Central Bank of Kalzasi
14th of Frost, Year 121 Steel
"You will be fine," Kala said, rising up to demi-pointe to straighten the collar on Ceran's coat. Even so, with more than a foot and a half of height on her, he stooped a bit to make it easier for her. "House Leukos— I will be handling all the financial issues for you. All you have to do is what you are good at, and we can slowly move financial responsibilities over to you as you learn or as you grow big enough to hire someone you trust."
"Oh, no," he said. "Thank you." He straightened. "I would rather you keep doing that. It's just... all this money..."
"We will work, Ceran," said Indric, his bondmate and partner, putting his hand on the young man's shoulder. "Kala and Kaus haven't led us wrong once."
"And we won't," Kaus chimed in with an ebullient, contagious smile.
"I trust you," Ceran said.
"We trust you," Indric corrected. They looked at each other and smiled. The pair were closely bonded, and Kala would not be surprised if it deepened into a core bond such as she shared with Kaus. Regardless, their bond would make them more formidable together than they were separately, which boded well for their enterprise, she thought. She smiled too.
"I don't think we would have made it this far if we all didn't trust one another," she noted. "So, seeing as you trust me, what we are doing here is merely formalizing the arrangement we agreed upon. The funds will be available for the Silver Wings, and then we can apply for the business license." The young men straightened, nodding attentively. Though they were all of an age, they responded to her with trust and respect. Perhaps because they hadn't had anyone take care of them in any way outside of their foster care, which was well-intentioned, but a broken system. She tried not to let a hint of sadness enter her smile; this was going to be a happy day and one she wanted them to always remember fondly.
The door opened and they all turned to find Bryony, the House Leukos factor, and Nyssa, who worked for the bank itself. Both women were older than the assembled Avialae, all of whom were merely nineteen years old. If Bryony had been irked to be largely replaced by Kala, it had faded as she found the young woman an apt pupil and respectful of her contributions to the House Leukos zaibatsu. When the perfumer had fallen through, she wasn't certain, but the runeforger was proving to be a solid investment and knowing that Kala would be hands-on with these young warriors, she was more inclined to approve of this investment as well.
Kala and Kaus, at least, had the aplomb not to look like they had been caught doing something they oughtn't to have been doing when the adults came in. But then, they had the training for it. The boys—now men—tried to follow their lead and example.
The room was bigger than Nyssa's office, both to accommodate their numbers and the stature of the Avialae men. The oval table was more conducive to a collective conversation rather than the bank official sitting opposite her desk from suppliants. House Leukos was in good standing with the bank and Bryony was well-respected in the financial community.
"Good day, everyone," Nyssa said.
"Lord Kaus," Bryony greeted her patrons. "My lady." She nodded to the nameless Avialae as well. They had already met her and knew that she would sometimes be involved in their nascent business as the House Leukos factor. Kala oversaw things, but Bryony handled many of the more tedious details. The young woman was certain she still reported back to her mother because her mother would want an objective report on her activities, but that was due diligence on her part, and it didn't offend Kala.
"Please, sit," Nyssa said. "Make yourselves comfortable."
Many of the people present were nervous about having their backs to a door. Kala and Bryony obliged them by taking those seats. Kaus positioned himself so he could see the door, which was good enough for Kala. With the light of the windows in her eyes, the blue was quite pronounced. There was a pitcher of water and several glasses on a silver tray in the center of the table, but nobody reached for them.
"I trust you have all had enough time to peruse the contracts with the changes per our last exchange," Nyssa began. The boys looked to Kala, who nodded. Bryony did as well. Kaus was quiet; he was here more as moral support than as a financial expert. That was Kala's growing bailiwick.
"Excellent. Then if there are no more alterations to be made, no questions for me, we can proceed. The paperwork opens an account for Masters Ceran and Indric doing business as The Silver Wings, transfers funds from the House Leukos account, notarizes the contract between The Silver Wings and the zaibatsu, and provides the necessary financial paperwork to take to apply for your business license. They should provide us with a copy of their receipt of your paperwork, but if we don't receive it within a week and final approval of your license within a month, the contracts will be void and the funds will be returned to the Leukos accounts short a processing fee. In my experience, the office will be prompt about these things, especially given you have a noble patron, but we will be transparent with what we have received if you would like to check with us."
Kala and Bryony were nodding along, so the boys did as well.
"With Lady Kala serving as your financial officer, she will have full access to your account as well. You understand that, gentlemen?" She looked pointedly at the boys, who steeled themselves and nodded. They trusted House Leukos, especially the twins, with their future. Indric might not even be alive today if it hadn't been for them, after all; at least, that was their thought process on the matter. Their idea of a mercenary company wouldn't even be within reach without them. They would be stuck doing odd jobs at Slayers Keep and hunting in the mountains otherwise.
"Very well," she said with an urbane smile. "Then this should all go quickly. I will pass each form around, and each will need to be signed in triplicate. Master Ceran, Master Indric, Mistress Bryony, and Lady Kala. My lady, I will need your seal as well as your signature."
Kala nodded, turning her signet ring on her finger. Nyssa handed a different paper to each signatory so things would move faster. Kaus stood and came around behind Kala; he had wax and held his finger to the tip, melting it with Fire, so she would have a bit on each document to impress with her signet ring.
When all was said and done, Nyssa congratulated them all and bid them a good day. Bryony too was congratulatory, and put the Leukos copy of things in her portfolio. She bid them all good day as well, and left to do some filing of her own.
Ceran let out a nervous laugh and Indric rubbed his arm.
"It's done," Kala said with a smile. With a toss of her head, she indicated they could all go and everyone fell into step with her as they quit the small conference room. As they walked through the halls of the bank, she gave some instruction not because she intended to be the captain of this company—that would be Ceran's duty—but because they were still relying upon her for direction. They would figure it out with time.
"You should deliver those straightaway," she said. "Best not leave it waiting. Then bring your things to the Pavilion. You can stay with us until we secure the apartment in the Commons for you. There's no sense you paying double your rent with the overlap and we have plenty of room."
Ceran just nodded, clearly overwhelmed.
"Thank you," Indric managed for the both of them.
"Of course," she said with a warm smile. "We were comrades-in-arms in the Warrens; we will be comrades-in-arms in this as well."
Kaus laughed, delighted. His laughter was, as always, infectious. But it didn't matter about decorum as they were walking out of the building. Kala, at least, had a thousand steps down, though she might just let Kaus fly her home on this occasion. They all paused, turning to look at each other before they went their separate ways, though not for long. The orphans were creating a sort of a family and the Leukos twins were helping.
"Don't take too long," Kala warned. "Supper will be ready when you arrive."
"And we will toast to the Silver Wings!"
