1875-05-16: The flow of Grain
The Flow of Grain
Summary: Mattias replies to the message sent by the Consul of the Vir Sidus.
Date: 1875-05-16
Related: Pompey's Work
NPCs: None.
Players:
Pompey  Mattias  

"Honourable Aldermen and Alderwomen, do settle yourselves… kaffe? Wine? I even have a flagon of mead from Bitralund itself, and a few carved drinking horns for the fullest experience of apiary excellence… yes? Excellent. And kaffe for the two gentlemen at the back."

Drinks were served, two plump and beautiful women, farmers wives and powerhouses of the Farmers & Grain Merchants Guild, enjoyed their carved horns of sweet mead, while the bitter aroma of kaffe was enjoyed and savoured by a few more, though the popular option was indeed wine and even a flagon of beer for one down to earth guest. The kaffe had even been prepared traditionally before the guests, cups of kaffe dragged across a basin of hot sand till it bubbled up high, only to be dispensed into the small cups before it overflowed. It was a meeting of good cheer, and Mattias raised his small cup of bitter kaffe to those before him.

"I have received a letter from the Consul of the Vir Sidus, apparently there is a merchant undercutting grain prices by a quarter, though out of respect he seeks to hear your offers, though I believe it is safe to say I am well aware of what they may be." Mattias gestured to the group gathered before him as they nodded, shrugged and drank in unison, for one should never pass up a good drink.

"It is a free market…" The Alderwoman at the back, clutching her horn of mead offered gruffly and warmly, rosey cheeks warmed by the mead, "If that price is sustainable for the amount of grain they need, then the answer is simple, we'll sell to other markets instead, for a price that ensures a good profit, and food on our tables, and of those who buy the grain."

Her companion rose soon after, raising her horn of mead as if indeed she was a Valkyrie of old, the feeling was one of warmth and glee at how it felt to thrust that horn high into the air, and for a moment there was warm laughter, "Getting grain and other items to the Vir Sidus is a difficult journey, a costly journey, and that is reflected in the price of grain to that new realm, dropping the price by a quarter? And then more so? Whoever intends to supply the Vir Sidus at that price is welcome to see if they can maintain that price… our grain can go elsewhere, enough people want grain, the Galenthians always need their stores topping up."

Mattias nodded but once, saluting each of the glorious Alderwomen of the Farmer's Guild with his own small cup of bitter kaffe, finally taking a sip himself and grinning at the bitter liquid, "Such is the freedom of the markets, I'm sure some may seek to speculate on whether the price will rise… I have no details on this mysterious seller of grain, though I shall be sure to send my regards to their Consul." That said, Mattias pushed forward from the edge of his desk and laughed brightly, "Tell me, the Farmer's Festival is coming up soon isn't it? I shall be sure to attend… dour of colour, and blinded by living a life indoors as I am, while you enjoy the bounty of the earth and the the warmth of the sun upon your features! I shall even bring my scribes and clerks, they could use the fresh air."

A few hours later, a few meads, ales, kaffes, and glasses of wine later also, Mattias settled behind his desk and stretched before leaning in and dragging a sheet of vellum before him, his hand swift to claim a quill and stab at the ink in a swift and perfect motion, just enough ink, no more, no less. And across the vellum flowing words were etched in ink.

Consul,

My warmest regard to both your house and the Vir Sidus, I do hope that they find themselves hale and hearty. As to the mention of grain, given it is a free market here in the West, it is my belief that given the difficulty in transporting grain across a sizeable distance, that many of the grain merchants and farmers who operate under the auspice of the Farmers & Grain Merchants Guild will not be willing to make such a cut, given they would likely be losing coin on each sack of grain. Perhaps once your market has stabilised, trade will resume on this particular product. Given the grain suppliers of Four Corners were in no way fulfulling the entirety of your demand for grain, I certainly hope this mysterious seller of grain is able to fulfil the demand of your fledgling Conclave of the Empire. Though for now I am told that other markets offer a fairer price and the grain will likely be heading to those markets closer to home for a fairer price, such is the way of things. There is one thing I am curious about, just what does a sorcerer of the Academy look like? I am most intrigued.

My warmest regards,

Chancellor Thynne,

The Free City State of Four Corners.

Stamped with a black waxen seal adorned with the crest of the Four Corners.

And off that message went…

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