Chapter Eighty: Exploitation

“Everyone, our clan has endured more than 6,800 years of trials. There is no need for empty formalities here; you are all the core of the Cabron family, and we are here to discuss the future development of our lineage.” The family head, Phil Cabron, spoke with authority and brevity.

Patrick and his elder brother, Paterson, sat to their father’s left and right, respectively. Paterson stood up to continue, “Now that Patrick has been successfully appointed as a Silvermoon Councilor, this marks a leap forward for our family’s enterprise. We will work together to ensure the Cabron family flourishes in Silvermoon City.”

Upon hearing that his younger brother Patrick had advanced to the seventh circle, Paterson was the happiest of all. Their brotherly bond was forged from the strongest ties of blood; during their days at the Mage Tower, they always supported and learned from one another. Paterson, having already lived ten centuries, had watched Patrick grow from birth to adulthood—their relationship was naturally extraordinary.

“Everyone, you must have heard by now of the fief His Majesty Anasterian granted us. Part of it is the Forest of Life, which we will share with the Windrunners.”

“That land is vast, taken by Patrick and the Windrunners together; yet as it was once a region occupied by trolls, it remains largely undeveloped. Now that Patrick has reached the seventh circle and become a councilor, those old foxes in the council have simply transferred the area we actually control and granted its title to Patrick. What a cunning move!” Sister-in-law Nasalan Cabron spoke with indignation.

Following Patrick’s instructions, Nasalan had led a group to survey the Forest of Life, working together with the Windrunner family to develop the still-desolate land. Now, the council had simply handed the property rights to Patrick, effectively shifting the costs of basic development onto their shoulders.

Initially, it was the council’s duty to dispatch scholars to establish outposts and basic structures in the Forest of Life. Only after the environment was better understood would they begin constructing standard military camps, supply posts, and other facilities.

Yet now, with both families investing in the forest’s development, the council had handed it directly to the Cabron councilor, making the Cabrons and the Windrunners bear the costs themselves. This was the source of Nasalan’s resentment.

Ignoring his sister-in-law’s simmering discontent, Patrick began to outline his plan: “As the newly appointed Silvermoon Councilor, I am well aware that I still have a considerable gap to bridge with those veteran councilors who have dwelled in the council for years. Our Cabron family cannot compare with those great houses that have entrenched themselves for millennia. Their material and human resources are the result of countless generations of accumulation.”

He paused to emphasize his next point. “Therefore, I am shifting our focus beyond the bounds of Silvermoon City. Our existing industries within the city will remain unchanged, but we must begin stockpiling large quantities of alchemical reagents, spellcasting materials, and daily necessities to guard against the covert machinations of the more powerful clans within the council.”

“I will continue to oversee the Sun Sanctuary. Brother, you will remain in Silvermoon City to steady the family’s position and manage our external influences. Once we establish ourselves outside, even the five executive councilors will not be able to ignore our voice.”

Old Phil nodded in satisfaction and sighed, “My youngest son is truly gifted with the ability to advance the family; his sense of the prevailing situation is spot-on.”

Paterson Cabron added, “Meanwhile, we must not neglect our affairs in Silvermoon City. Every family needs a great tree for shelter—even those adventurers who risk their lives for us need a place to provide for their families should misfortune befall them. We must play our part thoroughly, so that the old foxes in the council will turn a blind eye.”

The great houses and entrenched interests of the council had infiltrated every corner of Silvermoon City. Expecting them not to see through the Cabrons’ intentions was wishful thinking. However, by feigning a focus on development within the city while quietly shifting their industries elsewhere, the old foxes, upon receiving concrete reports, would be less likely to interfere, thereby preventing the Cabron family from becoming too powerful.

After all, Silvermoon City was like a pie—the more you took, the less was left for others. If the other councilors discovered that the Cabrons’ development within the city was mere pretense, while their true efforts were directed outside, they would be reassured that the Cabron family posed no threat to their authority. They might even offer assistance, opening doors where needed.

To confuse the enemy and turn their own schemes against them was a classic strategy; Patrick was confident that this time, he could make good use of the council elders’ machinations.

As for His Majesty the King, he would not trouble himself with the council’s internal struggles. Those were their own affairs; the king needed only steadfast royalists, like Veerles and Gathios.

Patrick and Paterson exchanged a knowing smile, and Patrick continued, “Besides, they will be quite pleased to see us relinquish our share of Silvermoon City’s interests.”

Paterson’s additions completed the plan. The whole family agreed with Patrick’s vision for the future; though it was difficult to let go of Silvermoon’s abundant opportunities, for the sake of the family’s long-term prosperity, they accepted the strategy in silence.

After everyone had left, Paterson asked Patrick to stay behind.

With heartfelt warmth, the elder brother congratulated him; it had been a long time since they had spoken so freely. “Congratulations on becoming a councilor.”

“Brother, I leave all family affairs in your hands. After my official inauguration, I will begin a new course of arcane study, preparing for our future,” Patrick confided his plans.

Paterson nodded in agreement. If his younger brother succeeded in advancing to an even higher level of spellcasting, it would further secure the family’s stability and growth. Should Patrick ascend to the eighth circle and join the council’s executive committee, the Cabron family would truly stand at the apex of Quel’Thalas’s power.

Moreover, Patrick was still so young. From a stability standpoint, he could serve in the Silvermoon Council for at least three centuries, if not longer. In this way, the Cabron family’s future would shine ever brighter.

(Note: To maintain the integrity of the overall Warcraft world and narrative continuity, the author uses the original Chronicle setting, which may differ from the new Chronicle. The original Chronicle covers the storylines at level caps 45, 60, 70, 80, 85, and 90, up to the Warlords of Draenor update at level 100, when Blizzard revised the official chronicle.)