The Heaven’s Step truly was the most elite organization in GCO, and it stretched across every continent. The higher your level at Heaven’s Step the more perks you received, and at level two you were not only able to access the bonded slave markets from just the main capital, but also the capitals of every continent in GCO. There were unique races in every continent, so this could be a highly advantageous thing, and his two astute assistants had worked hard giving him a wide range of options.

In front of him, where a list of different races and their cultural expertise, and Zen had to admit that it was overwhelming. The location of the new main city of his area had mountains, rivers and wasn’t far from the ocean. It was also close to a region that was heavily forested so there were many different options, but in the end his larges resource was the mountain range.

Zen narrowed the list to mountain races and with the help of his assistants he found the continents that had the best cultures based on his original designs. The list wasn’t as large as he thought, and at the front of it were three races. The first was a type of elven race called the Marnu. There features were like dark elves, but they were known for their craftsmanship and use of ruin lore. They were the loyal slaves of the Dragus Empire, which royal line were said to have dragon blood in them.

The second race were named the Roquen and they were from the Zerties Empire. They were said to have the blood of the elemental giants, but even though their strength was unmatched. They had limited culture and capacity to learn. This had caused them to be easily trained as soldiers or manual labor. They fit the requirement because they were strong and able to do much more physically than many of the other races.

The last group were the Varbian race, and they came from the empire of Sungulos. The empire of Sungulos was almost seventy percent mountains and valleys. They Varbian were a conquered people and because of that they were not able to rise above commoners there. They were for the most part free but those of higher status could at any time enslave them or take them away. This had led them to hide and try to live there life away from the empire, and hope that their settlements weren’t discovered and enslaved.

All three of them were viable races for his needs, but the fact that the bonded slaves were blind auctions made it so there was no way he would be sure to get these races. Zen agreed with the choices and Amelia quickly went to gather the upcoming auction slots from the three empires. Zen and Paxton went over the materials and people he would need to secure to help grow the village. This included many of the indentured slaves that were needed so the village could be completed and survive.

Indentured slaves were people that were in debt and weren’t always natives. There were some players that were also in debt and had to use their skills to get out. Players often had real life debt and some even hired there skills out to lords to offset their real-life expenses. These player’s contracts were legally enforced inside and outside the game.

Though having indentured players come to his village was way to dangerous, so he limited the contracts that were for sale to just natives. Paxton and Amelia were both players themselves, so they understood his thoughts, but they were under strict contracts and severe penalties if they betrayed him. Plus, they were paid very well by Heaven’s Step, and got bonuses for there level and actions. They could make money as high as junior executives in the real world and it was more enjoyable. There toughest part was finding a lord to work with, and Zen didn’t know if they were truly happy, but they did a good job.

“You were the one that investigated the list of smithies.” Zen said as he read over them and their debt amounts. “Which do you suggest?”

“Elgerou Bonegrinder is the best one in my opinion.” Paxton stated. “He is a dwarf, but two of his apprentices are human, and he is known to be very strict about what he classifies as a success. That was the reason why he became so indebted, and the reason he lost his prized weapons. Even after they were taken his debt was way to high, and he was blackballed from the city he was in.”

“He seems like a good candidate then.” Zen mused. “I will take your advice on him, and have you negotiate with his current contract holder to get the best deal. If we get all these contracts how long do you think it will take until they are ready to be sent to the new location?”

“It depends on a number of variables.” Paxton explained. “It will take more time to gather everybody and then send them, but you will be guaranteed to know when they will arrive. Otherwise, they will come at random times.”

“Just gather them up and also collect 10 more guard candidates and have them come with.” Zen decided. “I have heard that on the travel sometimes family members or even the main person can be lost. It is best to play it safe in this regard, and I believe it will give the slaves good will toward the village as well.”

“As ordered.” Paxton said with a smile.

Zen looked up and Amelia had come back with the lists and sat down next to him. She brought up the information and passed it over to him. The info popped up in front of him, and had several auction lots that included the size and area of the country they were caught in. This was helpful, because they could now eliminate some areas where the three races probably wouldn’t come from.

“Good… thank you Amelia.” Zen said as he went over the list. “Do you have any suggestions which ones would be most likely to have what we need?”

The question might have been simple, but Bena had explained that the assistants at Heaven’s Step gained experience toward leveling by offering advice, and the lord accepting it. The experience would depend on the result of the advice and how happy the lord felt about the result. Zen was giving the opportunity for both to gain these experience points, which in the end would help himself out as well.

The list of auctions lots on this numbered 34 that would be auctioned off in the next 12 hours, and over half of them were small lots that numbered under 25. The first of the five lots would be auctioned off in a little over two hours, with the last one being auctioned off about an hour before he had to leave. Zen had enough funds, but he didn’t think he would have enough space to settle such a group, so he had to guess based on Amelia’s notes on which to choose.

