Every merchant group knew to maintain a good public image, but that got in the way of good business too frequently. Therefore, Hemmingway Mercantile started the exposition for merchants to allow all the big traders to get together and trade more lucrative and exciting items. Only established and well-known merchants were allowed to attend. The main event that everyone came for was the auction. It was there that rare and fascinating items were sold to the highest bidder. Oversized gems, unique artwork, lost technology, and pet trading were just a small part of what could be bought.
While his business was the largest and most successful, it did not cover the entire continent. Traders from all the races would be in attendance. Prominent Scaal, Taloran, and even Pyran merchants would arrive. The event was the perfect chance to help smooth trade relations between the races, open new trade routes and help bring a more unique and robust trade economy. The council may be the figurehead and executive power on the continent. But it was the merchants that really controlled the masses.
The Council is a group of leaders stationed in Runefal that govern and make treaties with the other nations to maintain the peace.
Most everybody relied on general stores and markets for their goods and daily living. It was a simple fact of life that everyone unconsciously agreed to and relied on. Therefore, he who controls the market controls the population.
Opening his logbook, Christoph began going through it again. He had made a habit of studying it every so often. It detailed all of last year’s deals and interactions Christoph had with every merchant. He wanted to make sure he knew who to work with, and who to crush. As he was flipping through the pages and making mental notes. His study was interrupted by knocking on his door. “What is it?” He replied. He looked up when he heard the door open. Flip, Jach, and the rest of the crew including Eldin and Lumina walked in.
Christoph was surprised. He had expected the group he sent for the water to take a few more days. “That was quick. You secured the water?” Christoph asked.
Flip was struggling to speak, not wanting to break the bad news.
Eldin stepped in and began explaining everything that happened. From fighting man-eating prairie dogs to meeting Adrok and banishing the spirit. Then he informed Christoph because they had permanently gotten rid of the spirit, the town became fairly hostile and may not ever provide a good price for water again.
Christoph couldn’t believe it. On the outside, it was noticeable the large merchant was annoyed. On the inside, he was more like a volcanic eruption. He wanted to go to Alice Springs and bleed the town dry until they were forced to leave.
Noticing the annoyance devolve more into rage, Eldin added, “We did as you asked and investigated. There truly was a spirit, and we took care of the haunting. We are sorry that the town responded the way that it did.” He was trying to deflect as much of the mounting anger from the group as he could.
Gaining back control of his anger, Christoph tried to look calmer. “I see. Well, you did as you were told.” He almost hissed as he dismissed the group. He wanted to berate them, but in doing so, he may come off too strongly which would push away his targets.
Leaning back in his chair after everyone left, Christoph went back to the pricing and his plans. It wasn’t that he didn’t have the means to continually buy the water at a higher price. It was the fact that he was able to get it much cheaper in bulk like he did with most materials. That was what made Hemmingway Mercantile so wealthy.
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He wanted to personally go to Alice Spring’s and throttle the ungrateful peasants. Sadly, their knowledge of how to tend to the water to keep it pristine was a tightly kept secret. He had tried many times to get information on their techniques, but the pride of the town was strong. No amount of money was able to get what he wanted.
Even when he tried to send in spies to learn their secrets, they would not accept them. The only way one could learn was if they were born into and raised by one of the families responsible for the purity of the water. He would have to give this situation more thought.
Rummaging through all the papers that had piled on it from the day. Invoices, receipts, requests, all of it the usual drab paperwork required to keep the business going. Setting it aside, he pulled out a book from a secret compartment of his desk. In it listed every Fereece he had ever sold and how much he got for them. Everything meticulously detailed including who the buyer was, and how he felt about them at the time.
He didn't have time to try to remember how he felt when dealing business, so he had made it a habit to write his feelings, so he knew how to proceed the next time he met them. In a blank space under the most recently sold batch of Fereece, he wrote in Lumina. He also wrote a prediction for how much the unique silver haired wolf-girl would sell for."
"10 gold crystal? Isn't that a little low?" Christoph nearly leapt out of his chair in complete surprise. It was only then did he realize just how much darker the room had gotten, the sun flooding in from the window behind him barely illuminating his office. Realizing who he was dealing with, he did his best to compose himself, "Ahem. I see no reason why you can't make an appointment like everyone else Adrok."
Like a nightmare, the primordius seemingly materialized from the darkness, sitting in the chair across from him. He hated it when Adrok paid a visit. Not only could he not do anything about him, but the man was always 4 steps ahead. He always felt like he lost money whenever he was forced to deal with him.
"I'm not like everyone else. I do what I want." He replied with a grim smile, "And there is nothing you, or anyone else can do about it."
Christoph shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "What business do you bring?"
"We have a common acquaintance. A certain silver haired Fereece has crossed your sights."
The merchant cursed his luck, if Adrok was involved, no amount of crystal was worth risking the dangerous man's wrath. The last thing he needed was to be remembered as the Chief Financial Merchant that lost the entire business.
Adrok's smile eventually disappeared, he waited a few moments to let Christoph stew. "I have a proposition for you."
"A proposition?" Christoph responded. He could feel his heart race, he did his best not to stutter and maintain a calm persona.
"Lumina is integral for my current goals, you will not pursue her until my plans come to fruition. After that, do what you will with the Fereece.”
Christoph was speechless. Did he literally state that he didn’t care what happened to the daughter of one of his allies? He didn’t press further.
Adrok spoke again, “I am going to tell you exactly where to send them and you are going to do it.”
Christoph had no idea what the dangerous man was planning, but he didn’t want to get in the way of it either. All you want me to do is get the two to go where you want?”
Adrok smiled again to put the merchant at ease. Though it had the opposite effect intended. “Don’t worry. I’ll have you send him to places that your company needs help. I need you to send them to Ashtone City in the crystal desert.”
Christoph couldn’t say no, but something bothered him. “I don’t have any issues in Ashtone.”
“Not yet. But you will soon.” The primordius replied with confidence.
How did this man know more about what problems Hemmingway Mercantile had than he did. The hit to his ego and pride killed him on the inside. “And then after that?”
“I will contact you at a later date.” Adrok told the man.
"I assume there will be adequate compensation for cooperation?" Christoph asked. He was barely maintaining a facade of calmness.
Adrok stood up, his mantle covering most of his body. Christoph could see the stars shift slowly along the incredible cloth. "I will grant you a single favor."
The merchant's eyes went wide. A favor from the primordius was like getting a wish. Not to mention he was only required to send Eldin and Lumina to specific places where business was in trouble. "How will I know when your plans are complete?"
Christoph shuddered as Adrok chuckled, "You will know. The entire world will know." He said with finality before leaving the office.
Leaving Christoph once again alone, the sun once more brightly illuminating the area. Letting out an audible huff, Christoph couldn’t get something off his mind. This wasn’t the first time he worked with Adrok. As far as he could tell he was getting more out of it. And that was what unnerved him. He never came out on top when he was forced to make a deal with Adrok. Which made him worry what would happen once this potentially insidious plan came to be.
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