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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 3451270" data-attributes="member: 11">InterSession 4.3 – “Just Business…”That afternoon Amalda met Telémahkos with a chaste kiss and a wink in the upper hall of the Sign of the Green Gem. "Master Lowe knows you are coming and is eager to meet you.  He is inside with his middle son, Plavus who shares his business savvy.  His other two sons and his daughter are about somewhere well."She knocked softly on a room door and let herself in.  After a few words that came through the closed door as a murmur, she opened it again and called Telie into the suite.Cornwallis Lowe appeared to be nearing his fifties, but in good health. He wore a red and green kilt and a long lighter green-colored shirt tied in an elaborate knot with the edge of the kilt and tied again with gold tasseled silken rope. His long brown hair was whitening, but not thinning, and he had alert light brown eyes and a paternal smile."Master Briareus! It is a pleasure to meet you!" The merchant stretched out to take Telémahkos’ hands and shake them firmly.  "This is my son Plavus." Standing next to him was a squatter and darker version of Cornwallis. The son, likely in his late twenties, smiled nervously and nodded.Amalda lets herself out with a quiet and respectful, ‘good-bye’."The pleasure is mine," Telémahkos replied with a hearty handshake.  He made a respectful gesture to the son. "Plavus." Cornwallis Lowe gestured for Telie to sit in a low stuffed chair across a low table from two chairs that had been pulled up for the merchant and his son. He poured the young Briareus some wine and then a glass for himself.  Telémahkos smiled and noted the quality of the surroundings. This was clearly the most expensive set of rooms in the place, and many personal items had been brought in to make it more comfortable.  Over Lowe’s shoulder to the right was a curtained doorway to an adjoining room.“This is beautiful land around here,” Telémahkos said taking the glass and trying to think of a pleasant and innocuous way to start the conversation."Aye, it certainly is beautiful, but I prefer the amber plains of Schiereiland myself.  I worked a trade route from <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Heartspire" target="_blank">Heartspire</a> to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Hillsgate" target="_blank">Hillsgate</a> for over ten years, and I still dream of that place…” Lowe was wistful.  “One day soon I hope to have the coin to purchase some land and build a more permanent legacy for my family…" He raised his glass and his son followed suit, "But enough about me, let us toast to you and your braves companions that I have been hearing about. . . Well, the word is you have only just gotten started, but if the nobles I have known are anything to go by, I am sure you already have several irons in the fire all of which require discretion."Cornwallis Lowe smiled and raised his glass even higher, "To House Briareus and the Charter of Schiereiland!""Here, here!" Plavus added weakly.  The younger man's smile reminded Telémahkos of a face someone would make when straining on a chamber pot."Here here!" Telie echoed and took a sip of the wine. It was strong and sweet, just how he liked it."House Briareus has a long mercantile tradition. I can honestly say trade has been our lifeblood," Telémahkos said.  “I think my goals fall somewhere in the realm of that tradition…”"And what are our children and their children if not a means of extending that lifeblood and tradition beyond our own allotted time?" Cornwallis said, getting very serious and reaching over to clasp Plavus' shoulder paternally.  "A father must ever seek to expand his wealth and resources so that his progeny might have an even better life…" He took a sip of wine."If you know of my own father's path then you know my family believes deeply in that same value," Telie replied with feigned emotion. Sometimes he amazed even himself with just how easily he could turn it on and off."I know of your honorable father, and his sharp and uncompromising mind when it comes to business.  He is no doubt a great man. .  But he is established and rich. . . It is with the younger generation and how they surpass their fathers that I am concerned with, and that is why I was so happy to hear of you and your group," Lowe paused and took another deep sip and then refilled his cup. He gestured as if asking if Telie would like a refill. And Telie nodded. "Are the rumors I hear of your plans to enter the Disputed Territories true?""It appears that sometime soon we will be heading there. I hear there may even be land suitable for the nobility of Thricia to cultivate. There might be some money to be made for a trader down there if a town or keep of some sort is established or re-secured.""The apple does not fall far from the tree it seems," Cornwallis said with a wink. "For it was something along those lines that I wanted to talk with you about… That is, when the disputed territories are open up the way the western frontier has been, and when a declaration of homesteading is made, it will be those who are prepared to seek out and hold lands that will succeed the most; those ready to set up routes by which needed goods can be sent to and brought from there." He stopped and took another sip. "And those who know of lands… who might have access to maps or detailed directions to fertile and safer places to go along with that preparation, they will be in the best position…And the wealth that will come from being in that kind of position will purchase a form of independence and influence that I feel is harder and harder for the younger noble generations to attain…""It certainly is,” Telémahkos smiled realizing that they were closing in on the heart of the matter. “It