Lorian had been deeply involved in studying the history and politics of Tir Luthar, trying to quickly catch up on everything he had missed.
But this sudden summons suggested that something important was happening.
He decided to go and find out, and followed the guard.
The guard led him through the familiar halls of the Thorne estate.
However, instead of taking him to the usual family rooms, the guard headed towards a grand, formally decorated chamber.
Lorian couldn't remember ever being in this part of the estate.
His memory told him that he had always been stopped and turned away before reaching this place.
As they approached, Lorian could hear the murmur of voices, a mix of tones that indicated a gathering of significant importance.
The guard stopped in front of the large double doors and announced, "His Lordship, Lorian Thorne."
'His Lordship!' Lorian loved the sound of that title. He took a deep breath, and with a confidence that felt like Adrian's during his official meetings, prepared to enter.
The doors opened, and Lorian stepped into the room.
It was indeed a gathering of important people.
Lord Elmsworth stood at the head of a long, polished table, his expression serious and focused.
Lorian was a bit surprised to see his mother, Lady Seraphina, sitting to his right. He was pleased to see that this world wasn't as backward and oppressive towards women, as its medieval appearance had suggested. He was happy to see his mother there.
Her gaze held a complex mix of concern and determination.
Cassian was also present; his expression was as unreadable as his brother Elmsworth's. Lorian thought that a lack of expression must be a family trait.
Around the table, Lorian recognized some of the key figures in the Thorne family's business dealings.
Master Gavril, the ever-efficient and composed butler, was there. He greeted Lorian with a brief, solemn nod. His presence and serious expression told Lorian that the situation was indeed very serious.
Several other stern-faced individuals were also present. Among the most important were:
Lord Theron, a powerful merchant lord whose wealth and influence stretched across several city-states. He was known for his sharp business sense and unwavering focus on profit.
Lady Anya, a sharp-eyed and influential trade guild leader. She represented the interests of the artisans and craftsmen whose goods House Thorne traded.
And then there was Captain Vorlag, the commander of the Thorne family guard.
He was a seasoned warrior known for his loyalty and combat skills. His presence suggested that the matter at hand might involve some danger.
Lord Elmsworth addressed Lorian, in his grave voice, "Lorian, thank you for coming so promptly. We have called this meeting to discuss a matter of considerable urgency, a matter that concerns the future of our House and its interests."
Lady Seraphina added in her softer but equally firm voice, "It's about the Red Sails. Their attacks have become more frequent and bolder. And our shipping lanes are their main target."
Cassian interjected, there was a hint of impatience in his tone, "This has become a serious problem. Our trade is being disrupted, our ships are being raided, and our profits are shrinking."
Lord Theron nodded in agreement, "The losses are mounting. If we don't take decisive action, we could lose a significant portion of our revenue."
Lady Anya added, "And it's not just about the money. These attacks are creating a climate of fear. Our trading partners are starting to look elsewhere, because they fear the instability."
Master Gavril stepped forward slightly, and shared his view in his precise tone, "The potential repercussions of continued Red Sails activity would be... significant. It could destabilize our economic position and damage our standing with the other city-states."
Lorian listened intently, piecing together the situation.
The Red Sails, a notorious group of pirates, were disrupting House Thorne's trade routes, threatening their economic stability and political influence.
Lord Elmsworth turned to Lorian casting his sharp gaze,
"You have demonstrated a... unique understanding of such matters in the past, Lorian. That is why we have asked you to join this council.
We need your insight, because your mother and Gavril believe in your... unconventional approach."
Lorian bowed slightly,
"I am grateful for the honor of being included in this meeting, and for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
As you all know, due to... certain circumstances, my knowledge is not as complete or detailed as it should be.
However, I will do my best to help us find a solution. I hope you will bear with me."
Cassian rolled his eyes, and replied in a frustrated tone, "Just get to the point, Lorian."
Lorian nodded, "First, I would like to ask some questions, so that I can offer more useful input.
I'm not sure who the best person is to answer each question, so please, anyone who has the relevant information, please reply."
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
And then began an interesting question-and-answer session, in which everyone present participated surprisingly well, even though the one asking the questions was much younger than most of them.
It was probably a combination of respect for his bloodline, and the fact that some of the older members saw a resemblance to the young Elmsworth in his son, who had miraculously recovered a few days before.
After the discussion, Lorian learned several important things:
Pirates had always been a problem for naval trade. But they usually preyed on smaller vessels, far out at sea, beyond the easy reach of the state's naval power.
However, about a year ago, the Red Sails group had appeared. They had absorbed most of the smaller, independent pirate gangs, and eliminated the rest. They operated in a very organized way, appearing suddenly from nowhere, attacking merchant ships, and disappearing before the Veridian navy could arrive.
They used ships that were lighter and faster, allowing them to easily evade the Veridian navy, yet powerful enough to capture even the large, well-armed merchant ships.
No one knew where their base was located.
Many in the room suspected they were based in the archipelago where Azure Bay met the Pearl Ocean.
But those waters were treacherous, filled with submerged, jagged rocks, and only sailors who knew the waters intimately could navigate safely through the islands.
Gavril also informed him that no one knew where the pirates were selling their stolen goods.
Lord Theron added that the stolen goods were appearing in markets across all the city-states.
The authorities in every city had tried to track down the source of these cheap goods, as they were disrupting the local markets.
But no one had been able to find the source.
Lorian realized that this problem was more complex and insidious than people thought.
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Total Net Worth: 0 Solars