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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3115764" data-attributes="member: 3448">Thanks, Look a Unicorn!  Have some more storyhour to devour!----After the Exchange recessed, Lady Sepulva noted Septulos approaching.  “Would you care to join me for an ale?” the half-orc merchant enquired.  “It would be good to resume our Houses’ social contact as well as our business.”Lady Sepulva happily accepted, accompanying Septulos to a nearby tavern where many of the merchants went to drink.  She noted that several other merchants were already there, but Septulos made his way to a private booth in the back with a proprietary manner-- if he did not formally own it, he did for all practical matters.After a little light conversation, Lady Sepulva began pumping the merchant for information.  “What do you think of the new tariffs?  Quite oppressive, I’d say.”Septulos grunted.  “Not too bad for us, but very bad for you since you are north.  They can bring goods to us without going through here, but not to you.  And they will suffer.”“They?”“The refugees.  They are just starting to get effective production going, beginning their trade.  But the Eastern Cities are not enough to support their growth.  With the Canberry market constricted, and even worse the effects on trade with Enclaves and the North… they will be barely above starving.  A shame… we could use a better trade partner, but we cannot grow their trade on our own.”“And it also cuts off some badly needed supplies.  You wouldn’t happen to have any interests in rock salt?  I know some local interests who would pay highly for a reliable source, free from the tariffs.”“Hmm.  I might be able to help them, at that.  But not here.  Leave the Exchange at the Exchange.  Hear, we drink a jack of ale, and talk.  Perhaps we speak of things that influence our trade tomorrow, but we do not trade here today.”Lady Sepulva smiled and raised her mug in acquiescence.  “Have you heard anything out of Brightspan?  Raising the tariffs must cost them more than it brings in.  Any gossip of the doings there?”“Not that I’ve heard, no.  But there have been… those who steal people.”“The Noldar,” said Lady Sepulva in a flat, grim tone.“No!  Well, they do steal people, but not who I meant. Coming out of Brighstpan, small groups of people have slipped into the east in the last few years, taking certain children-- those of elven blood.  It seems to have ended now.  There were diplomatic requests, but the cities of the east do not have large armies, and to attack Brightspan would be to attack Canberry… that would be suicide.”“I’ve heard that there are those who think that Brightspan may not always stand as well protected by the Archduchy.  Would that change things?”“There would be a desire for revenge.  It is not rational to take other people’s children.”  Septulos said the last with a sense of disgust, as if irrational behavior that had no financial value was both the most repugnant and incomprehensible thing he could imagine.</blockquote>

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