IC Scene: Valonbray Merchant's Hall

Sir Aranor once again entered the city of Valonbray. He was accompanied by his escort

As he rode through the streets, he looked for the merchants hall.

When he came across it, it was quite a sight. An ornate wood hall, it was where the merchant princes met. He dismounted and passed the horse to Rineheart.

"Go to the chapterhouse, and have yourselves a rest." Aranor waved them off

He approached the door, and began to knock

After a small amount of time, the door was flung open by a small and rushed looking man. He barked out angrily without even taking in who he was looking at.

What do you wa-aaah! My lord! M-many apologies for my tone my lord! Astarea's blessings upon you sir!

At this point the man was somehow attempting to run away whilst remaining in place, and he gazed up as Sir Aranor in only slightly masked terror. Frantically brushing his thinning hair in what appeared to be a nervous tic, the man gestured for Aranor to follow. Soon enough, they were led into a large hall with a group of men seated by the fire. As the knight approached, he made out a few faces in the light, some of which were scowling and some displaying the same fear as in the servant, although better hidden. One man stood to greet Aranor, an older gentleman who bore the lines of a person no stranger to hard work, even if it was of a sort the Grandmaster was not familiar with.

Good afternoon, Sir Aranor. I am the guild seneschal, Harald. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Please sit down.

There were seven men around the fire in total, varying in age but mostly young. It was interesting to note that the ones looking scared were the two older men, wheras the scowling faces belonged to the younger merchants.

What is it you wish to discuss, Sir Aranor?

"Greetings to you Harald, I came as soon as I could when I received your reply."

He looked across the merchants present

"Now, a little birdy told me all about something you all have partaken in. Regarding the Vanskerry resurgence that is taking place all over the Western shores."

without letting them respond he continued

"I am not here to punish or berate you. While I am in no way condoning your actions, what's done is done. No Justiciars are going to be coming for your heads. The sea wolves are on their way, and my men are spreading across the West to protect the coast. What I have come to discuss is how we are going to handle this situation."

"Now, I would greatly appreciate several questions being answered regarding these sea wolves."

"First, how many ships did you contract for this?"

"Second, did you approach any of the more prominent Vanskerry Jarls? This question is of grave importance."

One of the older men began trembling as Sir Aranor spoke, and as soon as the knight was done speaking, blurted out a strangled exclamation.

It was those bastards in Javiksholm! We had nothing to do with it!

With these words, all the seated men nodded in furious agreement, accompanied by noises of assent. However, Sir Aranor noted that one man remained both silent and still, merely glowering in evident disgust at his companions. His red hair was plaited in the old Fierdsvain style, and he snorted with laughter as the old man attempted to look servile.

Sir Aranor paused

"Of course.. That's why they didn't answer.."

Sir Aranor bowed his head towards the guilds men

"Forgive me gentlemen, I acted a bit hastily in accusing you. I have cooperated with you men for years and should not have jumped to conclusions, my apologies.

"Now, can you explain to me this new 'Holmgang' league I have been hearing about?"

This time, one of the younger men spoke, with what may have been a slightly smug tone.

Those fools in Javiksholm are trying to make operating impossible for the D'shar merchants. They think that if they lose enough product and ships, they will be forced to withdraw from northern trade links, leaving it free for us. I mean the Javiksholmers, of course. But they think it's all of Fierdsvain that will benefit, not just them.

The man was sounding less assured as he continued, and was silenced by some wary gazes from the other merchants. Now the oldest man spoke again.

My lord, they have paid an unprecedented amount to the Vanskerries, I heard there are thousands of longships on their way, each crewed by the strongest warriors in the Vanskerry host! I was even told that ... they had approached Jarl Ragnar the Black!

There were slightly unnatural pauses throughout the man's speech, but he was obviously terrified of what the Javiksholm merchants had unleashed on them all.

They have been paid to sit off the coast to the north of Mistrock Island and raid shipping from Nal Tar as it continues its journey northwards, so there is that small mercy. At least they will have visited us before they are killed...

The merchants annoyed Aranor, like always, with their scheme.

It sickened him to play schemes on them as well, but it worked.. The merchants were stumbling, and that young one thought he was so clever when he thought he tricked me.

"Gentlemen. For many years I have dealt with you, I would consider our relationship to be good. We have come to trust each other. I have sat in heretic hearings with the Dawn, and I have been lied to thousands upon thousands of times. Your lies may trick a lord, or even a duke, but do not try them with me."

