Chapter 29 – Logistics

“I’m open to additional suggestions to address the problem.” James said to Godfrey and Galdren. They were discussing the issue of relocation of the craftsmen. Practically all the people who had given their oath of fealty wanted to move their families and relocate to Sanctuary.

“I canna seem to see a way around it my king. People will take notice of so many dis’a’pearin.” Galdren said.

“I am more than happy to transport everyone back and forth every day.” Godfrey replied.

“No. That’a won’t work. Most of us don’t even want to work in our ole shoppes after we get the chance to work with what’s here. This be a dream come true. It’s like dangling the best mead in front of a man and then tellin him he can’t have it. This place calls to our hearts and souls.” Galdren replied.

“That I can understand master smith. This place feels more like home than any other.” Godfrey agreed.

“Don’t get me wrong my king. We will do as you command even if it leaves an ache in my heart.” Galdren continued.

James waved off Galdren’s concerns. “No Galdren. I’ll not deny my new charges their hearts desire for the wonders I’ve created here. I built this place for more than myself. We just need to be smart about this.”

A thought started to form in James’s mind. “Hmmm. How many of the shops next to your forge would be abandoned?”

Galdren stroked his beard in thought. “Well let me think.... If all the smiths we recruited moved, that’d be three shoppes to the left of my store and five to the right. Keep in mind some of those are tanners and military stock leather workers as the hoity-toity nobles can’t stand the smell near where they shop so the only area they are allowed is in the military quarter.”

“What about the craftsmen and artisans in the other quarters. Any of them have shops near each other?”

“Of course, my king! Several have been neighbors for generations. The biggest grouping would be about seven shoppes towards the border between the Artisan and Trade quarters.” Galdren replied.

“That’s actually perfect.” Prince James stated.

“How so, my king?” Galdren asked.

“What if we demolition the shops and build a transport hub and open market? Oath place would become an actual transport hub where we build a teleportation pad keyed to those that have magically given the oath of fealty. You could teleport goods from here to the hub and transport them via carts to the rest of the city or kingdom for that matter.” James said.

“Master, why not just teleport goods rather than use carts?” Godfrey asked.

“In time Godfrey. We first should get people used to this concept. People will realize we are using spatial magic to teleport things across a very long distance. We need them to understand that concept first. Plus, we must deal with some corrupt nobles beforehand anyway. This will begin to change trade as we know it. Heck we could probably find a few traders and merchants interested in joining up or at the very least take advantage of the benefits this could bring.”

“As always you think of everything!” Godfrey said once again impressed by how ingenious his creator is.

“No Godfrey. I do what I can but never stop questioning or looking at things from multiple angles and perspectives. This is how we come up with even better plans. I appreciate your praise of my gifts, but if I believe in what I was taught, I was made in my creator’s image, so I shift my thanks to THE creator in helping me be able to create now. A bit complicated perhaps but it helps me remain centered and not get too full of myself and what I can do.” James answered.

“I acknowledge your humility master and understand your disregard of pride. You made it clear in my creation that pride cometh before the fall. Regardless, it is most impressive what you consider Master.” Godfrey replied.

“I follow my gut; it guides me well. Now, shifting focus back to the subject at hand. What do you think Galdren, could it work?” James asked.

“It be bold and ambitious, I like it! Hahaha!” Galdren laughed thinking of the fools who turned him down when he tried to recruit them to his king’s cause. ‘Those idiots are gonna be beggin or be bitter. Either way I am gonna enjoy the looks on their daft faces!’

“Talk to everyone Galdren and get all the shoppes in the conglomerate’s name as soon as possible. We will do this in phases starting with an overhaul of your old forge to lay the foundation of the giant teleportation circle. After that, we begin tearing down the adjacent buildings to build larger warehouses and the transportation hub. Those buildings will need magical locks and security measures to keep our goods safe from unwanted visitors.” James laid out the initial part of his plan.

Turning to Godfrey James said, “Thinking we can do this without keeping it a secret will be impossible without some additional help. Go find Sloane and bring them here. It’s time to start bringing some of my personal royal knights into the fold.”

“As you command master.” Godfrey said before instantly teleporting away.

