Gerard would consider himself a magnanimous man.
Not only did he give employment to orphans he would also take care of women.
He had been a Sea Lord for over 20 years, succeeding the previous one, who was his Mentor.
He had even voted for the Eric merchants to get their first seat on the council.
Gerard only had two misgivings. His love of coin and women.
The coin was all-powerful, it was why Gerard became a merchant. He loved it's glint. The way the gold would sheen in candlelight. It was always so hard for Gerard to choose the best woman in comparison.
Every one of them was a mistress compared to his love.
And that was how much he loved women. Beautiful women. Gerard wasn't satisfied with one, he wanted all the beautiful women in the world. But they didn't like him, Gerard tried to woo them with money and gifts. He couldn't understand why they wouldn't love the most beautiful thing in the world.
Gerard live unsatisfied until one day he was introduced to the sweet leaf. An acquaintance brought some to a private business meeting for some casual use, but Gerard could immediately see how it could be used.
He poured money into the industry, it allowed him to get both the things he wanted. The drug sold well and made him money, it also could be used to get him whatever "toy" he wanted.
Gerard lived a happy life.
Until he found the flour, the managers had been talking about how one of the orphan boys had come back with a bag of flour and how the children hadn't eaten in three days. They thought it was odd until they investigated one of the kitchens and found the flour.
Gerard investigated the flour and the boy. The boy was easy to get an answer out of. He was attached to one of Gerard's toys after all.
At first, it was simply business as usual. He was surprised to find that the flour didn't come from some merchant but rather was being sold by a young girl.
He licked his lips at the thought. He sent an invitation to the girl and instructions for her to obtain a dress from as store Gerard would patron. The Madame who ran the shop was always willing to accept his request for… Dress modifications.
It was a simple trick, something Gerard had always done with female merchants. They would always beg to have the slave collar taken off.
When it was time to come to the party Gerard had to excuse himself for a moment.
He had seen a fairy.
A girl, unlike the women he had escorting him.
Her bright eyes and charming little smile made his loins quiver. Pure pale unmarked limbs, a beautiful nymphet. It was that day, Gerard wanted to make her his.
But she was a smart little bird. She had managed to remove the slave collar that he order to be installed, an action that displeased him greatly. He suspected foul play and would deal with the Madame later.
Still,
That night Gerard spent with his "toys" none of them could satisfying the fire in his loins. He beat them black and blue and he was still flustered. When he left the room and looked at his handiwork, he had them replaced. There were still plenty of them to spare.
Every time he thought of her, he would feel his "son" harden. Oh, how he wanted to bruise and mar those limbs. To ruin that little charming smile, see a sweat-stained face scrunched up filled with pain.
Oh how it aroused him!
He had her investigated and learned something interesting.
The little bird was a criminal.
He sent his guard, the best adventurer from the kingdom that money could buy, to bully her and get information on her scheming
She turned him down. Why couldn't she recognize his greatness! His charm! His coin!
The next week he heard an interesting report. One of his toys was stolen. The guards were incapacitated.
[Bitch!]
Oh, how he loathed and loved her. Bellmont had recently been infatuated with her as well. He would get rid of that fool soon enough. Bellmont spent all day talking about her and the "fan club" he had created.
Useless shit! Sharing her? Basking in her greatness?
The fuck!
But he had enough information. That elf girl and the girl were both on the run. He could coordinate with the Faramouth merchants. They disliked the Eris factions and would be happy to cooperate with Gerard.
He had to wipe the drool off his chin when he thought of the idea of capturing her.
Gerard didn't like the Faramouth Merchants, but they were useful to work with at least.
Fawks would be a pain in his side no longer. Gerard once tried to work with Fawks to create a combined Atlean and Eric faction to counter the Faramouth majority but Fawks didn't want to serve under Gerard.
His loss.
The girl would be his!