Chapter 38: Continental Expansion Planning
The communication crystal glowed softly on the planning table, Viktor's voice emerging with slight distortion from the magical link.
"Revenue is up twelve percent this month. We've established relationships with four new merchant houses, all of them impressed by contract completion rates."
Mira documented the figures in her ledger, the familiar scratch of quill on paper providing background rhythm to the meeting. Tom sat across from me, his network reports spread across the table—intelligence on potential expansion targets, economic assessments, political complications.
"Operational expenses?" I asked.
"Stable. Equipment replacement was higher than projected—Bran's bowstrings keep snapping in the cold—but we've compensated through efficiency gains elsewhere." Viktor's tone carried professional satisfaction. "Novigrad is functioning as designed."
"Good. Because we're about to stress-test that functioning significantly."
The room went quiet. Even the crystal seemed to hum with anticipation.
I spread Tom's maps across the table, overlaid with my own annotations. "Phase 2 requires continental recognition. We've established ourselves in Redania—Oxenfurt and Novigrad give us solid regional presence. But regional isn't continental. For that, we need presence in other kingdoms."
"Which ones?" Mira's question was practical, already calculating logistics.
"Temeria and Aedirn." I pointed to the marked locations. "Vizima is Temeria's capital—political center, major population, significant contract potential. Vengerberg is Aedirn's largest city after the capital, strategically positioned for access to Kaedwen and Lyria."
Tom leaned forward, studying the maps. "Vizima's complicated. The Temerian crown is... unstable. Political assassination, religious complications, Nilfgaardian influence from the recent war. Anyone establishing operations there needs to navigate carefully."
"Which is why we go slowly. Establish contacts first, prove reliability, build reputation before committing resources." I traced the route between Oxenfurt and Vizima. "The same approach that worked here."
"And Vengerberg?" Viktor's voice crackled through the crystal.
"Similar pattern. Aedirn has its own complications—the royal succession is messy, regional lords have significant autonomy—but the merchant class is stable. We target them first, build foundation, expand from there."
Mira set down her quill. "Costs."
"Two hundred crowns minimum per outpost. Property acquisition, initial staffing, operational float until contracts generate revenue." I pulled out the financial projections I'd prepared. "We currently have 427 crowns. Even with aggressive contract work over the next three months, we'll need additional revenue streams to fund expansion."
"The shop," she said.
"Yes." The word carried weight neither Tom nor Viktor fully understood. "I have access to certain resources that can be converted to crown income. Healing potions, specifically—high quality, reliable effectiveness, no alchemical training required for use."
"Where do these potions come from?" Tom's question held the careful neutrality of someone who'd learned not to push too hard on Finn's secrets.
"Trade connections that I maintain privately. The details aren't relevant; what matters is that I can provide inventory that sells at significant markup."
I pulled up the mental interface, reviewing shop options.
[GUILD SHOP - CONSUMABLES]
[Minor Healing Potion (50 GP) - Restores 20% health over 10 minutes]
[Market Value: 12-15 crowns per unit]
[Proposed Purchase: 6 units = 300 GP]
[Projected Revenue: 72-90 crowns]
[Net Profit: Significant crown generation at GP cost]
"I can source six potions immediately. Sell them at market rates, generate seventy to ninety crowns. That reduces our expansion deficit significantly."
"What's the cost to you?" Mira's insight remained sharp.
"Resources that could be spent elsewhere. But expansion is priority—the resources are better used generating crown income than sitting in reserve." I made the purchase mentally, feeling the GP drain.
[PURCHASE: 6 Minor Healing Potions]
[Cost: 300 GP]
[Current GP: 3,450 → 3,150]
[Inventory Updated]
"The potions will be available within the week. Mira, coordinate with our merchant contacts—preferential rates for those who've been reliable, market rates for new customers."
She nodded, already making notes. "Aldous will want first access. His clients have been asking about our supply since we sold those first three during the financial crisis."
"The financial crisis. Nearly two years ago now, when twenty-seven crowns of debt almost destroyed us. Look how far we've come."
"Give him priority. His referrals built half our merchant network."
Tom spread his candidate files across the table, each one representing months of careful evaluation.
"Six possibilities. All proven capable, all currently working independently or for organizations that don't appreciate their talents." He tapped each file in turn. "Aldric—veterinarian by training, but his medical skills translate to human treatment. Valuable for operational support, especially as we expand into areas without reliable healers."
"Age? Background?"
"Early forties. Spent twenty years working estates in Temeria before the recent wars made that position... complicated. Reliable, discreet, desperate for stable employment that doesn't involve watching nobles' horses while their owners play politics."
"Approved. Next."
"Keira Metz. Young sorceress, mid-twenties, trained at Aretuza but left before completing formal education. She has genuine magical capability but lacks the backing that established mages enjoy." Tom's expression suggested complicated opinions. "She's ambitious, potentially difficult to manage, but her abilities would significantly enhance our operational capacity."
Mira looked up from her notes. "Another mage? I thought I was the magical specialist."
"You're developing," I said carefully. "Keira is already developed. Different capabilities, different roles. Your light magic is irreplaceable for certain situations; her broader training covers gaps we currently can't fill."
"She's also connected," Tom added. "Former Aretuza students maintain networks even after leaving. Those connections could open doors we can't reach otherwise."
"Approved, with careful integration. I'll mentor her personally until we understand her motivations." I gestured for the next file.
"Bran. Archer specialist, late twenties, former military. Excellent ranged capability, disciplined, follows orders." Tom shrugged. "Straightforward recruitment. He's bored working freelance, wants structure, heard about our reputation."
"Approved for Novigrad. Viktor can use ranged support."
"Sera. Seventeen, scout and infiltrator. Grew up in Novigrad's streets before finding work with merchant caravans as a lookout. Small, quick, forgettable—exactly what you want in someone gathering intelligence."
"Young."
"Young but experienced. She's been surviving on skills since childhood. This gives her stability and develops her talents in productive directions." Tom met my eyes meaningfully. "Similar logic to your orphan program, but with someone already proven."
"He's right. Sera fits the same pattern as Darek, just older and already functional."
"Approved for Novigrad. Tom, you'll coordinate her integration since intelligence is your domain."
"The last two?"
I reviewed the remaining files. Solid candidates, but our budget was limited.
"Deferred. We'll revisit next quarter once the expansion costs are clearer." I gathered the approved files. "Four new members. That brings us to fifteen total—significant growth, but manageable if we integrate carefully."
"Signing bonuses?" Mira's practical mind never stopped calculating.
"Thirty crowns total. Standard rates, nothing excessive." I did the math mentally. "That leaves us at 397 crowns after bonuses, plus the potion revenue pending. Tight, but workable."
Viktor's voice crackled through the crystal. "When do the Novigrad additions arrive?"
"Within two weeks. Bran and Sera will travel together; I'll provide introduction letters. You'll handle their oath ceremonies locally."
"Understood. Anything else?"
"One thing." I paused, choosing words carefully. "The expansion is going to attract attention. We've operated relatively quietly until now—regional presence, modest contracts, nothing that threatens established powers. Continental expansion changes that calculus. Other organizations will notice. Some will see opportunity. Others will see threat."
"You expect competition."
"I expect complications. We need to be prepared for both cooperative and hostile responses. Increase awareness among your team—anything unusual, any approaches from unknown parties, report immediately."
"Acknowledged. Viktor out."
The crystal dimmed. The meeting was over, but the work was just beginning.
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