Galdren took that as his que to get started and left to go talk to his people. This prompted James to take a seat in the new throne Godfrey and Galdren created for him in the keep. It was gaudy and huge, but they were both so proud when they showed him that he didn’t have the heart to not use it.

It took about 5 minutes before Godfrey returned with a very confused Sloane in tow. ‘Man with the time dilation that’s extremely fast.’ Prince James thought.

“Five minutes Godfrey?” James asked.

Misinterpreting the question Godfrey replied, “Sorry I took so long Master. I put a tracking spell on Sloane so I could find him at a moment’s notice, but I did not account for the time dilation effects. Please forgive me Master, I deserve to be punished!”

Sighing and shaking his head James said “Sigh. No Godfrey I am impressed you are thinking ahead. Remember to maintain your composure in front of others. You are my honorable butler and attaché.”

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“Understood master. It may take me time to adapt as every fiber in my being wants to serve you and the thought of failure feels unbearable.” Godfrey replied.

“Do what you can.” Prince James stated in resignation.

Turning his attention to Sloane who was still recovering from the abrupt location change. “Sloane, welcome to Sanctuary. There is much I must tell you and before this day is out, I will require more of you. Let me know when you’ve collected your wits, and I will begin.”

Sloane shook his head and took a few moments to regain his center of gravity. “I am ready now, my liege. I was not expecting such a change in scenery. What is this place?”

Prince James smiled. “Come, let me show you around and share with you what I have been up to.”

It took some time to bring Sloane up to speed on everything. The spymaster had their suspicions Prince James was keeping secrets. However, when he received the tour of Sanctuary, Sloane finally began to realize how big those secrets were.

When Sloane realized he was the first of Prince James’s personal royal knights to be brought to this place, it gave Sloane a sense of pride and even greater appreciation of his liege. Sloane didn’t even have to be asked before reaffirming a magical oath of fealty and silence, he once again bent the knee and gave an even deeper oath to make it clear where his loyalties lie.

“Thank you, my friend, for your recommitment. We have much to accomplish, it is why I want you to work closely with Tina. She can help bring you here when needed. Her teleportation powers are limited in comparison to Godfrey, but you will still find her ability to bring you here invaluable. Come, let me take you to my new council chambers.” Prince James explained.

“Council?” Sloane asked in confusion.

Smiling, James replied, “You’ll see.”

James modified the throne room in the keep adding some additional chairs along the sides starting right below the stairs up to the throne itself. He would’ve preferred a separate council chamber with a central round table, but this concession was given for now until more join the ranks. Once Sloane, Godfrey, and Galdren sat in a few of those chairs James continued the conversation. “Now that Sloane is here and up speed, let me share my concept with you.”

“Here I thought I was up to speed, and I thought I had secrets.” Sloane grumbled.

Concept my king?” Galdren asked.

“Yes. I want to form an advisory council for Sanctuary and to see to my interests on the continent. They would see to matters in Sanctuary and help to run the conglomerate. Oh, and they would coordinate with my spymaster on all intelligence matters, whether it be of a competitor or a rival faction.” Prince James explained.

“Ambitious, but to be expected from my king.” Galdren commented.

“Having the merchants and craftsmen you bring in as additional eyes and ears is smart. Many of them already work with my contacts, so this will work out nicely.” Sloane stated.

Galdren raised a bushy eyebrow at Sloane. “That be sounding like you have your hands in the syndicate’s pockets.”

“I am the syndicate.” Sloane stated flatly.

“WHAT?!” Galdren said in shock before turning to Prince James. “My king, did you know about this?!”

“Know about what? That Sloane was the enigmatic unknown ruler of the city’s underground? The one some call the Shadow?” Prince James asked, taking a pause for effect before continuing. “Of course. Why do you think he is my spymaster.”

Galdren had risen from his seat in surprise before collapsing back into his seat.

“I do not understand the significance of this matter.” Godfrey stated.

