Lando knocked on the door a few times, but received no response. He went to the display window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the old man inside, who may have just not heard him. Peering through the glass, he spotted the old man sitting at his counter, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Lando knocked on the glass once more and raised his pocket watch, hoping to jog the man's memory.
Archibald's attention was immediately grabbed by the sight of the pocket watch. He slowly stood up and approached the door, ready to receive the young magician.
"What do you want, kid? My shop is currently closed for repairs," the old man grumbled in a grumpy tone.
As Lando took a look around, he noticed that things were not as they were during his last visit. Broken display cases and missing items were evidence of a recent robbery. Lando felt a twinge of sympathy for the man standing in front of him. However, he was here for a reason - to make a business proposal.
"I apologize for interrupting your reconstruction efforts, but I have an interesting and lucrative business proposition to discuss, if you're interested," Lando said.
Archibald appeared grumpy and irritable on the surface, but Lando could sense there was more to him than met the eye. The man seemed to have lost his spark, still grappling with the aftermath of the robbery. With many of his valuable possessions stolen, Lando imagined Archibald was on the brink of ruin. He knew that Archibald's true passion lay in researching and inventing new machines, which was an expensive endeavor. While he did sell some of his inventions, business was not his main focus - rather, he used the money to fund his next creations.
Letting out a sigh, Archibald welcomed Lando inside. In his current state, he felt he had nothing to lose by listening to a few words.
Both men took a seat on a remaining bulky sofa, the only piece of furniture seemingly spared by the thief. Lando began his pitch, ready to explain his proposal. "Alright, let me start by asking if you've heard of something called a 'patent'?"
Lando proceeded to explain the entire proposition to Archibald, who showed clear interest in the topic. "...And this is where my deputy Ina and I come in. We would provide the financial backing for all of your inventions, giving you the resources to freely create new machines to your heart's content. In return, we would own the patents to your inventions, but you would receive a percentage of the profits generated from these patents. Our goal would be to mass produce your machines and make them accessible to the public, while you focus on your passion for invention. It's a win-win situation, don't you think?"
Excited by the idea of his inventions reaching a wider audience and having access to seemingly limitless research funds, Archibald didn't hesitate to agree on the spot. Given his current financial situation, he simply couldn't afford to apply for patents himself.
He also thought about his little granddaughter, which turned twelve not long ago. She awakened the fire element and eager to go to the magical academy in the city. Fees were expensive, and this deal seemed to be a great opportunity to afford them.
As they further discussed the details, such as the percentage of profits he would receive, negotiations were surprisingly brief. While Archibald didn't place much importance on money, he still aimed to secure the best possible outcome. In the end, they settled on a 5% share of the profits for Archibald, with Lando providing full financing for his creations. Additionally, Archibald would receive a fixed monthly payment of one gold coin, even if he wasn't actively working on a project. He would enjoy almost complete creative freedom, with the only requirement being to present his ideas to Ina. If she saw potential, they would agree on a budget that could be adjusted as needed.
The old man couldn't help but beam with joy. Not only was he finally able to live his dream and continue inventing, but he also believed he had struck gold with this arrangement, quite literally. He couldn’t wait to tell his granddaughter about this development.
Lando was pleased with the outcome, considering the monthly payment as an added bonus. He assured Archibald that the percentages were fair, as they would have to do most of the heavy lifting, like manufacturing, promoting and selling the inventions. He knew that the monthly payment provided Archibald with a sense of security knowing that his expenses would be more than taken care of.
"You seem quite content with these terms. By any chance, do you know others who might be interested in a similar deal?" Lando inquired, taking a chance.
Archibald burst into laughter before replying, "Absolutely! If I were to share these terms with some of my colleagues, they would probably think I was joking at first. The terms are surprisingly generous, but given the opportunities presented by this new patent system, I believe it would be deemed acceptable. I can certainly think of a few who would be interested."
"Fantastic! Just send them to the Green Wanderer Inn and tell them to ask for Ina Berg. We don't have an official office set up yet, but that will come in due time. We haven't even registered the company, but as soon as the government resumes normal operations, we will take care of that. I suggest you pay a visit as well to finalize the paperwork and other necessary details," Lando suggested.
Back at the inn, Lando filled Ina in on the agreement. "I guess I've got some talent for this business stuff, huh? Maybe I should consider doing it all on my own," he sarcastically suggested.
Ina couldn't help but burst into laughter for a solid minute before replying, "Well, I must admit, Archibald does appear to be a great investment. However, don't mistake that for thinking it's all smooth sailing. There's still the matter of registering the company, making employment contracts, submitting patents, recruiting workers, building factories..."
Lando interrupted with a chuckle, patting Ina on the shoulder. "Yes, you're right. I'll leave the 'easy' part to my intern here," he said, continuing to laugh.
Ina was about to retort, but before she had the chance, Lando raised his finger and declared, "Alright, we can't wait any longer. I need to recruit some mercenaries." Without another word, he promptly left the room.
Initially, Lando had planned to establish a closer relationship with Anthony's group before approaching them about recruitment. However, now that they had a solid plan for the enterprise, he believed he had some leverage. The only potential complication was the signing of a magical contract.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Lando made his way through the inn and knocked on Anthony's door.
"Hey, mate! Need something?" the blond magician asked, motioning for Lando to enter the room.
Victoria was also present, but aside from the three of them, the room was empty.
"I wanted to discuss something with both of you. Do you have a few minutes?" Lando inquired in a serious tone.
"Sure, no problem," Anthony replied, taking a seat on the couch and gesturing for Lando to join him on the chair opposite.
Lando got straight to the point, saying, "I heard from Nathan and Lola that you're planning to take things slow in the near future. Is that accurate?"
