Intricacies of Trade

Writers: Ainsley, AL
Date Posted: 12th March 2009

Characters: Nimroy, Zathris
Description: Nimroy discusses an upcoming trade agreement with Zathris.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 26 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Cyrek, Benaran, Benamil
Should precede "Upcoming Journey"

Zathris

Nimroy gave a cursory knock on Zathris's office door before popping his head in. "Do you have a moment? Or is this a bad time?"

"Come on in." Zathris motioned for Nimroy to stop lingering, setting aside the hides he had been perusing. "I can spare a few moments. What can I do for you?"

Entering and taking a seat Nimroy got right to the point, "I'm planning on taking a trip down to Caraphy. There are some trade agreements I would like to finalize, but the transactions will go more smoothly in person."

Zathris nodded and pulled out another hide as well as his pen. "I can make a record - do you want me to send notice to anyone?"

With a shake of his head Nimroy answered in the negative, "No that won't be necessary. I've spoken with Cyrek of course, but I understand you've largely been handling the wheat harvest numbers. Our demands in the Hold are great I realize, but that's the commodity that I am needing most in order to deal effectively with these people. They are nearly desperate so we definitely have the upper hand if we can supply the bulk of their need."

"Ah, so you wish to take a look at our records?" Zathris stood and moved to the shelves - he always kept the last three months on hand, leaving older records to a larger room that would more easily accommodate the number.

"That would be very helpful, yes. Last turn much was kept in the Hold because of the influx of people, but I'm hoping that the numbers will be favorable for the transactions I'm looking at."

"How far back do you want?" Zathris queried as he moved along the shelf until he came to the section dealing with grains. He pulled out one record, then paused to look back to Nimroy.

"Just the most recent harvest and the projections for the upcoming harvests. I already have the figures for last turn, but I did not get the figures on the winter wheat," he explained as his friend provided the records. "They are offering some rather impressive breeding stock, several spices that are hard to come by, and a few items that the Vintner Hall might be pleased with. The breeding stock is of course top of the list for us."

"Yes, and sounds like this could be a profitable arrangement indeed." Zathris pulled out all three months that he had available just to have them out and then handed over the most recent one. "That was last month's report."

Nimroy accepted the report and scanned the information, taking mental notes of the pertinent facts. "That's just the information I was searching for. We don't have a hefty abundance, but I think it would be in our best interest to trade what we can." His brow furrowed as he considered his own statement, wondering what his father would have said. The opposite of whatever _he_ said normally. Still, thinking back on it Nimroy realized that he had gone away often enough with permission to make the trades, perhaps Benaroy had simply been making sure his son could justify his position.

"I think a conservative offer would be doable, make sure you leave some padding though, not only for negotiation, but also for unforeseen circumstances." Zathris set down the other two reports, leaving them rolled up but available should Nimroy choose to peruse them. Of course, in a few months we'll be bringing in a new harvest - hopefully a plentiful one. We might be able to renegotiate something then as well."

Taking the other reports, just to peruse as he thought through his position, Nimroy nodded at Zathris's response. "I'll run my proposal and foreseeable contingencies by you before I submit them to Cyrek. "As I mentioned, they are rather desperate, but their goal I think is not to have to deal with too many different Hold's to supply their need. Ultimately, that tends to cost you more." Nimroy bit his lip and tapped the hide before him, "If only these projections comes to fruition we will be doing very well indeed, but as you said, we cannot count on that. We need to be prepared for any untoward events." Faranth knows there seemed to be an abundance of those! A rakish smile came to his face as a thought came to mind.

"Yes, please keep us informed." Zathris took note of the expression upon his brother in law's face and his own smile curved his lips upward. "I see some mischievousness in your eyes. Tell me, what's dire plans are you forming?"

"As rumor has it, not only does the Lord Holder have six daughters, but his wife's two young sisters have come to live with them. I believe that at least three of these ladies are of an age to marry. He does not have a son and we still have some unwed brothers I might be able to leverage. I would never go so far as to pledge anything, but to insinuate, now that is altogether another cup of klah. Not to mention that there is always the possibility of an actual alliance, if all parties involved are interested."

Zathris had to admit he hadn't expected anything of _that_ sort. His eyebrows arched and he studied Nimroy a bit more closely. "Are you saying that you might consider remarrying?"

Eyes wide, Nimroy shook his head adamantly, "No not I. I was thinking of Benamil or Benil, possibly Benaran. Though I cannot speak for them, I can let it be known that there are those in our family who might be considering a wife. That can sometimes go a long ways to help negotiations with a man who has no sons but many daughters. Possibly one of the girls could foster here for a time."

"I was beginning to wonder there for a minute." Zathris couldn't really see Nimroy settling into another marriage, not any time soon. He had enough regrets regarding his previous wife as it was. "But you're right. I think the fostering is a good idea."

"Yes, I'll definitely suggest that." Giving one last look at the hides Zathris had brought out, Nimroy gave a final nod. "Well, my thanks, I need to go make some notes and then put together my proposal together."

"I look forward to seeing it."

Last updated on the March 21st 2009

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Intricacies of Trade