The room was lit up by candles around the stone room, sitting on rusty candle holders pinned on the wall. The antique wooden desk is dotted with ink and wax, and on it is a neat stack of papers on an artisanal wooden tray. The stout figure that let them in hobbled to the chair on the desk and sat. Pearl-white eyes on a cragged stony facade stared at Numisley. His face was dotted with his people’s petrification, turning into rough stone.
“You’re the spawn of Jascias N-Gildin?”
“Yes–You know our father?” Numisley stuttered.
“I worked with him for a long time. Yes.” The Dwarf grabbed his pipe, sprinkled some tobacco on it, and the pipe instantly ignited the dry ground tobacco beans.
“Sit.”
Numisley sat on the chair provided by the Dwarf.
“Thewardn Glors. [Information Broker].”
“Numisley Gildin. My brother, Cultrost.”
The Satyr nodded in the background.
“Brother? Did your father take a Satyr wife aside from your mother? That womanizer!” Thewardn guffawed.
“I’m adopted,” Cultrost answered. “My parents told me that they found me outside their door. I’m a bit older than my brother by the way.”
“So, who’s our mother? She died giving birth…to me.” Numisley interrupted. The two brothers looked at each other for a moment. They always asked their father who their mother was. Still, their father refused to talk about her before arriving at their home continent. All they know is that she was a good mother.
“I knew this day would come. What was your father’s will? If he had any.”
“Our father’s letter told us to go to Polossin. On a farm. Our relatives live there. I didn’t know that we had relatives in this continent.” Numisley answered.
“You have relatives. But not some [Farmers].” Thewardn corrected.
“What do you mean?”
“You want to know about your mother, right?”
“Y-yes.” Numisley’s voice quivered.
“Can I see the letter? The will. The books too while you’re at it.”
Numisley stared at the [Information Broker], hands trembling.
“I understand. But I worked with your father on acquiring your treasure trove of information. The brown book–the book of the Rules, I hired an [Artifact Thief] to steal it at a rival kingdom, after Jascias revealed its location. Your father pulled every connection he had to gather the entries in the book, and I compiled and encrypted them.”
“Why did he do that?”
“Who exactly is our father?”
Cultrost and Numisley’s questions hung in the air. The Dwarf’s eyes glinted.
“I forgot–I mean, Jascias told me the reason, but we agreed that I will drink a potion that makes me forget about it. Or he used one of his Feats on me. So, that must’ve been extremely important. Your father was the [Royal Spymaster] of Torregorn. The very best. Jascias Naveirei–well, he took your mother’s surname, since she was the best noble the kingdom ever had.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You are the heir of the Naveirei House. Son of Marhyiana Naveirei. She assumed the post of the House’s matriarch before she dragged your father to Libertalia.”
Cultrost looked at Numisley significantly, now knowing that Numisley is nobility.
“Wait I feel like I heard–hey, so you’re sayin’ that I’m some [Prince]?”
“[Lord]. You’re not exactly royalty. You’re pretty close though. Your mother and your father restored the current [King] to his throne. The royal family became the puppets of the Gaviolos House for a time, but your parents helped King Sovrandor Coespandorr to claim the throne as a boy. As such, the Naveirei House gained the highest prestige even now, being a Ducal House.”
Numisley slumped on his chair, wide-eyed at the revelation.
“That’s a secret worth five thousand gold, but I gave you a family discount. The letter, please.”
Numisley fished out the letter from the black book and placed it on the table. The Dwarf scanned it with his pearl-white eyes.
“Cascinavi…Santaveses…wait…”
The Dwarf abruptly stood up and rummaged through his shelves. He pulled out a dusty document from a row of drawers and shook it. He handed it to Numisley. Cultrost peeked over his brother’s shoulder.
“What is this?” Numisley asked. The document was in another language that both Numisley and Cultrost didn’t understand.
“Shit. It’s in Formal Helmandian Common.”
“In what?” Cultrost asked.
“Decreeist legal language. I’ll read it verbatim. This Deed of Land, written and approved on the 27th Day of Teina, Period of Life, 6990 A.G.E, by the Royal Administration of Torregorn, sanctified by the Holy Hall of Conscanco, between Jascias Gildin and to-be approved relatives and associates, recognizes that the area of 20 acres by 20 acres in the Cascinavi Forest one hundred feet west of Santaveses within the County of Polossin is absolutely owned by the signatories, and only the Royal Administration of Torregorn, the Holy Hall of Conscanco, and the King or Queen at the time of reading can rescind it. The document is indefinitely in effect unless rescinded by the proper authorities. The recognized owners may build structures within the area, employ employees to maintain the demesne, and inhabit the area. ”
“That means that our father has land somewhere in the kingdom?” Cultrost asked for clarification.
