The Witcher: My Own Path

I gather my thoughts and continue.

''Before I begin, I would like to ask, are you racist? Are you bothered by dwarves, elves, Lowlanders, witches or other races? I ask because this is extremely important.''

''What I want to create will be multiracial and I don't want people in our organizations who are so stupid that they are bothered by whether someone has pointed or round ears!''

He shakes his head quickly in denial.

''Good!'' I praised.

''The two organizations I wish to create will not be linked, at least not officially, but before I start explaining to you the whys and the hows, let's focus on the most important thing… which is the solid and stable foundation on which they will stand.''

''Information and funding!''

''We will need a place and trusted people with which to gather all kinds of information, because without it we will be blind and to thrive we need to know what's in the grass…''

''If there are and where our potential recruits are.''

''Where are the places and buildings we could occupy, buy, for official business or clandestine ventures.''

''With whom we are competing and in what we can expect from them.''

''What threats await us and who might pose them for us.''

''Who are the important people and who are worth dealing with, etc. etc.''

''This is where you come in!''

''Me?'' she asks surprised.

''Yes you! There is not yet a brothel in the Temple district that brings together all the prostitutes who live and work here.'' I see her start to open her mouth to say something.

''Before saying anything, let me finish, I stop her with a hand gesture.''

She sighs but lets me continue.

''Listen to me carefully, I look into her eyes. Prostitutes will not disappear from the streets. Never! You know this very well, because although we would like to help everyone, we don't have the means to do so, but we can create a place for them where they can feel safe. When I say brothel, I by no means mean an ordinary brothel. No! Remember that our primary purpose is to gather information. So, it will be a place, to have conversations, to listen to the client, to advise them, to support them emotionally and this can be done by the women. but if they want to serve the client in a more intimate way, they can and will be rewarded accordingly. We will pay particular attention to the hygiene of visitors and our staff to prevent cases like yours.''

She nods, satisfied with the overall plan.

''You will be responsible for setting up such a place, for recruiting women. However, it will only be a year from now!''

She looks at me puzzled.

''While a thousand orens is a lot, it's not enough to set up a thriving intelligence agency, even one this small. Besides, you must have something to live on while I train you.''

''I will teach you how to use swords and daggers so that you can defend yourself effectively. I will teach you how to manipulate people, how to recognize lies by looking at body language and face, how to intimidate and how to interrogate effectively without resorting to torture. You, in the meantime, will be in charge of slowly gathering willing women to join our brothel. You will screen the women for character and, if they match our standards, you will recruit them and train them yourself to gather information for us. Of course, not all women need to be our spies. With fewer, this will allow you to hide more effectively.''

''At the same time, I want you to start planning where this brothel will be and how much it will cost to buy, a flat if it is big enough or a house. You will plan what this brothel should look like, inside and out, and adapt it to our needs. You will look for potential suppliers of alcohol and snacks.'' He wrinkles his forehead from an excess of responsibilities.

''I know it's a lot, though you won't be alone. I will always be here to help you, and if you can find someone you can trust to share the responsibilities, then your job will become easier. Leave the matter of funds to me and if you need more, make a plan and I will provide you with as many orens as I can.''

''We must find a secret place where I can train you and where you can keep me informed of your progress. As for the name of the brothel, I leave that to your discretion. In conclusion, that will be your task for this year.''

''There is one more thing I must ask you. Do you have among your ''acquaintances" anyone from the municipal police?''

''Hmmm...'' He wonders in concentration.

''Admittedly, he's not an ''acquaintance'' of mine but I once helped his wife, so... he owes me a favor.''

''And this is?'' I ask.

''Guard Captain Ryzz''

''Excellent! Just what I needed!'' I think to myself.

''Could you introduce me to him?''

''I could! Only if I may ask why?''

I nod my head.

''We have a year to organize the brothel and the intelligence network, and if everything goes according to plan, we will not only have the necessary information about the area, but also a steady flow of cash, but we will need a force to watch over our interests. For now, we don't have the resources to create, a capable fighting force, so we need to use other forces to do it for us, even if they don't know it!''

''And how do you plan to do this my lord? Do you plan to recruit Ryzz? Forgive me for stating that, but that's a stupid idea, he never...''

''No… I don't want to recruit him!'' I declare, looking at her. ''If you use your favor and Ryzz lets me work for him, I'm sure he'll make me his personal apprentice within a few months. I'm pretty smart and talented with a sword.'' I smile deviously. ''He will be my new teacher, like you were. We have a good relationship...''

Loona opens her eyes wide.

''So... she'll send a couple of her men to patrol the area, protecting me and, by the way, our tabernacle, not knowing what's really in it!'' Her eyes are glowing like candles. It's brilliant! A smile adorns her face.

''Yeah, but that's not all! Learning from him will help explain my sword skills...''

''Just like learning to read.'' she finishes.

She nods in the affirmative.

''My lord, if I may ask? Your knowledge, your abilities...''

This time I spin negatively.

''It is not yet time Loona, but I promise you that you will know the truth, but not yet. Please, trust me!''

She knows that today and in the near future, she will not get any answers on this subject, so she does not continue asking.

''Lord, you said one of the pillars is getting information and the other is finances, how are you going to address this?''

''Most of the funds I had I have given to you, so, for now, I don't have much. The other project is to build an inn on the foothills, improving with some of the things you saw on the list I gave you. So, I don't have to worry about money going down the drain.''

She nods her head as a sign that she fully agrees with me.

''Just because I don't have the money doesn't mean I can't get it quickly, at least so I don't have to worry about the brothel project, because the inn can still wait.''

She tilts her head and I can almost see the signs of enquiry hovering over her. I sigh loudly.

''…our blacksmithing products are quite popular in the area, so we don't have to worry about money.'' I can see by her face that she is not fully convinced.

''Ahhh... My father has put aside a lot of orens for my studies in Oxenfurt, and I have some means to convince him to give them to me.

''Aren't you going to go away to study?'' She asks surprised.

''No… it would only be a waste of time for me. Time that I cannot spend without consideration.''

Recalling all the projects she has seen; she fully agrees with me.

''Don't bother with that though, you have your work cut out for you. I, meanwhile, will be working on fundraising. After you have introduced me to Ryzz, I will continue to work on my own reputation in the area.''

''Exactly!'' She shouts as if dazed. ''What is this 'golden child' really all about? What do you want to achieve with it? To be a rich businessman, you don't need to create an image undefiled by sin!'' She says, and curiosity beams from her countenance.

''Because what I want is not only ''to be rich'' Loona, but also ''influential'' and for that to happen, I need to elevate myself beyond my current state. Being reasonably well-read, skilled in the use of weapons, righteous and loved by all who know me will enable me to...''

''Oh God! You want to become a nobleman!'' She covers her mouth with her hands.

No Loona, I will become a nobleman! And you will help me to do that!'' I declare!