Anthony looked a bit surprised by the question and briefly glanced at Victoria, who had sat down beside him. After a nonverbal exchange, he responded with an uncharacteristic seriousness, "That's correct. We recently lost three members, and then with the revolution and our latest raid, we've decided to take a break. We have some money saved up and deserve some rest."
Lando nodded, anticipating this response, and continued, "I understand. I recently lost my parents as well, so I know how important it is to take time to heal. But what are your long-term goals? Surely you must have some?"
Unsure of where the conversation would lead, Anthony took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "We all have our own stories, and I don't want to delve too deep into mine," he began. "Let's just say that Victoria and I come from noble houses in a neighboring kingdom, and we chose not to follow the orders of our respective families. It's a distant dream, but we hope to return home one day and do things our own way. However, it's not a necessity as long as we have each other." Lando looked at Victoria, who took his hand.
Lando couldn't help but think to himself, ‘Is this a mercenary group only for couples or what?’ as Anthony continued, "Our long-term goals, huh? I suppose it would be to gain enough power that nobody can ever separate us again." He then glanced at Victoria.
As the couple shared a moment, Lando couldn't help but feel a bit nauseous, as if he had stumbled into a scene from a cliché romantic drama for middle-aged women.
Nevertheless, he was confident that their goals could align well, so he proceeded with his offer. "Sorry to interrupt," Lando said, as the couple was dangerously close to making out on the couch. They snapped out of their moment and looked at him. "I'd like to make a proposal to you and your group."
Now clearly intrigued, they both waited for Lando to continue.
He presented most of his plans to Anthony and Victoria, along with the tasks they would need to fulfill. "...and that's why we need a few skilled mages who can protect the entire company from potential rivals or organizations with greedy intentions. We will certainly be hiring more than just your group, but I would like to put you in charge, if that's alright with you," Lando finished, his face filled with anticipation.
"That sounds great," Victoria spoke up for once. "It would definitely be better than constantly traveling to rob and provoke powerful houses. But what's in it for us?" she asked, seeking clarification.
Lando was prepared for that question and confidently answered the curious woman, "That's the best part. You would receive a percentage of the company, as I want to create a long-term partnership between us."
Lando had put a lot of thought into this solution and believed it was the best way to ensure their loyalty. What better motivation to defend the company than when they also had a stake in it? For Lando, their loyalty was more important than a few extra coins.
The couple on the couch seemed taken aback by this proposal, looking at each other with a mix of confusion and surprise.
After a moment of silent contemplation, they silently agreed to consult with their teammates and gather their opinions. They all decided to meet again the following morning, once their team had reached a decision.
While Lando understood that this was not a decision they could make on behalf of their teammates, he had a feeling that things were going well.
The next day, they reconvened in Anthony's room, joined by George, Luke, Nathan, and Lola. They had discussed the proposal the previous evening and had some questions they wanted answered.
Nathan was the first to speak, opening the round of questioning. "How exactly will this whole arrangement work, and what will our role be?" he inquired, with the others nodding in agreement.
Lando did his best to answer all their questions and concerns, realizing there were several details that needed to be negotiated.
After some discussion, Anthony gave his agreement, which was soon followed by the rest of the team.
Lando would remain the main shareholder, holding seventy percent of the company, as he had invested the largest amount of money. The remaining thirty percent would be split equally among them, with each member receiving a five percent share. Anthony would be designated as the head of security, with Victoria serving as his deputy, much like their roles in their previous group.
They all appeared to be quite pleased with the progress, and Lando later brought Ina in from her room to join the discussion.
The Stormshadow Company was born, a name that resonated with Anthony and Victoria, as their respective elements could combine to create a powerful storm, while Lando would operate from the shadows.
With most of the details sorted out, Lando proposed an additional measure to solidify their trust. "What if we also sign a magical contract to ensure that no one betrays the other party? I have some on hand, and it would help eliminate any remaining doubts or mistrust. What do you all think?" he suggested, hoping his idea wouldn't undo the progress they had made so far.
The mercenaries glanced at each other and found no objections to such a contract.
Lando proceeded to list the terms of the contract as follows:
1. No one is permitted to intentionally sabotage the interests of the Stormshadow Company.
2. Any information about the Stormshadow Company or its shareholders deemed confidential by the majority of the company shall not be disclosed to those outside of this room.
3. Violating this contract will result in immediate death.
4. The contract can only be modified or terminated through a majority by the Stormshadow Company.
5. ...
While the terms may have seemed strict, they were acceptable to all. After some hesitation and careful reading, everyone eventually signed the contract.
With the formalities completed, they agreed to celebrate with a small party at the bar in an hour. After a day filled with discussions, they all needed to recharge mentally, so they decided to take a short break before the festivities to freshen up.
In Lando's room, Ina sat on his bed with a mischievous grin. "I told you they would sign the contract," she remarked confidently.
Lando felt a twinge of worry that the others might eventually realize that the contract was designed to heavily favor him, as all the terms were in favor of the company, and he held a significant 70% ownership of it. Essentially, he was the company.
The intentionally vague language in the contract, using terms like "majority of the company," could easily be misconstrued as referring to the number of shareholders rather than the percentage of ownership. This allowed Lando to have control and even nullify the contract without needing anyone's approval.
The crucial part of the contract was the very first line: 'Nobody is allowed to knowingly sabotage the Stormshadow Company's interests.' In reality, this meant protecting Lando's interests.
Ina suggested that after spending the entire day discussing "their" company, the others would naturally be led to think in that way. Exhaustion from the lengthy discussions also played a role in their willingness to accept the terms.
Lando was aware that some of them might never recognize the imbalance, and he had no intention of forcing anyone into anything as long as things went as planned. However, having a trump card in case things went sour was certainly better than being completely defenseless.