Fallen Ward (Deepwoods Saga Book 3) by Honor Raconteur Page B

elsewhere.
    “Speaking of, I’m actually here to fetch you. Darrens has called for a meeting.”
    “Right now?”
    “Right now. Apparently he sent someone out to gather information about two weeks ago and they came in this morning.”
    Information was always a good thing. Even though they’d won Goldschmidt, they didn’t know if this was truly the end of Fallen Ward’s schemes or not. Siobhan would like to be prepared for the future. She was deathly tired of being blindsided. “Then take me to him.”
    ӜӜӜ
    Siobhan was getting used to these come-right-now summons. They always involved the same people, conducted in the same corner of the inn, and for some odd reason, she was usually the last to arrive. This time was no exception. She came in to find that all of the commanders were there, as well as Darrens and Emalee, with only Romohr absent.
    Darrens gave her a quick nod of greeting and started speaking before she could properly put her backside into a chair. “I know this is short notice, thank you for coming so quickly. I have information here that I think everyone needs to know. First, this is Alianore de Essewell, one of the best traders I have in my guild. She’s famous for being able to find what no one else can.”
    For a woman of such skill, she certainly didn’t look the part. Siobhan would have pegged her as a grandmother. She was plump, had wavy dark hair, and genial expression. Then again, the bow she carried, and that short sword strapped to her waist, somewhat belied that initial impression. Siobhan re-evaluated her first opinion. This woman might be the most dangerous one at the table, simply because no one would expect anything out of her until it was far too late.
    “I sent her to Orin to see if she couldn’t ferret out more information. Well, that and to get a better feel for the economic conditions.” Darrens gestured for her to stand. “Please tell them what you found.”
    “Well, it was mighty bad, I tell you that.” Alianore shook her head, mouth set in a grim line. “I took mostly food with me, that and some cheap wine, as I figured that’d sell best. I barely made it through the city gates before I’d sold most of it. People were giving me a pretty penny for it, too. Or so I thought, until I got into the market and found that inflation was on the rise.”
    Inflation?
    Markl groaned, the sound full of understanding. “Of course. Of course, it would.”
    Alianore cocked her head at him. “You see the problem already, do you?”
    “I do, at least I think I do.”
    “Hoo. Well, I’ll explain to the rest, then.” Alianore held up two fingers. “The problem’s two-fold, as it be. Attacking Robarge as they have, everyone’s stopped trading with them. So there’s precious little food and such coming into the major cities. Not much food to be had. On the other hand, those scoundrels that pillaged our cities are returning with loot, but it’s all valuables. Gold and jewels, and things like that. It’s overloaded the market and made value decrease. Worse, most people won’t buy it, as it’s not in demand right now. Food is.” Pausing, she added almost as an afterthought, “A woman could make a killing over there right now, if she played it right. Go in, buy all that stuff in lots, and ship it back here. Sit on it a few months, till things go back to normal, and sell it back.”
    She was likely right. Played well, a good profit could be made doing that. Of course, no one was in the position to do it. At least, not from the northern section of Robarge. Maybe the southern edge, or Wynngaard, would be able to pull it off.
    “None of this sounds good,” Emalee groaned.
    Alianore gave her an unhappy shrug. “I know it. Now, strange thing is, no one knows who the new guildmaster of Fallen Ward is still. But, he’s now issuing edicts and commands and such. Most of them don’t make sense to me. In fact, a few even contradicted themselves. I got the impression that whoever it is,