Solo The beginnings of an empire! (A business empire that is)

[Viper]

Summer, Day 70, 513 AV

Laying down on his back in a patch of wild grass near his camp, Viper peered up into the blue sky. His thoughts adrift as he tried to figure out what he was doing with his life. Many terrible events had marked his life. But here in Syliras, things seemed to be looking up. He had made several friends, a couple of which he had actually first only dreamed of. The hunting was plentiful, and the area relatively safe. At least as compared with other parts of Mizahar.

But what was he doing...really? His thoughts drifted for a bit toward that person he considered special. Was he really in a position to offer that someone anymore more than just himself? His brow wrinkled some as a frown took over. Realizing he needed things to change if he was to feel that he could offer anything tangible, he began pondering what he could do. Biting off a chunk of jerky that he had made with some help from that significant other, a light bulb seemed to be turned on above him.

What if he made jerky...? It usually fetched an excellent price, and yet the ingredients required to make it were actually quite inexpensive in comparison. The fact that Syliras' primary export was meat definitely made this new idea intriguing. But before he got carried away, he'd have to think this through. What would he need? A steady supply of beef, an excellent cook, a talented butcher, and a good selection of other ingredients to enhance the flavour of the jerky. All of these thing were readily available in the largest city of Mizahar.

But who would he sell it too? He could simply try selling it in the markets. Mmmm, to small time. Not to mention it would require a lot of effort to try selling in such small increments. What he needed were large consistent orders. So who would need or could really benefit from jerky? ...Sailors! Long voyages meant keeping fresh food was difficult at best. And jerky's ability to keep for long periods of time would be perfect for them. ...Soldiers! Of course! The knights could also make great use of his product for many of the same reasons. Light weight, high in energy, doesn't quickly spoil while out on patrol or missions. Travellers. Perhaps he would open a small place just outside of the city for people leaving and on their way elsewhere by way of the Kabrin road.

He shook his head free of this idea. The Knights owned everything here...He'd basically have to work for them if he actually opened a place within their domain. And THAT was not something he was looking for. Course, he could always just go far enough away to set up his operation. Then at that point he could even set up a way station as a sort of rest stop for travellers moving to and from the city! And who's to say he couldn't just hire the other talents he needed and be simply a customer, instead of their boss? At least just while he got started.

But surely there were drawbacks...there had to be...right? Viper continued to think on the matter but couldn't come up with any reasons not to try. Granted, he'd have to first see if he could even scrounge up any of the people he needed for this effort, then he'd have to actually get contracts for his jerky, and line up suppliers so he could even make his jerky...but other than those...minor details, why not? With a nod of his head, Viper decided. He would give this a go, and see where it took him. His face began to seem aglow with excitement. For the first time in months and months, he finally had a direction. A goal to achieve. Something to give him purpose. And he would, like he did with just about everything he tried, throw himself into it completely!

[Viper]

Mounting up, he headed off to the markets to find the representatives of the different people he'd need to set up arrangements with for supplies. The market, as usual was abuzz with activity. Many people hawking their wares, others trying to barter and negotiate better prices. It wasn't really an environment he enjoyed being in. But if it got him what he needed, it would all be worth it.

After asking around the different vendors, and getting opinions from people in general. Many seemed to point to a certain rancher as a good choice. He always seemed to have plenty of cattle, and they always were in excellent condition. It didn't take him long to locate the man in question. With a pleasant smile decorating his facial expression, he walked up.

"Good morning sir!" He said in a cheery voice. "Would you happen to be the man I need to discuss purchasing head of cattle from?" The man looked up from his ledger, but didn't immediately answer. He seemed to look Viper over as if sizing up what sort of person he was. A friendly smile soon appeared on his face though, and he gave a quick nod. "Aye, that I am. If you're simply looking for a cow for your farm, they're 17 gold mizas a head. Bulls are 110 gold mizas a head. For a small fee we could also arrange transport of the animals to wherever you may need them."

