The carriage slowly came to a halt in front of the estate’s door. Nathan steps out of the carriage. Rachelle along with the footmen began unloading the sack of coffee and bringing it inside. Nathan and Arronax slowly made their way inside the house. Nathan was tossing the apple into the air and catching it when he smelled the aroma of coffee in the air. He followed the smell and saw Anya seating outside, sipping coffee, and watching the afternoon sky. Nathan made his way toward Anya, he grabbed a nearby chair and sat down then handed his gun to Arronax. Arronax went to a nearby table to do maintenance on their guns.
“What’s that?” Anya asked, eyeing the apple that Nathan was tossing.
“This? An apple. A black apple.”
Anya almost choked on the coffee she is drinking. Coffee burst from her mouth. She laughed. After regaining control of herself she looked at Nathan “No way. You’re joking right?” She asked him. Nathan didn’t laugh or anything. He put the apple down on the table between them. He took out his flask and take a sip from it. “Wa...wait, you’re serious?” Anya grabbed the apple and studied it.
“Bite it then”
“No, way. This could be one of your tricks.”
Nathan grabbed the apple from Anya’s hand and took a bite off it. After swallowing, he handed the apple back to Anya. She took a bite from it. Then her face changed. “What in the world is this?” She quickly took a bite, then another bite. “Where did you get this?” she asked with her mouth still chewing the apple.
“I’ll tell you for 500 dranari.”
“That’s a rip-off. 50 dranari”
“Look who’s talking. 450”
“150”
“350”
“250”
“300, no more no less.”
“Fine” Anya grab a pouch of coins from her pocket. She began counting the coins. She made sure that Nathan could see and heard her counting it. “It’s really sweet, is it natural?” she questioned him as she continues putting the coins in the pouch.
“It is natural.”
“300 dranari,” Anya told him as she finishes putting the coins inside the pouch. “Wait, at the same time.” Nathan sigh.
“Old Joe,” Nathan said as Anya threw the pouch at him. Anya smiled innocently while taking another bite from the apple.
“Wait, what the fuck? There are only 50 dranari here.”
“Hmm, what? That’s the same pouch, right? And you heard and watch me counted it right?”
“Yeah but…”
“Would you like a refill My Lady?” Rachelle interrupted the two.
“Sure” Anya replied. As she stood up an identical pouch fell to the ground. She looked at Nathan.
“Brat!” Nathan shouted as he lounges for the pouch. Anya kicked the pouch farther.
“You already took the pouch. A deal’s a deal right?” she smiled mischievously.
“You never change brother. You’ll never be able to achieve your goal if you don’t change.”
Nathan took another sip from his flask. “Not everybody’s a scheming machine like you.”
Anya laughed then she ate the remaining apple. “I’m only the first of those kinds of people. If you still intend to pursue your goal.” She replied.
“By the way, come. I have something to show you.” Nathan stood up and motioned for his sister to follow him. He looked at Arronax then nodded. Arronax grabs the guns then went to the kitchen to grab the kettle of hot water, two cups, and a jar of coffee that they bought from Old Joe.
Nathan made his way to the upper floors of the estate. Anya followed close by. As they walked by the corridor filled with paintings of previous leaders of House Wolfgang, Nathan stopped in front of one of the paintings. He traces his finger against the frame of the painting. After pressing something he went to another painting and did the same thing. After three other paintings, they continue their way till they arrive at the library at the end of the corridor.
“So, what are you gonna show me?”
“Patience” Nathan replied as he made his way toward a bookshelf on the second floor of the library. He pulled a book out halfway then return it. After several books, he came to the first floor of the library. He made his way to the fireplace before feeling the carving on the fireplace with his fingers. AS he found the spot he pressed it.
“What? It’s behind the fireplace, isn’t it? Anya replied as she observes closely. Her curiosity got the best of her.
