MASS RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Chu spent most of his next day in the workshop. Toll helped fix a bunk with a headrest so he could sit comfortable with his feet outstretched. Nearby, Sakura and Amanda requisitioned a quarter of the long dining table. On it they scattered and browsed through ledgers, parchments and neatly written bulky workbooks.

At the far end, Sue and Stavia chatted in the large kitchen while they peeled some provisions. The large pot simmering on the fireplace would hold the contents for today's lunch. The others had long gone, either working in the vegetable fields or out in the forest processing lumber.

Just outside the large open door, sat a wolf with a crude bandaged shoulder. Near the large quilted sheet it stretched out on, was piled an assortment of boiled bones covered in meat and ligaments. Every now and again a hustling passerby would stop and offer a few words of comfort and a gentle pat to the head.

"Don't you think that guy is milking it too much?"

Chu complained after observing this to the girls.

"Well he did risk his life to save Ming. He does deserve a little petting at this time."

Amanda replied as she double checked her work. She glanced it over before continuing

"Are you sure you want to do this 'project' right now? It's going to really draw down on our savings. Why don't we wait until Master Griz returns with some conformation. Or at least until Merchant Kim arrives with our profits."

"By then it would be too late. The return journey alone will take them about four to five months. I expect both groups to arrive within the summer months. This leaves us with over eight months of wastage. Remember business is not only about solid book-keeping, but also about efficiency and planning."

Chu replied. He further went on to list some examples of changes in this world that could impact on increased efficiency. The two listeners nodded in amazement as they understood the effects such little change would bring.

"But what if Master Griz returns with some bulk orders? What do we do then? We will end up in a shortage during production again."

Sakura said.

"Good point, however remember we still have Griz and his smiths as outside help, let him handle production. The handle gear for the water well, serves as enticement. Those handles have other uses and will eventually end up as a mass production item. Our goal with it was never to become the sole provider."

Chu replied. He waited to see whether the two had grasped this line of business.

'Ahhh'

"I get it Chu, that's why you had Master Griz contact the Merchant Guild. We are actually selling the permission for others to build and make our product."

Amanda blurted out. She twisted on the bench facing him. Chu could literally see her brain cells churning.

"So it's like having a tinker make and sell a bucket. Although he made it, part of the money belongs to us. If he does not pay and is caught by the Guild, then they would administer justice. Wait, doesn't this mean that if Master Griz has success in convincing both the Guild, Tower Mage and Empire, then any product made with a gear literally belongs to us?"

Sakura said. She placed a finger by her lips as she continued, seemingly questioning herself

"Then won't our gears be as widespread later on just like the common bucket?"

The little black-haired head slowly turned towards the golden-haired one, with both of their eyes opening wide as the revelation hit them. If they could gain the help to enforce their inventions, then the consequences would become unimaginable.

***

In the evening, Chu had everyone gather at the workshop after dinner. The wolves roamed around guarding the farm. At the moment they wisely kept away from the stable and corral so as to allow the new horses to slowly acclimatize to them.

"I know winter is nearly here, but we have two major task to accomplish before it descends on us. The work on the tower and other renovations can slow for now."

Chu sat on the bunk that Rugol and Toll insisted they move to the head of the dining table. Currently everyone sat at the dining table. Amanda and Sakura occupied the seats closest to him so as to scribble down the main points. A line of candles along the table and oil lamps on the walls provided enough illumination.

"First objective is to form some teams to scout the slums of not only our village but the others close to us. The main objective is to find children preferably around ten. We also need to find young couples with good backgrounds."

Everyone listened until he finished. Rugol was the first to speak.

"Boss, Stavia and I can handle a village. Getting background information on those living in the slums is a pinch. Most of the times, a visit to the local tavern or a loose-lipped guard can tell you everything about a particular person. The children might need some time, since we will have to watch their habits."

Rugol and Stavia had both worked as helpers in the local tavern. Over the years the couple had gained experience on navigating around drunks and initiating gossips. A drunken patron spewing a rumor, usually meant an increase in sales.