“Aye, you would not know. There are rumors of the horrible things the Shadow did to become the most feared person in the city… heck he made the syndicate. Before it was just a bunch of street gangs, bandits, and random thugs. Some shoppes and traders paid for protection here and there. Now, everyone knows the syndicate gets its cut. Those of us in the Military quarter are not as affected, which is probably why it is now referred to as the smithing and military quarter, but the truth is many of us moved our shoppes there after certain mysterious fires took place over a decade ago.” Galdren said the last part staring daggers at Sloane.

“Yes… the fire was regrettable. Failed negotiations I am afraid. I can assure you heads did roll.” Sloane once again replied matter-of-factly.

“What?! Are ye daft man?! Why would heads rolling make me feel any better?!” Galdren said flabbergasted.

“Heads rolling would make me feel better. Good job Sloane.” Godfrey replied.

“What?! How in the… Why would that make you feel better?!” Galdren said in confusion.

“It is rather simple; they are lesser beings and as such…” Godfrey began to say before being cut off by Prince James.

“That is enough! All of you!”

‘Man, my emotions are way more in control since coming to this world.’ Once he had their full attention Prince James took a deep breath and continued in a more controlled tone. “Galdren, we have all done thing in our past we are not proud of.”

“Why would making heads roll not be something to be proud of?” Godfrey asked in confusion.

Sighing, Prince James looked at Godfrey. “We will get to that later.” Turning back to Galdren, “Sloane told me everything when I made him one of my royal knights. He came to me in private and shared his history with me and his current position he held. No one ever fully accepted him among the military and the royal knights, but they could not dismiss his skills.”

Sloane spoke up. “Prince James was the first to accept me. He looked into my dark soul and told me that I was still capable of good. He saw the worst of me and said I still held something worth redeeming. You do not know what that meant to street rat like me. Who could accept or love the monster I saw myself as, I…” Sloane said, clearly getting choked up as he talked.

Prince James had moved next to Sloane and put his hand on his shoulder sending a wave of acceptance and understanding through their Party Link.

“The hardest thing we must accept is the ugly parts of ourselves. No one is a harsher judge of us than our own mind. We have free will but make choices that can have lasting affects to how we see the person we are inside.” Prince James said with a clear understanding and pain in his voice.

Galdren thought in surprise, ‘How can one so young have felt so much pain? I can hear it in his voice.’

“I know too many this does not mean anything and no one respectable knows this but as part of taking over and creating the syndicate, Sloane removed the rather twisted practices that existed in the city. Things like child trafficking and brutal torture of innocents.” Prince James stated.

“No matter how bad your situation growing up, you have no excuse to brutally rape and kill children. Such individuals deserve slow and painful deaths.” Sloane growled as he recalled some of the horrors he witnessed growing up.

“And that is why you are a good man Sloane. You see it is a fine line between darkness and light. A good man is not one who is incapable of terrible things, that is a weak man, not a good one. No, a man who is capable of violence and terrible things but tempers that, those are the people I want by my side and those are the ones that shall inherit this world.” Prince James spoke those words with a level of conviction that radiated out from him.

Everyone present knew that that statement was core to who Prince James was and it gave Galdren a new perspective.

“I not be sayin I understand everythin, but I also know I have made my own mistakes in life or done things I not be proud of. Prince James is right, if you were the one who stopped such atrocities then I would be honored to stand beside ya in battle, and make no mistake, I think a fight is unavoidable the way my king keeps shattering the status quo.” Galdren said as he stuck his hand out to Sloane.

Sloane grasped the wrists of the surly and stalwart dwarf.

Galdren smiled, “Now that you are part of the council, how about we celebrate with a drink?”

Chuckling Prince James decided to get them back on the topic he wanted to discuss, security.

“Later Galdren, you and Sloane can get plastered later.”

“Plastered? Why would we do that. I be talking about drinkin!” Galdren replied in confusion.

‘Damn idioms!’ Prince James thought before replying. “It is an expression meaning getting completed fall down drunk!”

“Oh… Why did you not just say that?” Galdren answered before shrugging his shoulders. “I keep forgetting my king was raised in isolation, some weird terms are to be expected I guess.” Galdren said the last part more to himself but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Steering the subject once again back to what he wanted. “Yes, now that has been resolved… Let’s discuss security and whom if any we bring into this secret from the rest of my personal royal knights.”