Nathan chuckled. He stood up and motioned Anya to continue following him. They made their way to the ballroom. Arronax was standing near the piano. Nathan nodded. Arronax pressed a sequence of keys. After pressing it he made his way to the corner of the room. He pulled back the curtain. Then he pushed the wall and the wall rotated. Nathan and Anya followed suit.
“What in the world is this place?” Anya exclaimed as she strained her eyes to get a better view in the dark.
“This is just the start,” Nathan replied as he takes Anya’s hand and led her through the winding pathway in the dark. After a few moments of walking, they stopped. Arronax began fiddling with the wall in front of them. “Close your eyes”
“W…What? What for?”
“Trust me.”
Anya nodded and she closed her eyes. Nathan led her out from the corridor. She could feel the cold afternoon breeze on her face.
“You can open your eyes”
“What in the world?” Anya exclaimed as she took in the view before her. It was some sort of what used to be a garden. A fountain with a statue at the center of the room, she could see Verden through the glass windows.
“The glass is tinted, you could see the outside world but they couldn’t see inside. Add the design of the house this place could pass on as another ballroom if one were to look from the outside. Coffee?” Nathan explained then he offered Anya a cup of coffee. Arronax was already seating at the fountain.
“Is this where you found Arronax?”
“No, I found him in the previous room. We’ve only recently discovered this area. And we are still trying to find out other secret rooms within the estate. Our ancestors sure were a paranoid bunch. Anyway, that’s not why I brought you here.” Nathan made his way to the fountain. Arronax was already carrying the crate he grabbed from the fountain, after putting it down on the floor he opened the lid. It was filled with bottles of all sorts of alcohol.
“Gifts from the gods,” Nathan exclaimed as he took a bottle, pop it open. He took a sip from it before handing it to Anya.
“Wow” Anya replied as she took a sip from the bottle. She then took another sip. She was about to take the third sip when Nathan stopped her.
“Easy there. We got the whole night.” Nathan replied as he motioned for Arronax to grab some food.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” Anya said as she plopped down on the floor beside her brother.
Nathan smiled, he ruffled Anya’s hair with his left hand before grabbing the bottle from her. He stood up and walk over to the window. He took a sip from the bottle.
“Look at that, isn’t she a beauty? Just like you, The Rose of House Wolfgang.” Nathan said as he continues gazing at Verden.
Anya made her way to where her brother is standing, she took the bottle from his hand and proceed to drink it. “Knowing you, that isn’t a compliment right?” she took another gulp from the bottle. “That’s the reason you brought me here, right? Safe from prying eyes and loose tongues.”
Nathan proceeds to take out a coin from his pocket. He flipped it, after catching it he raised it up to his eye level. “Two sides of the same coin right? How would you do it?”
Anya made her back to the fountain then plopped down on the floor. “What resources are at your disposal?”
“That’s a bit broad right?”
“Nope, come on what resources do you have? Anything and everything that comes to mind. Well, aside from me and Arronax.”
“Manpow….”
“Hah! Yeah, let’s arm the maids, kitchen staff, and stable hands with pitchforks and take over the city. That and whatever you call the measly group of guards. No, we only have enough wealth to maintain the estate and to pay the staff. Any more than that and we’d be going downhill. We’d only have enough men to keep the estate safe. Mostly thanks to Arronax. What if a crime lord decided to send their full force after us? We’d have our heads on a spike before the knights arrive.”
“We could ask Old Joe for…….”
“Their glory days are over. Don’t you think they got enough on their hands, with the constant turf wars in the city, I doubt they are in a better position than us.”
Nathan made his way to Anya. He plopped down beside her and handed her the bottle which she gladly took.
“Well, I could always join the knights. The hollows would prove to be a great boost to our manpower.”
Anya sigh. “Not that fast, you need to be a proper knight then you could even think about gaining manpower from there.”
“It’s a long-term investment.”
“Sure, let’s say you join the knights. Great, we now have an additional hollow added to our manpower.”
