I was halfway through my meal when I noticed the bread was a little too dry. It didn't bother me much—there were bigger things to think about—but for a moment, the monotony of eating alone felt oddly comforting.
The stew in my bowl was warm and hearty, nothing fancy, yet enough to remind me that life, even in small moments, could be steady. Sunlight spilled across the wooden table, dust motes floating lazily in the air, catching the light like tiny sparks.
As I chewed slowly, my mind wandered to the day's priorities: repairing roads, managing the mines, and keeping Orshek running smoothly. Every decision felt like a careful balance; trust was a commodity more valuable than gold.
I set down my spoon, brushed crumbs from the table, and let my gaze drift to the window. Orshek was stirring to life—smoke rising from chimneys, carts rattling along the new roads, and the distant clang of pickaxes from the mines beyond the town.
Natalia was already at the mines, moving among the workers. Every fifth day, she lent them her strength. One night of rest was all she needed to restore her magic, but I ensured the miners didn't rely on her entirely. Magic was a tool, not a crutch. Dependence could lead to suspicion, problems, and weakness.
I stepped outside. The scent of earth, sweat, and iron filled the air. The wheelbarrows I had commissioned rattled along the roads, loaded with ore from the deeper shafts. Miners wielded the iron pickaxes and shovels I had designed, reinforced with pulleys from last month's iron production. Even small adjustments—balanced handles, sturdier wheels—had increased efficiency more than I had expected.
Production in the mines was steady, and accidents had decreased. Transport along the new roads matched the rhythm of extraction, delivering raw ore to the bloomery on time. Orshek itself was growing, each improvement a small but deliberate step toward a stronger, self-sufficient town.
A week passed in this rhythm. The morning Oswin approached me, breaking the calm.
"Merchants have arrived," he said. "The ones you gave seed samples to—they're waiting in the main hall."
I raised an eyebrow. Their early arrival signaled ambition—and impatience. They had seen the growth firsthand and wanted to secure the trade before spring harvest. I let them wait an hour, letting patience serve as a reminder of power and control.
Finally, two traders entered: Alaric Veynor and Selina Torval. Their confidence was palpable, tempered with caution.
"Good morning," Alaric said. "We've seen your seeds. Remarkable growth, faster than any hybrid we've handled. Almost every seed fertilizes, and none succumb to disease. And the yield… two to four harvests per stem?"
"Exactly," I replied. "They thrive under careful tending, but quality requires oversight. That's why I maintain control."
Selina leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "You're offering trade before spring harvest? Most farmers wait until the season. Why the rush?"
"Ambition comes early in some men," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "Those who recognize potential rarely wait. The question is whether you understand the conditions I require."
Alaric's brow furrowed. "Conditions?"
I outlined them carefully:
You must buy exclusively from me.
You will never sell these seeds to others.
You will give me discounts on your products.
You should share important news and maintain a partnership with Orshek.
You must buy iron solely from me.
Selina's eyes narrowed at the last point. "Iron? One town cannot supply our full needs. Sometimes we require eight times what Orshek produces. And you have only one bloomery furnace."
I leaned forward. "Your concern is valid, but Orshek can increase production. If you obtain raw iron directly from here, you avoid middlemen and gain both quality and quantity. That's an advantage you won't find elsewhere."
Alaric exchanged a glance with Selina. "Simplifying logistics is tempting… but how can one town meet such demand?"
"Strain is manageable with proper planning," I said. "The bloomery can expand. Wheelbarrows, iron tools, organized transport—all reduce waste and increase efficiency. My miners are trained to adapt. Orshek grows steadily, deliberately. You benefit by being part of that growth."
Selina arched an eyebrow. "And you guarantee exclusivity?"
"Absolutely," I replied. "You buy from me, and only me. You provide discounts, share timely information, and our partnership strengthens Orshek and your trade. That is non-negotiable."
Alaric stroked his chin. "Information is valuable… but one town, one source, unusual. Most merchants prefer multiple suppliers."
"That is why you gain the edge," I said. "Your competitors will not have access. You gain speed, quality, and first-mover advantage. Risk is part of every profitable venture."
I paused, letting them absorb that. "Do you trade weapons as well?"
Selina exchanged a glance with Alaric. "No. But we know someone who does—Cedric Havelin. He buys raw iron from merchants like us and forges it into weapons. If you're interested, he could supply you."
Alaric added, "We only provide materials. Cedric handles the crafting. Only serious buyers are accepted."
I studied them carefully. "And would he be open to trade if I contacted him?"
Selina tilted her head. "Possibly. But he values reputation and reliability. Any new buyer needs introduction. That's why we mention him—we can guide him to serious parties."
Alaric leaned forward. "So… would you want to buy weapons?"
I shook my head, letting a faint smile touch my lips. "No. I do not wish to buy. I want to sell."
Both traders blinked in surprise. "Sell?" Selina asked.
"Yes," I said, pulling back a cloth to reveal the compound bow, crossbow, and repeater bow. "Samples. If Cedric or others find them worthwhile, they may negotiate—but only through discretion. Control of these weapons is as important as their manufacture."
Alaric leaned in, inspecting the designs. "So you provide weapons, and Cedric handles distribution?"
"Exactly," I replied. "But flow must remain controlled. Secrets cannot leak. Only those who honor discretion—and me—manage them."
Selina nodded slowly. "Unusual, but clever. You maintain leverage while keeping trade partnerships intact."
I allowed silence to linger, letting them absorb the weight of the statement. "Seeds, iron, weapons. Each strengthens Orshek and our partnership. Discretion is paramount. Only you and I decide who sees these things."
Alaric exchanged a glance with Selina, then nodded. "Very well. We follow your rules. Seeds and iron first, weapons may follow. We respect discretion."
I smiled faintly. "Then our partnership is established."
I called Elias, my young knight, forward. He demonstrated the compound bow, crossbow, and repeater bow, explaining each one's mechanics, strengths, and strategic advantages. Arrows flew, bolts struck the board, and the rapid thunk-thunk-thunk of the repeater echoed through the hall.
Afterward, the traders examined the weapons closely. "Impressive," Selina said. "We've never seen such designs."
"Exclusivity and secrecy," I reminded them. "Those who control knowledge control power. You understand that, and our partnership thrives."
A silent understanding passed between us. Seeds, iron, and weapons—Orshek's influence was growing, deliberate and unstoppable.