The day after the Award Ceremony, Will's house was swamped with guests. Will and Elizabeth stood at the door entrance and greeted guests. Barons, Viscounts, Earls, and the Duke all came to pay their respects, and talk business.
While Will spoke individually to each guest, he silently admired Elizabeth's effortless greeting guests, while overseeing the servants.
Elizabeth arrived for tea, first thing in the morning to congratulate Will. Yet, she transitioned to her hostess role faster than Will when the first guest was announced.
Will knew Elizabeth hated the duplicity of Yorkshire, but she had been trained for this type of thing. Marshaling Ms. Park, the housekeeper, and Ms. O'Daniel the cook, fancy silver trays of hors d'oeuvres, charcuterie, and pastries were served expertly.
While most came to congratulate him, a few men inquired about the cost of gaining his seal. The Yorkshire Merchant Guild Master Earl Alexander vont Calvin was the first to openly congratulate on his coup of gaining the Friendship Valley and the trade route between. Albania and Fermion.
"I love your guile, but I think too ambitious this time," said Earl Alexander vont Calvin.
"Why, do you claim so?" Will asked curiously.
"Have you heard the stories of the men that tried to settle that land?" Earl vont Calvin asked
"No," Will said shaking his head.
"They disappeared! Just gone, and never heard from again. That was over 100 years ago," Earl vont Calvin warned.
"Thank you Guild Master vont Calvin. I shall certainly keep up my guard," Will said.
"If you are serious in your intentions, I advise you to visit the slave market. Cheaper labor makes for fast construction," He suggested.
"Yes, my intentions are serious. I will take your offer and visit the slave market," Will said.
"The discretions of youth. I admire your confidence. Keep your wits lad," Earl vont Calvin said.
After leaving the Earl, it wasn't long before another guest pulled Will to the side.
"You surprised me today. I was expecting you to have back to Death, I mean Friendship Valley so soon!" Duke vont Whitby chuckled.
"Yes, I plan to build my barony on the other side of the river, away from the remains of the dead," Will said.
"They say liches, and powerful dead walk the Valley forest at night," Duke vont Whitby said trying to scare Will.
"Your grace, I will protect your daughter from all harm," Will said bowing respectfully.
"See to that, I do want to send my army to rescue you," the Duke laughed.
Throughout the evening Will heard one scary story, after another about the horrors the await him in his valley.
"Are you enjoying the evening?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm well. I rather enjoy the bedtime stories people keep telling me. But, how are you? I know you detest these engagements" Will said.
"I don't mind them if they are for you?" Elizabeth said.
"Well thank you, you're doing a marvelous hostess," Will said.
"Yes, this is a much better party. No one is plotting to kill you, they all think you'll die anyway," Elizabeth said bluntly.
"I guess…that is a positive? Will said unsure how to receive that statement.
Slowly the night ended and the guest trickled out.
The reception ended late, Elizabeth was the last to leave.
"Farewell Elizabeth, I look forward to the day you don't have to leave," Will said assertively.
"I do as well," Elizabeth yawned and then her carriage pulled away.
Will mimicked Elizabeth's yawn and quickly fell asleep.
In the morning, Will awoke surprised to hear sounds of laughter.
After freshening up, Will made his way down to the dining hall. Elizabeth ate fresh grapefruit with a spoon. Fresh fruit and flowers made the house smell like citrus.
"May, I ask what's so funny?" Will said waiting for the servants to serve him his food.
"I just remembered all the women at the party who looked at me with envy and sadness," Elizabeth laughed.
"Sadness?" Will raised and his left eyebrow as he ate his porridge.
"Yes, they think you're going to die," Elizabeth said laughing. All the servants in the room cringed, even her maid. To bring up death first thing in the morning was not the height of table manners.
Elizabeth could go from well mannerly like last night's reception, to wholly ignorant of social cues. That is what's made Elizabeth different. She did not put on social airs all the time.
"You disagree with them?" Will asked.
"I've seen you fight twice in Death Valley, I know how capable you are," Elizabeth said.
"And the envy?" Will asked curiously.
"Dear William, when you settle Friendship Valley, your estate shall be as large or larger than the vont Whitby dukedom in the north. With that you'll be almost as rich as my family," Elizabeth smiled.
"Does that please you? Will asked.
It shall please you, which please me," Elizabeth answered diplomatically.
"Indeed," Will said.
"What are your plans for today?" Elizabeth asked.
"I need to hire a household staff and visit the slavers for skilled laborers. Oh, that reminds me, Michael I want you to come with me to my new estate," Will said.
"Very well, Master Will," Michael said.
"Will, Ms. Park, and I shall hire the household staff," Elizabeth said.
"Then, I thank you," Will said.
Will took the carriage to the market, just outside the noble district. The slave market was next to Merchant Guild.
When Will arrived at the slave market, the first thing he notice was the massive size of the building. There was a central structure with two large wings. The building resembled an Earl's manor. The building looked polished and unassuming.
As Will walked in he was greeted by two beautiful, brown hair, green-eyed petit women. They smiled warmly and welcomed into the reception area.
Where free wine, liquor, and more beautiful women waited on him. The room was decorated immaculately. The sales room was focused on plush red sofas. The room was bright, which stood in contrast to Will's assumption.
Will assumed the Slave Market was dark and gloomy, and oppressive.
