fredrick to a door leading to a basement. "The council will see you now".
Fredrick walks into the room, walking in he could smell incense and many expensive candles, the walls decorated with expensive things such as magical beasts heads swords and such. Looking ahead of him a long table where ten people sat, all observing Fredrick.
These people are the most influential and rich Merchants in the kingdom, Having connections to the most prominent figures in the kingdom, Aristocrats Military officers and the royal family as well. 'Damn kid, I'm starting to regret doing this now'.
"Mr. Fredrick this is the first time you have visited, why come now?" the man in the middle said.
"Oh well it's because I seek support from the council on one of my projects"
"A project? what might that be"
"Well i plan to make a settlement on the Frontiers"
"What?"
"What's he talking about"
"This fool"
"Everyone calm down" said the man in the center "Let Him continue"
Fredrick is now scared and embarrassed 'Oh god' Ahem he regains his composure and reveals to the council his "Plan" that Asher devised for him.
"I know that the frontier is dangerous and any attempt on trying to make a settlement there failed, But it was because we thought of bringing in Citizens and settlers there"
So Fredrick told the council on "his" plan to bring in adventurers and retired military personnel as well as artisans. They asked questions and he answered them with some confidence.
So Fredrick finally convinced the council members and they agreed for him to take loans and have given support in his endeavor. As he left the council room he is stopped by the man in the middle.
"Fredrick what's your relationship with Merchant Harold?"
"Harold? Well we just talk but it's him that usually does the talking"
"I'd be careful around him, rumors have been going around"
"What kind of rumors?"
The man in the middle then tells him, apparently Harold has been a suspected of working with the Serpents Guild a Guild that deals in robbery and slave trading providing them with information about other Merchants and the Merchants Guild to the Serpents Guild.
"Thanks for telling me sir" Fredrick bows.
"Just call me Will" says the man. "Well off you go now"
Fredrick sighed a breath of relief and retired to the Inn where he is staying. Later deciding to go and eat at a local restaurant.
He placed his order and sat down only to be confronted with Harold the man who talked to him before his meeting with the Council.
"Fredrick, how was your meeting with the council?" Harold asked.
"Ehhh... Uh, It went well"
"Really? what was it about?"
Fredrick looked at Harold annoyed and suspicious "It's a secrete Harold now please excuse me"
Harold smiles "Heh, I was just asking, no harm in that"
"Well you're asking the wrong questions Harold now please leave" Fredrick said in a stern voice 'I've heard some things about him, anyone who partners with him either end up dead or in dept'
Harold's smile wavered for a bit revealing his anger towards Fredrick, fixing his smile he replies "Alright, alright I'll be going now".
As Harold leaves he couldn't help but wonder if he made an enemy of Harold, it's best to steer clear of him.
Fredrick then spends two months at the capital gathering resources materials and man power as well as inviting other Merchants, artisans, blacksmiths and tailors asking them if they would like to start a new life and earn some profit at the Frontier. As well as adventurers and retired guards and soldiers who are looking for work.
Finally after getting everything prepared and ready, he finally sets off towards the Ashflames territory, He delivered a letter to Asher telling him that he has done what the instructions said. But Fredrick still chose to ride ahead wishing to arrive there early and set things up.
The journey will take him less time to go there if he goes ahead of the group leaving for the Frontier. Together with his Carriage, coach man and four Guards they continued on.
It was on his last day until he arrives to the Territory where he is stopped by some one. Looking out and realizing who it was Fredrick was instantly angry and scared at the same time.
"Harold what do you think your doing?"
The man was Harold and he has blocked the road with his carriage.
"What do you think Fredrick? I'm robbing you" Harold yells.
Fredrick wasn't surprised but he wasn't expecting Harold to try to rob him this early.
"It was a good thing you went ahead of your caravan" Harold says smiling. "You see that would have proved troublesome, i wasn't expecting you to gather adventurers and retired soldiers and guards and when i found out that you were going ahead of them i just couldn't contain my joy that i came here to personally rob you"
Fredrick was of course scared but this was to be expected "I know your robbing me but why?"
Harold laughs "That's simple, you see i heard in thought the Grapevine that you were trying to build a settlement on the frontier, so i went and looked for you to offer you my help but you rejected me in a way that i took offense to"
It was Fredrick's turn to laugh "You were just gonna rob me in the end that's why I turned you down"
"Well it doesn't matter I'm gonna kill you anyways" Harold says walking towards them. Prompting Fredrick's guards to draw their swords.
"Well a bit of advice, you should have brought more guards" Harold says smiling.
"There's one of you and four of them, what are you gonna do?" Fredrick retorts.
"Oh i'm not fighting" Harold says stopping and pointing towards his back "They are"
Looking over Harold's shoulder Fredrick could see ten to around thirty figures behind him. "The Serpents Guild" Fredrick hissed.
Harold then smiles again "Precisely"
Author here please read the authors thoughts. It will clear some things up.