8th April 1710
Urgia Sova, Alksearia
The Royal Palace
“HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NO?” yelled an older man.
“And how many times do I have to tell you that this would gain us royal favor?” the younger man said.
“No.” the older man responded.
Enzo had this argument many times with his father. His family wasn’t a traditional aristocratic family. They hadn’t owned land from the Ancient Times. They didn’t own farms or collected rent. They were a part of a new nobility class: the merchants. While Enzo’s father wasn’t one of the first families to emerge into the merchant class, he definitely was one who was pioneering what it meant. Enzo wanted nothing more than to continue this legacy and expand on it. And he had the perfect spot.
There was a landmass to the West that Enzo knew didn’t have a civilized presence. All he needed to do was get his father’s blessing, and he could establish new land for the King, and pocket some money for his father.
And yet…
“The answer is still…” the old man said.
“I know the answer is still no, but father, we have a once in a lifetime business venture that if we seize on now, we will put ourselves ahead of competitors for good! Imagine the look on the snobish Mareau’s face when they see us raking it in.” Enzo pleaded.
“Enzo, my own flesh and my pride, I kindly ask you to take your mouth and give it to the poets. Maybe they may listen to your pleas.” his father replied.
“Your words are harsh and cold. You know not what we could be achieving!”
“My son, I will not say it again: no. I am not going to risk the family fortune on a risk you haven’t properly thought out! You ask for a quarter of my fleet to start up a trading post in unfamiliar land, and you ask for a hefty loan. This costs money, Enzo. We cannot just throw our money around without reason and without good cause.” His father re-iterated once more, “If I hear of this one more time without you doing the necessary assessments or even finding your own funding, then you will receive not a cent from me, and possibly be disinherited.”
“Yes, Father.” Enzo responded extremely begrudgingly.
“Good. Now with that out of the way, we have other more important matters to attend to. Our plans for a post in Elatana are almost complete. We just need a few more signatures from the Tavari government. The Tavarae will almost certainly love our selection. This means that I will be leaving the country for a couple months. In my absence, you are in charge. And just because you are-” Enzo’s father started.
“Doesn’t mean I have control over the books or the family funds. I understand, father. Though, I wish you would have more faith in me.” Enzo said.
“I leave in the morning. Do not disappoint me.”
Enzo bowed. It was the only thing he could do in this situation. His father was the patriarch. He held the family seat with an iron fist. Relinquishing control was…unheard of. Usually he would govern the affairs from wherever he was going, or have everything planned out a month in advance. Enzo didn’t care much. He was old enough to run the family trade by himself. He bowed - as only to show respect - and left his father’s office so that his other “more important” business could be conducted. Even though he was the oldest child and the heir to the Constantine business, Enzo’s business was never “important” enough. He decided to retire to his office, and continue to plan his greatest idea.
—
Several hours later…
Enzo woke up from his desk to a knock at the door.
“Master Enzo, your father requests your presence for dinner.” the servant said through the door.
“Tell me father I will be there when I’m there.” Enzo replied.
Enzo could hear the servant walk away from the door and down the hallway. Enzo sat back in his chair and sighed. The sun was starting to set, and the dim light illuminated his office just enough for him to light the lamps. He changed from his lounge attire to his appropriate attire. He picked up his torch and went to join his family for dinner. The last one for a while.
Enzo arrived in the dining room roughly 10 minutes later. His family had already sat down, but had not started to eat yet. Enzo saw the only open seat; the seat that sat to the right of his father. It was Enzo’s seat as the rightful heir, but for some reason, the seat felt different. It felt like he was being pushed out. The air felt thicker than normal. Enzo put his torch down at the entrance way and sat at the table. His father stood.
“Before we begin tonight’s dinner and prayer, I have a couple announcements.” Enzo’s father said. Enzo could feel his gut sinking, “The first is that our agreement with the Tavarae in Arktoris is almost complete. Soon, we will have another port that our goods can flow in and out of, and a new post for trading.”
The table cheered and clapped. Enzo’s father waited for the noise to simmer down, “I have something else to announce. I will be gone for a couple weeks to help set up and settle the new post in Arktoris. While I am gone, I am leaving Enzo in charge. He will be responsible for the business while I am gone. I trust you all will guide him properly. Now, for a toast,”
ENzo took a deep breath. The air seemed to clear a little as he raised his glass for the toast
Enzo’s father continued, “For safe and quick travel and for fair weather while sailing. For the health of everyone involved and for my son to run things smoothly. I raise this toast to the family.”
“To the family” everyone at the table responded. Of course without saying the prayer of blessing, everyone put their glasses down. Enzo looked at his father carefully. Something seemed off.
“Finally, before our food gets too cold, I will have Enzo lead us in the blessing of our food.”
Enzo nodded his head at his father and stood. He looked his father in the eyes. Something isn’t right. His father knows something that Enzo doesn’t. Does anyone else not notice this? Enzo looked at the rest of the family to start the prayer, “Holy Xathos, we ask of you to bless our food and to bless our time we spend together. May the Holy Ones guide my father and his voyage to Arktoris. May this be seen in favor with you, and may you continue to guide and bless our family. Holy One, may our days be full and our actions faithful. To you we pray.”
“Amen” the table said. The sounds of silverware clattering as soon as the prayer was over was deafening. Something gnawed at Enzo though. Something was wrong. His father has never been this kind of man before. There’s a reason he’s acting like this. There’s gotta be.
But Enzo paid no mind to it for right now was the time to eat dinner and sleep.