“Talking about the knights, I have somebody in mind.”
“As if you could find him. After dad and Victor pass, he took it pretty hard. Since he’s Victor’s mentor and the one who inspired Victor to join the knights. With the death of his student and his best friend in a day, any person would go into a downward spiral.”
“Or, drown their sorrow in alcohol and drugs.”
“Taking the same route that Victor took, we know how that turned out.” Anya took another gulp from the bottle. “But, knowing you……”
“Hey, have some faith in your older brother. I’ve survived this long.”
Anya smiled. She took another gulp from the bottle. Arronax entered the room bringing a tray of foods. He began to set up the nearby stone table.
“Well, you can’t play the long game with the players in this city. You have everything you need in the city. You just don’t know how to utilize them.” Anya said as she made her way to the table, followed by Nathan. They both sat down and took a plate of food. “Thanks, Arronax,” she said as she took a spoonful of food. “Think Nathan, you spend more time with the denizens of the city than me. As I said earlier, make use of the hand dealt to you. Verden is a port city. The only major city south of Brandt. We still have the Galbrechts in control of the county, so repercussion from the crime lords would still be manageable, they would never openly attack us. So that aside, what is something of demand in a city like this?”
Nathan snaps his finger. “You’re right!” He took a pack of cigarettes and place it on the table. Then he proceeds to take out a cigarette and smoke it. “So, whoever controls the docks controls the majority of trade going in and out the city right? But still, there are a lot of smuggling rackets around the city and county. But if I can gain control of the transport rackets in the city then it would be the fastest way to get the attention of the major players.” Nathan took another puff of his cigarette. His fingers tapping on the table as he was thinking about his sister’s last question. He looked at the bottle of wine then at Anya. She shrugged her shoulder. Then he looked at his cigarette. She repeated the same motion. Nathan smiled mischievously. He took a vial of white powder from his coat pocket. Anya grinned. “So the rules of supply and demand huh?”
Anya nodded. “Yes, think of this as another business takeover but on a bigger scale. Since business management is your specialty.”
“I see. So, first of all, we are presented with the choice of either starting from the ground up or taking over an existing business, right? Due to the lack of funds and manpower to build a profitable business from the ground up and to gain exposure to the citizens then it’s better to take over an existing one.”
“Well, in case you forgot, House Wolfgang used to own the area around the clock tower. But due to financial reasons, it was taken by the Imperial Bank. You could always borrow from the Imperial Bank since it’s you. If dad was still alive he’d smack your head if you borrow from other people.”
“Well, that’s the difference between him, mom, Victor, and us.” Nathan took another puff from his cigarette. “I have a business idea in mind. Though I doubt the bank would approve of it immediately. Considering the amount of loan.”
“How much did you have in mind?”
“More or less a million dranari.”
“Shit. You got a rainy day fund? If they come knocking, I’m out of here.”
Nathan laughed. “One thousand is all I have. Still, a thousand dranari more than Arronax. Do you have anyone in mind that might be needing an extra hand?”
Anya sigh. “No one in particular. Ask Billy, he usually knows someone who knows someone who knows someone that needed something done.”
“So, next would be to find someone to make the product. And I’m sure that both of us are consumers only. So to recap, we don’t have any resources. We need to build up our resources, if the business got approved it would help in boosting our funds. In the meantime I will be getting my hands dirty, working for someone. With enough resources, I need to find a way to take over the docks and the transportation system in the city and need to find a producer for the product. Guessing this will be more up in me and Billy’s field of expertise.
“Hey, don’t count me out.”
“You are gonna be worse than a Kindred if you are introduced to the underworld of Lorien.”
“Better to have the devil you know right? Oh, one last thing. Don’t forget the knights. Since you’ve spent most of your time on your favorite establishments, the numbers of riots and uprising in Brandt surpasses the other duchies. Who knows on which side the knights would eventually end up since they seem to be on the verge of disloyalty.
