Land of Outlaws.
Unlike the impression of the commoners from the singing of the bards, the Land of the Outlaws is not such an untidy place. Notorious for its vile name only adjacent to the Dark Forest, and housing the most heinous of criminals, the Land of Outlaws develops to have many names. The Pit. Fallen Ridge. And most widespread of all, the Dark Lands as if in parallel with the fearsome Dark Forest.
Despite these negative descriptions of one of the most dangerous places in the world, the Dark Lands actually has more 'order' if compared to the other places. Even a few nobles will find their territorial management skills inferior to the bunch of hooligans of the Dark Lands. It is because of the hands-on approach of the various leaders of several ruling powers local to this abominable place of rejects.
The Dark Lands is truly a very interesting place.
In the Far East, there is a large patch of land belonging to the criminals, unaffiliated, and outcasts. As the nexus of the underworld, the Dark Lands possess complex power structures that has been existing for a long time. Under city-state governance, the competent crime bosses of the Dark Lands are perpetually facing constant tests for their survival against their fellow city-state rulers.
For Varen, as a new arrival in the Dark Lands, he should not underestimate them. That is why in the first couple of months since arriving in the Dark Lands, he prioritizes the gathering of information, thus the creation of an information agency that goes by the name 'Ratatoskr' which his majesty generously names them. Specializing in selling information, Ratatoskr quickly grows its presence.
With a cautious attitude, Varem makes sure to study the state of affairs of the Dark Lands with avid interest. Using a small contingent of elves, Varen makes sure to avoid troubles and simply focuses on making connections.
And immediately after a year, at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, Ratatoskr has already become a small powerhouse with substantial capital and considerable influence.
In that short year, Varen has always been at the forefront. Earning the nickname, Blind Heart, the Dark Lands acknowledges Varen's status as an underworld boss. And from when they finally take root in the Dark Lands, the elves then begin their crazy expansion behind the scenes.
The King's appointment to him for this task speaks of how much confidence his majesty has in his abilities. And this must be true for the others too as Varen recalls how his majesty allows him to use his own discretion as to how to accomplish his task.
He must will as the King decrees, and with this mindset, Varen throws himself into the job.
"Reporting," Standing in attention in front of Varen is Opina carrying a set of parchment in her hands. As the only elf to be able to read among Ratatoskr, it falls on her responsibility to report to Varen. "Some compact crossbows are already finished. Our agents are already using them. It is good foresight that we are bringing some artisans here in the Darklands. Also, on Lameya's part, according to her, she is already starting to buy off the many brothels within several cities. Before winter, she believes we can take full control of the brothel business of at least half of the Dark Lands."
In a shabby almost suffocating cabin, Varen idly listens to the reports taking mental note of the plans in motion. "Opina, did you get me a tutor? Since our power here is stabilizing, I should take my time to improve myself. Moreover, I cannot have you read this to me over and over again. It is a waste of time for the two of us. I would rather read over these reports myself, and I guess, you feel the same. It is pretty boring work, doesn't it?" Varen frankly says his feelings making Opina sigh.
"Do not be impatient, boss, we just bought an elf slave yesterday. He seems to have a gambling addiction, but he is quite literate when it comes to different languages including elven runes. As you know, I cannot just teach you it, because the elven runes are actually a difficult language." Opina might not look like it, but she knows at least three writing forms, which is a big deal in the current era.
As the only literate elf in Ratatoskr, she has to go and meet the agents directly to get the 'valuable information' from them, so that she can write them on paper. After that, she must read them to Varen.
For Opina and Varen, this is quite a hassle. There is even one time when Varen suggests that Opina become the leader, but Opina vehemently rejects the position for fear of responsibility and a great lack of ideas on how she should build the Ratatoskr from the ground up. Even with Varen assisting her, Opina is not confident.
Opina continues on her report devoting herself to the new secretary role. "Speaking of expenditures, we bought pigeons recently, and I believe we will be able to mold our information system within the coming summer. The Pilgrims can use this system and I believe it will prove to be convenient for us."
Varen nods in approval at Opina's words.
Gangs, criminal organizations, and all sorts of backhanded deals are prevalent in the Dark Lands. As they are no state laws governing this area, people might think that the only way for the denizens of the Dark Lands to survive is through criminal ventures, but that is not exactly right.
Most often, the crime bosses of the Dark Lands have a connection or two to the empire, kingdoms, nobles, and all kinds of people outside the Land of Outlaws. The relationship is similar to how Varen is currently in liaison with the merchant Wisley.
After receiving the orders from Her Highness, Varen immediately acts on them even going as far as to visit Wisley, a seemingly old familiar character. At the same time, Varen also takes his time to check the state of affairs of the Beyronald Kingdom. And not to his surprise, the quarter elf Ririn Zaun.
So in essence every crime boss actually has at least one legitimate business outside the Dark Lands excluding the various illegal businesses inside the Dark Lands. It is ironic to hear how most of a crime boss's income comes from outside businesses that are legitimate. Varen knows for he is a crime boss himself.
"Boss," Opina calls to Varen who for some reason looks to be sleeping despite just as usually closing his eyes. "The merchant Wisley wishes an increase to the coca products."
"Give it to him," Varen easily makes a decision.
Currently, Ratatoskr has many businesses including the export of goods to the galleons by the coast, the planting of unique luxurious produce like coca, and as usual, the selling of exclusive information which is Ratatoskr's roots.
"Information is King," This is one of the few quotes that his majesty likes to say.
Varen hears it more clearly in his head now than ever. He realizes how much power can intelligence give as long as a person can wield it right, and only through the trials and errors of trying to make a place for himself in the Dark Lands did he learn of how profound the quote is.
The secret of the Ratatoskr's rise is definitely due to their selling of information, and their biggest contributors are definitely the Pilgrims that even to this continue to roam the world spreading the words of the King, and helping every elf they can reach.
Because of the extensive distance from the Dark Lands to the outside, information about the Ezelea Continent has become a luxury commodity. The terrain in between the Dark Lands is especially menacing. In this day and age, the 'timeliness' of the information will even suffer.
However, despite that, the elves still manage to make a business out of selling information. With the use of pigeons and outposts, Varen hopes to increase the range of their network and speed up the spread of information. This way, they can have a monopoly on information. Maybe in the future, they can also expand their business in selling information.
The problem though is that they must think of an innovative way how to use outposts so plainly and obviously that they will only cause them self-harm. In the first place, Varen is borrowing the idea of pigeons as messenger birds from humans.
Suddenly, Lameya comes shouting from the door. Because the cabin is small, Opina is slightly standing by the door, so when Lameya pushes the door open hard, Opina flies away hurt.
"You bitch!" Opina exclaims.
Ignoring Opina, Lameya continues to stick to her business revealing the exciting news.
"Captain! We found an elven ruin! I think it is a prophecy of the silver-haired King!"
Varen hastily stands up with nervousness at the news of an elven ruin.
"Take me there!"