He sat at a desk made of fine marble stone, wearing a formal suit made of green. Green leather for his coat and pants, green cufflinks made of dark green fangs. He wore a shimmering emerald like jewel upon his collar with fur draped across his shoulders like a fine sash. Anthony immediately recognized this ensemble as a custom made suit found only in the luxury states, a suit made of Emerald Lycan. The man paid little mind to Anthony or Master Zoe, focusing only on Selene who looked back at him with cold stern eyes.
“Sister, they told me you had returned; I almost couldn’t believe it.” He smiled with a grin that was like baring his fangs. “I’m glad to see that living in the lowly states hasn’t lost your sense of refinement.”
“I’m here for business brother, not formalities and I’m surprised your sense of formalities hasn’t brought this bank into total foreclosure.”
“Well, haven’t you heard?” He got up to his desk to show off his fancy suit. “I’ve had a stroke of luck with certain business ventures, it’s got me some major perks in the luxury states. For example, I have contact with a noble who breeds Emerald Lycan. He’s willing to share with me some of its material at costs, since I handle a lot of his investments.”
“Technically that would be what it's shedding.” Anthony spoke out of turn. “Emeralds Lycans are known to shed their fur and skin like snakes as well as their teeth and claws periodically, like the Sacred Beasts. In fact, some considered it a Sacred Beast until it was discovered they could be bred like dogs instead of thriving in the wilds like a true Sacred Beast.”
“...Who’s this man who talks as if I should know him?” Tychon stared him down trying to size his character.
“He’s just a humble observer.” Master Zoe stepped in front of him. “Forgive his rudeness, he tends to speak what’s on his mind without asking permission. I thought this experience would be educational for him.”
“Obviously.” He scoffed. “I don’t know where he learned his manners, but I’m sure he’s not as learned as a war hero like you, Master Zoe.”
“So, you’ve heard of me?” Master Zoe smiled.
“Only by reputation. After all, I like to know who my sister is working for. When she suddenly left the position of branch manager open and allowed me to acquire the position for myself, I thought it was shrewd investment. I understand that your knowledge of mage craft is intriguing and yet you waste your talents in the lowly states.”
“Call it old sentiment.” She simply shrugged. “After spending several years in the mainland, then the Empire as a professor, I wanted to give something back to the states that birthed me.”
“I understand you were born in Jidon, a border city to the Middling States. Could you not have opened a shop there with your reputation?”
“What can I say, I love a challenge.” With a nod of his head, Tychon instructed the three visitors to have seats near his desk.
“Now, what is it I can do for you?” Selene took out a piece of parchment from her vest pocket and slid it toward her brother to view.
“We’re interested in securing a loan from the bank, in regards to researching a current discovery that Master Zoe identified.”
“Curious, may I ask what this is?” He gazed at the proposed expenses and purchases.
“I ask for your discretion, but it could involve a new technique of mage craft that could very well revolutionize the way we think of how magic works.” Master Zoe said with zeal. “I’m not talking just in terms of raw destruction, I’m talking about economics, engineering, medicine, the possibilities are endless.” She began to laugh in joy.
Anthony lowered his head, feeling he was unworthy of such praise but it was also the first time since his mother that anyone had spoken about him with such enthusiasm. Tychon on the other hand was not impressed, sitting in his chair glared at the old master as if he had heard many proposals even more enthusiastic and promising than hers. He leaned in his high quality chair, placed his fingers on the proposal, and spoke to her direct and blunt manner.
“That very well may be, but as I’ve said Master Zoe I’ve made it my business to know who I’m going into business with. My dear sister has an eye for profits, but I’m just wondering if it’s worth the risk. From my understanding, your shop is currently mortgaged by one of our bank branches in Gourd. Your sales are solid but haven’t shown tremendous growth in the last few years, not to mention there are some accusations that you’ve been practicing medicine in the outskirts without proper permits.”
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“I occasionally visit friends in those regions, to share some of my herbal remedies.” She said with an unflinching smile. “I consider it self advertising, since not many are aware that my pricing is reasonable for even people in the slums who can afford them.”