He sat beside Amelia and bid on the lots, and overall it went well. He won 3 of the 5 lots and was surprised to find that two lots from the Dragus Empire and the one lot from the Sungulos Empire had many of the races he wanted. The two from the Dragus Empire had 39 of the 45 bonded slaves that came from the Marnu Race, and all 23 of the Sungulos Empire lot were Varbian. It was a particularly good ratio and Zen was very happy with Amelia’s choices.

“Both of you did a great job here.” Zen said with a grin. “I am happy with your work currently, and look forward to giving both of you more important tasks.”

Zen didn’t mention the fact that to him these were all important tasks, but he had been coached by Bena to slowly compliment them. This would keep them working harder and help prevent to much arrogance. It seemed to work because a window popped up and he received an increase in respect from Amelia by 6 and from Paxton by 4. He was surprised because under Amelia another indicator rose and his Affinity with her raised by 6 points. Zen didn’t even know he had an affinity attribute, and would have to ask Bena about it.

“I will look forward to hearing good news about your dealings in the future.” Zen smiled and stood up. “I have to return now, but be sure to keep me up to date on any information or opportunities that might arise in the future.”

Amelia and Paxton both rose, and he could only smile as he walked over to the portal and with a wave of his hand the portal opened, and he walked through. He exited the other side and let out a sigh wondering why it was so important to add the theatrics, but this was another idea Bena had. It was best that he fight the battles he could win and were important to him, and let these little battles to Bena go her way.

Zen smiled and realized he already thought of Bena as real even though she was an AI. The thoughts were hard to control and came naturally, and he also realized that he didn’t really care that he thought that way. He walked over and with a simple command he changed in to more comfortable clothing and went over to sit beside Bena.

“That was productive.” Bena said with a cheerful voice. “I wish we could have got some of the Roquen, but they are highly sought after so it isn’t too surprising.”

“I will have to alter the plans to build an additional slave barrack, but the ratio was quite impressive. Amelia did a great job.” Zen agreed.

“I think she see’s you as her target though, so you should be careful.” Bena laughed. “It isn’t unusual for players to target lords, because that way they will get benefits in the real world too.”

“Life is full of challenges isn’t it.” Zen stated with a smile.

“You have changed a little.” Bena giggled. “In a good way though.”

Zen could only smile as he left the sanctuary and found himself laying beside Narata in his bed. He could feel her hands stroking his chest and he suddenly felt in the mood. He pulled her close and knew that he would soon be leaving for the new village and not see her for a while. He couldn’t help but smile and then he moved slowly and started to make love with her. He would miss this while he was gone, and without hesitation he would make his last few nights here memorable.

The next few days went by fast as they prepared the caravan to the new building site. Only a dozen of the villagers were going along, and the rest were slaves, soldiers and his retinue. It really had been a long time and the village had changed quite a bit. The wooden walls were now stone reinforced with towers and guard stations. The house was grass and mud, but their were wind breakers made of stone around each of them helping deal with the winds.

There was a set market place just off the square, and the pillar that was in the heart of the village was now surrounded, and protected with a walled area with four archways coming from each direction. There were places for people to sit and visit around the pillar and now it was spotless and glowing a soft blue when you got with in five feet of it.

There were several open houses that were meant for shops and future industry along with several wells that had been sunk in to a water reservoir. As the caravan left the gates he could see a few outer houses that had higher walled fences to protect them from animals and wind. There were also several breakers that allowed them to plant small crops for the future needs. It truly was growing quickly, and as the caravan started down the hard-packed road, he could sense the improvements that were close to the village. He was proud of what he did and felt a connection with the village that was more profound than what he would of thought.

The caravan needed to take a longer route because unlike the first time. The wagons were loaded with a few goods, and they had to make there way on more solid ground than when they had come back. Zen sat on his horse and as they moved he made sure that they continued to practice their maneuvers and training. The beasts weren’t to powerful, and he had a few times went out on scouting trips with men. He had extended his map to at least a day journey away, but he knew that closer to the new site it would be much more dangerous.

The first night was eventless and they had hunted a large elk to use as meat. They made the meat into a stew and everybody had portions including the bonded slaves. The night also passed with out much issue, and as they entered less scouted territory the route started to become more dangerous. They had been attacked a few times from vicious dogs, but they were beat back or killed. A few of the slaves were injured in the battles, but nothing serious.

The second night there was also an attack from a large cat, and it had injured a bonded slave enough the wound had to be tended to right away. The cat was slain by an arrow from Cora’s bow, and the pelt skinned and placed aside for the lord. Zen rewarded it to Cora and made sure the slave was given extra time to rest and more portions of the food.

The third day the caravan reached the location where he had decided to set up the main square of the new village. There was still several hours before it would get dark so they all scrambled to gather things to use as a defensive barricade against attack. He had started the bonded slaves digging a trench where the initial stone walls would begin before pulling them back as it got dark. Zen was happy when no attack came that night, and the next day they were to start clearing the area for where the main buildings would be located. He had taken building flags and placed them himself and from that point in time the bonded slaves started to removed grass and dig the ground where the basements would be located.