A History Through Blood

The following are miscellaneous scraps found from the remains of a personal log which once belonged to Allen Clerk which were found when renovating an old warehouse.

20th Year, First Quarter Moon, First cycle of Spring

The latest caravan journey north was mostly successful. While there were a few losses in terms of failed or spoiled products, the successes were enough to cover the expense. It seems like international trade is starting to pick up and the various nobility are seeking foreign curios from the regions south of the Mediterranean Sea. When we reach the capital, I must try and source whatever can be readily transported or could inflate the prestige of the owner. I should be focusing on the richer clientele, which will yield the greatest profit and I can retire from this roaming life.

Edward announced that we were gaining a new member of the caravan when they reached London. The arrangement was that they were to be treated on paper as an auxiliary member of group who followed along for protection, but they had the additional backing from the higher ups and to treat them accordingly. Hopefully they are not deadweight, given all of the other new traders who have graced us with their sub-par performance either gave up or had to stow their pride and get assistance.

20th Year, Waxing Gibbous, First cycle of Spring

We managed to get some rare deer hides imported from some Spanish traders, they are a lot tougher than ones we are used to, and their horns are similarly foreign. The latest trip north should prove profitable, although the crates of spices from the far east might go poorly due to chefs and nobility having limited knowledge about their application. I must do more research after the next few trips, Edward's continued insistence to maintain half our wagon's load with staple goods instead of focusing on profit is putting a dent in my dreams.

I did however manage to catch a glimpse of our new member, although they were covered by a thick cloak, I could immediately tell she was a young woman. From the brief glance I could tell she was a beautiful enough to garner the attention of numerous men. It is probably why she was kept under the watchful eye of that brutish mercenary, acting as a bugger. I was called away before I could observe her any further. From what I could tell she was chatting with the warehouse manager, some unknown lord and Edward, meaning she had wealthy connections. When we depart, I must try and talk to her, even if she is a terrible merchant her connections are worth the effort.

20th Year, Waning Gibbous, First cycle of Spring

The weather has been rather warm, at least the premium goods seem to be heat resistant to some degree. Unfortunately, there were few lords in the smaller provinces who had the capital to spare for luxuries, mostly out of the possibilities of new wars or increased taxation to fund said wars. I must travel further north to find a buyer who will pay premium, at least the more staple goods are still providing a small and reliable income. Future trips should keep this in mind, I might see if I can shift the goods around or buy a larger wagon.

The young girl on the other hand was promising, even if she was tied down by her adopted sister. As with our leader, her primary goods consisted of the standard longer life food products and various minor luxury products which could easily be converted into other items. The curious aspect of her modus operandi was how she supplemented her trade by practicing medicine, with somewhat mixed results. The nobles and middle class would often shun her efforts, whereas the poor leapt as the chance. Her, generally, low fees and willingness to barter aided her appeal to the impoverished peasants and would often receive a small bonus at each town.

It is really a pity that all my advances have been brushed aside, I could see a great future for us running our own shop. She could look after our kids while dealing with the commoners, while I courted the upper class with an array of exotic goods. Her adopted sister would be a nice bonus, once she matures, I am sure she would bear wonderful fruit. I can see it now; I might even be able to promote myself to the status of lord.

Unfortunately, the little sister seems to run off whenever I try to get close to her and that brutish thug always seemed to be lurking nearby whenever I could get either of them alone, I am sure I could charm them. For now, I haven't lost anything and will drop it for now, until I can find an alternative way to interact with her.

20th Year, Waxing Crescent, Second cycle of Spring

I finally found some leverage against Victoria. She seems to practice some pagan ritual involving bloodletting and drinking. While this warrants further investigation, it is probably not something she would want well known. I don't know what method I should use, once I have gained her trust, I can start to push her towards my aspirations. Blackmail would probably be too forceful, and I might receive some retaliation, perhaps I can try offering my support.

-

My attempts at establishing any relationship were quickly dashed, she had little interest in my offer and declined any business arrangements. That little witch thinks she is better than me? I will make you see the error of your ways. The church keeps ears out in the various towns, it should not be hard to spread some rumours at the various towns. I might even play the magnificent savior and hide her from her pursuers. If she declines, well... she could've had it all by my side.

