Nathan – POV

  As soon as our wagons finally rattled to a halt outside the looming walls of Nara, I wasted no time. My legs were stiff from the endless jolting, but I jumped down from the wagon with determination and strode toward Father. The air smelled of dust, sweat, and the faint sweetness of the mead barrels we carried. Horses snorted nearby, stamping impatiently, while servants began unloading supplies.

  Father turned as I approached, his expression curious. “Nathan? Do you need something?”

  “I need to talk to you and Mother,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady and serious.

  Mother, ever attentive, looked up from where she was directing the servants. “Yes, honey?” she asked warmly.

  Before I could continue, Serena piped up with a smirk. “I want to listen to this. I’m sure Nathan has one of his crazy ideas again.”

  Jack, never one to miss a chance to jab back, grinned. “He has better ideas than you.”

  “Shut up, you muscle-brained donkey,” Serena snapped, glaring at him.

  “Children! Enough!” Mother’s voice cut through their bickering, sharp and exasperated. “Please quiet down. Nathan has something to say.”

  I sighed, gathering my thoughts. “Mother, Father… I think we should equip our people with proper armor, weapons, and tabards.”

  For a moment, silence hung between us. My parents exchanged a look, the weight of my words settling in. It took a while for the idea to take root.

  Finally, Father nodded. “That’s a great idea, Nathan.”

  “Huh?” Serena blinked, clearly confused.

  Mother explained patiently, “Dear, what Nathan is suggesting is that we buy armor and uniforms for our people. We will look the part of a proper noble house, legitimacy and all that. Not only will our retainers look impressive, but it will strengthen our presentation.”

  Father added, “Every noble house has its own uniform and armor. We lack craftsmen; tailors, blacksmiths; but it’s possible to buy these things here in Nara. We’ll seek them out.”

  I pressed on, emboldened. “Aside from that, we should also get a couple of butlers, Mother.”

  Mother tilted her head thoughtfully. “You’re right, Nathan. We should. I think there is a slave market here. Belle? Jennie?”

  “Yes, my lady?” they answered in unison.

  “Help us look for a couple of butlers in the markets,” she instructed.

  “I believe we can acquire them here. How many do you need?” Belle asked.

  “Two will do it for now. Also, find a tailor, we need tabards for you,” Mother said.

  Jennie’s eyes lit up. “Tabards? Yes, my lady. Finally, we will look the part as retainers.”

  Father added, “You’ll also need armor for yourselves and the horses.”

  “I will handle the armor, my lord. Should we sell the weapons?” Anda asked.

  “No,” Father replied firmly. “But we must have all the looted weapons repaired. Find a blacksmith and tailor and if we can recruit them that will be great.”

  “That will be difficult, my lord,” Anda admitted, “but possible. Money is not an issue, I assume?”

  “You are correct. Once we sell the mead, we’ll have plenty more,” Father said.

  Stanley interjected cautiously, “We must be careful with the mead, my lord. We don’t know if those barrels were meant for someone else.”

  “I propose letting the Hellblazers handle that problem,” I said, glancing at Father.

  He understood immediately and nodded. “Yes. Let them manage the sale. And keep some for our own use.”

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  “Thank you, my lord,” Jake said.

  I summoned my minions.

  “Yes, Master?” Krizek bowed, his grin unsettling.

  “Krizek, I have another mission. Sell the mead at the highest price possible,” I ordered.

  “We can do that, Master,” Leshner assured me.

  “How should we proceed?” Xander asked.

  I looked at Father, who only shrugged.

  “By any means necessary,” I said. “Remember, these goods may already be promised to others. It must not be traced back to us...or to you. Subtlety is best.”

  Leshner grinned wickedly. “Your will be done, Master. We’ll scout the city for buyers. Xander will remain here for security.”

  With that, Krizek and Leshner departed.

  “Son, are you sure about this?” Father asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

  “Do not worry, Lord Jakob,” Xander said smoothly. “My compatriots are adept in business as well.”

  “They can handle it, Father. I trust them,” I added.

  “Very well,” Father conceded.

