Chapter 31: The Encroaching Winter and the End of Fall
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 78-84: Recapping the Events of the Week Before Winter
A week had passed since the last harvest, and nature itself seemed to herald the coming of winter's harsh embrace. Every tree within sight stood bare, their skeletal branches reaching toward gray skies like desperate fingers. The fallen leaves, once vibrant tapestries of gold and crimson, now lay in sodden heaps, slowly decomposing into the earth that would soon freeze solid. Each day brought a more pronounced chill, while the nights plunged toward temperatures that threatened to crystallize the very breath in one's lungs.
The transformation of the season had triggered an almost instinctive response among all residents of the estate. Like animals preparing for hibernation, they had begun the methodical process of fortifying themselves against the months ahead. Every storehouse, pantry, and larder groaned under the weight of preserved provisions. This wasn't merely prudent planning for winter's scarcity—it was strategic preparation for war. The enemy could strike at any moment throughout the winter season, and being caught unprepared could mean the difference between survival and annihilation.
Still, military wisdom suggested that a winter assault was unlikely. While the forest remained somewhat hospitable during the colder months, the higher elevations transformed into a frozen wasteland where temperatures plummeted far below freezing. Even the most hardened warriors would think twice before attempting a campaign in such conditions.
Throughout the week, August had coordinated with the estate's adults in organized hunting expeditions beyond the safety of their walls. These weren't leisurely pursuits but calculated missions to supplement their winter stores with fresh meat and valuable materials. August's SYSTEM proved invaluable during these ventures, allowing him to transform animal hides into practical winter garments with remarkable efficiency. He crafted coats and capes for every soul on the estate, making no distinction between Marcus, the servants, or anyone else who called this place home. In August's philosophy, survival was a collective endeavor, and everyone deserved protection from winter's bite.
Meanwhile, Michelle had received a specific commission from August that would prove crucial to their expanding commercial operations. She was tasked with designing and embroidering distinctive artwork onto a set of clothing that would serve as uniforms for their merchant group, Maya's Travelling Mercantile. These garments would bear the mark of their enterprise, creating a recognizable brand identity that customers could trust. The timing was particularly significant, as their business model was undergoing a strategic shift.
Previously, August, Andy, and Marcus had been forced to venture into town regularly to display and hawk their wares in the general marketplace—a time-consuming and often unpredictable endeavor. Now, thanks to their growing reputation and the quality of their goods, they had secured an exclusive arrangement with Baron Kirka. This partnership meant they could sell their premium products directly through his established store, reaching a more affluent clientele while avoiding the chaos and competition of the common market.
However, they maintained their direct relationship with Lord Gremory's estate, recognizing the importance of preserving established connections. Their pricing structure had evolved to reflect both the quality of their goods and the exclusivity of their distribution channels. Premium meat commanded three imperial copper coins per unit, while their expertly processed leather and hide sold for eight imperial copper coins each, standardized at five-feet-by-five-feet sections. These materials had gained recognition for their exceptional durability and finish, making them highly sought after by craftsmen and nobles alike.
The herbs they provided represented the crown jewel of their operation. At five imperial gold coins per kilogram, these botanical treasures commanded premium prices that reflected their rarity and potency. The Alembic-Elixir Pharmaceutical Company had become their primary customer for these materials, and their relationship had blossomed into something approaching a partnership. The pharmaceutical company's sales growth could be directly attributed to the superior quality of herbs provided by Maya's Travelling Mercantile, and word of their excellence had spread throughout the region's alchemical community.
Their reputation had grown to such an extent that customers actively sought out products bearing the Maya's Travelling Mercantile mark, knowing they represented the highest quality available. However, August maintained strict control over their most valuable inventory. The rarest herbs were reserved exclusively for direct sales, never appearing in Lord Kirka's store. Only their high-quality meat, premium hide, and leather made their way to the baron's establishment, ensuring that their most precious commodities remained under their direct control.
The new arrangement with Baron Kirka operated on a commission basis, with the noble taking a ten percent cut of every transaction. This might have seemed steep, but the access to his clientele and the prestige of his establishment more than justified the expense. Their meat sales operated within established parameters, with a maximum purchase limit of 500 kilograms and a minimum of one kilogram, ensuring both bulk buyers and individual customers could access their products.
The financial results of their recent efforts were impressive by any measure. August had successfully sold 32 imperial gold coins and 40 imperial silver coins worth of high-quality meat through both the market and direct sales to Lord Gremory—representing an astounding 54 tons of premium protein. Additionally, they had moved 8,000 individual pieces of their signature five-by-five premium leather and hide, generating 128 imperial gold coins in revenue.
Perhaps most remarkably, their rare herb business had yielded 6 tons of precious botanical materials, earning them 30 Imperial Orichalcum Coins from the Alembic-Elixir Pharmaceutical Company. This transaction alone demonstrated the value of their specialized knowledge and August's system-enhanced gathering abilities. The pharmaceutical company was working around the clock to fulfill potion orders from the Count, and Maya's Travelling Mercantile had become an essential supplier in this lucrative supply chain.
August's resourcefulness extended even to what others might consider waste products. The bones of their hunted beasts were processed through his SYSTEM and transformed into specialized arrowheads using precision molds. Thousands of these deadly projectiles now filled a newly constructed warehouse within the estate grounds, representing both a significant asset and a potential military advantage. August harbored plans to approach Lord Gremory about supplying these superior arrowheads to the principality's archers, but the lord's current preoccupation with war preparations had prevented such discussions.
Indeed, Lord Gremory's attention was entirely consumed by the monumental task of preparing the entire principality for the coming conflict. He maintained constant communication with the capital and Oginds' royal family, coordinating the arrival of additional soldiers and resources. The city of Gremory itself had been transformed into a strategic staging point, serving as the primary defensive outpost against the anticipated invasion from Arwen.
**[BANKING SYSTEM]**
**Imperial Currency:**
- 34 Imperial Orichalcum Coins (+30)
- 1,573 Imperial Gold Coins (+160)
- 603 Imperial Silver Coins (+40)
- 310 Imperial Copper Coins
**Local Currency:**
- 6,466 Local Gold Coins
- 557 Local Silver Coins
- 283 Local Copper Coins
As another week drew to its close, the first delicate snowflakes began their silent descent from the leaden sky. These weren't the heavy, wet flakes of early winter storms, but the fine, crystalline harbingers of the deep cold to come. Each flake seemed to carry with it a whispered warning of the trials ahead.
The danger of invasion, once a distant possibility, had crystallized into immediate threat. Beyond the principality's borders, Arwen scout groups had been spotted establishing positions on the outskirts of Gremory's territory. These weren't casual reconnaissance missions but the deliberate construction of forward operating bases—the infrastructure necessary to support a full-scale invasion. The enemy was no longer coming; they were already here, and winter would provide the backdrop for the conflict that would determine the fate of everyone August had come to call family.