B2 – Chapter 24: Inter-Realm trade facilitation

There were gasps of wonder from Queen Maryanne and her two guards as the group manifested in the Fey Realm. Fairy dragons flew over, and Felicity flew up with them, turning visible once more, and she led them over to the crafting and market area where they began to set up new bushes and saplings for Tristan’s minor Realm alterations.

Tristan stepped to the front of the group, flourished his cape, and bowed. “Queen Maryanne, leader of the Merchant Council of the Sapphire Coast…welcome to the Fey Realm. Please, follow me to see a truly spectacular view – I do warn you, it is a bit of a climb.”

The woman was beaming, smile from ear to ear, and she nodded enthusiastically. “Please! Lead the wa-” her breath caught as she saw the Goldwood tree amongst the crafting and mercantilism area. “My word…that is how you did it.”

Tristan grinned, “Would you like to see the process?”

She locked her eyes onto him, “Oh, yes! Whatever made this must be fantastic.”

“It’s alright,” Felicity said as she flew over to the top of Tristan’s head.

Tristan pointed up at her, “This is Felicity Glimmerwing, my companion.”

The Queen giggled before covering her mouth with a small fan, “My word. Such cute creatures.”

Felicity practically crowed at the compliment and began making fervent paw-claw biscuits on Tristan’s head. “Thank you. Someone has manners.”

Tristan looked to Beatrice and Meeshka, “Please, convey to those twelve residents we rescued from that Demon Incursion – if they wish to return to their land, they can accompany me tomorrow and will be given coin for a fresh start.”

The two women bowed slightly at the waist – though Meeshka was a little ‘off’ with her bow, dipping a bit to her side. Both women left, and Tristan led the group over to the crafting and merchant area. “Now, Queen Maryanne-”

“Lord Tristan, just Maryanne is fine. May I call you the same?”

“Yes, Tristan is fine. Felicity? Let’s start. Bring over a sapling, and the silk samples.”

The two set to work – Felicity dug little holes, Tristan wrapped the base of saplings or bushes with the various substances – including the chunks of steaks and fish – and spun his essence crucible. Spinning it both directions, he sucked in the Realm’s ambient essence – becoming one with it. At the same time, he pushed that essence through his whole body, feeling the wonderful rejuvenating sensation across his nerves. Speaking several phrases in Elvish, he commanded the Fey Realm bow to his whims.

Within the span of ten minutes, he had planted dozens of new trees and bushes growing all manner of trade goods that could be worked or utilized. The meat and fish trees, however, did not work. No matter how much essence he poured into the plants, they refused to grow. “Unfortunate,” he said. “But I kind of expected that result.”

Maryanne was thrilled, making “ooh” and “ahh” noises with every plant that Tristan grew. As he stood up and wiped down with a scrap of cloth from the tailor station, she walked over – having kept a bit of distance. “Tristan…this is spectacular. You can grow almost anything.” Her eyes greedily moved over to the gemstone bushes near the base of the Goldwood, and the now-newly-grown trees in the same area that were comprised of other precious metals – silver, platinum, and more. “Why, with this…you could dominate markets the world over.”

Tristan shook his head slightly and gestured for her to follow him to the Queen’s Wood. “I know that markets can be saturated, and I do not plan to put anyone out of business. Nor do I intend to be a merchant. This is just a means of enriching my Realm and its occupants.” He grinned and gave a nod at the two fairy-dragon guards as he led her up the spire, offering his arm as support which she accepted as the two ascended.

“This place is truly magnificent,” Maryanne said as she clutched onto Tristan’s arm – out of fear, perhaps, of the height and lack of railing on the center spire. But Tristan, sensing this, moved deftly around so that he was on the outside edge, and she was closer to the spire itself. “I believe you and I could help each other with, say, yearly visits?”

“I would not mind setting up a routine or schedule,” Tristan replied. “I suppose instead of renting a ship and crew, I could outright purchase a ship and pay a standing crew. Meet them in a designated location each year, send them on expedition, and then distribute bonuses out in that method.”

