IC Scene: Javiksholm Merchant's Hall

Sir Aranor double-timed his way North to Javiksholm, accompanied by his escort.

When they drew near the city, the guards opened the gate for the Duchess's trusted advisor.

They rode through the city, many of the people looking to see the leader of the knights that saved them a year or so earlier.

Sir Aranor stopped outside the merchants' hall near the market. He gave the horse to Rineheart once again

"Go to the church and see how the Bishop is doing. Take your time, it might be a while."

Sir Aranor watched them leave, then sighed and knocked on the door

The door was opened within a few moments, answered by a rather short woman in traditional Fierdsvain clothing. She inclined her head in respect and led the Grandmaster inside, talking brightly as she went.

Greetings, Sir Aranor. I regret that most of the Guild leadership have taken this week to visit contacts elsewhere, and will not be back for a few days. I have been left to hold down the fort, as it were. I trust your journey was swift?

The woman lit some candles as they entered the hall, seating herself at a small table in a corner. She smiled up at Sir Aranor and gestured for him to sit.

Bad business with the D'Shar, isn't it? Unfortunate how we all suffer because of the hubris of a few.

Sir Aranor forced a smile

"It was a good journey."

He sat down

"It is an unfortunate circumstance that the good merchants of The Fierdsvain have found themselves in."

He took off his gauntlets and placed them on the table.

"Madame, how badly has the raiding hurt the guild's shipping? Are my ships performing well against the longships?"

The woman looked bemused at Aranor's words.

Why would our shipping be in danger? We use the same routes we always have and the Vanskerries leave us alone. All we have to do is fly our guild's crest and they allow us to sail right by.

I have not heard of any naval engagements yet, but I would advise you not to risk your ships, Sir Aranor. Everything will work out and we will be back in our rightful place.

"Madame." Sir Aranor dropped the smile.

"The vanskerries were hired by the D'Shar. They are in particular targeting these lands. They are seeking revenge for actions undertaken by merchants of the area."

"Now, those Vanskerries are not scared of the crews of merchant vessels. In fact, they might be more inclined to attack Western vessels..The Vanskerries that didn't bother with you were the ones north of here resting near Windholm, looking for ships bearing D'Shar symbols."

"The only reason that the Spice Cartel is challenging your established place in Pendor, is because the Eventide decided to make it a free city. I myself made the vote to make Javiksholm the Free city. I think you can guess with what's happened why."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Madame. I have no intention of letting the Snake Hamid succeed with his plan of the spice monopoly. Your guild knows of my care for the West. When We saved Javiksholm, we paid you back for the use of your ships, did we not? We spent the next year and a half, repairing the city, pouring our own money into it, not requiring reparations, but giving back. As an advisor to the duke, I have always ensured that the duchy had favorable trade policies. Javiksholm remains the center of the trade network, tons of resources come through the harbor every month."

"The Dawn have the interests of the West foremost in its mind. Will the Javiksholmers cooperate with the Dawn, as the Valonbrayans did?"

Despite Aranor's threatening appearance, the merchant remained remarkably calm, pouring herself some water as she spoke.

Sir Aranor... As a military man, you will be familiar in situations similar to this one. Our position, which we have built up over time, is being challenged by an enemy with many advantages to their cause. To do nothing is to invite defeat, wheras to act decisively before the foe can gain an unmitigatable lead would cement our position firmly. While it may provoke outrage, our action will protect our interests and discourage future incursions into our territory.

You are bound by your oaths to the king and the realm to aid Javiksholm. The guild is bound by honour and the memory of our fathers to protect its interests and secure the prosperity of its people. As soon as it becomes clear to all that the D'Shar's shipping is unsafe, we will call off the Vanskerries and they will leave.

If you truly wished to help Javiksholm and the West, you would join us in disrupting the forces against us. If the Eventide are behind this, surely you can use the situation to your advantage as well?

Sir Aranor stayed silent, searching for words

"The Holmgang league.. will not fall." he said at last

"The D'Shar are a threat to us all. I've heard the rumors of merchants' properties being attacked. Plus, Hamid's greed for spice is strangling all of Pendor. They don't know how to handle power. It would be like giving a peasant a crown. To hell with his spice monopoly."

"The Eventide were no doubt hired by Hamid to vote for Nal Tar.."

"As for cooperation, the Dawn will not interfere with the ships sent near Windholm. We will however, be protecting the coasts, in case if any of the Vanskerries have any funny ideas. The Dawn ships will be protecting the shores against D'Shar raiders. The Dawn will keep quiet about this affair to those who might be... angered about it. The Dawn will also block the use of our harbors to D'Shar traders going North. Any of your ships going North or South of here will be protected by Dawn ships in case of any D'Shar vanskerries."

"And.. in the end, when this affair is done with, I will use my connections in Valonbray, Javiksholm, and Avendor to expand free trade, to firmly place the Holmgang league as a power in Pendor. A power to even rival those Easterners."

"In return, we hope the Holmgang league would accept the Dawn as its patron order. As we have always looked after Western interests, it would be in both of our interests if we joined forces."

The merchant smiled dazzlingly at Aranor's words, not at all looking like the character Astarea's champion now knew her to be.

My Lord. I appreciate this may be hard for you, but it is for the greater good of Pendor, not just the West. The guild would be honoured to return your support and to accept your patronage. As you say, the far greater long-term threat to the Realm's prosperity seems to be the Eastern trade group.

I thank you for your devotion to justice and the good of the People in these troubled times. May Astarea's blessings go with you in your fight.

Standing, she offered Aranor a glass of wine as a toast.

Sir Aranor accepts the toast, and takes a long sip.

"One question though madame, how many ships did you hire?"