Nathan took opened another bottle of wine and handed it to Anya. Then he took another for himself. Raising his bottle, “There’s no
peace without war.”
“Born of blood and steel,” Anya chimed in.
“Conquered by none.” They both said in unison.
“What’s that?” Anya asked, eyeing the apple that Nathan was tossing.
“This? An apple. A black apple.”
Anya almost choked on the coffee she is drinking. Coffee burst from her mouth. She laughed. After regaining control of herself she looked at Nathan “No way. You’re joking right?” She asked him. Nathan didn’t laugh or anything. He put the apple down on the table between them. He took out his flask and take a sip from it. “Wa...wait, you’re serious?” Anya grabbed the apple and studied it.
“Bite it then”
“No, way. This could be one of your tricks.”
Nathan grabbed the apple from Anya’s hand and took a bite off it. After swallowing, he handed the apple back to Anya. She took a bite from it. Then her face changed. “What in the world is this?” She quickly took a bite, then another bite. “Where did you get this?” she asked with her mouth still chewing the apple.
“I’ll tell you for 500 dranari.”
“That’s a rip-off. 50 dranari”
“Look who’s talking. 450”
“150”
“350”
“250”
“300, no more no less.”
“Fine” Anya grab a pouch of coins from her pocket. She began counting the coins. She made sure that Nathan could see and heard her counting it. “It’s really sweet, is it natural?” she questioned him as she continues putting the coins in the pouch.
“It is natural.”
“300 dranari,” Anya told him as she finishes putting the coins inside the pouch. “Wait, at the same time.” Nathan sigh.
“Old Joe,” Nathan said as Anya threw the pouch at him. Anya smiled innocently while taking another bite from the apple.
“Wait, what the fuck? There are only 50 dranari here.”
“Hmm, what? That’s the same pouch, right? And you heard and watch me counted it right?”
“Yeah but…”
“Would you like a refill My Lady?” Rachelle interrupted the two.
“Sure” Anya replied. As she stood up an identical pouch fell to the ground. She looked at Nathan.
“Brat!” Nathan shouted as he lounges for the pouch. Anya kicked the pouch farther.
“You already took the pouch. A deal’s a deal right?” she smiled mischievously.
“You never change brother. You’ll never be able to achieve your goal if you don’t change.”
Nathan took another sip from his flask. “Not everybody’s a scheming machine like you.”
Anya laughed then she ate the remaining apple. “I’m only the first of those kinds of people. If you still intend to pursue your goal.” She replied.
“By the way, come. I have something to show you.” Nathan stood up and motioned for his sister to follow him. He looked at Arronax then nodded. Arronax grabs the guns then went to the kitchen to grab the kettle of hot water, two cups, and a jar of coffee that they bought from Old Joe.
Nathan made his way to the upper floors of the estate. Anya followed close by. As they walked by the corridor filled with paintings of previous leaders of House Wolfgang, Nathan stopped in front of one of the paintings. He traces his finger against the frame of the painting. After pressing something he went to another painting and did the same thing. After three other paintings, they continue their way till they arrive at the library at the end of the corridor.
“So, what are you gonna show me?”
“Patience” Nathan replied as he made his way toward a bookshelf on the second floor of the library. He pulled a book out halfway then return it. After several books, he came to the first floor of the library. He made his way to the fireplace before feeling the carving on the fireplace with his fingers. AS he found the spot he pressed it.
“What? It’s behind the fireplace, isn’t it? Anya replied as she observes closely. Her curiosity got the best of her.
Nathan chuckled. He stood up and motioned Anya to continue following him. They made their way to the ballroom. Arronax was standing near the piano. Nathan nodded. Arronax pressed a sequence of keys. After pressing it he made his way to the corner of the room. He pulled back the curtain. Then he pushed the wall and the wall rotated. Nathan and Anya followed suit.