Viper contemplated the prices as well as the offer for transportation. Stepping away for a moment, he gazed out over the head of cattle that were currently there. They sure looked to be fine specimens. As fine as any cows as he had seen elsewhere. But then, he really was no expert when it came to cattle. And in the end, his purposes just meant they would be slaughtered anyway. So being great for milk production, or in their prime for breeding meant nothing to him. Still the price seemed just a little steep. Perhaps this was where the bartering that he had noticed in the market place came in. Everyone always seemed to start very high and low and then finish somewhere round about the middle. Perhaps he should give this a try.

Turning back to the man he replied this way. "Well they do look to be very well taken care of. Some of the finest head of cattle my eyes have ever laid eyes on. However, I was wondering if you might consider more a long term arrangement. I'm actually wanting to buy quite a few head over the course of a year...but only if the price is right of course!" An almost mischievous smirk flashed across his face as he let his words sink in for just a few seconds before continuing. "What say you to 13 gold mizas a head? But I purchase 7 head of cattle, each day, 5 days a week, every week of the year!" The mans eyes widened as he began to run the numbers through his head of how many head of cattle that would actually be. Soon though he scoffed at the offered price. "You must be joking sir! These are the finest cattle in all of Syliras! I could get better prices than that on any street corner. However....if you really do mean to purchase that many head of cattle. I might be able to lower the price to 16 gold mizas for you. What say you to that?" The man finished by crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk of his own.

Viper brought a hand up to his chin and played with the stubble that was growing there as he contemplated the offer for a few long moments. "Tell you what. Perhaps my initial offer was a little low. Here's what I'll do. Since you came down 1 gold to try and work with me, I will go up two. So 15 gold mizas per head. And keep in mind, if this business relationship works out well. I very well could be interested in increasing my order per day. And after all, there's nothing quite like a steady order for cattle. Am I right?" Viper threw his hand out to shake on the offered deal, praying his first real negotiation would be successful.

The representative, eyed the offered hand as he ran numbers again through his head. "Hmmm." Was all he offered at first, still mulling the offer over. Finally his own hand shot out and gripped Viper's firmly. "Very well sir. You have yourself a deal! Let's go ahead and get a contract written up then, shall we? When would you like to begin receiving the ordered cattle?"

Viper broke out in a wide smile, as he almost couldn't believe his ears. His first deal...a success! Coming back to Miz, he shook the mans hand heartily before focusing back onto his question. "Uh...well. If I can get the rest of my items locked into place. I should be able to start taking in cattle starting tomorrow morning! Oh and you needn't worry about transportation. I can handle them myself. But thanks for the offer!" The representative simply nodded his head and got to work making the contract. It didn't take long and soon, with a signature on the line, Viper had his supply of beef set and ready to go. Item one, check! He thought extremely pleased to himself.

[Viper]

Leaving the stock yard and representative of that ranchers behind, Viper's excitement about his new venture was building to a point he thought he would soon burst. Check one off on his list of objectives for the day! Although he was ecstatic over his first business victory, he had a few more challenges yet to overcome. Next he would see to the butchers he'd need for so many head of cattle every day of the week. Again, a walk around the market and a few discussions about where the best butchers might be found led him to a largish type meat shop. Well...in all honesty the shop called Butcher of Alban, was considered the "best". But it was to small of an operation for what he needed. And this place came just about as well recommended as the other.

He also figured he'd try a different strategy this time. With the cattle, he needed the lowest price he could get. But with this, he wanted to use the cow itself for payment. At least the portions of it that were useless to him. So instead of being cheap, he'd try being generous with what he gave away. Especially considering the fact that he may have the cows...but without the butchers, he was still sunk!

Stepping inside, he was greeted with the smell of many different types of meat, prepared in many different ways. In the back, came the sounds of many hands busying themselves with their work, preparing the many times of animals brought in for the public to purchase later. A woman behind the counter noticed Viper enter and waved happily to him. In a warm and friendly tone, she called out, "Welcome! Welcome! Please come on in. Is there anything I may be able to assist you in finding today?"