would seem that those who can supply information and logistics will be seeking those with the standing and resources to settle these areas. I suppose some might already be making arrangements to assure themselves such a position early in the game. I am sure there will still be a price to pay to gain this advantage on the competition, but I am certain it will be worth every silver piece." He drained his glass and accepted another. "Now that I am aware of these opportunities, I am very interested in expanding my family’s holdings, status and fortunes simply because I know it is going to help my beloved kingdom and better yet, will relieve my father of his worries about my future. The problem I face right now is a lack of financial stability within the charter..." "Yes, coin is certainly an issue…" Cornwallis raised the bottle to pour more and seeing it is empty, put it back down a little too hard.  "And if we can come to an agreement, I would certainly invest some to help in your endeavors. . ." He clapped his hands loudly and called out, "Ida! Attend to me!"The curtain to cordoned off section of the suite was pulled aside, and for a second Telémahkos could see another man standing back there, but the man was easily forgotten when Ida came walking through.She was a lithe girl of about fifteen summers - petite, with long golden brown hair, and a soft radiant beauty like a romantic painting.  She wore a flower patterned silken dress that Telie reckoned cost more than everything he wore.  Ida was demure and graceful, gliding over with a freshly uncorked bottle of wine in her hands.  Telie could see the label facing him, "<a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Wines+and+Spirits+of+Aquerra#pylareserve" target="_blank">Pyla Reserve</a>".  She had soft brown eyes, and each of the handful of freckles on her nose were like a mote of stardust…"My daughter… Ida…" Cornwallis said, standing.  Plavus stood as well, but Telémahkos was already on his feet, bowing.She curtsied.  "How do you do, sir. . .?" she asked in perfect practiced diction. Ida filled Telie’s glass and then her father's."Where was I?" Cornwallis asked rhetorically. "Oh yes. . . Investment.  I also wanted you to understand that I there are some business relationships that coin alone cannot arrange. . ."Ida blushed, and her air of innocence redoubled as she stood there awkwardly, before remembering to pour some wine for her brother.Telémahkos was quiet just a little too long before saying, "Yes, of course, more than coin alone..."  Telie nodded distractedly as he made a mighty attempt not to look upon the daughter for overly long."As I said," Cornwallis continued, putting an arm lovingly around his daughter's shoulder as he gave her a kiss and shooed her off.  "I am most concerned with the generations that come after me and that their lives and that of their children will be in a better place than I am now. . ." Lowe smiled broadly. “And to that end I am willing to invest not only coin in your efforts to aid our business arrangement, but invest my children in this endeavor as a means of investing in their future…If you get my meaning… And it is for this reason that as part of our understanding, I would like for you take one of my other sons with you to the Disputed Territories.  He is trained in martial skills, but just as importantly he is a gifted surveyor, knows his letters and speaks four languages. . .""This is an interesting development. You do understand that the charter lists in excruciating detail how any riches we discover are split, yes?" Telie mulled the idea in his head. "Your son's role would be to help with cartography and dealing with local populations? We certainly see ourselves as liberators and heroes rather than merely on a quest for land. That being said, many of us do also wish to honor our Houses as best we can."Telie sipped his wine and took another long look about the room. "So, where is this son? And can you tell me where he may have learned his craft?""Like Plavus here, my son Tymon learned a great deal on the road with me, bringing goods up and down the coast to and from Schiereiland to New Harbinger and back - but recently he just completed a series of courses at the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/University+of+Thricia" target="_blank">University of Thricia</a>. . . He is actually at the port right now with some of my employees securing some shipments of spices to be brought north, but I can arrange for you to meet him later tonight or sometime tomorrow. Actually, you may have seen him in the common room last night, he is taller and broader than me, and, but darker. . .taking after his mother in that regard, like Plavus here. . ."The merchant continued: "As for the split, I willing to pay for his travel and needed gear for the journey, so that is not an issue - and as for any recovered treasures, we are more than willing to leave it to a handshake agreeing that you can give him whatever you consider fair for his help - whether that be from your own share, or from some agreement made among your companions… On a case by case basis, of course.""What sort of martial training does your son have? I am certain that the biggest qualm my companions will have is not wanting to responsible for bringing a merchant to his death.""My son was trained by the former head of my company's caravan guard.  