"Your Highness, though Fisher hails from the branches of the Grey Mane lineage, his ties to the main house have long since thinned," the young high elf began, his voice tinged with skepticism. "The prestigious Grey Manes of old have dwindled into mere shadows of their former glory." Read first at m-v le-mpyr
"I must disagree," the elf prince retorted, his tone firm yet contemplative. "Blood ties, especially among the beast clans, hold profound significance. Fisher is not merely a distant relation; he is the direct progeny of the late King Grey Mane. We cannot afford to overlook such a connection."
"True, the lustre of the Grey Manes may have faded over the centuries, but recall the old saying, 'a waning dragon still dwarfs a hydra,'" the young elf countered with a wry smile, attempting to lighten the mood.
The prince leaned forward, his eyes alight with strategic fervor. "Precisely why this presents us with a unique opportunity. While Fisher grapples with the prominent vintners, we could monopolize the market for the exquisite wines provided by the Kasha Hotel."
"This venture could dramatically elevate the fortunes of our Windrunner Chamber of Commerce, not to mention our own standing within the esteemed echelons of Silver moon City," he added, his gaze piercing.
"This... Your Highness, aren't we perhaps overestimating the impact?" the younger elf questioned, his doubt evident. "Silver moon City isn't won over by mere trade moves. It's the heart of our civilization."
"Do you not perceive the potential?" the prince queried, picking up a crystal glass from the mahogany coffee table, swirling the rich, amber liquid within. "This isn't just any wine, it's a revelation in taste, far surpassing anything else available. Do you understand the vast sums that flow through the wine markets across our lands?"
"This very wine, currently obscure to the major players, is our gateway. By securing its source, we stand to not only dominate the wine market but also cement our influence continent-wide," he proclaimed, a strategic gleam in his eyes.
"Your Highness, I see it now!" the younger elf exclaimed, an epiphany dawning upon him.
"Good. We must act swiftly. Continue to gather intelligence on Kasha Hotel, identify the owner, pinpoint the wine master. We need that information urgently," directed the prince with a decisive nod.
"Understood!"
As the prince was left alone, his gaze settled on the wine glass in his hand, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Grandfather, you advised me to renounce the throne, and I have been compliant," he murmured softly. "But fate has thrust upon me an opportunity too golden to ignore."
"And so, I shall not only claim what is rightfully mine but reach for what lies beyond."
Nearly three hours later, a scene straight out of legend unfolded in the heart of Canyon City.
Tyton, standing beside her, felt a surge of anxiety. He, too, harbored a desire to return. Yet, just as he opened his mouth to join Kadia's plea, he caught a stern gesture from Logan halting him mid-breath.
"Why this discontent?" Logan queried sharply, his gaze piercing as it settled on Kadia. "Here, you have ample food and drink, and I've observed you and the other beastman from the tribe growing stronger. Such luxuries are scarce back home!"
Kadia, under the weight of Logan's intense stare, shifted uncomfortably. "Chief, I still feel the pull to... to go back," she murmured, avoiding eye contact.
"And why is that?" Logan pressed, folding his arms across his chest.
He then briefed them on recent developments within the Silver Mane Tribe. "Did you know our population has now surpassed 10,000?"
Both Tyton and Kadia reacted with genuine surprise. "Ten thousand?" they echoed, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.
Logan continued, "Yes, and with our current resources, funded by ventures like this winery, we're attracting disaster victims and providing for them. I foresee no wars until after the next rainy season at the earliest. So, tell me, why rush back to a quieter life?"
The two exchanged a glance. Return for a quieter life? Ironically, their current roles seemed more tranquil in comparison to the evolving dynamics at the tribe.
Realizing the futility of their argument against such strategic reasoning, they shifted the conversation to update Logan on the operational status of the winery.
"Chief, we now have 736 orcs here at the winery," Tyton reported. "Of these, 90 serve as guards due to our expansion and the need for heightened security across multiple entry points. The remaining 646 are workers."
Kadia added, "I oversee the guards, ensuring our security measures are robust."
Logan nodded approvingly. "Excellent work. Security is a wise investment, no matter the cost."
He understood that despite the underlying unrest from his werewolves, the security and prosperity of their commercial ventures like the winery offered a stabilizing force not just for them, but for the entire tribe. This was Canyon City, after all, where order was maintained not just by strength, but by the visible assurance of safety and prosperity.
"By the way, have we been procuring slaves for the labor?" Logan inquired, shifting topics to the staffing of the expanding winery.
"Yes, Chief," they confirmed, ready to discuss the next steps for managing their burgeoning enterprise.