System in Assassin's Creed

Chapter 47: Chapter 46: All Business

As the title suggests, this is all business talk

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---Alaric’s Office---

Alaric, Reuben, Thulani, Jonathan, and several former slaves from Thulani’s recent raid were gathered in the blonde’s office.

It was 3 a.m., and Thulani was visibly uneasy. He had no plan for the freed men and women, so he brought them to the Kenway Estate, hoping Alaric would have a solution.

Seeing Thulani’s nervousness, the freed slaves exchanged wary glances.

Fear lingered in their eyes as they looked at Alaric.

His wealth and power made them uneasy, and if not for Thulani, they would have assumed they had merely been transferred to a new master.

”I don’t mind,” Alaric finally broke the silence, as Thulani’s eyes widened slightly with hope. ”But they’ll have to work on the farm.”

”Yes, that’s fine,” Thulani nodded, turning to the former slaves. ”As long as they’re safe here, that’s all that matters.”

”Sure... and don’t worry. Proper food will be provided, and they’ll receive a weekly wage.” Alaric studied their worn clothing before continuing, ”This just gives more reason why you should stay, Thulani.”

Thulani met his gaze but didn’t reply.

”I’ll be visiting Penn later in the morning... or maybe noon,” Alaric added. ”There are things I need to ask him before dealing with your status. In the meantime, they can stay in the house in the middle of the farm.”

Thulani nodded and gestured for them to follow him.

”Ah... if you ever find more slaves, bring them here,” Alaric said as Thulani paused to glance back.

”We need more hands on the farm. The family will be too busy with the release of our new products.”

”I will do so...”

---Morning, Penn Estate---

Alaric made his way through the grand halls of the Penn Estate.

One of the perks of knowing Penn for fourteen years was that no one questioned his presence. He could come and go freely, something only a handful of people could claim.

Sebastian, Penn’s butler, guided him toward the office. Before entering, Alaric instructed, ”Boil some water and bring two teacups inside.”

Sebastian nodded and left as Alaric stepped into the room. Inside, Penn sat comfortably on a sofa, with a book in hand. The older man looked up as a smirk tugged at his lips.

”Well, well. What brings you here this early?” Penn closed his book and leaned back.

Alaric walked over, settling into a chair. ”Business.”

Penn raised a brow. ”Business? At this hour?”

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[- 3s.]

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Alaric reached behind his seat and discreetly took out a small package. He placed it on the table in front of Penn.

Penn eyed it before picking it up. ”And this is?”

”Celestial Tea. A new product of mine.”

Penn scoffed. ”Tea? You’re making tea now?”

”I’ve made several new products.” Alaric leaned back, listing them off. ”Celestial Tea, a beauty mask that enhances skin over time, a dish called ramen, and hot sauce for adding spice to meals.”

Penn stared at him for a long moment. ”Are you a wizard? How are you creating products left and right?”

Alaric chuckled. ”It’s been fourteen years since Celestial Salve. It’s about time I expanded.”

A knock at the door interrupted them. Jonathan entered, carrying a tray with two cups of hot water. He set them down and left without a word.

Alaric unwrapped the tea bags and dropped one into each cup. ”Let them sit for fifteen minutes.”

Penn watched curiously as the tea slowly infused the water, its aroma growing stronger. ”The smell is wonderful... better than the gunpowder tea I usually drink.”

Alaric nodded, then shifted the conversation. ”I need a way for Thulani and the former slaves to move freely around Bristol without raising suspicion.”

”Ah, of course!” Penn straightened. ”I wonder why I forgot mentioning this to you over the years...”

Alaric shook his head slightly and smiled, gesturing for him to continue.

”Slave owners can get papers from the city hall, allowing their slaves to move through the city. Restrictions exist, but they can still shop at markets and stalls. Vendors don’t mind as long as they pay.”

Penn inhaled the tea’s scent again, visibly pleased before taking a sip. ”For Thulani, we can make an exception. Since he’s well-spoken, you can register him as a free man. He’ll need to dress in fine clothing from now on, but that won’t be a problem for someone as wealthy as you.”

”Good to know... thanks,” Alaric nodded. ”Now, let’s talk business.”

