People who became guild presidents generally weren't hotheaded fools.
After Byron's blatant humiliation, Tony Ma forced down his anger and swallowed the insult without resorting to violence.
Although Brendanna was Lord Stormsong's territory, the other side wasn't some little merchants' guild without powerful backing. If they came to blows, it could escalate into a much larger conflict.
It would be fine if the old lord could keep Rowan in check, but what if he couldn't handle that brat? Once the situation changed, the subordinates who had stirred up trouble would all become scapegoats.
In struggles between great families, right and wrong didn't matter. Only the balance of power did.
Whoever gained the upper hand was the righteous side.
Everyone in the guild knew that Lashius had been summoned to the Military Tribunal. During the earlier fighting at King's Bay, Lashius had disagreed with Rowan's military decisions and failed to actively seek a decisive battle. Once the war ended, he had met this miserable fate.
The old lord hadn't even helped Lashius out of regard for their relationship as superior and subordinate. Clearly, House Stormsong's standing in the Family Council was still nothing like it had been four months ago.
With Lashius as a cautionary example, Tony Ma lost his nerve.
But even if he was scared inside, he couldn't show it in his words. So you think the Norwington Family is that impressive? You're actually planning to monopolize the grain trade? Fine. Let's see how you trap yourselves in your own web.
They were all merchants with brains. Fighting was the crudest way to punish a rival. Of course, beating a rival senseless was also the most satisfying.
As the commercial center of Stormsong Valley, Brendanna had hundreds of active merchants' guilds.
*Since you want a monopoly, fine. We'll let