Maryanne was breathing with a bit of strain, “My, you have…a bit of business acumen…”

“May I?” Tristan asked.

“May you what?”

Tristan scooped her up off of her legs, holding her in front of his torso as he more rapidly ascended to the top boughs.

She blushed, “My lord, that is an unprecedented power play.”

Tristan shook his head, “I sensed your tiredness, and wished to simply speed up our journey. This spire can be a strain.” He glanced back at the two bodyguards of hers that were huffing and sucking in breath. “Apologies, gentlemen. This is an arduous journey – but the view is worth it.”

Reaching the top boughs, he gently set her down, and she gasped audibly as did her two guards. Tristan left them there to gawk while he walked over to the Archon, who was busy staring into the Astrologer’s Glass, “Obadai, we have a guest.”

“Hmm?” he turned and looked like he had not slept at all. “Oh, hi, Tristan.”

“Obadai, this is Queen Maryanne Waveclinger, leader of the Merchant Council of the Sapphire Coast.”

Obadai straightened his robe, brushed back his hair, and put on a smile. Walking over to the Queen, he bowed at his waist. “My lady, I am Obadai Grimtome, Archon and advisor of essence-weaving to Lord Tristan.”

She curtsied, “Well, it looks like Tristan has attracted quite a few powerful allies.”

“Allies of circumstance and mutual benefit,” Obadai replied as he straightened his posture.

Tristan walked to the edge of the platform, and spotted a group of fairy dragons chatting idly on a branch below. “Hey, you lot. Mind helping me out?”

The group looked up at him, nodded, and flew up. “What you need, boss?” one of them asked in a gruff voice.

Tristan gestured to Maryanne, “She will be permitted to stay in the bottom of the Queen’s Wood, in one of the chambers down there. Her guards are to be given adjacent beds, or have beds brought into the same chamber. Please prepare that space, and one of you is going to be the escort. They are not to enter the vaults – get one of the larger fairy dragons if you need some muscle.”

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The fairy dragons all chatted rapidly as they discussed who would do what, but after allocating roles they zipped off in various directions – with one of them flying over to the Queen and introducing himself.

Felicity flew up to Tristan and landed on his head. “Having fun?” she asked.

Tristan shrugged as he gauged Maryanne’s reaction from a distance. “She is a potential ally, and the idea I insinuated seems a valid one. A merchant ship making annual journeys, carrying wonders from the Fey Realm.”

“Restocking supplies will be an issue,” Felicity commented.

Tristan shrugged, “We just need to have a trustworthy person with Fey Realm Ring. Someone that can restock when the ship is still.” He glanced at her, “I would assume that using the ring while on a moving ship is not a good idea, since you would be reappearing in the space you left – and the ship might not be below you.”

Felicity nodded, “Yup. That’s right.”

“Regardless,” he said as he looked back to the outskirts of the Fey Realm, “That is a plan for later. Something to think of as a long-term means of keeping my Realm well-supplied with anything one could ask for.”

Felicity tapped his head, “You figured out the whole ship situation yet?”

“Shandra had mentioned that,” Tristan replied. “That someone from the Merchant Council arranged the ship and crew already. I would bet the Queen did so.”

Queen Maryanne walked over to Tristan, “Lord Tristan. This view is amazing, and I thank you for bringing me here for the evening. The Archon has offered to show me wonders of many skies, so I will retire later. I do not wish to keep you from anything you may need to attend to, but did want to share what I had done.”

She reached into her bodice and pulled out a rolled-up sheet of parchment. “I took the liberty of acquiring a ship – one of the best ones available – and a very reliable crew including a captain. You will need to pay the ship’s wages, supply it, and the like – but based on your sales today, I am sure you can afford it.”

Tristan took the paper and bowed at the waist. “My thanks for your efforts on my behalf.”

“I do love this idea you presented of having a single, annual route for a ship to trade. I would like to offer a warehouse or two on Jewel’s Point’s docks to keep your goods for restocking purposes.”