“Be that as it may, I fail to see how a soap maker can come up with something that will revolutionize the world as we know it. Bottom line, even if you put up your shop and all your major assets as collateral we would still need a considerable downpayment.”
“Anthony if you would please.” Selene waved and reached into his pocket and pulled out a second piece of paper and placed it alongside the proposal. “Before we started this conversation we arranged an account in Master Zoe’s name with the amount of three hundred gold sovereigns.”
“This certainly confirms that amount, however this amount could barely handle the loans you have now.” He crumbled up the piece of paper in his hands. “I’m going to need more than a few hundred gold to cover the long term investments you’re talking about, I’m talking...”
Thump! Before he could even finish Anthony had placed an object from his pocket on the table. It was wrapped in cloth but partially revealed a red light from underneath. Tychon carefully unwrapped the object as he began to explain what it was inside.
“Master Zoe considers me an observer, but as you can see I’m more of a partner in her research. What you have there is a certified fire gem of a high quality. I understand you’re in the market for gems from the Free States, you must realize that a gem of that quality could get you at least eight hundred gold on the open market.” He unwrapped the gem from its casing and looked at the quality.
The material inside it danced around like fire in a glass jar, confirming it was indeed a high quality Orchialcum. The cloth attached to it was actually a piece of writing cloth from a prestigious gem broker in the Luxury States confirmed Anthony’s speculations.
“Dealing with Traders in the Free States, I’ve made it a mind to never ask too many questions about elemental gem acquisitions. However I have to ask, where do you acquire such a magnificent jewel?”
“It’s the last of my family inheritances, that’s all I’m going to say.”
“Your family must have a lot of faith to relinquish such a precious gift.” He placed the gem aside. “It’s a shame you wish to fiddle it away on such a risky gambit, but I believe this will be quite attenuating collateral for...” A door near the side of his desk suddenly opened as a woman stepped through the door wearing strange attire.
She wore a similar suit as Anthony but fit for her figure and sparkling silver that matched her hair, polished like mirror shine. Anthony did not know much about clothing but if his suit was made of iron bear fur, then hers must have been made of higher quality Steel Bears, a species only hunted by Grade A Hunters. Anthony recognized the stare of another hunter like himself, but did not know why she would be working at a bank.
“...Ms. Febronia, I was in the middle of a meeting, I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.” He scolded her.
“My apologies Mr. Menander but there’s an urgent matter that’s just arrived that requires your immediate attention.” One looked into her eyes and Tychon changed his tone as he quickly gathered the proposal and the gem and got up to his feet.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have to cut this short.” He said taking out a piece of paper with his seal and signing it swiftly. “Take this down to the front desk, they’ll help you work out a payment plan.” They all stood up from their seats as Selene grabbed the paper and watched as her brother walked toward Febronia. “I’ll be sure to tell our younger brother you stopped by, you know he does worry about you living in those lowly states since our parents passed.”
Before she could even respond Tychon quickly walked off with Ms. Febronia escorted her out the way she came. They whispered something that Anthony could barely make out, but Selene and Zoe pulled him out of his gaze hoping to leave this place and conclude their business. When they left the room completely Master Zoe looked up to Anthony noticing there was something weighing on his mind.
“There was no need to sacrifice your family heirlooms on my account, kid.” Master Zoe assumed it was the Fire Gem he was upset about. “With your hunting skills you would have gotten eight hundred gold in a month.”
“I have no reservation in using that jewel as collateral master.” Anthony simply said. “Since you believe I have the potential of this new research you’re conducting. However, there was something that I heard them say that troubles me.”
“What was my brother talking about that got you shaken up like a leaf?” Selene asked.
“They mentioned a problem involving the department of ‘resource acquisitions?’” She flinched at the mention of that phrase.
“Are you familiar with that branch, Ms. Selene?”
“...No, but let’s focus on the task at hand.”
Whatever she wasn’t telling, Anthony decided it was best not to press. Instead they headed down to the bottom offices of the Bank and spent the rest of the day filling out paperwork for a loan that would require much gold and much planning to repay.