He lifted his cup, taking a small sip before setting it down. ”Support my family business. Use your name to make it a hot topic.”

Penn smirked. ”Still using my name, huh?” He tried to tease, but Alaric merely chuckled.

”Alright, I’ll do it, but I’ll have to charge you.”

Alaric groaned. ”Penn, you’re already rich.”

”I have to earn my keep, ’Laric. Besides, you’re wealthy too.”

Alaric exhaled. ”Fine. I’ll pay upfront. £100.”

Penn raised a brow. ”£100? Make it £10,000.”

Alaric narrowed his eyes. ”£1,000. One time payment. Unlimited promotion.”

Penn scoffed. ”Unlimited promotion? With £1,000? You think I’m daft?”

”Then, how about this,” Alaric grinned. ”I’ll give you one hundred boxes of Celestial Tea monthly, lifetime supply.”

Penn immediately sat up and grabbed Alaric’s hands, forcing a shake. ”Deal.”

Alaric smirked. ”Good. Now, about London... When?”

Penn’s expression shifted to seriousness. ”I planned things out after receiving a letter. Her Majesty Queen Anne wants to meet me in a month. We’ll travel a week before that with the forty thousand Celestial Salves.”

Alaric nodded. ”Three weeks from now... That works. But after London, I probably won’t be returning to Bristol for a while.”

Penn frowned. ”What in heaven’s name are you saying? Are you making products just to leave them behind?”

”No. Before we leave, I’ll have thousands of crates in storage. My family will manage the sales. I make them, they sell.”

”And if your products run out? What then?”

”Thousands of crates, Penn. Not just products. It’ll take years to sell everything.”

Penn leaned back. ”Well, that’s on you.”

Alaric stood up. ”Yep. Anyways, I’m off.”

Penn watched him head for the door. ”Hey, don’t forget about the deal!”

Alaric chuckled. ”I’ll visit again soon.”

And with that, he left Penn’s office.

---Hours Later---

[- £2 8s.]

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After concluding his business at City Hall, Alaric walked through the streets of Bristol, sighing as the sun was hot today.

The streets were busy with merchants calling out to passersby, children weaving between carts, and laborers carrying heavy crates. The scent of bread mixed with the less pleasant smells of livestock and sweat.

Despite the commotion, Alaric’s mind were about his earlier accomplishment.

’With the papers I got, Thulani will now be considered a freeman, and the slaves can at least visit the marketplace or any stores to buy what they need,’ he thought, feeling a small sense of relief.

Arriving at the Kenway Estate, Alaric stepped inside the mansion, making his way toward the dining room.

The walls were lined with smooth wooden panels, and the smell of roasted herbs were pleasant to Alaric’s nose.

Seated at the table were the Kenway family as the kitchen staff moved efficiently around the table, placing dishes before each person.

The room was filled with conversation as Leonard and Bernard were animatedly boasting about their combat prowess, each determined to outshine the other.

Leonard boasted that he could now last thirty seconds against Thulani in a sparring match, making Bernard grumble that his record was only twenty-eight seconds.

Alaric could only shake his head in disbelief that they were proud of such an ’achievement.’

Meanwhile, Eleanor and Linette quietly discussed the financial side of the Kenway farm, strategizing who should manage which products.

Alaric shook his head with a chuckle. Despite Edward’s absence over the past few months, the household still thrived with energy. ’Although it’s a bit different if Edward were here... he’s got some goofy vibes that makes people laugh.’

He took his seat just as a kitchen staff member placed his meal before him: a classic boneless chicken breast accompanied by fresh lettuce, tomato, and a side of mashed potatoes.

’Chicken? Shouldn’t it be steak and mashed potatoes?’ Alaric mused to himself. ’The head chef needs to slow down on experimenting.’

Still, he shrugged and dug in, enjoying the meal while listening to his family’s chatter.

The conversation shifted to the Kenway farm, and Leonard mentioned how the crops had begun growing at an oddly accelerated rate. It was nearly three times faster than before.

”It’s strange,” Leonard said, furrowing his brow. ”We haven’t changed our planting methods... yet the wheat’s practically leapin’ outta the ground.”

”I’ve heard whispers in town,” Bernard chimed in, leaning back in his chair. ”Some say the soil’s been blessed... Others reckon a witch went and cast a spell o’ abundance.”