“Yes. Property that you can inherit.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Numisley’s thoughts ran like lightning as he formulated his ideas for the future.
“That means we can claim it, am I right?”
“Yes. However, you need to prove it. You need to invoke the Blood Rite. The Ichoricon.”
“What’s that?” Numisley asked.
“It’s a Human ritual to prove your noble bloodline. But you can’t just go into a castle full of nobles and invoke it. You need to be an established [Merchant] or some sort that deals with them. You need to be trusted. Then you can invoke the name of your parents and your story so that there’s ground for you to call for the ritual. If they accept.”
“If they accept.” Numisley flatly repeated.
“It’s up to us, I guess. Jogged your noggin?” Cultrost poked Numisley’s head.
“Yeah. I’ll make plans.” Numisley lightly pushed his brother’s hand away. “So, secondly…how do I establish my own information business? Like yours. I’ll sell the information in the black book.”
“It’s a dangerous game you’re planning to play. I don’t recommend it. How about you’ll focus on proving your nobility? Give me the books. I don’t know why Jascias gave you the books–I mean he made me forget the reason, but just focus on attaining your nobility. I’ll make sure that these books are sealed.”
“If I were to become nobility, I need to be more than some noble. Thousand Roads is on my ass, and I need something to protect me, Cultrost, and my company. So, I will blackmail and bribe people if I have to. So I can attain money, resources, people, and influence for me and my people to be safe. Someone in that Corporation or elsewhere knows I have their dirty little secrets, and they will murder me whether I have the books or not if I don’t do something.”
“You’re inherited your mother’s attitude, I see. Get big or go home. I figured I’ll get involved at some point, so I require a quarter’s share of your profits. This is a dangerous profession after all. Think of this as payment for tutoring you.”
Thewardn held out a hand, and Numisley shook it.
“Deal.”
Numisley walked out of the safehouse after Thewardn showed him the ropes. Thewardn promised that he would tell his customers about Numisley’s business, for that is how some [Information Brokers] started. The old Dwarf taught Numisley about how to price the information, how to write them, and the importance of having protection against hostile clients and [Assassins], and Thewardn sorted out the outdated information in the black book of secrets, which was a lot.
Palden welcomed them in the Gildin Trading’s new headquarters. It was a humble building of worn stone and wood, near the fish market where they had been tricked to deliver rotten fish. It has two floors: a stable and storage area on the ground floor, enough space to store their goods, and living and working space on the upper floor. He was pleased to find out that they had already bought furniture; at least, enough for them to get settled in the port city and do business. The floors were cleaned, dust swept and walls wiped clean from dirt and grime. Their boxes and weapons were arranged. All with the efforts of Palden and Graten’s organization and leadership.
Sorting his documents on the table, he now faced Cultrost, Palden, Graten, and Raudaeiz, who he summoned.
“Candles, please.”
The velvet sky was gradually darkening as Cultrost lit up the candles in the room.
“So, I summoned you all because I will tell you about my plans for Gildin Trading–our future.”
The people in the room turned their heads to Numisley. Cultrost positioned himself beside his brother, standing up instead of sitting down on the chair, staring around the room, and glancing at the shutters.
"We'll acquire more fish in the wet markets. Along with other goods. I'll study the local economy to know what's profitable. The local [Lord] gave us an exclusive license to trade within the kingdom, and we acquired a partnership with a [Brewer] to sell his fish sauce. I also have begun to set up my information brokering business."
"Remember our trip to that town?" Cultrost asked his brother.
"Yeah?" Numisley asked.
"The [Merchants] sold things not found inland. Such as coral-sculpted stuff, seashells, and spices. If we're going to sell, we can sell inland."
"Good catch. Was thinking of that too. Was too busy selling to notice what they had."
"Thanks."
"Going back… I will also inform you of two important things. One is that the Count ordered us to smuggle rotten food for a party soon, and my father left me a piece of land for me to claim. Our goal is to earn enough money for that land, which is around four hundred gold. That land will become our castle in the future, as well as being the grounds for you all to become stronger.”
