The spice shipment reached the Mughal court in Agra, its saffron and cloves arriving pristine under the "Wings of Freedom" mystique. The emperor's steward, a stern man with a turban like a fortress, sent a letter of praise to Anil Vora, renewing the contract and adding a bonus of 20 silver coins. Surat's merchants buzzed with tales of the mysterious group that ended the Deccan road bandits, their whispers weaving a legend around the Vora name. Jai, now nine, soaked in the victory from his cot, the Emperor System's voice crowing in his mind: "Shipment delivered, bandits crushed, and your rep's soaring, Jai! Those Britishers better watch their tea cups."
Two months slipped by, the winter of December 1609 wrapping Surat in a gentle chill. The city hummed with its eternal rhythm: oxcarts groaned under bolts of cotton, hawkers' cries danced with temple bells, and the Tapti River shimmered like molten silver under a pale sun. Jai and his followers—Vikram, Ram, Shashi, Kali, Kofi, Amir, Sarita, Ravi, Manoj, and Annu—trained relentlessly, their efforts amplified by the system's double experience boost. Jai, guarding the secret of stats and points, framed their growth as natural talent honed through discipline. Vikram and the boys sparred at akharas, their muscles taut from wrestling; Kofi and Amir hammered steel and swung blades; Sarita sharpened her ledgers; Ravi and Annu hauled crates with newfound vigor; Manoj scribed with precision. Jai himself wove small trades—spices for pearls, trinkets for coins—earning 22 silver, his coffers now at 63 (after spending 7-9 on weapons).
His stats, bolstered by the bandit quest's rewards (+5 Power, +5 Charm) and training, gleamed in his mind:
Power=15 ( +5 quest)
Stamina=18 (+10 quest)
Endurance=16
Health=26
Wisdom=107
Agility=10
Perception=15
Luck=14
Charm=14 (9+5 quest)
The system chirped, its AI-spirit voice brimming with mischief: "Look at you, Jai, a merchant prodigy with a warlord's edge. Those 63 silver are burning a hole in your pouch—what's the next play?" Jai grinned, his mind alight with plans grander than Surat's docks. "Patience, system. Tonight, I'm pitching the big one."
After dinner, as the Vora household settled, Jai asked Anil for a private talk. The night was crisp, stars prickling the sky like diamonds on velvet. Father and son sat outside their tiled-roof home, a small fire crackling in a clay pit for warmth, its embers dancing like Jai's ambitions. Leela's cardamom tea lingered in the air, blending with the smoky tang of burning wood. Anil, his Wisdom=16 (increasing due to his son's exp boost) etched in the lines of his face, leaned back, eyes curious. "What's on your mind, beta? You've got that look—like you're about to haggle the moon."
Jai's Charm=14 glowed, his voice steady yet fervent. "Papa, I want to take Vora's to the stars. Not just spices—a full trading company. Cloth, blacksmithing, food, construction. A legacy to rival the Mughals." Anil's brow furrowed, but Jai pressed on, his Wisdom=107 weaving a vision. "First, a cloth shop, not like the others. Ready-made kurtas, saris, dhotis—new styles, vibrant patterns. Attached tailors for instant adjustments, so anyone, from traders to nobles, walks out fitted perfectly. Sarita will run it like a royal court."
Anil sipped his tea, eyes narrowing. "Cloth's crowded, Jai. The Banias won't like us stepping on their looms."
Jai nodded, undeterred. "Next, a blacksmith shop. Not one forge—multiple, churning out swords, tools, armor in bulk. Cheaper, faster, better. Kofi and Amir will make us legends. Then food—think stalls like Sarita's old one, but bigger, serving jalebis to biryani. And construction—build warehouses, shops, maybe homes. Ravi and Annu's strength, Manoj's precision—they're perfect."
Anil set his cup down, his voice heavy. "This is bold, son, but dangerous. Clothiers, smiths, food vendors—they'll see us as threats. Enmity from every merchant in Surat? We could lose everything."
Jai leaned forward, firelight flickering in his eyes. "Papa, we have talent—Vikram, Ram, Shashi, Kali, and the others. Their skills are gifts, wasting away if we don't use them. Sarita could manage a market; Kofi and Amir could arm an army. We balance the risks—start small, win allies, outsmart rivals. The EIC's coming back, and we need to be giants when they do." His voice, laced with Vihaan Roy's modern fire, carried a merchant's logic and a warrior's heart.
Anil stared into the fire, his Wisdom wrestling with fear and pride. The "Wings of Freedom" note from the shipment's return flashed in his mind—his son's doing, he suspected, though Jai never admitted it. "You're too young to lead this alone," Anil said finally, "but you're right about their talents. I'll be the face—deal with the merchants, the nobles. You plan, you dream, but stay in the shadows until you're ready. Agreed?"
Jai's grin was a spark in the dark. "Deal, Papa. Vora Trading Company starts now." The system pinged: "Bold move, Jai! Quest unlocked: Establish Vora Trading Company. Reward: +10 All stats You're building an empire, kid!"
Anil clapped Jai's shoulder, his eyes misty. "You'll outshine us all, beta." As the fire crackled, Jai's heart soared, the path to crushing the EIC clearer than ever.
CURRENT STATS:
Jai Vora (9):
Power=15 (+5 quest)
Stamina=21 (+10 quest)
Endurance=17
Health=27
Wisdom=107
Agility=14
Perception=16
Luck=14
Charm=14 (+5 quest)
Vikram (10):
Power=17
Stamina=14
Endurance=16
Health=14
Wisdom=13
Agility=17
Perception=9
Luck=8
Charm=7
Loyalty=91
Ram (14):
Power=14
Stamina=12
Endurance=10
Health=15
Wisdom=17
Agility=9
Perception=8
Luck=6
Charm=5
Loyalty=80
Shashi (14):
Power=14
Stamina=15
Endurance=16
Health=17
Wisdom=16
Agility=14
Perception=11
Luck=8
Charm=7
Loyalty=85
Kali (15, male):
Power=15
Stamina=17
Endurance=15
Health=16
Wisdom=11
Agility=14
Perception=17
Luck=8
Charm=8
Loyalty=80
Kofi (16):
Power=28
Stamina=20
Endurance=16
Health=13
Agility=8
Wisdom=6
Blacksmithing=26
Loyalty=75
Amir (15):
Power=33
Stamina=18
Endurance=14
Health=12
Agility=12
Wisdom=7
Bladework=24
Loyalty=79
Sarita (16):
Power=7
Stamina=9
Endurance=10
Health=12
Wisdom=26
Agility=12
Perception=17
Luck=9
People Management=29
Loyalty=65
Ravi (20):
Power=16
Stamina=15
Endurance=17
Health=18
Wisdom=9
Agility=11
Perception=14
Luck=3
Charm=3
Loyalty=75
Manoj (18):
Power=14
Stamina=13
Endurance=17
Health=16
Wisdom=8
Agility=15
Perception=14
Luck=8
Charm=9
Loyalty=80
Annu (22):
Power=17
Stamina=15
Endurance=14
Health=18
Wisdom=8
Agility=12
Perception=16
Luck=6
Charm=2
Loyalty=85