Clang—clang—clang—
At dawn, the clamor of chisels echoed from the scaffolding on the city walls.
Gerry carried an empty sack beneath the scaffolding and into Breeze City. He threaded through several narrow alleys to the Market, where a crowd around a grain Cart filled him with dread. Then he heard someone call out, "Ten Copper Coins!" His heart sank further.
"Wasn't it only seven Copper Coins yesterday?" someone shouted.
“Those Noble are buying up grain like mad, and now all of Breeze City is doing the same. Who knows what they're planning?”
"Will you take eight Copper Coins? I want a hundred pounds!"
"Get lost! You won't get a single pound for eight! Once I sell this lot, it might be fifteen tomorrow!"
Gerry patted the pocket holding his money and hurried deeper into the Market. He found no prices below ten Copper Coins a pound. While it was still morning, he visited several more markets before finding a shop where he persuaded the clerk to sell him fifty pounds of coarse Wheat flour for nine Copper Coins a pound.
With the Wheat flour on his back, Gerry wandered the streets and listened to wealthy people in carriages complain about rising grain prices.
Of course prices are rising. War is about to start. As for who the enemy was... had anyone still not seen the Magic Newspaper?
Gerry had brought his savings into the city to buy grain the day after he learned prices were rising. That was a little wisdom from a little man.
Near noon, Gerry spotted his prey: a resident walking past with a Magic Newspaper tucked under his arm.
"Sir! Sir!" Gerry called. His appearance and bulging sack put the man at ease. "What is it?"
"I haven't heard this issue of the Magic Newspaper yet.