Viper returned her pleasant greeting with a friendly smile of his own along with a slight bow. "I thank you ma'am. Yes there is. I was wondering if you allowed customers to bring in animals to be butchered, or if you only sold already prepared meat." The woman thought about his question for a moment and scratched her head. "Mmm. Well yes, we do offer that actually. Though not as many people avail themselves of that service anymore since another shop opened up." The woman seemed only slightly annoyed when she spoke the last part, but any sort of annoyance in her tone or expression quickly disappeared as she refocused on Viper and his request.

"But anyway! What were you wanting to bring us today? Then we could discuss payment, time required, so on and so forth." Viper straightened up a bit, excited to explain what he wanted to do. "Well, I actually wanted to negotiate a long term arrangement with your establishment, if that was at all possible. I'd like to bring in seven cows a day, five days a week to be prepared for jerky strips." The look on the woman's face could probably best be described as priceless. Or stunned at the very least. "Hmm...that would require, most of our staff...we umm...hmm."

She tossed the proposal back and forth through her mind for a few seconds before finally nodding her head with a smile. "Very well. We should be able to accommodate your request. It normally takes one of our butchers a day to process a whole cow in the way you requested. The cost will be ten gold Mizas per butcher, per day, all in advance. So basically, seventy gold Mizas a day for as many days as you bring in that many cattle... Shall I... bring up a contract for this?"

Viper raised his hand up in a sort of, wait one moment kind of way. "Actually payment was another matter I wanted to discuss." An eyebrow from the women noticeably rose. And it didn't appear that she was to fond of the prospect that someone was about to haggle with her on price. Undeterred, Viper proceeded as if he hadn't noticed a thing. "See I was wondering if I could use the parts that I didn't need as payment? Since this is possibly an odd request, I was meaning to make it worth your while. I wanted to give you ten pounds of the organ meat for the sausage you make for free, as payment. From the prices I've seen around here, you'd actually make twenty gold mizas instead of only ten! I'd then like to sell to you the remaining organ meat, tallow, and hide for sixty-five mizahs. If my calculations are correct, you should stand to make double that when you sell it to the public. Does...that sound like an acceptable compromise?"

The woman peered back at Viper from across the counter, seemingly thinking it over. Though Viper suspected it was more just her trying to make him squirm and possibly offer an even better deal. Eventually though, when viper didn't blink, she offered her own hand. "Agreed! Let's get the paperwork all taken care of then, ok?"

It had taken Viper, now giddy with excitement, everything he had not to spit out "Really?!" in response to the woman's acknowledging agreement. In as composed of a manner as he could muster, he nodded his head. A wide smile plastered all over his his face. "Yes ma'am, that sounds like a plan!"

It didn't take long to finish the paperwork. And as he bid his goodbyes and best wishes to the woman, Viper made his way out of the butcher shop, practically on the verge of doing a happy dance. Two down! Two to go! He thought happily to himself as he moved on to his next objective.

[Viper]

The sun had been high in the sky for a while now and was beginning to lower. Just a little more asking around the city, and he would soon know where to go to find his cooks. His requests for information eventually led him to a large kitchen well within the core of the city. As he made his way to it, he suddenly realized he was going to have to purchase a wagon as well. In order to transport these hundreds of pounds worth of jerky all wround the city. Oh man...Aeyan is not going to like that at all. He snickered lightly to himself. His mind soon wondered about the costs of all that when his final destination for the day came into view. Well time to see if his luck would hold out.

Viper dismounted and quickly walked through the door. His presence was greeted by the sensational smells and aromas of the different items that were being prepared for the various customers they had lined up for the day. Through a doorway, he could see the various cooks in the back busying themselves with their duties. The clanging of different cooking utensils against pots and pans were constantly ringing out a symphony of sounds. He watched them for a moment longer, taking in their focus on their individual tasks, and the fluid motions of their skilled hands.

