243 Fight For Power (1/2)
Although the meeting hadn't even started yet, tensions within the large room were already running high as the tide. A constant hum from the merchants around him told Sawo that they were feeling the same way he did. Their visible dissatisfaction mirrored the passers-by on the street the previous day. At this point, the copper crisis had been brewing for quite a while already, and it had bred much discontent. Maybe now was the time to stand up and show this king that not everything would go according to his wishes.
Convinced of his plans, Sawo turned to the man who sat next to him, a competitor in the money lending business he had met on Saniya's streets once or twice before. Although he intended to start a conversation, the other man saw Sawo's eye contact as an invitation and began to oppose the king all on his own.
\”This is ridiculous,\” he hissed under his breath, always one eye on the guards in the corners of the room.
\”I agree,\” the former city lord said. \”One by one, every class will be swallowed by the king. The way things are going, soon all of us will be his personal slaves.\”
\”At least our previous city lord left the merchants to their own devices. Yes, he raised taxes for the commoners, but apart from that he did not bother with lowly folk. I was sure that all lords would be like that: Too absorbed in their high politics to take note of us small people. I have never seen someone as greedy for power and control as this king.\”
All of a sudden, his competitor seemed a lot more likable to Sawo.
\”I agree. Maybe we should band together and oppose this injustice. We should not take that kind of abuse from this king. What do you say, my fellow?\”
Somehow, Sawo once more found pride deep within him, something he thought long lost. However, while many merchants in the seats around them had halted their own conversations to listen to Sawo's brave words, none of them spoke up in support. Even Sawo's competitor deflated as soon as the former lord spoke of resistance.
\”Yet we are only humble merchants. What can we do about the will of the high nobles? What sort of power do we have to make demands, or to stop our king from any selfish actions? In the end, he is the master of the castle, and thus the city.\”
\”We could simply move,\” Sawo suggested. \”Or at least we could threaten to. No matter how much the king wants to change the laws, he cannot change the basic rules of society. Merchants will always have the right to move around as they please. That will not change, not even in Saniya. In the current crisis, how much worse would the people be off without our help? What if we all band together, and as one threaten to leave this place to its own devices? Why not watch the city drown in copper once we have moved on to greener pastures? Maybe the king would respect us then.\”
Before even a single word of reply, Sawo could tell from the other merchant's brightened face that he was on board with his plan to pressure the king as a collective. Yet just as the man was about to answer, just before the merchants of Saniya could organize, the door in the front of the room opened. The new arrivals silenced the entire room through their sheer presence.
In front of the newcomers walked the same young foreigner who had first exchanged Sawo's copper for certificates one season earlier. Although he remembered him as polite and helpful, to Sawo he still was the enemy. That was even more the case since he was accompanied by not only more officials of the castle, but also by a further half a dozen armed guards. While the people in the room held little love or respect for the king's lackeys, the shiny weapons of the guards were what had forced them into silence. Sawo himself decided to remain calm for now and wait for his chance to strike.
\”Money lenders and coin exchangers of Saniya, I welcome you all to Rapra Castle. My name is Brymstock di Pluritac. I am a warrior servant and advisor under the King of the South, Corcopaca Titu Pluritac, and have been tasked to oversee the money exchange and banking business within the city. My first mission was to solve the rampant copper crisis within the kingdom, an issue I hope you can help me further alleviate today.\”
Although his introduction seemed polite and his attitude both heartfelt and competent, no one in the room greeted the young official back, despite his status. Sawo himself sneered at the thought of the hole the king had dug himself into this time. While the merchants wouldn't speak out in the face of armed guards, no man would be happy if his livelihood was threatened. Sawo for one was looking forward to the outburst of public anger the king's tyrannical acts would soon cause. Maybe he could give the others a little push of courage if he timed it right. However, the official still seemed intent to appease the crowd.
\”First of all, I want to apologize, to you, in the name of the crown, for the way in which you have been called here.\” With a bow, the noble shocked the commoners in the crowd. Even Sawo was confused. When had a noble ever bowed to a commoner?
\”There has been some horrible miscommunication,\” Brym continued. \”The officials who called all of you here had very specific tasks. Since this meeting is so important for the future of the entire city and especially your industry, they were supposed to make sure all money lenders and coin exchangers of Saniya attended. Some of our servants chose a radical and problematic method, even going so far as to imply threats to your businesses. For that, I deeply apologize. The servants in question have been punished and all of you will be compensated for your lost time today.\”
Indeed, when Sawo scanned past the other officials in the room, he could not find the rude man from the previous day.
\”How much do we get?\” another merchant asked before Sawo could refocus his thoughts on disruptions.
\”That would have been my first question as well.\” Somehow, Brymstock's shallow joke made some of the merchants in the back rows chuckle. \”Your exact compensation will depend on the size of your business, but you will generally be compensated between ten and twenty Sila for your trouble today.\”
As soon as the words were spoken, no one had a problem with the meeting anymore. The atmosphere eased as if no one had ever been upset in the first place. Since such a sum was more than most of them would earn in five days, let alone in a single afternoon, it was no wonder the merchants were happy. However, their complacency frustrated Sawo. If things continued like this, the false king would win again. Thus, the former lord took it upon himself to charge ahead and offer some opposition to the powerful king.
\”Yet even if the crown bribes us, the king still intends to shut down our businesses, is that not correct? Did you imply that your servant's words from yesterday were lies?\”
He was happy to hear the grumbles start up again, but Brymstock still retained his calm smile.
\”To reiterate, we do not plan to shut down anyone's business. As far as the crown is concerned, there cannot be enough businesses within Saniya. You have been called here because we feel there is a need to agree on certain ground rules for financial business ventures. This way, we can make sure everyone in society benefits from your work and no one is unduly harmed.\”