"Then Toll and I can take care of another village. Stavia can help instruct us on the way."

Shine chipped in. She and her husband did not have much experience in this field, but they had to grasp this opportunity. This farm promoted learning. Active participation in its development could only lead to a better life.

"Good, but the both of you can share advice, I want couples handy around a farm also."

Chu continued

"Ms May and Jim can sweep our local village. Mr Thomas and Ming will handle transport and security. Amanda will provide a stipend for this operation."

The couples nodded in agreement. The Boss instructions came across as clear and understandable. Previously nobody would have even dreamed of leaving the village to Karst, much less another village.

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Chu turned to Mr Thomas.

"You can use Karst as a central gathering point, so as to give the group's time to pick and choose. Take Ming to search around for what we talked about."

"No problem, but how much people are we looking for? Turning away people at the last-minute might further cause us to lose some talent. I will not be able to know how much we get until I make the rounds again."

Mr Thomas replied.

Chu raised his hand while extended out his fingers.

"Three? We can get that amount of people right here in the village."

Jim quipped.

The boy smiled as he spoke.

"Not three, I want thirty new workers."

Chu paused until the expected chatter that burst out subsided. Everyone here had learned how to count.

"The objective is to train and develop our own group of loyal workers for our business. That's why we are taking the cream of the crop from the villages. Remember, it is better to return empty-handed rather than with a bad egg."

Chu turned to Clod.

"When they return, prioritize work on a lodge. Tomorrow I will show you what I want."

After finishing the meeting he called over Dareck.

"Finish up the designs and model for the windmill. Since John already forwarded a message of us looking for a mason for the master smithy, I need you to focus on forging this for me."

Dareck took the parchment as he studied the drawing. The Boss never ceased to amaze him.

"What is it?"

"Insurance. I need some of these working soon, and ready by the start of next year's summer. Preferably before Griz returns."

Chu replied with a smile.

Before he prepared to sleep, Mr Thomas paid him a visit. The contents of this meeting left him perplexed.

The very next day, a loaded wagon departed from the farm. Sitting along with this departing group, a bewildered Sue waved Lucy and the others goodbye.

While the others continued with their daily task or spent time training. Chu hobbled over to the vacant shack that once housed Doug and company. Far from the others in the farm, this place provided a suitable meeting point. He slowly sat down on the smooth log and placed the crutches to his side.

"Look at you guys, all grown up and doing what you want. You had better come with a good reason this time."

Three wolves and a girl neatly lined up in the open, before him. Each of them shifting and moving uncomfortably under the accusation.

"Chu, you can ask Mr Thomas. The book, but the book had a secret method that needed us to do what we did."

Dyna squirmed as she rubbed her little hands. The three beast nodded their heads as if also in agreement.

"So that gives you and those guys the power to eat people? You actually allowed these three bastards to feed on humans?"

"No, no. In the city they used the convicted, and those sentenced to hang. It is only a one time method for increasing the Hound's intelligence. These wicked bandits nearly killed you, so I decided to return and take my revenge. It's all in the book."

Chu looked at her as she balled up her little fist. He knew his injuries caused her anger to boil that day. Lucy had told him all about how brave she suddenly appeared and talked.

Dyna had developed a keen sense of protection towards her family. Only this little girl who roamed among apex predators could display a king-like dominant aura. Someone who did not place even a Jaga in her eyes, would certainly scorn some average humans.

He sighed, because he had to reign in this little devil before she went wild.

"This better be the first and last time. And all of you, listening and encouraging her to do this. Did you acquire a taste for human flesh now? Am I going to wakeup one morning to find you gnawing on my leg?"

The wolves gave him a look of disdain as they twisted their heads in disgust. Chu had long known how to read their mood. He might have cursed them some more if he only knew what they actually thought.

'Why settle for lowly humans when the forest contained all the delicacies.'

"For the winter I want those three on guard duty at night. As for you, every afternoon after combat training I want you learning etiquette from Mrs Thomas and the rest of the ladies."

He glanced at the forlorn looks and the teary girl.