20th Year, Waxing Crescent, Second cycle of Autumn

I did not realize that the church had agents to deploy against witches and demons, I only assumed that the various kingdoms formed such groups to pacify any decent. There is no choice but to play the situation by ear. The church has not sent a large extermination force, so only Victoria is in any danger from their presence. Luckily, it would seem that the caravan members would face only minor repercussions. It's a shame that such a prize could not have been utilized by my abilities, but it is a cruel world that we live in.

-

How on earth did she survive? Sure, she was bound and being carried towards that ever-wary Edward's wagon, but she was not immediately killed. Before me is an opportunity, if I could save her, she would be in my debt and surely her benefactors would provide me with a reward. As that useless guardian is allowing her to simply get captured, I need to get my own hands dirty and intervene. I can hide her in my crates and create a false trail towards the woods, I doubt the man has much experience tracking humans. She will surely fall under my thumb by winter, with her connections and my wisdom will surely see us rise to new heights.

20th Year, First Quarter, Second cycle of Autumn

That damned fool, she turned down my more than generous attempt at rescue and sat waiting for her captor to return. I even suggested doing so at the next major town as to better hide her tracks, but she still refuses my aid. I am not wasting my neck for that ungrateful woman. Rot in hell for all I care. You could've had it all, but you spat in my face.

20th Year, Waning Crescent, Second cycle of Autumn

So much wasted material. Properly treated, those werewolf carcasses would've sold for astronomical profits to either legitimate or illegitimate buyers. To rub salt in my wounds, I was snubbed by that damned thug from being included in the retrieval team and missed out on the cache of riches they received. This has been a horrible journey; I can only hope that I can find a naive buyer for my goods in York to lighten my sour mood. I might splurge a little on Alcohol to improve my spirits.

21st Year, Waxing Gibbous, First cycle of Spring

Now that the ports have become defrosted, I can now acquire more exotic wares for the various nobility who reside far away from the usual ports. I have heard a few rumours of a few aristocrats in London who are interested in sourcing wares from the southern part of Africa, away from the more traditional northern ports of the Mediterranean. A week from now I will have a meeting with a new upstart house, I believe they have some ties to the royal family. With wealth like that my dreams of wealth will almost certainly come true. The guild did not wish to enter their estate with their wares and insisted that they visit the main store. I might lose my standing in the guild, but there is too much gold to be made once I convince them of my worth.

21st Year, Full Moon, First cycle of Spring

Everything was for nothing... The Lady took everything under the guise that “a gift for royalty should be given without expectation”... my objections were met by their knight's steel. I have nothing. My last coin was spent on hides, horns and other valuables which I took to their manor... I have nothing but my old horse and wagon... Word has likely already gotten to the guild master... I... can only beg for something to keep me off the streets.

End of journal scraps

-

Before Lord Redford lay the battered journal of one Allen Clerk and a letter from one Victoria Worm. As we expected, the greedy imp had jumped on his subordinate's baited words and practically hand delivered all his merchandise to the noble house without any research or a way to secure their return from the estate. The guild had been cautious when handling them for a reason, his initiative only helped our position by confirming their nature whilst creating a captured pawn for us to use.

It was just as the young doctor had said, he was an untrustworthy merchant who would abandon us for profit or self-interest. Her suspicions about him were only confirmed by his diary, although she did not know the extent of his desires or aspirations. We shall keep him in an administrative role in perpetual servitude, his actions could've exposed our family which cannot be forgiven. Death would be to light a punishment for this whelp who dared to reach above their limits.

As for the vampress, she has done well dealing with this situation and the church, although the latter outcome is more difficult to utilize. Victoria is not one to sabotage either her supporters or possible partners without provocation, so there is limited risk to our organization. However, at this point she cannot easily act as a proxy for either party. For now, we must contemplate her position further and decide how to use it. In the meantime, there is a house further north which requires aid, their message has been received and I suspect that the good doctor should be able to handle it.