EXPANDING OPERATIONS
“Welcome, Lady Reinhart. Please, right this way. We have reserved the lift for your use.” A high-elven woman greeted her as she arrived at the Banking Guild headquarters.
Sloane looked up, the headquarters was at the top of a three-hundred-and-fifty-meter high butte. A large lift was the only expedient way to reach it. There was a spiraling staircase that reached the top… You won’t catch my ass walking up there. That’s a ‘nah’ from me.
The lift exited a building that was at the base, and one that had plenty of guards. Security here was higher than anywhere else she’d been yet. She was happy that she’d only brought along Stefan and Elodie, it didn’t look like they would allow more than one guard to accompany her.
“Thank you, that wasn’t necessary. I am sure you are very busy.” Sloane said.
The woman blinked. “Nevertheless, the Grandmaster has ordered it, so we will abide,” she stated.
Sloane nodded “These are my retainers–”
“Yes, Ms. Romaris and Mr. Stranca. We were expecting them as well. Here we are, My Lady.”
Sloane blinked. Well then. They followed the woman onto the lift, which was large and easily room for twenty to thirty people. She stepped up to one of the corners so that she could gaze out through the glass as everything jerked and then started to fall away. The city was gorgeous and looked completely different than anything she had seen or heard of on Earth. It seemed as if every little detail was coordinated and planned to an insane degree, then it surprised her at how well-maintained it was. Everywhere she looked, it completely defied all expectations. If this is what this world has to offer, I need to protect it. A place to fall back on when I find Gwyn.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Elodie said from beside her.
Sloane nodded, not taking her eyes off of the view. The rolling plains in the distance, the gleaming white and gold towers set into the wall, as well as the two towers that sat beyond it, it all was picturesque. “It certainly is. Why did your uncle ever want to leave here?”
Elodie huffed a laugh. “I have asked myself and him that many times. He would never have risen to the point he has without leaving, though. I still enjoyed it every time we would come back here.”
Sloane peeked at the woman, who was also glued to the glass and staring out at the city. “I never asked, do you have family here?”
Elodie smiled and turned her head. “I do. Some distant relatives. My uncle took me in after my parents died in a fire when I was young. He felt it was his duty. Unfortunately, his duty to the Guilds precluded familial interactions most of the time. Most of my rearing was done by a nanny who he hired. He paid for my education here in Marketbol, even. I attended the economics school here and was one of the top students in my class. It was only right that I joined him.”
Sloane nodded. “I can understand that.”
The remainder of the ride passed in silence before the lift settled into place at the terrace above. The elven woman smiled as the gate was opened. “Please, this way, My Lady.”
Sloane and her retainers followed the woman through the headquarters, and she was surprised at how few regular people were around. Everyone she saw seemed to be working somewhere within the building. “It does not seem too busy.”
“Oh, that is because this is where decisions are made for the whole of the Banking Guild. There aren’t many reasons for everyday business to be conducted here. There is another location down in the city for actual banking needs,” Elodie said.
The assistant nodded. “Quite right, Ms. Romaris. Here we are, Grandmaster Markus will join you momentarily.”
Sloane thanked the woman and walked into a room with a large table and expansive glass windows that spanned almost the entire wall. A single seat was positioned on the side in front of the glass and three chairs were positioned on the side closest to her. That tall backed chair was thus framed by a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its Hall of Governance. I imagine this would be pretty intimidating to most. While the view was certainly something, she’d had the opportunity of seeing other such views on Earth in various meetings.
Sloane sat in the center of the three seats and several attendants stepped forward, setting a glass of water with what looked like thin slices of lime inside in front of each of them. They were left alone and Elodie prepared herself by removing all of their needed documents from a satchel and placing them on the table. Stefan also took the time to grab the case with the Runecard and terminal from his own bag.
She took a sip of water. Then satisfied they were ready, Sloane cracked her knuckles, folded her hands together, and set them on top of the table.
