POV David
June 29th 913 (2016)
Shyora and I sat in my office. Several people had requested meeting with me, most who had ignored my requests previously. I glanced at the succubus beside me and frowned. "So… the people I agree to work with will likely become the future business magnates and tycoons… such a joy."
"Master, I've no idea what you meant by that." Shyora replied, reclining back, her wings arching above the couch like she was trying to intimidate someone. Well, Smith had just left, the two of them seemed to hold an immeasurable dislike for each other.
I pushed the meeting my brother and I just had aside and focused on the here and now, watching as my new assistant let in the representative of the Centuria trader's guild. I ignored Shyora's predatory smile and rose, walking around my desk to the small coffee table and chair on the side of the office.
"Ah, journeywoman Mathers. Here on behalf of theTrader's guild?" I asked, shaking her hand.
"Indeed, I'd like to purchase several of the ironwork's combines and seeders; I believe they have some potential in other markets." she said with a fake smile plastered to her face.
"Of course, I'm more than happy to sell, of course you'll have to arrange for them to be collected from the Ironworks. How many of them are you looking to purchase?"
"Four of each, if we can find buyers we will purchase more." she said.
"Done, i'll let the manager know to prepare the contracts when you drop by. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?" I asked, quickly pivoting the topic, prodding to see if there was anything else.
"Yes, Monrovian Railroad infringes upon our monopoly granted by the former regent, you will need to pay us three fifths of all revenue to continue operations." she said, a true smile spreading across her face.
"Oh? Were you not made aware?" I asked, taking a pitying tone.
"I revoked that monopoly, no payment was made to the county as required by your party." I said.
"We paid our tax, our monopoly is protected by Royal decree." she replied, her eyes hardening.
I shook my head. "Whether or not you paid the tax for your monopoly I have no records, if they were paid to the former regent, they were likely laundered for personal gain, and since the dues had not been paid in seven years, I was forced to revoke the monopoly." I explained calmly.
"But aside from that you seem to be under a false assumption, the guild's monopoly was upon the sale of any goods between cities or towns within the county of Centuria. The Iron ore was purchased by Lobau ironworks, the railroad was merely one of several parties contracted to move the ores."
"This is not the last you will hear of the trader's guild." Mathers stood abruptly and stormed out. I glanced at Shyora, who looked ready to pouch on the woman as she passed, my glare kept her in check.
"You can feed upon her dreams, nothing more." I said in a measured tone. Shyora bowed her head. A small smile on her face. I lectured the succubus for a minute or two before the next visitor was shown in.
I almost stared in shock at the smiling merchant that entered my office. I quickly stood, reaching out to shake her hands. "Hestia, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"Nor did I David." she chuckled. She sat when I offered her a seat.
"I was at that exhibition yesterday, I must say, it's a rather interesting machine you came up with there." she replied, leaning forward. Shyora sat next to her. Hestia glanced at the succubus with a sly smile.
"Are you sure I can't borrow your demon for the night David? I'd much appreciate it." she said, staring at Shyora as she licked her lips.
"I'm afraid not, Shyora's not an asset for sale." I replied with a strained smile, not understanding the woman's interest in the demon. I wondered what Hesita was here for though, we'd just finished discussions about the price of ore. So what could it be now? I did appreciate that she was one of the few women willing to work with me though.
"Ah, where was I? What would it take to get you to make a rail directly to my mines?" she asked, a small smile in her eyes. I chuckled, surprised at her enthusiasm.
"It's on the planner, but Monrovian Rail is focusing on connecting to the charcoal kilns for now. I'm afraid we'll cut down the entire forest before we can find a source of coal…"
"Coal? Is that like blackrock? The rock that burns like charcoal?" Hestia asked.
I nearly shot up. "Yes! Where is it? Are you mining it? How much?" I asked quickly.
"Oh, i didn't know it was something you needed so badly, I'll have some prospectors head over to black mountain and get you a sample to test, if it is i'll see about getting a proper mineset up." she replied.
I tried to visually recall the map of the territory. "Where is black mountain?"
"It lies in the flank of Griffon peak, almost fifty miles from here, about eleven miles from the Nourdhaven Mine." she supplied. I groaned, leaning back in my seat.
"So it's on the eastern bank… fuck." I cursed quietly. I'd hoped to avoid building a bridge over the Lobau, sure the river narrowed significantly the further south one went but the damn thing was still huge.Aucterflith, as well as most of the settlements in the valley were on the west bank, so this created a large obstacle.
"Ah, I figured as much, how about this… I'll jointly fund the laying of track between the ironworks and my mines at Glean, say 40%?" she said with a small smile.
"I'm happy to take you up on that offer, but what do you want out of it?" I asked, knowing as long as it wasn't too outrageous I'd agree.
"A fixed rate, six silvers a ton." she replied.
"How about this, five silvers a ton and I'll get you a discount on any mining equipment Lobau ironworks produces." I replied, trying not to glance at the sketches of drills and minecarts laying on my desk.
"What kind of equipment?" Hestia asked with interest.
"Mine carts, drills, small steam engines, the industrial works any mine needs to reduce manpower and increase output." I said with a sly grin.
"How much of a discount are you proposing?" she asked.
"Sale at cost." I replied. She smiled and held out her hand, I took it and shook on it.
"I'll get my assistant to draw up a contract and send it over to you tomorrow." I said, walking her to the door.
"I'm looking forward to it David, are you free tonight, dinner on me?" she asked. I chuckled, glancing back at my desk, still buried under a veritable mountain of paperwork. I sighed and turned back.
"Sure, i'll see you tonight, how does 7 sound?" I asked.
"I'll look forward to it, try to dress up a bit." she replied before leaving.