Arc 9-07
I can’t say I don’t understand my naysayers’ exaggerations when they claimed that the Golden Family owned a whole district. Standing in front of the skeleton of the beast that will one day be the New Quest’s branch of the Guiness Company, it’s easy to imagine it goes on forever. The towering building can fit two of my schools inside with room to spare, without mentioning the three attached buildings, two warehouses and a showroom. The face of the company takes up half the street.
That’s just the beginning of the merchant’s strategy. From what I’ve heard, she’s pulling strings to rope the more talented artisans into her district. High-end products, including mundane textile and the more magical alchemists. All that money circling her building and they won’t be able to run an errand without seeing her family’s crest.
No, Marcella Guiness’ success has very little to do with her dripping sensuality. She’s smart, but more importantly, she’s adaptable. City’s gone? Great, I’ll own the ashes. Oh? The one who destroyed it is in charge? No problem! We’re already friends. She wants to run things a completely different way? Sign me up!
The woman is unflappable.
Seeing her walking toward me while seated in the large tent that serves as her onsite meeting room, I’d never guess she’s ever struggled a day in her life. As always, I can’t help comparing her with Maxine. Sharing the same mother, they share several features, including those gray eyes that seem like miniature storms. Yet, where Maxine is poise and control, Marcella is movement and temptation. She has the body of a seductress and knows how to use it. More importantly, she’s not afraid to, reveling in the way her figure can draw a gaze from across the room.
“Lou! So glad you can visit.” She squeezes into the seat across from the small table and I do mean squeezes, emphasizing all manner of things. Saints. Does the thought of simply pulling out the chair rather than putting on a show occur to her anymore? In her dress that takes full advantage of the warming weather, even something mundane comes off as scandalous.
A servant trailing her places a tray with ice water and several cups between before ducking out of the tent. “You’ll have to forgive me for the poor offerings,” the merchant says while filling glasses. “But I’m sure you understand.”
Maybe not. I haven’t been going without. Geneva has her ways and I don’t question them. “Don’t worry about it. I’m the one intruding.”
“Never.” She leans forward, cupping her chin with a palm. “What can I do for you? Your missive was rather vague.”
“Funny. I’m here to make sure there’s nothing I can do for you.” The Guiness’ loud presence is a significant factor in restoring the kingdom’s trust in my burgeoning city. “How’s construction going? Any trouble?”
“Are you worried for me? I’m flattered. I almost wish there were trouble; it’d be quite exhilarating to have you ride to my rescue.” She indulges in a dramatic sigh before her expression flattens, ready to talk business. “According to my foreman, we’ll be ready to open in two weeks.”
“That soon?” The building didn’t even look half done.
“I’ve sent for extra hands from the capital. Earth casters that will speed things along considerably. They’ll be arriving tonight, tomorrow at the latest.”
“Ah.”
“Of course, we could shorten that timeline further if you would lend me those wonderful succubi of yours.”
“That is one of the few things I can’t offer. They’re busy.”
“Preparing for your departure. I must admit, you are the only noble I know that is so eager to escape her victory.”
“Hah! Not the victory, but everything that comes after.”
“True. Managing can get tedious. Have you considered hiring a larger staff?”
“I have. The size of the city.”
“The city that governs itself.” Her eyes twinkle. “My father was quite impressed when I shared the details. You are essentially turning government into a business.”
“I wouldn’t take it that far.”
“No? We train our managers and promote them based on performance, the leaders striving to succeed knowing that they can be replaced at a moment’s notice by a hundred others capable of doing the same work. Does that not sound like your council?”
“You make it sound so…vicious.”
“In the best way. A little competition is healthy, though you must admit, it’s not the usual way of doing things.”
“Think it’ll catch on?”
“Not a chance in the Abyss.”
I chuckle. “How’s our mutual headache doing?”
“Wendell?” Her placid expression shows the first signs of strain. “He’s behaving himself for the most part.”
For the most part, huh. “That reputation causing you trouble?”
“Not the way you think. His kind survive by dazzling the ignorant and those without means. He wouldn’t dare turn his gaze upwards.” She sighs, creating a picture that would make a man sell his soul to ease her worries. “Rather, it’s my money he wants. Some of the prices he’s tried to talk me into. Shameless doesn’t begin to cover it.”
“But only tried.”
“Yes. He became rather obedient when I mentioned that your goodwill depended on him doing business in the city and I am the only one worth doing business with at the moment.”
Taming the smarmy merchant was as easy as I predicted. He spent a night being served by the beautiful succubi and dining on Geneva’s food, followed by a night of pleasant dreams. In the morning, courtesy of magic, he woke up energized and refreshed, had an amazing breakfast, and proceeded to make a hefty amount of money before repeating it all again. The only thing missing is beautiful women willing to wait on him hand and foot, but even without that particular pleasure, I’d wager my estate is the closest thing to paradise he can imagine. And the only way to reach it? Stay on my good side.
Unfortunately for him, he isn’t a beautiful woman and is rather revolting. There’s no chance in Paradise of me actually liking the man so his only recourse is to make himself useful. It’s a very simple deal; he brings in business, I invite him back.
Still, a snake doesn’t change its scales that easily. He may be on his best behavior around me, but I easily imagine him causing Marcella headaches.
“Say the word and I’ll yank on the leash. He’s easy to handle these days.” With the city opening up, he understands he grows less appealing every day.
“I might do that. Though there is something else you can do for me.”
“Name it.”
“Tell me, honestly. Will you ever cooperate with my family?”
Ah. Someone’s finally come out and said it. I meet her soft gray eyes that remind me of the sky moments before a drizzle and smile. “Haven’t I been saying it the whole time? No.”
“Yes, you have, haven’t you.” Her sensual lips turn up in a smirk. “I suppose we can only blame ourselves for arrogantly believing we could change your mind if we threw enough wealth at you.”
“The offers were very generous.” Saints, were they. “Problem is, you don’t know what you’re asking for. Not really.”
“Something worth more than gold?”
“The opposite. Something that isn’t worth a crown.”
“Such a thing exists?”
“Trouble.”
She shakes her head. “I understand. And so does my father. When I learned of your desire to leave the city, he questioned if arrangements should be made to follow.”
“I take it you…”
“Refused. There is plenty to be gained here, at least for me.”
“That’s good.” Ah. That sounds terrible. “The city needs you.”
The look she gives me tells me she sees through the platitude. “We can be stubborn, but let it not be said that the Guiness can’t take a hint, hm? To that end, Father has assembled the next great expedition into the Enchanted Forest.”
“You haven’t been delving it this entire time?”
“Small groups have. Testing the validity of your map.”
Should I be offended? I suppose the care is warranted. “Suppose you’re confident now?”
“Yes. The expedition’s goal is to cross the forest and contact the Violet Dusk Province. Which leads me to my request. We, the Guiness Company, were hoping you and Kierra would write us a letter of introduction.”
“She can’t make them trade with you.”
“Nothing like that. Merely a letter saying we are who we say we are, you know us, and that our resources are vast. We are traveling to a new land bereft of our reputation. Someone to vouch for us would significantly increase our chances, so to speak. We are unsure of the protocol for even meeting the queen. We are asking you to open the door, Lou. Nothing more.”
That…doesn’t sound too bad. Huh. Harvest might really start dealing with its southern neighbors; if anyone can make it happen, it’ll be the legendary negotiator that built a high noble house with nothing but a silver tongue and a coin purse. Personally, I think it’s a terrible idea, but there’s a chance mingling with a culture that sneers at the idea of privilege might do the kingdom good.
Then there’s the entertainment value.
“What are you offering?”