"You had better not let me catch you skipping those classes. And you, stop trying to play sick so as to earn extra petting. The jig is up, I saw you skipping around today like a healthy wolf."

Chu grabbed his crutches and stood up. He limped up to the teary girl and hugged her.

"Thank you. You did your job well. They have long earned the right to be called family."

***

During the night, Chu vomited again into the small conveniently placed wooden pail near the bedside. Tonight though, a candle heralded the knock and visit of Mrs Thomas. The woman placed the light on a small stand and then gracefully sat on the stool. With a long gown and a thick shawl, she easily staved off the autumn cold.

"Can't sleep well, can you?"

Chu wiped his mouth with a damp cloth, as he struggled to sit up.

"I thought I steeled my mind, trying to keep recalling the way they butchered everyone. For a time it worked. After that first kill in the grassland that night, I did not even puke. But I had this feeling that if I only stopped, halted the hunting and killing for some reason, then I might have lost my mind."

He sighed as the weight of those thoughts left him. Chu continued

"It's no use. I tried to keep busy, but it happens every time my mind relaxes."

"I see his face..."

Mrs Thomas pulled the shawl tighter around her, warding of a different kind of chill. After a long silence she talked

"I remember as a child, when my brother sneaked us out one day to the servant quarters. That day we ran down a chicken and caught it. He pulled out a knife and then slit its throat, the blood spraying all over us.

All the girls in the group screamed and ran. At first I felt sorry for the chicken, but the shrieks and fun quelled my thoughts. After a dinner of roasted chicken, I never once had a bad memory of that day being chased and covered in bloodstains."

Mrs Thomas gazed at the ceiling as she recalled her childhood. She then sighed as she looked at Chu

"When I was Amanda's age, my brother brought us out into the city. Instead of the shops that all us girls visited, he took us to a tavern frequented by mercenaries and military soldiers. Our girl group squealed and gawked at the behaviors' of these common folk. It was then that a drunken man decided to accost one of my friends at our table. I could never forget that day.

One minute he reached for Sarah's hand, the next, his head lay on our table as his body gushed blood all over us. There was lots of excitement that day as fights broke out, as we escaped the quarter. But I never forgot that face staring up at us from the table, and the blood that covered us."

Mrs Thomas looked at Chu when she finished.

Chu on the other hand stared at Mrs Thomas. He always thought that this woman had some sort of background. In her younger days, she certainly would not have lost out to her daughter in looks. She also carried herself with a decorum far from that of a common housewife. He had a more pressing question at the moment, to sate his inquiries.

"How did you forget?"

He looked expectantly at Mrs Thomas in anticipation.

"You don't, you can never forget the time you took a man's life. It haunts and eats you away, while your only justification is to say you had been right."

Chu sighed and looked down depressed.

"I told Thomas, not to let you guys go. No matter the situation, children should not have done this."

She stood up and held the candle.

"But I want you to know that you did the right thing. You settled the vengeful soul of my friend and her family. Anytime you see that face staring at you, remember that you brought justice. I know you want to travel this world, so the next time you have to kill, don't hesitate. Put that face on your enemy, and butcher your adversary."

Chu looked up at the back of the departing woman.

"Then how did you forget Mrs Thomas?"

Obviously the woman did not drown her sorrows in alcohol.

Mrs Thomas paused at the door.

"That day in the chaos, we ran away but were blocked by a small mob of young masters seeking benefits during the fighting. Luckily a young mercenary risked his life, without a care for those people's standing, carving his way through the mob and pulling us out.

Since then, that heroic face always replaces the dead man's one whenever I dream."

The woman did not turn around but Chu could still catch a glimpse of a smile in the candlelight.

"I did not have Thomas keep the child only out of pity. That face is there to remind you--you did the right thing."

Chu laid back on the bed soaking in the words. Mrs Thomas words made sense, doubly so when he knew killing again lay somewhere in his future. He closed his eyes, releasing all the negative thoughts that burdened him. Before he had a peaceful nights rest, he still cursed out loud

"Damn that Thomas, what a lucky bastard!"