It’s that time again. Here is an excerpt showing the formation of Linvin’s father’s company. I based it on the story of my own grandfather opening a chain of luggage stores during the height of the depression when he was out of work. I hope you like it.
“He went home that night and planned with your mother and Gradon. They stayed up all night and formed a plan. In the morning, Dirk and Gradon went to visit the young man’s father. It must have been quite a pitch Dirk made. It was something to the effect that he would make the deals and provide the merchandise, while Gradon ran the retail end. It was a good fit for Gradon who was more of a storekeeper than salesman and had little ambition beyond being just that. Given three months, Dirk promised he would earn the money to pay the three- month’s rent. Afterward, the rent would come every month. Dirk explained that the property had not sold in years and that the worst thing to come of the venture would be three months with the building off the market. Mr. Elmsworth agreed under the condition that his son was only to be an employee. He would own no part in the business. It was his way of protecting Gradon from the unfavorable shadow that failure in such a risky venture would bring. Somehow, the pitch worked and the Grithinshield Trading Company was formed.” “Business in the country on the whole, had been poor for many years prior to the war and the prospect of starting a new company without capital seemed ludicrous. Still, your father had a plan and it all hinged on his personality. Many manufacturers were hurting and needed to sell their products. The largest problem was that the three provinces of Sartan: Human, Elven and Dwarven had such animosity for each other that their goods rarely traveled beyond their ethnic borders. Dirk set out to change that. He resigned from the scrap company and took to the road to meet with his various contacts. They were all having a hard time and knew Dirk had always been fair with them. Dirk asked them each to give him three months credit to sell their products. If he failed to sell them, he would return the unsold amounts along with payment for the items sold. If it worked, he would order more goods. Every vendor agreed and sealed the deal with a handshake.” “Within a week, Dwarven armor and weaponry stocked the shelves of the downtown store. Next, Elven bows and woodworking came. The people of Fraylic bought everything they could get their hands on. Soon, Dirk’s suppliers told their associates about the miracle in Fraylic. By the end of the month, the Grithinshield Trading Company was selling everything from fresh produce and grains to the finest jewelry in the land.” “Not only did he pay off his rent early, but he bought the building within a year. The company has not stopped growing since.” “But this was no easy period for your mother. Money at home was scarce. Everything went back into the business and before they knew it, there was a little Grithinshield running around. Dirk was always gone on some trip making some deal while his friend was satisfied minding the store.” “Jelena was miserable and felt alone. After over three years of near constant travel, Dirk came home one day and her misery finally dawned on him. He decided right then that his family would want for nothing. With his profits from the company, he purchased the biggest house in the most elite neighborhood he could possibly afford. And although the fence was small, he made certain that the gate was huge.” Linvin just stared at the gate. “That’s how we came to have the gate and this house,” he added. “Your father did not stop there. He knew that society may have accepted him, but was still quite cold about his marriage to an elf. Jelena would not even go to social events due to the disdain the bluebloods showed for her. Dirk would not stand for the treatment of his wife. Thus, he resolved that society in this town would revolve around his family and not the other way around. If people wanted his friendship and thereby his business, they would not only need to accept his wife but embrace her as one of their own as well.” “After you were sent away, Grithinshield Manor became Grithinshield Mansion and anyone who wanted to do business in this town, or this country for that matter, was required to bow to your mother as a noble woman of the highest rank and pay homage.” “So you see, my boy, your mother only wanted to be a housewife and mother, then her son was sent away. After that, her home became the center of society. Now Dirk is gone and her son has come home to despise the life in which she has been left to lead. She is alone, though surrounded at the same time. This is her chance to make the pretentious snobs of Fraylic acknowledge her as they did when Dirk was here.”
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