The man in charge

JP with Zeeke and Winteroak

Aquilo

The next morning Wim found Markus hard at work in the main forge, early in the morning. The heat in the air was almost oppressive. Nearby Wim noted that most of the clans people were working in the ore processing area close to the forge while those from Ostiarium were heading north towards the mine.

"Good Morning," Wim said cheerfully.
"I hear you are the man in charge," he continued moving towards the forge but stopping short due to the heat.
"I have some lumber and supplies for sale," he said waiting for a response.

The man looked at you straining to listen to your words over the loud pounding of metal. He wiped his sweaty brow with his hand and approached Wim.

"Pleasure meeting you, I'm Markus Norixius." He said smiling. "All our supplies are send to us from Ostiarium. Aquilo is still not solvent to make purchases independently from the Gate City." He said. "But if you have food and the like, you are free to try and sell it to the miners." He said scratching his head wondering what a merchant was doing here with the looming war just over the horizon. " Be warn though you will not find an abundance of coins in these parts." he paused before asking, "What are you doing here if I may ask?" He enquired.

Wim smiled and replied, "I am suppose to find out if this place is going to make it and what is needed. Also see where a store could be built."

Markus shrugged. "Need to talk to the Duke about that." He said not sure what the man was getting at.

Wim tried to explain it better, “My boss wants me look at transporting goods between here and the city. He is trying to get rights to do that. I know it is a bit presumptuous to think about building a store here, but you are going to need storage and a place for wagons to be repaired. Probably carts for the mine too. I’d like to see about getting some more people from the old world to come settle here if there is something that would draw them here and we do not get killed in a war.” he continued.

"You need wood for buildings and for the mine. You need food. You need workers that are willing to go into the mine,” Wim wiped some sweat from his forehead. He looked at Markus after a moment and said, “I want this place to become a real town that is producing more than just weapons for a war.” Wim stopped and got a big smile on his face. “When is the last time you had a good mug of real ale?” Wim asked. “I have some on my wagon,” he added.

Getting him out and walking would let Wim paint a picture of what he dreamed when he looked around, farms, houses, shops, a garrison of soldiers and knights, maybe, a temple on the hill top. Would it make a difference? Maybe. Markus would know how much risk they were in.

Markus followed the man. A mug of ale sounded good. Never to early for ale. It became clearer the man was some sort of merchant on a prospect mission. It was a good thing that the settlement was already attracting interest but like Tarmen yesterday this man seemed not to have the full picture.

"All great ideas and things that the settlement will need one day." He started after listening to Wim. "But keep in mind we are simply leasing the mine from the mountain clans. Any agreement to build more will need to be discussed with the Duke. The clans could see us starting to raise other buildings without talking to them as an hostile take over. We can't afford that at the moment."

Wim nodded in agreement. That was the answer he needed. The clan was running the show and not the Duke. Until the Duke decided to take the mine there really was no point in negotiating the contract with him. They needed to negotiate with the Mountain clan that was preparing for battle. As they sat and drank a morning ale, Wim said, “Be careful. You are only as safe as you are useful. It looked like some of the natives were trying to learn how you process metal. Once they have that….”
He leaned back a little and set his mug down.

Markus drained his mug. It was good ale. He shrugged. "Not much we can do on that front. Although it will take years for them to learn not only our smiting processes as well as deep mining. A calculated risk on the Duke's part." He said truthfully.

Wim looked at him and asked, "Anyone interested clan might be open to talk about trade?

"Balt acts as our contact with the Aghul. But he is not around. Should be back in a couple of days..." Came the answer.