Trading Close To Light by C. M. Simpson

Author:C. M. Simpson [Simpson, C. M. & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642021707
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2019-03-26T22:00:00+00:00

13

The Kerrenin’s Ledge Council

They were up early the next morning, given that the council meeting had been moved forward from mid- to early morning—and the traders who’d helped defend the town’s walls were invited, too. Although the tailor had worked through the evening and late into the night, the new outfits weren’t ready, so the Ruins Hall representatives were wearing the altered garments.

Marsh didn’t understand why Gustav was disappointed. The new clothes were more than fine, and they outshone what the merchants were wearing by a noticeable degree. She hadn’t been at all surprised when Gage had asked for Master Calais’ services when next the man was free.

Looking around the room, she noted that several of the gathered councilors were wearing clothes of similar quality, and she wondered how many of them had bought from Dominique. Surveying the seven men and woman seated at the long table at the front of the meeting room, she concentrated on not fidgeting as she waited for them to speak.

Instead of being shown to seats, she and the rest of those summoned to the meeting had been set into groups of petitioners, each of which had to approach the table and explain their presence. As Gustav advanced, the oldest of the council members looked down at him.

“You wished to speak with us?”

“We did.” If Gustav was surprised by the abruptness of the greeting, he did not show it. Nor did he make it easy for the councilor to maintain his superiority. After answering the man’s question, he waited.

The councilor waited.

Gustav continued to stand there and look expectantly at him.

Marsh had to admire the man. If it had been her standing in front of the dais, she might have given in and started speaking straight away. Instead, Gustav stood silently, waiting for the council members to make the first move. In the end, it was the councilman who gave ground.

“I am Gerard Dupont, head of the Kerrenin’s Ledge Council. For whom do you speak?”

“I am Captain Gustav Moldrane, emissary and bodyguard to Monsieur Gravine, Founder of the Ruins Hall communities. I speak on his behalf.”

“On what matters would the Ruins Hall Founder wish to speak?”

“He wishes to speak to you regarding an alliance to secure the four settlements and to keep the trade between our towns alive.”

The councilor regarded him for a long moment and then nodded.

“We will be glad to speak with you on these matters.” He gestured to where a guardsman was waiting to one side. “If you would follow our guard.”

Following the direction of his hand, Marsh looked over to where the guard was waiting and was surprised to see Captain Brodeur.

“This way, please.”

Gustav followed, and if this was not what he’d meant by having the captain attend the meeting to discuss the security implications of what he had to say, he didn’t show it. Behind them, the traders stepped forward. They too wanted to discuss a treaty, only this was between somewhere called Montmartre and Kerrenin’s Ledge.

“It is to the northwest, several days’ journey on the surface.

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