A few minutes later, the door behind her opened and the old elf that she recalled from the council meeting entered. Sloane stood and turned. “Grandmaster Markus. Thank you for having us.”
The man smiled and held out a hand, “Please, call me Markus, My Lady.”
Sloane smirked and grasped the man’s hand, the old man responded with a surprisingly firm shake. “As long as you call me, Sloane.”
“Wonderful! Now, I see you have Ms. Elodie with you, so I am assuming you come highly recommended by my friend Lanthil.”
Elodie pulled out the rolled-up letter that Guildmaster Romaris had written and sealed. “I have a letter written personally by my uncle for the Guild Council. I-I did not expect us to meet with you personally.”
Markus chuckled as he accepted and broke the seal on the letter. “For the warning you gave, I could do no less.”
“Will the city be able to get aid in time?”
“We aren’t sure. General Irileth sent out riders the moment we finished the meeting. We also sent scouts toward Agenval. I suspect he will also ask to meet with you,” he said.
Sloane nodded. “I will ensure I am available for a meeting.”
The old man grunted softly before his eyes scanned over the letter, a brow raising before his eyes darted to the case that Stefan had placed on the table. “Hmm.”
Sloane tilted her head, but let the man take his time.
With subtle nods, he placed the letter on the table and tapped a finger on top of it. “May I see it?”
Sloane glanced at Stefan and nodded. The raithe got up and walked around the table with the case, opening and removing the items inside then placing them in front of the Grandmaster.
He gently lifted the runecard, examining it, humming to himself as he did. Sloane smiled and started explaining how the items worked. Showing off the functionality of the runecard. The old elf nodded along as he watched with rapt attention, allowing her to explain everything before sitting back. He crossed his arms and stared down at the items in front of him.
“Do you know why the Banking Guild has the influence it does, Lady Sloane? Why more often than not we are the ones in each region and district that run Guild affairs?”
Sloane shook her head. “To be honest, no. I assumed it was due to the availability of personnel and logistics capability. Or the fact that you hold most of the money.”
He smiled. “That is a very logical supposition, it certainly helps. One could say that the Merchant’s Guild has a better handle on logistics. It is, after all, a core part of their profession. Holding the money has less to do with it than you’d think. That cannot affect anything we do. As soon as it looks like we are holding an entity’s money hostage, we lose credibility. That is one aspect that by its very nature, will remain neutral. Even in this war against the Empire, we will not freeze Vlaredian Assets.”
Sloane blinked. “That–That is very commendable. I cannot say that nations in my world would remain so neutral even in the face of such threats.”
“Oh, we aren’t entirely neutral. We are simply able to segregate that aspect of our business. We do more than simply hold everyone’s money. But, the reason we hold such influence is that we pride ourselves in reacting to trends more quickly than any other Guild. We have to. Trends can make or break an economy, and the economies of the nations that reside on Ikios are more fragile than most would have you believe.”
“I think I understand. Your adaptability is what makes you valuable, you’ve trained your people to be as well. That is an ideal leadership trait. It also explains Guildmaster Romaris’ ability to react quickly to the knowledge of the monster swarm.”
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Markus nodded with a smile. “Precisely. Lanthil is one of my prides and joys. I expect great things from him. He will gain a not insignificant amount of influence and credit within the Guild from this. I agree with him that this is something that will change everything for not only the Guild, but for the entire region. I do have one question, however.”
Sloane tilted her head. “Yes?”
“I have heard reports of terrans, and the many different origins of them. How advanced is this concept you have created?”
Sloane squinted. When were credit cards invented? The seventies? Shit, I don’t know.
“Admittedly, Markus, I do not remember. They were so ubiquitous in usage that I never really thought about it. I have an idea of when it was, but it may be incorrect. The implementation of this concept in my world was based on different materials and factors that cannot be easily replicated here. Mana and magic make that unnecessary, however. The cards we used in my world were from a society hundreds of years more advanced than your own, but that fact will only matter for so much longer.”
