Kofidan had never imagined that Brendanna would have a merchants' guild belonging to House Vikress.
How had Mares, that uncouth soldier who only knew how to sell fruit, gotten into the grain trade?
Kofidan did not believe Mares had the brains for it. Lord Arthur was gravely ill and bedridden, so he could hardly spare the energy to help Mares arrange grain imports from other countries.
Besides, the Norwington Family had now all but monopolized the domestic grain trade. They had no channels available to them at all.
The more Kofidan thought about it, the colder his heart grew.
Could Mares's guild be a front for the Norwington Family?
It's over! Kofidan's face instantly turned white. An invisible pressure and fear gradually ate away at him.
Kofidan leaned back against the bench, gasping for breath. The Noble Group had been at a disadvantage from the start of this struggle. One wrong move, and they would die without even a place to be buried.
The dozen or so criminals Rowan had previously arrested for embezzling military supplies had all vanished without a trace, leaving no bodies behind. Rowan was ruthless. Once the Provisional Council fell, none of them would escape.
Kofidan did everything he could to suppress his fear, repeatedly telling himself that he must not panic!
Don't panic. Don't lose your head. Even if Rowan has opened a trade channel in Brendanna, we still have the advantage in Boralus.
The Provisional Council has stockpiled so many goods. With the public's trust in him gone, Rowan can't possibly beat us.
Unless...
There is no unless! Kofidan slammed his hand onto the table, leaving all five fingers stinging.
There was no turning back. Kofidan quickly put on his coat and headed for Tradewinds Market.
With the New Year approaching, Tradewinds Market was