The morning came early for the group.
Princess Ruegin was awakened by the grey stone-faced maid. She found the sun had come up and the day was already moving. “Argh, Lady Kaarthen where is Lord Panthi I must be off soon. Please give him my compliments and pass that as the hour moves to ten I want to be off to the east warehouses.”
“Yes highness I can do that.” Kaarthen replied.
Mara got up and like a hound tracked Marcos down to their messy bedroom.
“Master the hour is late. Princess Ruegin gives her compliments and wishes to be off to the east warehouses at the end of the next hour.” She said waking him.
“Find Ein and have them prepare the prince. Then return and help me with the bath.” Marcos grumbled rolling over exposing Jilleta.
Under him, Jilleta groaned. “Milord, could I perhaps be released? Milady will also need to be freshened for the day.”
Marcos looked down at her shocked and wordlessly unbound her.
“Do you remember last night? Was I too rough?” He asked as she worked her arms to get the blood flowing.
“Yes Milord, I did not drink. Your hands were expert and very pleasing. I do like how we have the privacy for these things. You were pleasantly rough. Nothing a proper stretch won’t fix I enjoyed the night Milord.” She blushed and bowed before departing.
“Everything is prepared Master I shall attend to your bath.” Mara said coming in. She bathed him quickly and efficiently. He stood bathed, dressed, and ready to go back to sleep in the foyer at ten. Ein, Rinis, and Prince Carthin also stood ready.
“Good morning prince. You look truly haggard didn’t you sleep last night?” Marcos quipped.
The prince shivered. “The faces and the blood. I tried to stop it but I couldn’t, I just couldn’t.”
“Prince Monto will stand straight and dignified.” Rinis quietly stated from behind him. “Prince Monto learned well last night what is needed to be better.”
“Yes you did Monto.” Princess Ruegin said gliding into the room. She had changed into a purple and white riding dress with a leather tabard. The tabard bore the sigil of the enthroned crown in purple, white and gold thread.
“Today you will be annotating the quality of rice and grain at the granary. I will be inspecting the various collection points on the edges and outside the city. Work hard and we may have an early day Monto.” Princess Ruegin and her ubiquitous Hjordis stepped out the door.
Arriving moments later the carriage took them slowly through the city. Even on just the second day of harvest, the city in some places was noticeably more crowded.
The day was quick just as Princess Ruegin noted. Unlike her previous plan, they were prepared and accounted for after only a week and a half. The quiet prince had worked his tasks by Ein’s direction and Rinis’ ceaseless cajoling. They worked well together and were shuffled by Marcos throughout the city.
“Well, almost four days early. We’ll be able to get back in time see my sister head off for her speech during the festival.” Princess Ruegin noted over her brandy. They all sat in the parlor. Marcos felt quietly satisfied watching Mara again play Jilleta. Kaarthen relaxed on a sofa next to Mara. Ein and Rinis quietly had taken the prince to his room.
“What will you do first when you get back Lord Panthi?” The princess asked.
Marcos shrugged and stretched. “Highness, I will likely leave for Sellis. The prince perhaps may join. His family has begun to create a monster. I must make sure it never comes out of its cage.”
Princess Ruegin snorted. “What has the stupid prince’s horse-fucking family done?”
“They are centralizing their economy, which never goes well. They are allowing ‘Guilds’ economic powers absent the authority of the crown or senate. The ‘Guilds’ control prices but they make the largest profits from their foreign competitors. They sell as much as they can and try to annex them when the sales stop. The royals and nobles are also transferring their wealth into the ‘Guild’ with every purchase. Eventually, they may have a revolt as their ‘Guilds’ realize the power imbalance. Perhaps I am wrong, I want to see it for my self.” Marcos summarized.
Princess Ruegin nodded and tried to remember. “That’s been done before I remember stories of…”
“Gyptheria, the trade empire. Eventually, it led to a local then regional war. Gyptheria’s enemies including Menthino drained its currency reserves like a cyst. The ‘Guilds’ of Sellis have another problem. Since they don’t profit by taxes on trade eventually they’ll have to raise taxes somewhere. If they have war this will only speed up their problems, as royals can’t pay for the army, perhaps they’ll allow the guild to create an army, guild trade ceases, profits fall, without revenue coming from without, or nobles spending from within, their economy crashes.”
“But not before the guild’s army steps in to throw off the nobles once and for all.” The shrewd princess noted
Marcos nodded. “At the very least.”
“Master, Misses, the carriage for the journey back is prepared.” The grey maid said appearing.
The group headed down to the carriage. It was the largest carriage they rode in so far. All ten fit very comfortably. They saw for the last time of the visit the swelling city nearly full of people. The Harvest festival’s preparations were already started.
“We should be glad of the rumors of a cold winter, the farmers came in way ahead of schedule.” Princess Ruegin noted absently looking out.
“Sister Saliss will harvest the souls this year.” Princess Nossin added looking out.
Princess Ruegin snapped over to look at her. “Is there anything else you see?” Princess Ruegin asked quickly.
“No, we will be fine while they take the boy away.” Princess Nossin said turning to the quiet prince. “He will return and be a problem as a man.” She got up and sat in Marcos’ lap and closed her eyes leaning into him.
“Damn.” Princess Ruegin said pulling out her spectacles.
The ride back was quiet. Marcos cuddled harmlessly with Princess Nossin. Jilleta watched with trepidation. The ride was easier since the current took them back with only slight interruption as the tide came in. The boatmen kept them on the opposite side of the canal. They allowed the barge to cruise silently.
The group pulled past Tilin in the early morning. They arrived finally in Mavvus in the late afternoon.
They said their good-byes, and Marcos, Kaarthen, and her girls moved back towards the north tower. They were greeted by Sune, Aliss, and Salenne.
“How was the journey Master? We are surprised you returned so soon.” Aliss asked.
“Did I interrupt anything?” Marcos chuckled.
“Of course not Master, nothing could be more important than news of your arrival. Augussi is preparing a report of some significance in the library for you. She has reports coming in from all over the west.” Salenne noted tilting her head.
“Then I will go to her. You women all look lovely perhaps Ein can tell you of our trip. I will unfortunately be leaving again soon. But I cannot have too many disturbances, we will have dinner and I would love to see you all again.” Marcos said quickly