Meeting with the President

Once Jayde and everybody had taken a seat, President Andillevé called for refreshments to be served.

While waiting for the refreshments to arrive, President Andillevé again apologized for the incident in the Merchants' Guild hall, he that he took full responsibility for his employees' actions. During the conversation, it came out that that President Andillevé had let go of a lot of his responsibilities at the Merchants' Guild and hadn't been aware of how arrogant his employees had become, but he swore that he would investigate and get rid off all the bad apples contaminating the Merchants' Guild.

A knock on the door interrupted President Andillevé.

"Enter" President Andillevé called out.

A clerk entered carrying a silver tray with tea as well as delicately made snacks and exquisite finger cakes. Placing the tray on the table, the clerk served everyone, then excusing himself he quietly left, closing the door behind him.

Jayde enjoyed the deliciously fragrant tea and helped herself to some of the finger cakes.

"Lady Mage, if I may be so bold, what is the reason for your visit to the Merchants' Guild?" President Andillevé asked.

"Please, President Andillevé call me Jayde" Jayde answered smiling politely at President Andillevé.

"As to the reason I am here, I only accompanied Elder Ryunzo as he had business to attend to with the Merchants' Guild."

"Oh really, Elder Ryunzo you are the elder for the village of Tardide if I am not mistaken," President Andillevé said turning to look at Elder Ryunzo.

"Ah yes," Elder Ryunzo answered.

"Hmm, Tardide hasn't had many dealings with the Merchants' Guild for the past couple of years, it's really good to see you again, I hope that your business with the Merchants' Guild was fruitful." President Andillevé said.

Elder Ryunzo smiled tightly, just from his look Jayde could see that something was wrong. Frowning slightly and not caring that they were in front strangers, she asked.

"Elder Ryunzo, was the Merchants' Guild not interesting in purchasing the charcoal?"

Elder Ryunzo was feeling quite uncomfortable with Jayde question, but he wasn't quite sure how to avoid answering it, and while he was really unhappy with the deal that High Merchant Creseul had offered him, he also didn't want to insult President Andillevé who was sitting opposite him.

Master Whitestone had also picked up on Elder Ryunzo's unhappiness and his gaze sharpened as he looked over at Elder Ryunzo, meanwhile High Merchant Creseul was feeling anxious, if he had known that Elder Ryunzo had such a powerful backer, he would never have dreamed of trying to scam the elder, and now that President Andillevé was involved he was praying that the elder would keep his mouth shut and give him an opportunity to make amends.

He tried to convey this to Elder Ryunzo sitting opposite him, but the elder to busy looking at President Andillevé and didn't see his look, High Merchant Creseul was starting to feel desperate.

If President Andillevé found out what he had been up to, he like Johro Lastorm would find himself kicked out of the Merchants' Guild. Just thinking of the ex-treasurer High Merchant Creseul started to sweat.

President Andillevé was no fool, seeing the reaction of Elder Ryunzo and High Merchant Creseul, he realized something fishy was going on.

Looking sharply at High Merchant Creseul, he then turned to Elder Ryunzo.

"Elder Ryunzo, please enlighten me as to the reason why you came to the Merchants' Guild today?" he asked, his tone firm.

With no other choice, Elder Ryunzo explained his reason for coming through to Oldstrand. Once President Andillevé heard about this miracle charcoal that could burn hotter than wood as well as for longer and had little to no smoke, he was amazed.

"Elder Ryunzo, you demonstrated this charcoal to High Merchant Creseul?" he queried.

Elder nodded.

"Please if you wouldn't mind could I asked you to give me another demonstration?" President Andillevé asked politely.

"Of course" Elder Ryunzo said, pulling out his bag of charcoal.

"I will need a bowl or something to hold the charcoal in" Elder Ryunzo said.

President Andillevé called for a clerk to bring him a bowl. Once the bowl arrived, Elder Ryunzo added some charcoal, then taking his flint out, he lit the charcoal. Within ten minutes the coals were red hot, and President Andillevé leaned over to feel the heat that the burning coals gave off.

President Andillevé son, Counsellor Andillevé also leaned over to feel the heat of the coals, during the meeting he had been quiet, observing everything that had happened. While he was the leader of Oldstrand he had felt that it was not his place to interfere with his father's business.

Being the leader of a city the size of Oldstrand, Counsellor Andillevé had made it a point to distance himself from his father's affairs, the last thing he wanted was to be accused of corruption, so he rarely visited the Merchants' Guild.

Both Counsellor Andillevé and President Andillevé were amazed at the charcoal, they could immediately see the benefits of such a wonderful product. The wealthy citizens of Oldstrand would pay a fortune for such a product, and Counsellor Andillevé could already envisage the deals he would be able to make with surrounding cities.

This charcoal would be a game changer for blacksmiths and foundries alike, he believed that even the Mages' Guild would be interested as they would need this charcoal for their alchemists, and any deal with the Mages' Guild, would always bring immense benefits to any city that dealt with them.

Something like this charcoal would make Oldstrand a leading trading city in the country, and bring tremendous wealth and opportunities to the city, and with the Mages' Guild behind them they would have protection from anyone hostile to them. No one in their right minds would ever insult the Mages' Guild.

President Andillevé was ecstatic, forget about Jayde, with this charcoal his son would have the most powerful organization backing him. President Andillevé turned to Elder Ryunzo.

"This charcoal is amazing Elder Ryunzo, such a product will have an incredible impact on Telia," he said excitedly.

"I am sure that Tardide and the Merchants' Guild will have a beneficial relationship for years to come." President Andillevé announced.

"How much of this charcoal can Tardide supply Oldstrand?" Counsellor Andillevé asked, interrupting his father. While he had never interfered in his father's affairs before, this charcoal was too important to Oldstrand, and he had to break his promise not to interfere in the Merchants' Guild affairs.

Seeing the uncomfortable look on Elder Ryunzo's face, both father and son had a bad premonition.

"I refused the offer from the Merchants' Guild" Elder Ryunzo stated.

"I was just on my way to the auction house to negotiate a deal with them."

At Elder Ryunzo announcement, High Merchant Creseul felt his heart drop. It was all over for him now he thought. His whole plan was unraveling in front of his eyes.

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