”A witch?” Linette chuckled, clearly amused. ”Ye’d think she’d have better things to do than toss magic dust on our fields.”

”Well, whatever it is, it’s working,” Leonard said with a satisfied grin. ”Aye, the harvest this year’s lookin’ to be somethin’ fierce.”

”As for the livestock, they be lookin’ heartier too,” Eleanor added. ”More milk, better wool... even the hens are laying twice as many eggs.”

”Could be a passing streak of luck,” Alaric offered with a shrug, feigning curiosity. ”Or perhaps someone’s secretly working the fields at night...”

He gave a teasing smile, earning a round of chuckles.

”If someone is,” Bernard said, ”I hope they keep at it.”

”I suppose we’ll never know,” Linette added, ”but for now... I’ll take whatever blessings we can get.”

”Indeed,” Leonard agreed. ”We’ll keep planting as usual, an’ if it keeps up... well, we’ll be richer than a pirate king’s treasure hoard.”

”I say we toast to that,” Bernard said, raising his glass. ”To a blessed farm and a bountiful year.”

The family clinked their glasses together with their spirits high.

The discussion soon turned to business, specifically who should manage their growing line of products.

Alaric wiped his mouth and spoke up.

”Father, you’ll be handling the ramen,” Alaric said, setting his fork down. ”You’ve got a knack for handling people and managing deals... so you’ll be keeping records and tracking stock for that.”

He turned to his uncle. ”Unc, you’ll manage the hot sauce. You’ve always had a taste for spicier things, and you’ll be good at organizing orders and contracts for it.”

Pausing for a moment, Alaric shifted his gaze to Linette. ”Aunt Linette, you’ll oversee the Celestial Salve. Your steady hand and calm nature should fit that well enough.”

Finally, he looked to his mother. ”And Mother, you’ll be taking care of the Beauty Mask. People trust you... and you’ll know how to handle the records for those.”

”Caroline isn’t here, however, she will be handling the Celestial Tea...” Alaric spoke to all of them. ”She’s part of the Kenway family, and she has background with the tea business. Let’s make her richer than Edward by the time he comes back... hehe.”

Alaric shook his head and leaned back in his chair. ”We’ll only manage contracts and orders. Selling directly through stores or stalls is too risky. Our products are valuable and unique, which makes them an easy target for thieves.”

He tapped the table lightly. ”Selling in person would also mean hiring extra staff, which raises the risk of theft, counterfeits... or even sabotage. By focusing on contracts and organized orders, we can keep things secure and under control.”

”I’ll count on you all to purchase carriages and hire trusted coachmen. Payments should be made upfront to avoid any complications.”

”Allow Thulani and Jonathan to assist with carrying the crates and guarding the carriages as they head to the port or any business within the city. Give them an annual salary of £150 each.”

”We must never send a carriage outside of Bristol. If someone requires a delivery beyond the city, they should arrange for their own carriage to collect the order.”

”Aside from you all, no one else should have access to the underground vault.”

Alaric paused, then added, ”Don’t worry about selling directly. Penn has agreed to help spread the word about our products, and with that kind of promotion, ships from other parts of England and even other countries will come sailing in just to get a piece of what we’re offering.”

The family nodded in agreement.

”Additionally,” Alaric continued, ”94% of the net profit from all items will be kept inside the vault underground. The remaining 6% will be evenly divided among our family, caroline included. I’ll handle the taxes.”

”Are you sure about that?” Leonard asked, surprised. ”That’s a significant amount to store away.”

”It’s alright, I’ll use the 94% to resupply and expand our production when necessary.” Alaric reassured them. ”And don’t worry about the small percentage. With the amount of money that will come pouring in our pockets, you guys will be sleeping in gold.”

”We’re not worried,” Eleanor said with a warm smile. ”We trust you.”

”Aye,” Bernard added, raising his glass again. ”If anyone can turn these products into gold, it’s you.”

”And if not,” Linette added with a grin, ”we’ll just say it’s all thanks to the magic farm soil.”

The family laughed, and Alaric smiled, grateful for their confidence.

The family returned to their meal, laughter and conversation filling the room as they enjoyed their lunch together.

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