“What in the world is this place?” Anya exclaimed as she strained her eyes to get a better view in the dark.
“This is just the start,” Nathan replied as he takes Anya’s hand and led her through the winding pathway in the dark. After a few moments of walking, they stopped. Arronax began fiddling with the wall in front of them. “Close your eyes”
“W…What? What for?”
“Trust me.”
Anya nodded and she closed her eyes. Nathan led her out from the corridor. She could feel the cold afternoon breeze on her face.
“You can open your eyes”
“What in the world?” Anya exclaimed as she took in the view before her. It was some sort of what used to be a garden. A fountain with a statue at the center of the room, she could see Verden through the glass windows.
“The glass is tinted, you could see the outside world but they couldn’t see inside. Add the design of the house this place could pass on as another ballroom if one were to look from the outside. Coffee?” Nathan explained then he offered Anya a cup of coffee. Arronax was already seating at the fountain.
“Is this where you found Arronax?”
“No, I found him in the previous room. We’ve only recently discovered this area. And we are still trying to find out other secret rooms within the estate. Our ancestors sure were a paranoid bunch. Anyway, that’s not why I brought you here.” Nathan made his way to the fountain. Arronax was already carrying the crate he grabbed from the fountain, after putting it down on the floor he opened the lid. It was filled with bottles of all sorts of alcohol.
“Gifts from the gods,” Nathan exclaimed as he took a bottle, pop it open. He took a sip from it before handing it to Anya.
“Wow” Anya replied as she took a sip from the bottle. She then took another sip. She was about to take the third sip when Nathan stopped her.
“Easy there. We got the whole night.” Nathan replied as he motioned for Arronax to grab some food.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” Anya said as she plopped down on the floor beside her brother.
Nathan smiled, he ruffled Anya’s hair with his left hand before grabbing the bottle from her. He stood up and walk over to the window. He took a sip from the bottle.
“Look at that, isn’t she a beauty? Just like you, The Rose of House Wolfgang.” Nathan said as he continues gazing at Verden.
Anya made her way to where her brother is standing, she took the bottle from his hand and proceed to drink it. “Knowing you, that isn’t a compliment right?” she took another gulp from the bottle. “That’s the reason you brought me here, right? Safe from prying eyes and loose tongues.”
Nathan proceeds to take out a coin from his pocket. He flipped it, after catching it he raised it up to his eye level. “Two sides of the same coin right? How would you do it?”
Anya made her back to the fountain then plopped down on the floor. “What resources are at your disposal?”
“That’s a bit broad right?”
“Nope, come on what resources do you have? Anything and everything that comes to mind. Well, aside from me and Arronax.”
“Manpow….”
“Hah! Yeah, let’s arm the maids, kitchen staff, and stable hands with pitchforks and take over the city. That and whatever you call the measly group of guards. No, we only have enough wealth to maintain the estate and to pay the staff. Any more than that and we’d be going downhill. We’d only have enough men to keep the estate safe. Mostly thanks to Arronax. What if a crime lord decided to send their full force after us? We’d have our heads on a spike before the knights arrive.”
“We could ask Old Joe for…….”
“Their glory days are over. Don’t you think they got enough on their hands, with the constant turf wars in the city, I doubt they are in a better position than us.”
Nathan made his way to Anya. He plopped down beside her and handed her the bottle which she gladly took.
“Well, I could always join the knights. The hollows would prove to be a great boost to our manpower.”
Anya sigh. “Not that fast, you need to be a proper knight then you could even think about gaining manpower from there.”
“It’s a long-term investment.”
“Sure, let’s say you join the knights. Great, we now have an additional hollow added to our manpower.”
“Talking about the knights, I have somebody in mind.”
“As if you could find him. After dad and Victor pass, he took it pretty hard. Since he’s Victor’s mentor and the one who inspired Victor to join the knights. With the death of his student and his best friend in a day, any person would go into a downward spiral.”
