Chapter 516: The Countermove

Garen Holtweiss had spent enough years among merchants to recognize when someone was attempting to ruin another man’s business.

What surprised him was discovering that Sage intended to accomplish something similar without threatening anyone, breaking a single agreement, or even mentioning the names of his enemies.

The merchant stood inside the Guildmaster’s office, examining a collection of trade agreements that Sage had arranged across his desk. Beside him sat Boren, whose expression suggested that he had already discovered something entertaining about the entire affair.

"You’re proposing that the Guild purchase more supplies from independent merchants?" Garen asked, examining the documents. "That’s reasonable enough, but I assume you didn’t summon me here simply to discuss flour and wagon wheels."

Sage smiled. "Naturally. I also wanted to discuss timber, medicinal herbs, iron fittings, preserved meat, and several other things that people insist upon purchasing whenever they establish an enormous settlement beside a dangerous dungeon."

Boren chuckled while Garen continued studying the agreements.

"Several of these merchants already supply the Guild," Garen observed. "Others have been trying to secure contracts for months."

"Then they’ve been remarkably patient," Sage replied. "I believe it’s time we rewarded that patience, provided their prices and goods are satisfactory."

Garen glanced toward him. "And the merchants who currently control those supplies?"

"They’re welcome to compete," Sage answered pleasantly. "Although I suspect some of them won’t appreciate discovering that their customers have alternatives."

Garen slowly smiled.

He was beginning to understand.

---

Greyfen’s continued development had created an enormous demand for goods and services. Construction workers required food and accommodation, warehouses needed materials, and Adventurers purchased weapons, potions, provisions, and equipment before entering the dungeon.

Until recently, several influential trading houses had assumed they would control much of that commerce.

Edmund Krail was particularly well positioned.

His commercial partners maintained agreements with transporters, wholesalers, and warehouse owners throughout the Royal Capital. Some had already attempted to discourage smaller merchants from supplying Greyfen, hoping to force the Guild into accepting less favorable terms.

Sage had no intention of obliging them.

"I want suppliers selected through proper examination of their goods, prices, and reliability," Sage explained. "No merchant should receive special treatment simply because his trading house has been wealthy for fifty years."

Garen nodded thoughtfully. "Smaller merchants will welcome the opportunity, but some lack sufficient wagons or storage space to fulfill large orders."

"Then divide suitable purchases among several suppliers," Sage replied. "Tobias can arrange deliveries according to the Guild’s requirements. I’d rather deal with five dependable merchants than become helpless whenever one powerful merchant decides to raise his prices."

Boren leaned forward. "And if those five merchants begin arguing among themselves?"

Sage shrugged. "Then we remind them that another fifty would be delighted to take their places."

Garen laughed.

The arrangement was perfectly legitimate.

And Edmund Krail would hate it.

---

Three days later, the consequences began appearing throughout the Royal Capital.

Several independent merchants received invitations to submit offers for supplying the Adventurer Guild’s developing facilities at Greyfen. Others were informed that additional commercial spaces would become available as construction progressed.

Garen personally assisted with negotiations, introducing reliable traders who had previously struggled to compete against established merchant associations.

One of them, a grain merchant named Osbert Lyle, nearly dropped his cup when Garen explained the quantities required.

"You’re telling me the Guild wants regular deliveries?" Osbert asked, staring at the proposed agreement. "Not merely a single purchase?"

"Provided you maintain the agreed quality and delivery schedule," Garen answered. "The Guild needs dependable suppliers, Master Lyle. It isn’t interested in purchasing spoiled grain simply because someone offers a handsome discount."

Osbert straightened immediately. "My warehouses contain excellent grain, Master Holtweiss. You’re welcome to inspect every sack."

"Then I suggest we begin tomorrow," Garen replied.

Similar conversations occurred across the city.

A family-owned timber business secured an opportunity to supply construction materials. Two independent transport companies received agreements to carry goods toward Greyfen. Smaller merchants began discussing joint deliveries to reduce expenses.

None of these arrangements required the Guild to accuse anyone of wrongdoing.

They simply gave merchants opportunities that powerful trading houses had previously kept beyond their reach.

---

Meanwhile, Garran Holt was making changes of his own.

As Head of Mission Administration, Garran supervised the procedures governing Guild missions, including how requests were examined, accepted, and presented to Adventurers.

Recently, several employers associated with established mercenary companies had attempted to reserve large numbers of escort and monster-hunting assignments through arrangements that favored particular contractors.

Sage instructed Garran to examine those practices carefully.

"Every properly submitted mission should be considered according to its requirements," Sage told him during their meeting. "I don’t want reputable employers excluded, but neither should anyone be allowed to purchase influence over which Adventurers receive opportunities."

Garran nodded. "We’ve already identified several requests containing unusual conditions. Some specify that only members of particular mercenary companies may accept the assignments."

"Are those conditions necessary?"

"In most cases, no," Garran replied. "The employers appear to be using Guild procedures to secure labor for organizations with which they already have agreements."

Sage considered the documents. "Then return those requests for correction. If an employer genuinely requires particular qualifications, we can accommodate that. But the Guild’s mission boards aren’t private notice boards for mercenary commanders."

Garran smiled slightly. "Understood, Guildmaster."

Within days, revised mission requirements allowed more independent Adventurers to compete for assignments previously restricted through questionable arrangements.

For Gideon Marholt, the consequences were immediate.

---

Inside the Iron Fang Mercenary Company’s headquarters, Gideon listened as his contract officer delivered increasingly unpleasant news.

"Two escort agreements have been withdrawn, Commander," the officer reported. "The employers intend to submit their requests through the Adventurer Guild instead. Several other clients are reconsidering their arrangements."