He turns to Harald

"What is said in here, will not leave this room. You have nothing to fear from me. All I want is the truth. I do not want to ride all the way to Javiksholm just to hear them say the same thing about you. I have neither the time, nor the patience."

"Don't you think I want you to be successful? Have I not always protected your shipping? I just came from convening with the Mettenheim traders, to convince them not to leave you as trade partners. Did you not notice the sentry post system I made? Did you notice how I voted for Javiksholm at the meeting to be a free city?"

"Do not look upon me with fear, this is my home. Despite me knowing what the Javiksholmers have done, you can look outside and see my ships heading there, to protect their shipping."

"Despite the Windholm guild colluding with the Griffons, I still sent messages to them, to protect their shipping."

"Time is of the essence. Tell me the truth. The whole truth."

The assembled merchants were silent, suddenly all the faces appearing worried as they looked anywhere but Aranor. Only one man held his gaze, the red-haired man in traditional dress, who stood to face the grandmaster with fury in his eyes.

If these cowards can't speak the truth then I will. You men have forgotten the honour of your forefathers if you squirm and lie like vipers.

Yes, we called down the Vanskerries, and why not? We have all of us worked hard, back-breaking toil to see ourselves where we are now, yet the D'Shar think they can just get a free pass to wealth? We built our fortunes through battles with pirates and heretics, so it is justice that they should suffer the same!

The merchant paused, glancing at his companions,

It is true that the Javiksholmers had a larger hand in this than us, we offered enough gold for only five ships, enough to make difficulties, nothing more. The fools went behind our back and invited who knows how many other ships, they seem to have forgotten that the Vanskerries do not exactly hold warm feelings for us in the West.

While this was not supposed to get you involved, surely you can see that we will lose our livelihoods to those upstart D'Shar and their free city?

Sir Aranor nodded at the standing man

"I am not going to report you to the Duke Doomseeker."

he snapped to the merchants, not allowing them a minute to be relieved

"Under several conditions. Do not think that I am going to look the other way for this. You still brought this upon our home, and you will aid me."

He held up his hand, counting off the conditions as he went on

"First. The trading ships you send out are to cooperate with my naval patrols. I am not going to constrain you, I am protecting your trade. I don't any more piracy than there needs to be. I will not make your trade ships enter battle.

Second, you all will be writing letters. In order to protect the trade routes, and your livelihoods, I wish for you to write letters to Duke Doomseeker. Explain to him that the Dawn are the only way that commerce will be able to continue to prosper in his Duchy. Explain to him that the Dawn needs the support of his banners, and that they would be willing to pay for supply and upkeep for any forces he allows the Dawn to raise. He will listen to you.

You will also be writing letters to all your noble relatives in this county who will be coming to the moot. The baronets and such of the county. Convince them to support the Dawn and Aranor, the lord of Dawnbreak Reach, as he is the only lord who has their well-being in mind. If any of you are coming, I hope that you would support me as well. The other lords, Iceheart.. Bloodsword.. they do not care for merchants. I know that merchants are a needed class.

Thirdly, do not cooperate with Aelfwine. You are still Westerners, you don't need an Easterner coming to save your hides. Remember the days of the Fierdsvain, when you fought with heretics, pirates, and all manner of threats to build your forces? Hell, some of you may have even lost relatives or friends to the Sarleon lords. Show Pendor that the West can still fight. I'm sure he's already contacted you, don't give him an excuse to come, he is not a compassionate man. He has something to gain, but what I don't know.

In return, the Dawn will be your guardians. We will not let Doomseeker know what you have done. He can think its the Javiksholmers, he can't do anything to them. We will guard your shores, your ships, your trade. I have no interest in the D'Shar traders, don't think I'll pick them over you. They sold their souls for money. I received a message from Hamid, he was trying to make demands of me, trying to make me sell him my spice. Damn the man."

He looked to the Merchants

"So, those are my conditions. Face the wrath of Doomseeker, or be protected by the Dawn."

The merchants looked, for the most part, incredibly relieved. They had been expecting far worse for their quite treasonous actions, and were only too happy to agree to Aranor's demands. The knight's final point shook them somewhat.

Aelfwine is coming here? Who invited him, sir? We were not told!

"He is coming here. That damned Easterner has invited himself over to our home. I assumed that he would try to get support from the people to supply his army, but I guess he will just get it from his lackeys from the Charta.."

He turned to leave

"Thank you gentlemen. I must go now northwards, and hope the Javiksholmers are as of sound of mind as you."