“Really? They don’t even fear her?”
“There’s no one in this region of the world who doesn’t fear her. There are many ways to impede you indirectly, without being involved themselves.”
“Right. I understand. I’m also interested in meeting other merchants. Can I ask you about who the other participants are?”
“I can’t tell you that here. You’ll know if you join us.”
“Fine. I’ll participate in your meetings if you’ll have me.”
I had nothing to lose by accepting. Just as he said, Miwai would become my enemy as long as I sold selnic items. If I could bolster my network and find trustworthy allies, that would be superb. On top of that, they probably knew a lot of information I didn’t have access to. Since I didn’t have an intelligence network yet, I could use theirs for the time being.
Fuvawi smiled with satisfaction.
“Good decision. The reason I’ve waited so long for you today is that the next meeting is tomorrow night. I hope you don’t have anything urgent to do at that time.”
“It’s alright, I can make it.”
“Great.”
He gave me the location and exact time before excusing himself, leaving in a hurry. I asked around about him after he left and realized he was the owner of a large furniture business in Geola. The so-called Resistance had shown me how serious they were by sending a heavyweight to convince me to join.
I had wanted to use the time to think about my next venture, but decided to push the decision for after the meeting. I might receive some insights into the current economic and geopolitical situation that could affect my plans.
**********
Two men were facing each other in a large office, in the headquarters of the Miwai company. One was seated at a desk, with the second standing on the other side, reporting to him.
“Did you find out about it? Is it real?”
“We think it is, sir.”
“Think? Why aren’t you certain?”
“We first asked the employees, but they didn’t know anything except what Urtek told them, so we inquired at the city hall about the matter. At first, we were told it was false, but that declaration started a debate between officials. After a while, they told us they didn’t know.”
“Did you manage to hear what they were debating about?”
“I’m sorry, sir. I was too far away.”
The seated man waved his hand, urging his subordinate to continue.
“Since we insisted on getting an answer, they asked their superior. They also didn’t know and kept passing the responsibility higher in the hierarchy. In the end, the head of the trading department was consulted.”
“Sniwio herself? Interesting. And?”
“She hesitated, but eventually also said she wasn’t certain.”
“How does that make any sense? If she doesn’t know, who does?”
“I agree, sir. And that’s not the end of the story. Sniwio went to ask Crali Vejas herself.”
“Really?”
“Yes. When the miss heard about the problem, she looked very annoyed. But, in the end, she told us it was true. Tila Urtek is indeed supported by the city hall and Angin Vejas herself.”
Fradorant Miwai, the head of the Miwai great trading company, took on a pensive expression.
“That’s unexpected. Did Crali realize the potential of the selnic items early on and decide to support him? No, that can’t be. Maybe Sniwio?”
“Could it be the Lady herself, sir?”
“It’s not impossible, but that would be strange. I know what state she is currently in. I don’t think this level of matter would be enough to move her. Or is there something more? Hmm…”
“What should we do about Tila, sir? Leave him alone?”
Fradorant shook his head as if this idea didn’t even cross his mind.
“Of course not.”
“But if he’s really backed by the city hall and the Lady herself…”
“The city hall is nothing. Angin is a problem, but not an insurmountable one. I don’t think she would actively act to protect a small trader. We can just do the usual, a bit more indirectly. Try to recruit him first, or get him to sell the name of his supplier. If he doesn’t accept, you know how to handle it. Don’t kill him, though. We need him alive to find his secrets. Just make sure no one ever finds out we’re related to it.”
“Yes, sir. But, what if the Lady actually gets involved?”
It was rare for one of his subordinates to question his orders so much. It couldn’t be helped, though. Judging by his expression and the respectful way he called her, it was obvious how much he feared Angin Vejas.
That was expected. Even though she hadn’t been active recently, anyone who had lived long enough still remembered her feats. He himself met her a few times before and after she settled down. The contrast was so huge it almost felt like a different person. Angin Vejas was infamous for the many bloodbaths she left in her trail, her wild way of fighting, her unrestrained personality, and her way of getting out of any impossible situation. Her nicknames included suggestive ones like “Blood Tornado”, “Wind of Massacre”, “Hurricane of Destruction”, and many other similar ones. It wasn’t for no reason that she reigned over the whole region without having to lift a finger.
No sane person would make an enemy out of her. Still, one couldn’t build a business empire being afraid of every single thing. He waved his hand reassuringly.
“Don’t worry about that, it won’t happen. Just focus on what you have to do. I’ll take care of the rest.”
This finally seemed to convince the man.
“…I understand. Please leave it to me.”
“I trust you.”
The man left to do his things while Fradorant remained alone in the office. There was something odd about the situation, but he couldn’t pinpoint what exactly. Angin getting involved with a small trader, no matter how amazing his products were, didn’t make any sense. There was more to it.
Several possibilities crossed his mind, some worse than the others. It was all speculation, unfortunately. He needed more information to reach a definitive conclusion. The way the trader would react to the events could provide such clues. He just needed to look forward to it.
**********