What impressed Will was the business tactic. The slaves wanted to relax people, make them inebriated, and fleece them out of coin by buying expensive sex slaves that sat before him. The women were well trained, their subtle advances of gently gliding their hands across Will's, or playfully tugging on his clothes, or subtly exposing their scented skin.
Ten minutes later, the salesman arrived getting a ride of the ladies. At that point, most men would've begged to let one stay if not more. But, Will didn't care about these women. Will was only concerned about building his economic empire, which would soon have a corporate office in his fiefdom.
"Greetings! I am Jonathan. I was expecting you Baron William vont Ballard, Lord of Games. Are you perhaps in the market for laborers?" The salesmen greeted him.
"Greeting Mr. Jonathan, I am indeed in the market to purchase construction, farmers, crafters, and artisan," Will said.
"That is quite the long list," Jonathan subconsciously licks his lips at the large sale price.
"Would you like a tour of the building before we complete the contract?" Jonathan asked.
Will immediately agreed, he wanted to peel back the clothing.
Jonathan led Will out of the salesroom to a set of well-decorated rooms.
"These are our premium ladies, they are taught manners and how to serve. Many of the ladies are purchased by lords to serve themselves or their sons.
The level below is our other women. Some of these women will be selected to undergo maid training. Many of these women became debt slaves after their husbands died. When their husband dies, they were killed off their farms by younger me seeking to boast their marriage prospects.
Below the women are the children. These children make excellent laborers and they are extremely loyal, as long as you feed them.
The men are under the children's floor, This is where you'd find your ordinary male laborers. In the basement, that's we you'll find out warriors and beastmen," Jonathan said finishing the two hours tour.
Now, that you know our product what would you like me to show you first?" He asked excitedly.
"Mr. Jonathan, can you fill large order?" Will asked.
"It depends on the guest and the order," he said curiously.
"I want to purchase a 1,000 Debt Soldiers as a month. I want 500 laborers, 25O crafters, 150 farmers, 100 soldiers. I do not care if it's a man or a woman. If there are families send them together," Will said.
"That's expensive…that's almost 100,000 gold a month.
"That's within my price range," Will said.
"I imagine what you'll need most are carpenters, stonemason, blacksmiths, and farmers.
How soon do you want these slaves? Will you provide shelter and food, or Will they have to build their own? Do you want to take them with you to Death Valley or do you want us to bring them later?" Jonathan asked.
"Shelter and food will be provided, I want the first ship to arrive the last week of the second month I the new year. Subsequent deliveries made on by the last week of the month," Will said.
"Are you familiar with slave contracts, Baron vont Ballard?" Jonathan asked.
"I'm somewhat familiar, I bough a slave a year ago," Will answered.
"Excuse me let me check our files?" Jonathan said excusing himself to visit his office.
When he returned, Jonathan said, "yes, you purchased a rural blacksmith. The file says, you transferee ownership to the slave's sister. In that case, these would be your first slaves.
Let me explain, every slave has a magic crest on their chest. A slave can't defy their master's order or run away. A slave that runs away from your radius of authority will have their heart pierced and die. Slave contracts are similar to a vow of silence.
After payment, the delivery salesman will require a drop of your blood to finalize the contract. Then they belong to you until debt slaves fulfilled the terms of their contracts. War and sex slaves are yours forever until you die, you release them, or bequeath them to your offspring," Jonathan said.
"Thank you for the refresher, Mr. Jonathan," Will replied.
"We do require the first payment to be upfront," Jonathan said greedily.
After Will paid, Jonathan said, "As one of our top clients, we like to offer you a free slave. You may choose to take them home today, or we can deliver with the rest," he said.
"What do you suggest?" Will asked.
"Do you fancy the exotic? We have a supply of Albanian women and beastmen. Or might you fancy one of the girls you saw earlier? I can guarantee you those women are extremely talented," Jonathan laughed.
"Tell me more about the beastmen?" Will was curious.
"We always have Tauren in stock. The Slavers Guild breeds them. The men make good fighters, and women are delicate and submissive.
We had an Avian woman, but she was bought quickly. Are you interested in a certain race?" He asked.
"Wolf Tribe," was all could say without revulsion. The idea of breeding a human population for slavery was the greatest of depravity. On Earth, slavery ended centuries ago. Slavery and indentured servitude were very different.
"Let me check our books, those creatures are rare. They are known for their cunning and aggressive fighting. We rarely have them in stock, oh, I do have a 7-year-old mut. She has a Wolf mother and human father, both deceased. Would you like her? Jonathan asked.
"Yes! Treat her with the greatest care, pamper her. Educate her in both manners and literature. When's delivered but her a beautiful dress," Will said.
"Of course! And please know we keep our patrons' proclivities secret. In the future, you'll have the first choice at all the young Wolf pups we find," Jonathan said.
"Wait, no! You misunderstand—,"Will tried to explain.
"Baron you are not the first to request young girls. We have a few nobles who share your interest. We have a long-time customer, I won't say names, who comes by weekly for such request," Jonathan said.
Will was horrified and felt uncomfortable. His morals from Earth clashed with Terra's.
The only reason Will wanted the Wolf Tribe child was to return to the tribe. He imagined the girl, in unpleasant conditions and wanted to rectify her situation immediately. But, no, now, he was branded as a pedophile.
"I'll take my leave," Will said.
"Fair well Baron!" Jonathan bowed respectfully.