Arthur looked at the people outside the gates of Baron Kemail's manor.
He recognized some of them.
Others were strangers.
Young Lissop was one of his own, and Fontel more or less counted as one too. But who was that greasy-faced fat man bowing and scraping beside them?
"That's Brewer.
He started out in fishing.
Then he snapped up the market shares left behind after the Coste Chamber of Commerce and the Emond Chamber of Commerce collapsed, quickly securing a slice of the ocean shipping business.
Next, just as the Bernice family was preparing to move against him, we brought them down, and he picked up a few more bargains from the fallout.
Now, quite a few people in South Los believe he's the best merchant around, second only to me."
Beside Arthur, Malinda introduced the merchant who had recently risen to prominence in South Los. Her tone held one part contempt and ninety-nine parts anticipation.
It was the feeling of watching a pig fatten up for slaughter.
"The Wintertide Festival is almost here!"
Arthur spoke softly.
Wintertide was the coldest day of the year in South County.
Throughout South County, the holidays began three days before its arrival, and normal life only resumed seven days after it passed.
It was the longest holiday most people in South County had.
During that period, everyone stayed indoors.
South Los was a little warmer, however. Besides stocking up on food, some people still chose to hold gatherings or visit friends and relatives.
Naturally, meat was the most popular food.
And pork accounted for a substantial share of it.
As such, large numbers of pigs were slaughtered before Wintertide.
These pigs were all plump and sturdy, jokingly called "year-end pigs" by the people of South Los.
"There's no rush!
My name is well