The grandmaster took a deep breath. “Why is that?”
“Because mana and magic change everything. We can do things here that my world could only dream of. I intend to make the most of it,” Sloane stated.
Markus nodded. “I think Lanthil was right about you. Alright, Sloane. Let’s discuss how to change the world.”
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“Thank you for meeting with me, Lady Sloane,” Lady Emerys said as they walked through the sun elf’s garden terrace that sat overlooking the city. The young leader of one of the city’s preeminent ruling Houses seemed quite interested in what Sloane could bring to the city.
“Of course, I wouldn’t want to pass up a chance to show off my friend here.”
Tiberius chirped from where he sat on her shoulder. Giving her a skeptical look. Or at least I assume it’s a skeptical look. His eyes don’t blink. Maybe I can create a–focus, Sloane.
Emerys chuckled softly into her hand. “Do you get distracted often with thoughts of work?”
“Wryaattt wryyyyat.”
“Shush you. Traitor,” she deadpanned to her bird.
The woman looked back and forth between Sloane and Tiberius with a glint in her eye. “Fascinating. I would love to discuss golems and other uses for them if you would.”
Sloane smiled. “Allow me to tell you about the Reinhart Center.”
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“Lady Sloane?”
Seeing Elodie and Adaega approaching, Sloane turned away from the pastry she was enjoying. The day was clear and despite the relative chill, she was currently sitting at one of the tables the inn had outside. Bundled up in warm clothes, she felt content as she set down her mug of hot black tea.
She smiled and waved. “Elodie, Adaega! Please, join me,” she said, gesturing toward the empty seats at the table.
Stefan inclined his head as he stood and moved out of the way to let the two women by him. Elodie smiled and greeted the guild Blade before she and the other terran sat with Sloane.
Stefan stood off to the side, both to give them some space and to ensure no one else bothered them. Sloane wiggled her eyebrows and nodded toward a pair of women a few tables over that were casting glances in his direction. He lightly scoffed to hide a smirk in reply before turning and focusing on their surroundings. She laughed softly into her hand.
The raithe had started to settle into his new role as one of her fighters and guards. He wore black fitted armor with some blue accents of the House colors. The breastplate and gauntlets both had soft glowing runes etched into them that caused many to stop and stare in wonder. His dark blue cloak completed the look, and she knew that he too enjoyed the not-so-subtle looks numerous women around the city had given him. She was glad that he seemed to appreciate the role and was working to settle into it. Sloane smiled as she remembered the look of glee on the man’s face when he tried out the two daggers that she had enchanted for him.
Adaega smiled. “Sloane, you are just the woman we were searching for. We have some news!”
Elodie nodded and pulled out a stack of yellow-tinted paper, the stuff made of materials that were uncommon to her. The elf placed the stack on the table and looked up at her. “Just you and Stefan?”
Sloane shrugged. “Ernald and Nemura went to try and recruit guards for the House and center.” She glanced at Elodie. “I assumed you knew?”
Elodie tilted her head, a look of realization came over her and she snapped her finger. “Oh, that was going to be today. I got so caught up in going through all of our options these last few days, that I forgot. That’s why Ernald wasn’t with us today.”
Adaega nodded. “He did say he would be busy today. I too was excited about potential locations for the Center that I forgot to ask what he had planned.”
A crisp breeze had her checking her cloak’s clasp and pulling the outer garment a bit tighter. Satisfied, she picked up the steaming mug to warm her ungloved hands.
“So, what news do you two ladies have?” Sloane took a sip of her beverage, the warm liquid soothing her throat.
Elodie’s eyes went wide. “Lady Sloane, I am not–”
She held up a hand to stop her financial advisor. “Sorry, lady not Lady. It’s a holdover from my world and my interactions there. I didn’t mean to insinuate. I’ll be more conscientious. Please, continue.”
The elven woman relaxed, then glanced down at the stack of papers. “We have narrowed down three locations for the Center.”
