"That's it?"
Ingrid blurted it out, then softened her tone. "I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Magic Newspaper, but why use it instead of Magic Film?"
Compared with the cumbersome, peculiar Magic Newspaper, they already had the far more established Magic Film.
"I'm guessing it's because Magic Film requires a crowd to gather, while a Magic Newspaper costs only ten copper coins. Anyone can afford one and read it on their own." Francois looked at Annan. "Am I right?"
"If you say so."
A wistful look crossed Annan's face.
The others had grown used to Annan bringing them fresh ideas and inventions, and the Magic Newspaper had been a success too. "It sold out after just two days, especially the copies sent to Breeze City."
"One more thing. Joan told me she's seen the same fellow follow the group into the city first thing every morning for three days straight to buy a paper..."
Francois asked, "Any idea what's going on?"
"That's quite common," Ingrid replied. "Our Magic Newspaper sells out in just thirty minutes."
"Why not make more?"
"Because each paper sells for only ten copper coins."
The reason was painfully practical: the Star-Moon Bay News Paper made no money.
A thousand copies brought in one gold narl, enough for one Magic Stone, and that didn't even account for the labor involved in printing and selling them.
As for why they didn't charge more, Annan figured everyone knew the answer.
"Why not put Star-Moon Bay's news first?" Francois asked again.
"Why do you have so many questions?" Annan suspected Francois was getting back at him for dumping all the port and shipbuilding work on him. Still, he answered, "Because one day, I want everyone in the Northern Frontier to have a copy of the Star-Moon Bay News