Future developments

Isaac sat in front of the family with a drafted out plan. "I know quite a few trustworthy people within the capital who are part of the martial alliance. What we need to do is do our best to profit from the chaos within Wolfden City so we need the martial alliances support in order to deal with those who have committed any major crimes. Anyone involved in the hunting games, the illegal slave trade and abduction of the common people within the city should be dealt with by the law. I have begun to collect information on who is involved with those dealings and also protect the witnesses we have found."

Agnes knit her brows in thought. "What is the final goal of this exactly?"

Isaac quickly replied in a neutral tone not expressing any emotion. "First is to get rid of the criminal uprising within the city. Second is to target the nobles who have abused their power. Third and finally is to remove the city lord from his position and open the land up for auction once more."

"Do you mean you wish for the family to make use of the chaos to take control of the city?" Agnes frowned.

"You are a merchant family but you have a big weakness. You live in this village and are isolated so you need a place to be a central place for all of your operations. The city is the perfect place as it is closest to the village and has potential because of its positioning. It is closest to the border of the north and there are clear routes towards the capital, the eastern and western parts of the central lands from the city." Isaac answered while stating the positive points about the city and how the family would benefit the most. "If you can purchase the land then you can begin to open it back up as a merchant city. Ki has mentioned her hopes of connecting the city to begin trading with the northern lands and other places with enough time as those lands are untapped potential and nobody has attempted to make contact. While there are those that travel to the central lands there are many who remain in their lands.

The northern borders have the divine ice sect to keep out the barbaric tribes that wish to loot and kill those of the central lands and the beasts but they do allow traders and small groups to pass through the borders so long as they do not have bad intentions."

"What kinds of things does Ki believe we can trade with the people of the northern lands?" Agnes looked quite intrigued.

"We should be able to purchase blocks of Ice, herbs, arctic char, seal, polar bear and caribou meat and animal furs. A supply of ice would be useful for the summer seasons or for food storage. Various herbs from there will be cold in nature and be useful for practicing certain martial arts and treating certain illnesses. The meat from the hunted animals from the north can be used as specialty products of the north and the furs can be used for clothing." Isaac explained to the best of his abilities at what he had been informed by Ki in the past. "Because of their harsh living conditions they will be in need of many things to trade for their goods. Horses, cattle, goats and sheep can be traded with them as they can handle the cold environment. High energy foods like nuts, other tools to survive in the cold, wood to build sturdy houses and warm clothing can also be traded to make their lives easier. Ki also briefly mentioned a plan for claiming a piece of land near the borders in the future if the plans become a success."

"You are right, some of the goods would be needed and be useful to trade but we have never made contact with the people of the northern lands. So what is the idea for the land?" Agnes nodded upon confirming her granddaughters plans for the future. 'She is ambitious. No doubt she wishes to travel around the world and build relationships to be able to make these plans a success. So she will be leaving the village eventually for long periods of time.'

"The hunting games that the nobles have attended have become popular recently but they have taken it too far with the human hunting… Ki's idea is to open a holiday retreat for the noble circles in the northern lands. It will have many northern specialties and forms of entertainment like sledding in the snow, ice fishing, ice skating, watching ice dancing and wolf dog sled racing. Since the north is overpopulated with beasts it is the perfect place to set up a hunting grounds. Once an area has been controlled then the families visiting can visit to stay for a break and even take part in the hunting games." Isaac tried his best to remember most of what Ki had mentioned and put forward some of the ideas. "It's a good way to show the norths culture to those of the central lands and also be able to change the view of the north landers as merely barbarians."

"I will support it. So just make sure to get everything ready and I will prepare the funds to purchase the city first. We can focus on the other things later in a couple of years when Ki grows up." Agnes began to prioritise the present and what was possible right now. "What do you two think?"

Elizabeth nodded but looked a little hesitant. "Aren't we expanding a little too quickly? Won't we get a target on our backs if we begin to purchase the land of the city along with the buildings that have been seized from the families involved?"

Adam thought for a moment and sighed. "My daughter has her own thoughts. If I continue to deny her then we will never make any progress forward. We just need to think of countermeasures to deal with any opposition."

Agnes nodded. "I can imagine she can continue to push forward because we are supporting her and I am sure Mr Dante has already begun to make plans to make sure everything is successful. The family has enough built up funds to be able to support the purchase of the city and develop it in our own image."

Isaac nodded upon hearing Agnes words. "Yes, I have been thoroughly preparing for everything so just trust in my abilities. I have faith in your granddaughter and her peoples abilities, so long as she does not encounter any huge force then she will be able to succeed with everything she sets her mind on. Once the martial alliance gets involved with the city matters and the invasion of the village then other forces will back off from the city for a period of time which we can use to develop slowly without being disturbed."

Isaac then left the room followed by Adam and Elizabeth, Agnes sat in contemplation at her desk. "I need to put the remainder of my lifespan on using my full potential. All these years I have been playing everything safely because of the need to keep the family not offending anyone from a big background but with Ki's plans being pushed forwards I will have to help my son more to make everything a success. Perhaps Miranda will also be able to assist me more so I need to have a talk with her."