Formicea

 

It's bustling as always.
Staff is carrying material from one side to the other, a counter takes in new requests, and one already gets a glimpse of some of the different workshops.
If I'm seeing right there's even a barrel with the Formicea wall coating.

The craftsmen guild is one of the strongest in Osari.
While they don't control all of the artisans in town, it became quite common to be enlisted with them.
Not only is it simply more convenient for the customers if they take the requests and give them to the respective workshop, which gives some secure foundation for the businesses, but also they're part of a greater network with many branches in Tarsona.
They basically have a superiority regarding any greater logistics.
Be it big projects, or larger deliveries, which a family shop on their own could never process.
If you need to get something done you're calling the guild directly.
For more minor things, it's still possible to call the particular shops in the street.
However, as I'm planning to do big business, this is my address.

 

Putting on a confident face, I approach the counter.

 

"Excuse me, I'd like to speak with the head of administration." (O)

"Do you have an appointment?" (clerk)

"No, but I'm sure he's going to receive me anyways." (O)

"You can't just come here as you please. The director is a busy man!" (clerk)

"Then he'll understand that I as well wouldn't want to waste any time. Now go and tell Fellon that Olira wants to see him." (O)

 

She looks a bit annoyed.
I'm a regular so she should know who I am.
Even if I'm not the greatest merchant in town, yet, they can't simply ignore me.
As the guild hall should be safe I let the adventurers wait outside and sit down at the next bench with my little fellows.
As expected we don't have to wait for too long.

 

"Did you have to make a scene?" (F)

"I wouldn't have to if your employees would be a bit more accommodating to the regulars. Can we now head to somewhere where we have some privacy?" (O)

"Sigh. If You're coming personally it has to be important. Fine, let's go to my office. But next time you make an appointment." (F)

 

Without answering I follow behind.
Naturally, with my little insect entourage.
For the highest-ranking person in this branch of their guild, Fellon's office is fairly sparsely decorated.
One might believe he would at least for advertisement show off some of the pieces of art his guild can create.
Instead, there's a simple table covered in paperwork.

 

"So what is it that couldn't wait for a former appointment, like it would be appropriate. And since when do you take children with you? " (F)

"Well, a friend asked me to take them under my wings. In fact, this was part of the reason why I couldn't really announce I'm coming and draw attention. Girls, you can lift the hoods." (O)

 

They do so in almost uncanny synchronicity.

 

"Wh-what? Who are they!? What's the meaning of this?!" (F)

"I'm Nabi." (N)

"I'm Xana." (X)

"You heard them. They're basically here so our friends from below can establish some connections to make dealing with us a bit easier." (O)

"And you're bringing them here?!" (F)

"Sure. After all, it's kinda concerning them as well. At least their kind. Which was the other reason not to give anyone the chance to investigate what I'm about to propose." (O)

"I don't like where this is going. It sounds terribly like we might get executed for whatever you're about to say. So I'd really wish you to carefully think about your next words." (F)

"Oh no, nothing so dire. At least, as long as things don't take a sudden turn for the worse, like if these kiddos here get attacked, or some hotshot thinks it's better to go to war. In the current situation, it's just perfectly reasonable business." (O)

"We both perfectly know that it could take "a turn for the worse" at any given moment." (F)

"Sure, but what I'm about to suggest will be worth it." (O)

"Fine, whatever this is about, you're going to tell me anyway. So begin." (F)

 

Finally, I've got him mellow.
Now I just need to pitch this right.

 

"How would it be, if your guild would get their hands on as much iron as you could possibly process?" (O)

"You're aware that there is an iron shortage currently? Every little bit is smithed into weapons and armor. We almost have a shortage on tools so much is used that way." (F)

"Yes, exactly. But as you might guess, our "friends" can procure it quite easily. It's basically lying at their doorstep free for the taking. And I could convince myself that they have no need for it." (O)

"This sounds extremely convenient. Knowing you, you already have exclusive trade rights. Now what is so ambiguous about this that no one can know? And how do I come into this equation?" (F)

"Well, now they want to start using it. Or rather, I might just have agreed to deliver them a great number of weapons for their own needs in exchange for all that iron." (O)

"Are you serious?! You can't possibly believe that this won't have consequences. For what reason do they even need weapons?" (F)

"Our broodmother needs them for her royal guard." (N)

"You heard her." (O)

 

Guess he had forgotten about the two mini insects.