He has been involved in more than one battle involving bandits, and once against a treacherous kobold ambush…" Cornwallis poured even more wine for the both them, smiling proudly at the recollection of his son’s heroics, and ignoring Plavus who seemed to be nursing his wine. "But I was speaking of your companions…Before we make a final agreement, I was curious… How well do you get-on with Mistress Ostrander?" "She and I get along fine. I am not certain of her inner thoughts of course since she is a woman…” All three of them burst out into self-satisfactory man-laughter, and then Telie continued, “But then again, she is an Ostrander and I do not expect any of that House to look very kindly upon House Briareus. That being said, I think she is much more concerned with Anhur and honor to worry much about politics. Why do you ask?""I was wondering if you knew if she was close to her uncle, High Inquisitor Estatius Ostrander, of the Margrave's court. . .""No idea… But I could always ask her,” Telémahkos replied dismissively. “But regarding coin, I was thinking that two hundred and fifty silver pieces might be a reasonable number to acquire my support in this situation. The coin would allow the charter to not worry about immediate needs and rather concentrate on the correct next step. If we were to gain land in the Disputed Territories, your company would be among the most advantaged merchants we work with. I would love to offer you exclusive access but I am certain my father would not be happy with that. Also I can assure you that your son would be more than fairly compensated in return for this generosity on your part."Telie finished his fourth glass of wine."Well, if those lands are made available in the same form as that in the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Western+Frontier" target="_blank">western frontier</a> was given, that is, first come first serve with the condition of there being evidence that the land is being worked and remains productive - then those who are prepared will arrive first. . . It would not be a matter exclusivity… So do not worry yourself on that point…" Cornwallis Lowe looked to his son and nodded, and Plavus got up and went to the back room."It is commonly known secret. . ." Lowe winked when he said this. "That Esatitius Ostrander is one of heads of the pro-expansionist movement, but he is also kind of an outsider in his family, and since he and Sir Lionel Ostrander, Victoria's father, are the only children of the same mother in that particular branch of Ostranders - I thought perhaps there might be a little of that outsider status for her as well… And so she might stand with her uncle on the issue. . . And if so, this might help you in your own endeavors… Or should I say, our endeavors now that we will be working towards a common goal."Telémahkos mulled this over, but did not respond to it, his mind still on Ida."When we are done, I request the honor of bidding your daughter farewell, and if my companions and I decide to stay in the town another day, I would like to have tea with your beautiful daughter with a chaperone of your choice of course,” Telémahkos said as respectfully as he could, trying to hide his nervous excitement.But it was as if the merchant could read Telie mind, for he stood when Plavus came back into the room followed by Ida."Ida, come and bid this fine young man farewell. . " Her father said to her.Blushing as she glided towards Telie, she immediately looked down when their eyes met. "It was my pleasure, sir. . ." She said as she daintily offered her hand and curtsied."Nay, m'lady, tis all mine, as Bast herself has blessed my eyes this day..." Gently and slowly he bowed low gave her the lightest kiss on her hand."I do. . . um I do hope that we get to meet again soon," Ida bated her eyelashes and looked down again and then turned to leave.  As she got to the curtained doorway to the adjoining room she looked back at him, and seeing he was still looking let out a little yelp and hopped behind the curtain.It is then that Telémahkos noticed Plavus was sitting and writing at a desk against the wall. Cornwallis led him over. On the desk were two piled stacks of ten Thrician gold pieces each and five stacks of ten Thrician silver pieces each."If you will sign here," Plavus said handing Telémahkos a quill."Stand up you idiot! Let him sit!" Cornwallis Lowe smacked his son in the back of the head, and Plavus leapt off the chair to allow Telie to sit.The paper was two copies of a simple receipt acknowledging Telémahkos’ acceptance of two hundred and fifty silver pieces from Mister Cornwallis Lowe in return for "future special considerations".Telie took the quill and sitting, took a deep breath and signed his name twice. "I may need to be circumspect when I explain to my companions where this coin has come from. They are very suspicious...." He said as he put the quill down. "You know best your own business," Cornwallis said with a smile, risking the familiarity of a pat on the shoulder."And I need to emphasize the danger you are sending your son into,” Telémahkos said, turning in the chair to face the merchant. “We have already traveled into a deadly bog in the middle of the night and done battle with vicious lizardfolk. This is no caravan. My companions are looking for trouble so they can right wrongs... I am happy to have your son along but he will need to join us as my hireling. You and he will be relying on my own honor and generosity until he proves himself to the rest of the company."Telie got up and Cornwallis Lowe walked him to the door.  "My son is not only aware of the danger, he is eager for the adventure.  He has sharp eyes and a sharp wit and will only be an asset. When and where shall I have Tymon seek you out?  Or should I simply send him to your steward for the arrangements of travel?"Arrangements were made for Tymon to meet with Euleria that evening, so that she may question him a bit and make arrangements for him to meet the rest of the group the next day."I do look forward to forging a lasting alliance between my House and your family, if Bes and the other gods see fit for this to happen."Telémahkos headed back to the citadel to get ready for dinner.End of InterSession #4.3</blockquote>

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