Gideon placed his wine cup upon the table.

"Why?"

"The Guild is offering access to registered Adventurers through its mission procedures," the officer explained. "The employers believe they’ll have more choices and won’t need to maintain exclusive agreements with us."

Gideon’s expression darkened. "And our existing contracts?"

"Still valid, Commander. But several expire before the end of the month."

Gideon understood the implications immediately.

The Adventurer Guild wasn’t forcing anyone to abandon Iron Fang.

It was making the company’s influence less necessary.

For years, Gideon had benefited from relationships that encouraged employers to depend upon his organization for experienced Warriors.

Now those same employers were discovering that the Guild could connect them with qualified Adventurers without requiring long-term allegiance to a particular mercenary company.

"Contact our remaining clients," Gideon ordered. "Offer revised terms where necessary. I won’t have them wandering into Sage Alistair’s arms simply because someone promises them a cheaper escort."

The officer bowed and departed.

Gideon remained seated, his fingers tightening around the armrest.

For the first time, Sage was costing him money directly.

---

Roderick Halbrecht received considerably worse news.

Several merchants who had complained about intimidation near Greyfen had finally agreed to provide formal statements.

Their accounts identified men previously employed by Black Banner, including two individuals who had demanded payment in exchange for ensuring that supply wagons traveled without difficulty.

The complaints reached the appropriate city authorities, accompanied by witness accounts and written records.

Cassian Rook ensured that the Guild preserved its own evidence and cooperated with the investigation without attempting to replace the Kingdom’s lawful officials.

When the authorities summoned the accused men for questioning, Roderick was furious.

"Those fools were supposed to keep their mouths shut!" he roared, striking his desk hard enough to send a cup tumbling onto the floor.

His lieutenant stood nearby, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"The merchants have witnesses, Commander. One of the men apparently accepted money in front of a warehouse supervisor."

Roderick glared at him. "Then find out who’s been encouraging these complaints."

"The Adventurer Guild has been assisting the merchants," the lieutenant admitted.

Roderick’s expression became murderous.

Sage hadn’t attacked Black Banner’s headquarters or challenged Roderick to a duel.

He had simply ensured that men committing offenses could no longer rely upon frightened merchants remaining silent.

And that was proving remarkably troublesome.

---

Edmund Krail discovered the damage during his weekly examination of commercial accounts.

Three trading partners had lost expected orders.

Two independent merchants had secured transport agreements previously considered almost certain to pass through his associates, while several suppliers were demanding better terms after learning that the Guild welcomed competing offers.

His chief steward stood before the desk, nervously awaiting instructions.

"How much have we lost?" Edmund asked.

"The immediate losses remain manageable, Master Krail," the steward answered. "But our expected earnings from Greyfen have fallen considerably. Worse, several merchants who previously depended upon our warehouses are arranging deliveries independently."

Edmund closed the ledger. "Through Garen Holtweiss?"

"In several cases, yes."

Edmund leaned back, recognizing the pattern.

Sage was not merely purchasing supplies elsewhere.

He was helping create commercial arrangements that bypassed Edmund’s influence entirely.

"Arrange a meeting with our principal partners," Edmund instructed. "And find out whether Marholt and Halbrecht are experiencing similar difficulties."

The steward bowed and withdrew.

Edmund remained motionless for several moments before reaching for a fresh sheet of parchment.

Someone needed to be informed.

---

That evening, Sage reviewed the results with Boren, Garen, and Pax Riven.

The changes had not destroyed any of the three men’s businesses, nor had Sage expected them to. Gideon still commanded a powerful mercenary company, Roderick retained considerable fighting strength, and Edmund possessed substantial wealth.

But their influence was beginning to weaken.

"Several merchants have already requested meetings about supplying Greyfen," Garen reported. "Once they realized the Guild wasn’t reserving everything for established trading houses, interest increased considerably."

Garran’s written report showed similar progress in mission arrangements, while Pax confirmed that the investigations concerning Black Banner’s intimidation had caused several intermediaries to distance themselves from Roderick’s men.

Boren examined the documents with satisfaction. "Not bad for a few days’ work. You’ve managed to irritate three powerful men without even visiting them."

Sage smiled. "I have an unfortunate amount of paperwork already, Boren. Personally visiting everyone who dislikes me would leave no time for anything else."

Pax regarded him thoughtfully. "They’ll understand what you’re doing soon."

"I expect they already do," Sage replied. "But understanding something and preventing it are different matters."

He closed the final report.

For weeks, his enemies had attempted to undermine the Guild through rumors, bribery, and intimidation. They had assumed Sage would spend his time defending himself against every accusation.

Instead, he had begun removing the advantages that made their interference possible.

---

Late that night, Gideon Marholt arrived at Edmund Krail’s private residence.

Roderick Halbrecht was already waiting.

The three men exchanged reports, each discovering that the others had suffered similar setbacks.

"This isn’t a coincidence," Gideon declared, throwing his contract summaries onto the table. "Sage is deliberately interfering with our arrangements."

Roderick’s jaw tightened. "Then we should stop wasting time with merchants and paperwork."

Edmund raised his hand before the mercenary commander could continue.

"Whatever we do next must be considered carefully," he warned. "Sage hasn’t openly accused any of us, and that’s precisely what makes this difficult. Every action he’s taken can be defended as an ordinary Guild decision."

Gideon stared at the documents.

For the first time, he understood that Sage Alistair was not simply protecting the Adventurer Guild from their attacks.

He was answering them.

And if the three men failed to respond, the Guildmaster might gradually strip away the wealth and influence they had spent decades accumulating.