 

"Royal guard? What is this about?" (F)

"Our broodmother has creeated her royal guard and they are supposed to use human weapons. But they don't have those yet. Howeever, they neeed them or they can't fulfill their role." (X)

"You hear them. We need to help out my friend princess Erys. And by doing so we get all the iron we want. I don't need to tell you about the possible profits, right?" (O)

"Yes, I'm aware. As well as I'm of the great likelihood that is going to get us executed if it comes out." (F)

"I don't think so. This is a perfectly reasonable transaction." (O)

 

He looks for a moment at the two nurses but then proceeds.

 

"We are so close to getting into a conflict with them. The relations are at best tense. Delivering them weapons might easily be considered a crime by the general populace." (F)

"That might be. But not by the local government and that's all that matters." (O)

"What are you saying?" (F)

 

Ah, finally an opening.
Now my arguments just have to stick.

 

"Lord Hawkspear has currently a very supportive stance regarding having positive interactions with those insects. And we're not talking about a significant strengthening of their forces. Believe me, there are many others who don't even require weapons. On the other side, if we now would promise our lord that he might get a good share of the iron, or rather the weapons, then he might be quite open about this deal." (O)

"You're suggesting we bribe the lord?" (F)

"I'm saying that we're about to receive something this country needs and there's a demand for. As long as there's a demand for weapons no one's gonna care if we deliver some in another direction. That's the logical conclusion." (O)

"I understand what you're saying. But that's still incredibly risky." (F)

"Just for me. You'll simply do the processing. I'll do all the distribution. If someone gets into trouble it's the merchant who deals with the monsters and not the honorable craftsman who produces weapons for his country." (O)

"If you say it like this." (F)

"And did I mention that we will also receive black iron?" (O)

 

He almost chokes as surprised as he is.

 

"Bl-black iron? Do you have any idea how rare this is?" (F)

"Who do you think you're talking to? And yes, but that's only to get started. You can barely fathom the things I can now get my hands on. And I'll make sure you get a share if you're willing to work with me." (O)

"You sound oddly confident. And you promise this arms deal won't backfire at me?" (F)

"Sure. You're just doing your duty as a son of Tarsona by forging these weapons. That I'm delivering some of them elsewhere will be purely on me." (O)

"... I'm in. For sixty percent of the profits for the produced weapons." (F)

"Please, don't make me laugh. I have all the risk. And without my connections you have nothing. fifty percent and I won't pay for the small partition you're going to produce for Erys." (O)

"Deal." (F)

 

And that's my win!
I knew I could do this.

 

"You're amazing!" (N)

 

Suddenly I feel a burst of elation from both these girls.

 

"What is it?" (O)

"He didn't want to trade with you, but you made him so! Just by talking, without any pheromones!" (N)

"This was very intereesting to observe, how you made him do eeverything exactly as you want. And our broodmother will be so pleased to hear this." (X)

 

Oh my. Those girls have still so much to learn.

 

"Ehm, yes. That has to do with reputation. But it's more of a skill, regarding how to speak to someone. However, it doesn't really work when someone points this out to the other party like this." (O)

 

Fellon looks as well a bit distraught at this talk.

 

"Can you please leave now?" (F)

"Sure. I'll send you my employees to deliver the goods and discuss the details of what exactly we need for the delivery." (O)

 

I don't think I need to tell him that I not only got the iron for this planned delivery but also a good amount of other wares which may as well be pure gold.
For now, I can just leave this place.
I take the two girls with me and leave the building.