  Our people began setting up camp outside the city walls while the others ventured into Nara. If the merchants here were anything like the ones we had already disposed of, conflict would be inevitable. In that case, I wanted my minions to go scorched earth on them if they appear hostile.

  Later that afternoon, Anda, Belle, and Jennie returned with two men, a dwarf and a human. They bowed before my parents.

  “My lord, allow me to introduce Master Gramba, a blacksmith, and Master Nestor, a tailor. Both masters of their craft,” Anda said.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Have my people given you our order?” Father asked.

  “Yes, my lord,” Gramba replied. “But it will take time. Two days for your men’s armor, another two for the horses.”

  Nestor added, “The tabards can be done within a day. I can also make one hundred more within two days.”

  Father nodded. “Excellent. And the cost?”

  “Fifty gold for the men’s armor, fifty for the horses, ten for repairing weapons,” Gramba said.

  “Ten gold for your retainers’ tabards, and one hundred gold for the additional hundred,” Nestor added.

  I leaned toward Mother, whispering my plans for servant uniforms.

  “Oh… good idea, Nathan,” she said aloud. “We’ll need several sets of maid uniforms too.”

  “That will take more time, my lady,” Nestor admitted.

  “That is fine. We won’t leave until you’re finished,” Father said.

  Fitting began immediately. Mother called us children together, instructing the tailor to make noble clothes for us. Jack and I groaned, while the girls beamed with delight. What is it with girls and clothes? Some mysteries transcend worlds.

  Father offered armor to us, but Jack and I refused; we were still growing, and it would be wasted. At seven years old, I was already catching up to Serena in height. Jack was nearly five feet seven. I hoped to be taller than Father one day.

  As the craftsmen worked, Krizek and Leshner reached out telepathically.

  Master, we found a buyer, Krizek said.

  Any problems? I asked.

  None we can handle. The goods were bound for the local merchant guild. They tried to capture us, but we… convinced them otherwise, Krizek replied.

  How much?

  A chestful of gold, Leshner said proudly.

  Predictable humans. I ordered them to complete the exchange, then relieve the merchants of their coins and treasures afterward. My instructions were vague, but I knew what they meant: death.

  Was I bothered? Less and less. Guilt was fading. Was it corruption, or simply adaptation? I didn’t know.

  Xander approached. “Master, I’ll deliver the goods with Stanley and Jake driving the rest of the wagons.”

  “Go ahead,” I said.

  “Master, don’t feel guilty. These men are scum...slave traders, thieves. They deserve elimination,” he added.

  I was stunned. They knew how I felt. Our bond must have leaked through my thoughts.

  “How do you know?” I asked.

  “Krizek and Leshner told me through our mental link. These men are worse than us demons. They prey on the weak and the helpless. They engage in the sale of children and women while also trading in stolen goods.” Xander said.

  “But how did you know I was feeling guilty in ordering their deaths?” I asked.

  “Through our bond, Master. As you grow, your will...shall reach us without words. One day, a thought will be enough,” Xander explained.

  “Wow… that’s neat!” I exclaimed.

  “Indeed. Now we must collect your riches,” he said, bowing before leaving.

  It was neat, indeed. Overpowered, even. To command with a thought...that was awesome. And knowing that skill awaited me in the future lifted the weight from my mind.

  While the rest of our people were busy with the necessary things we needed for the blacksmith and tailor, I examined the various weapons we looted from the mercenaries and merchants and just as I suspected, substandard steel weapons. Substandard to modern earth steel of course, but I suspect these weapons were rated excellent for this medieval world. I wonder how these weapons measure up to Toledo or Damascus steel? Back on earth, those kinds of steel weapons were considered the best before modern steel. Maybe I can make some here and maybe incorporate some Japanese katana making techniques into the mix. That may hold up until the advent of the industrial age in this world.

  But a seven-year-old forging stuff is not ideal and will definitely look odd. I will need help from a blacksmith and not just anyone. Someone that is tied up to the family. I don’t want any of the advantages I will be introducing into this world to get snatched up by our enemies.

  I all ask father and mother for our own blacksmith.