“Or, drown their sorrow in alcohol and drugs.”
“Taking the same route that Victor took, we know how that turned out.” Anya took another gulp from the bottle. “But, knowing you……”
“Hey, have some faith in your older brother. I’ve survived this long.”
Anya smiled. She took another gulp from the bottle. Arronax entered the room bringing a tray of foods. He began to set up the nearby stone table.
“Well, you can’t play the long game with the players in this city. You have everything you need in the city. You just don’t know how to utilize them.” Anya said as she made her way to the table, followed by Nathan. They both sat down and took a plate of food. “Thanks, Arronax,” she said as she took a spoonful of food. “Think Nathan, you spend more time with the denizens of the city than me. As I said earlier, make use of the hand dealt to you. Verden is a port city. The only major city south of Brandt. We still have the Galbrechts in control of the county, so repercussion from the crime lords would still be manageable, they would never openly attack us. So that aside, what is something of demand in a city like this?”
Nathan snaps his finger. “You’re right!” He took a pack of cigarettes and place it on the table. Then he proceeds to take out a cigarette and smoke it. “So, whoever controls the docks controls the majority of trade going in and out the city right? But still, there are a lot of smuggling rackets around the city and county. But if I can gain control of the transport rackets in the city then it would be the fastest way to get the attention of the major players.” Nathan took another puff of his cigarette. His fingers tapping on the table as he was thinking about his sister’s last question. He looked at the bottle of wine then at Anya. She shrugged her shoulder. Then he looked at his cigarette. She repeated the same motion. Nathan smiled mischievously. He took a vial of white powder from his coat pocket. Anya grinned. “So the rules of supply and demand huh?”
Anya nodded. “Yes, think of this as another business takeover but on a bigger scale. Since business management is your specialty.”
“I see. So, first of all, we are presented with the choice of either starting from the ground up or taking over an existing business, right? Due to the lack of funds and manpower to build a profitable business from the ground up and to gain exposure to the citizens then it’s better to take over an existing one.”
“Well, in case you forgot, House Wolfgang used to own the area around the clock tower. But due to financial reasons, it was taken by the Imperial Bank. You could always borrow from the Imperial Bank since it’s you. If dad was still alive he’d smack your head if you borrow from other people.”
“Well, that’s the difference between him, mom, Victor, and us.” Nathan took another puff from his cigarette. “I have a business idea in mind. Though I doubt the bank would approve of it immediately. Considering the amount of loan.”
“How much did you have in mind?”
“More or less a million dranari.”
“Shit. You got a rainy day fund? If they come knocking, I’m out of here.”
Nathan laughed. “One thousand is all I have. Still, a thousand dranari more than Arronax. Do you have anyone in mind that might be needing an extra hand?”
Anya sigh. “No one in particular. Ask Billy, he usually knows someone who knows someone who knows someone that needed something done.”
“So, next would be to find someone to make the product. And I’m sure that both of us are consumers only. So to recap, we don’t have any resources. We need to build up our resources, if the business got approved it would help in boosting our funds. In the meantime I will be getting my hands dirty, working for someone. With enough resources, I need to find a way to take over the docks and the transportation system in the city and need to find a producer for the product. Guessing this will be more up in me and Billy’s field of expertise.
“Hey, don’t count me out.”
“You are gonna be worse than a Kindred if you are introduced to the underworld of Lorien.”
“Better to have the devil you know right? Oh, one last thing. Don’t forget the knights. Since you’ve spent most of your time on your favorite establishments, the numbers of riots and uprising in Brandt surpasses the other duchies. Who knows on which side the knights would eventually end up since they seem to be on the verge of disloyalty.
Nathan took opened another bottle of wine and handed it to Anya. Then he took another for himself. Raising his bottle, “There’s no
peace without war.”
“Born of blood and steel,” Anya chimed in.
“Conquered by none.” They both said in unison.