Sloane raised a brow. “Oh? Three is less than I thought.”
“We discussed everything we wanted and would need, which helped us cross off eleven facilities. With us just starting, we felt that having a location that also accommodates your Runecard business should be an option. Two of the three allow for this. The third simply fits all of the requirements you had originally set forth perfectly, but is not ideal for the other business,” Adaega explained.
“They are all within budget, however, we would be slightly over budget if we chose the third, due to having to find another location for the Reinhart Runic Company. I have four locations for that, should you choose that option. Lastly, I do have a small location in mind for the ‘customer relations’ suggestion you had for the Merchant’s Quarter.” Elodie added.
Sloane nodded. “Show me what you have.”
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Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
Ressa turned just as three arrows slammed into one of her men. The telv grunted, took two steps, trying to raise his sword but then let out a final gasp, collapsing.
“To the left! Shields! Shields!” She called out, pulling her shield up just in time to feel the thumps of two more arrows pound into it.
We need to end this and get away from the forest.
She pulled in magic from the air around them, it filled her, strengthened her. Ressa turned her head, seeing one of the Valeni archers moving from behind the trees. She slammed her sword down into the ground and then used her Fracture World spell around them. Reality itself seemed to crack, as her yellow magic took hold. The Valeni cried out and stumbled in fear as her illusion held up, creating an area where her yellow magic would be stronger. She lifted her hand and pointed at the four archers that had flanked them. She cast her Create Illusion spell to form a mass of shimmering, translucent arrows, followed by pulling at the blue and yellow magic pouring into her and using Alter Conjuration to make her illusions real. With a flick of her wrist, the objects flew out. Ending any further threat from the archers.
She grabbed the hilt of her sword, yanked the blade from the ground, and turned, seeing the rest of her men finishing off the remainder of the Valeni attackers.
Ressa surveyed the area, ensuring no more Valeni remained nearby. Satisfied that they were finally alone, she walked to the team. Her second, Alexi, stood over one of the Valeni while the medic of her team closed the eyes of the man who had been killed. The telv caught her eye and shook his head. “I’m sorry, commander. He’s dead.”
She sighed. “Alexi, the scouts should be this far soon. Choose two and stay back until they get here. Ensure his body is treated with dignity.”
“Understood, commander. Here, you should look at this,” he said, concern lacing the telv’s voice.
She walked over and looked down at the Valeni. Ressa narrowed her eyes and bent next to the Valeni telv. Lifting his eyelid, she was startled by the look in the man’s eye, then confirmed the other was the same. “Are they all like this?”
A cursory look confirmed that all of them had similar features. Their eyes were more feline, and their nails were longer and sharpened into almost claws. “What does it mean, Commander?”
She shrugged. “I am unsure. Have the scouts take the bodies as well. The army will want to know.”
“Understood, I will–”
“Commander!”
They looked up at where one of the men had rolled over one of the Valeni. “You need to see this!”
What followed, defied everything she thought she knew.
“What is that, Algor?” She asked her team’s medic as the team all stood around looking down at the… rear of the body.
The telv shook his head, stumbling over his words for a moment. “I-it’s a tail.”
She sighed, looking down at the furred tail connected to the Valeni’s lower back and what seemed like fur going up the man’s spine. “I know that much, but why is it connected to a telv?”
His eyes were wide, and he shrugged. “I have no idea, commander. I have never seen anything like this.”
“Alexi, it is even more important that the army gets these bodies. If the Flash caused this somehow, we need to know. We also need to know how it occurred.” She raised her voice, ensuring every one of her team could hear her. “Everyone, we are nearly to the plains. From now on, I am Ressa. No more ranks. We cannot be found out by the Sovereigns. Is that understood?”
A smattering of yeses and yes, ma’am’s satisfied her that the group had heard her. It would not do if they slipped up and got caught. That will be a fight I do not wish to be in.
With a nod, she sheathed her sword and strode back to her horse. Her people would settle things here. It was time to get to Marketbol.