Page 48 of Unrivaled
“You’ve got a lot riding on a few bags of wheat,” Luca said, frowning.“I don’t like this part of it.The pirates.”
“They aren’t pirates anymore.They’re merchants.”
He shot me a quick look, his eyes laughing, his mouth straight.“My mistake.You’ve got a lot riding on these merchants.”
“Sailing with them.”
“Or not, as it may be.”
He was right.I sat back in the chair.“I don’t have the staff numbers to send people out to villages.I’ve got no idea how anyone fares more than a day’s ride away.You’re the first visitor we’ve had.”
“We had some bandits,” Chay drawled.
A chill went up my spine.For a moment I regretted that night at the height of the plague when we’d dealt with said bandits.I’d stuck my neck out to save his.I’d done it knowingly and he hadn’t deserved my goodwill.
Shame at myself came quickly in the wake of that thought.“We did,” I agreed.“And we’ve had a single message from my father and one from Raider’s Ban.That’s it.”
Luca’s eyes narrowed.“Nothing?Nothing in or out?”
“Only you and those two letters,” I confirmed.He didn’t say anything, turning his eyes back to the numbers.“Luca?”
“I like what you’re doing here,” he waved a hand toward the blueprints now stacked to the side.“It’s smart.Very smart.You’re going to encourage artisans to La’Angi.And with the windows you mentioned, and the gardens, you’re going to hit some of the big guilds.But that doesn’t increase day-to-day trade to fill your beautiful market.”
He was right, but… “I figured that would come, once the population was here, and the demand,” I said.
He nodded.“Of course it will; you’re right.But wouldn’t you like to steer that, as you’re steering the artisans?You’re already a city that specializes in fighting and liquor.You want to keep the name La’Angiusedto have, don’t you?”He knew I did.“You want furs and silks, jewelry, a variety of foods, bards and artists, Inkers and education.”
And he’d figured out how to make it happen.I waved a hand impatiently.He grinned at me.
“Make the tourney in the autumn a main event.”
I struggled not to roll my eyes.I didn’t even know if the changes to the market square could be done by then.It would depend on getting the people and the materials.I didn’t know what supply chains were like right now.I had the coin, repurposed from the families who didn’t need it, and apparently I had the plans.I just needed to start the wheels turning.
The tourney was as late in the year as I could push it and still have a positive impact on trade into the coming years.It also had the benefit of already being an event in a lot of people’s social calendars.He was right—it made sense to leverage.
“Balls,” I said, feeling exhausted at the mere thought of them.I’d have to host the tourneyandany events unless my father was home by then.But if I fleshed out the events, adding in some additional opportunities for socializing, it would draw more people with connections and money to me.
I didn’t realize it could’ve been taken as a reference to genitals until the word was out and my mind had already turned beyond the parties.
If Luca heard the double meaning, he didn’t react to it.Instead, he followed it up with, “Markets,” with a predatory hunger in his eyes.
To give them a way to leverage those connections and spend their money.
Come, stay, eat and drink, spend your money.Buy gifts, update outfits, be seen.Set up agreements for future trade with our fine vendors.Be entertained.
It was brilliant.
“Four days of markets.Something specialized, something unusual,” I said, slowly.“Four days of rest.Four days of tourney.A twelve-day event.”
He wrinkled his nose.“Practicality says that’s not ideal, but I like the numbers all lining up like that.Four days of rest is a lot.”
“Not if people are booking independent social engagements, arranging future deals, planning betrothals, organizing shipment.It’ll ease some of the traffic issues, too.And I could do it every four years.Build up to it and keep the scarcity.”
One of his brows rose a little.“You’re right, actually.”
“Don’t sound surprised, Luca.”My lips turned up.“It doesn’t become you.”
“Right again,” he agreed, and this time there was appreciation in his gaze.Not for the puppy who ran home, but for a puzzle done well, or a beautiful sunset.“I’m sorry I upset you earlier.”