“What do you mean?” Graten straightened.
“The land would be a testing bed for the ideas in the book. To give Feats and Roles for you to all get stronger.” Numisley explained.
“Like a training area for [Soldiers]?” Palden asked.
“Yes. Exactly. It’s like a training area for Graten’s men. If we have the money and rights, we can employ more men and women, and more [Soldiers]. Graten will be leading and training them. You could train with them too when you’re not guarding me. For more Feats. ”
Numisley turned to Cultrost. His brother nodded.
“So, in general, Captain Graten will be the commander of our security. My brother will handle the general stuff that needs to be done, as well as my [Bodyguard]. Palden, if our company becomes larger, you will be in charge of logistics. Raudaeiz, I want you to do my dirty work for me. I plan to completely control the city’s underworld soon.”
“No offense, but your plans are too grand,” Raudaeiz spoke up.
“But I did outwit someone as great as you.” Numisley cleverly countered.
Raudaeiz was taken aback by Numisley’s flattery, but he sees it as Numisley’s making sure that he is loyal, without a Contract-Feat. Numisley regarded Raudaeiz as the wildcard that he needed to keep in check, maintaining his facade as the great mastermind who Raudaeiz can use to exact his revenge on his former family. Giving him a [Basic Contract] may sow seeds that may grow to break his facade. For the mercenary Graten, Numisley needed to be a reliable leader that can pay him with gold and the knowledge from the brown book to make him and his men stronger. He guessed that once Graten is strong enough, he will leave; hence why he maintained the risky [Bloodbound Contract] on him for so long.
Numisley’s paling face straightened as he continued to explain.
“I plan to ask Thewardn, the [Information Broker] about the local criminal scene tomorrow. If there are any gangs in the town, You, Raudaeiz, will subjugate them for me.”
“Me?” The Demihuman Satyr pointed to himself, mouth wide in mild surprise.
“Yes. You are a [Gang Boss] of some sort, right? You have some tricks that I–you know. You know criminals and how they operate. So I need to take control of the underworld, so I can use it as a favor to the local Count, and to increase my prestige when I become one of Torregorn’s nobility.”
“What?” Graten and Palden’s mouths dropped to the ground, aghast. Raudaeiz laughed at their reactions.
“W-what do you mean, boy?” Palden stuttered.
“Your employer–I mean, our father was married to a seineure–[Lady]. This is why we were attacked by [Mercenaries] since they are hired by some noble from this kingdom.”
“And this is why we’re here? Aside from making a profit in the Golden Triangle?” Palden asked.
“Not at first. The [Information Broker], a friend of our father, told me. So I’m technically nobility.”
Numisley cackled. Cultrost chortled. The Libertalians at the table exploded into laughter. A Libertalian, the people famous for their disregard for the concept of royalty, is related to nobility, was funny to them.
“Yeah…funny how me, a red-blooded, democratic Libertalian is a [Lord]. A blue-blood. I still can’t believe that…” Numisley wistfully stated. “But, let’s go back on topic.”
“About the…um… gangs you’re talking about. I just remember something.” Palden spoke up, recovering from their disbelief. “I traveled to the Exiled Coasts back in my day. If the mafias and [Pirates] are in control of the ports, I reckon’ that there’s Libertalian gangs in this port-town. Smuggling contras from this kingdom.”
“So if my brother takes control of the gangs…” Cultrost theorized.
“Then I can establish a smuggling route in the future.” Numisley continued.
“And I can get rid of the curse on my arm.” Cultrost nudged his brother.
“Yes. Hopefully as soon as possible.” Numisley turned towards them. “Uncle Palden, your wisdom helps a lot. The people that sit here, who helped us in our journey, our escape from Libertalia, I need your wisdom. Your advice. You are leaders–important assets of our company. I’ll hold more meetings like this in the future, to inform you of my decisions and to give me wisdom that I don’t have.”
Numisley stood up, fatigued. His brother held his shoulders.
“Thank you for attending.”
The first meeting of the leaders of Gildin Trading ended that night. Each of them retired to their rooms, pondering before they slept.
Numisley’s eyes were open in the middle of the night, blinking as the will of the world wrote his privilege on his soul. A quest for his true birthright.
[Feat - Trusted Words developed.]
[Feat - Verified Sources developed.]
[Rare Feat - Company Promotion: (Name), developed!]
[Theme - Reclaim Birthright discovered!]