A short while later, he broke his gaze away to look for the owner or clerk, or...anybody? His brow furrowed a bit as he looked around not seeing anyone at first. As he was about to call out into the kitchen for assistance, another young woman exited the kitchen. Her face had blotches of flour on her cheeks. A wild strand of hair had come out of place and was hanging in her face. With a someone annoyed look, she eyed the strand of hair a moment before blowing it away and turning her attention to Viper. After a heavy sigh, a smile appeared before greeting him.

"Hello there! Welcome to best kitchen in Syliras! Were we can make just about anything you set your mind too. Was there anything in specific I might be able to help you with? Viper chuckled lightly lightly before offering a hand and soon shaking hers. "Thank you kindly ma'am. Busy day is it?" He asked curiously. She sighed a small laugh herself and then nodded. "Aye! Busy week actually. Just finishing up a big order we got in a few days ago."

He nodded his head in understanding. Both pleased by the fact that they were busy, which meant they were good cooks, but not because he wasn't sure if they'd have the ability to help him. "Ah. Well at least you're almost finished. Well I was here because I had a rather large proposition for you. See I'm needing someone who can prepare for and cook the roughly 1,000 pounds of jerky meet I have prepared by the butchers down the road every day. Well almost every day. It's actually five days a week. And I would need this continually as a regular order."

In a seeming recurring set of reactions, her eyes grew quite wide and she almost looked as though she would choke on air as she took in the enormity of the order. She stood silent for a long while thinking the proposition over, but a look of disappointment began to fill her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we... cannot. We have far to many orders currently to be able to take on a recurring project like that...." There was a hesitation in her voice betraying the answer given however. "Yeah, I'm afraid we simply don't have the staff for that."

Viper was left somewhat stunned. How could he come this far to now not have the cooks he needed?! He thought quickly for a moment before finally responding. "Well... hypothetically. If you were able to take on the project. How much would your services run me?"

The woman thought on the query a bit before also responding in kind. "Mmm, for that much jerky, we would not even have the supplies enough for it here. You would have to purchase that separate and deliver it to us every day. Then there is the cost of the time my cooks put into it. It would take about seven of my cooks to fill that order daily. At about 6 gold mizas perk cook per day, you're lookin' at 42 gold mizas a day...in additional to the supplies for the recipe. And that can run ya anywhere from 250 to 450 gold depending on the recipe you choose. Plus, if you're looking for a rush order, that's going to be another 2 gold per cook. But all this is really irrelevant, because like I said... we just... can't do it."

Viper thought long and hard after listening intently to her words. He could always just look for another place that might have more availability. But then again, if that place had a more open schedule, why was that the case. It would sure seem like the answer would lie in the quality of their food. No. This place was what was widely recommended, and it was this place he wanted. Viper was not going to risk producing second rate jerky and see his idea fail. It would appear as though he was going to have to go all in if he wanted to add this location to his list of connections. In a calm friendly tone he asked, "What if I was to make it worth your wile? He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head slightly curious to see what the woman's response would be.

The woman narrowed her eyes ever so slightly as she regarded the man in front of her, and his curious offer. "I'm... listening." She said most hesitantly. A smile returned to Viper's face, and he continued. "What if I was to offer ten gold mizas for each cook per day, in addition to your other stipulation...?" She masked a pleased grin behind a hand that cam up to her mouth which made her look as though she was just merely thinking. "But I couldn't possibly-" Viper actually at this point cleared his throat, cutting her off. "...as well as paying you personally 25 gold mizas per day?"

"35!" She replied suddenly almost catching Viper off guard.

"30! And not a copper piece more!" He responded just as sternly.

"Done!" She quickly reached out and shook Viper's hand once more, as if to seal the deal before he thought to much on it. He simply nodded with a smirk and shook her hand firmly. "Done!"