Chapter 604: A Problem on the Trade Road

The following morning, Tobias Merrow arrived at his office earlier than usual, carrying the transportation contract that had occupied his thoughts throughout the previous evening.

The unexpected delay involving the Guild’s construction materials had already disrupted his carefully prepared schedule, and the merchant responsible for the shipment had yet to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Alden Fischer had promised to investigate the matter, but Tobias had no intention of waiting while the construction project remained uncertain.

He summoned two assistants and instructed them to contact the transportation companies operating between Kingsford and the western commercial regions.

Within an hour, letters requesting quotations and available delivery schedules had been dispatched to several established carriers.

Tobias hoped the problem could be resolved by hiring another company.

Unfortunately, the responses proved considerably less encouraging than expected.

By midday, Alden Fischer returned to Headquarters carrying a collection of correspondence. His expression suggested that the news was unlikely to improve Tobias’s mood.

"Mr. Merrow, I’ve spoken with the company responsible for your shipment," Fischer explained as he entered the office. "They’re maintaining that their available wagons have been reassigned, and they cannot guarantee a new departure date."

Tobias looked up sharply. "Reassigned? They accepted our contract and confirmed the delivery schedule. How can they suddenly claim that their wagons are unavailable?"

Fischer placed the correspondence upon the desk. "According to their manager, several existing customers have requested urgent deliveries. He claims those obligations must receive priority."

Tobias frowned as he examined the letter. "Our contract was signed before these supposed requests appeared. Unless there’s a provision allowing them to change the schedule, they can’t simply disregard their obligations."

"That’s what I told them," Fischer replied with a frustrated sigh. "Unfortunately, they’re insisting that the situation falls under their transportation contingency provisions."

Tobias read the relevant section carefully. The wording allowed limited adjustments when circumstances beyond the carrier’s reasonable control prevented delivery, but it did not grant unlimited freedom to postpone shipments.

He placed the document aside.

"Then we’ll have the agreement reviewed," Tobias declared. "In the meantime, we need another carrier. Have you contacted anyone else?"

Fischer hesitated. "That’s where matters become complicated, Mr. Merrow. I’ve approached three other transportation companies, and none appears particularly interested in accepting the shipment."

Tobias leaned back in his chair. "Three companies? What reasons did they give?"

"The first claims its insurance expenses have increased for shipments traveling along that route," Fischer explained. "The second says its wagons are committed to existing contracts for the next several weeks. The third simply quoted a transportation fee almost three times the usual rate."

Tobias stared at him for a moment.

"Three times the usual rate?" Tobias repeated incredulously. "Are they transporting construction materials or a royal treasury?"

Fischer gave a helpless shrug. "I questioned the quotation myself. Their representative insisted that increased commercial risks justified the price."

Tobias turned toward the map hanging beside his desk. The route connecting Kingsford to the regional capital was well established, with regular merchant traffic passing through several major settlements.

Although monster attacks occasionally occurred along its less populated stretches, nothing in the Guild’s recent reports suggested a sudden deterioration severe enough to justify such dramatic increases.

"Did they explain what these increased risks actually involve?" Tobias asked.

"Not clearly," Fischer admitted. "They mentioned possible disruptions along the western roads, but they couldn’t identify any specific incident."

Tobias remained silent for several moments before reaching for his notebook.

"Very well. Leave copies of their responses with me," Tobias instructed. "I’ll investigate the transportation market directly. For now, make sure the materials remain properly stored. I don’t want our shipment damaged while everyone argues about who should transport it."

Fischer nodded and departed.

Over the next several hours, Tobias contacted additional merchants and transport operators through the Guild’s commercial network.

Some companies responded politely but declined the work, while others requested more time to review their existing commitments.

One smaller carrier expressed interest until its manager learned the destination and the identity of the customer.

"Mr. Merrow, I apologize, but we won’t be able to accept that contract," the manager explained during their meeting. "Our company has recently entered an agreement that limits the additional shipments we can undertake along the western route."

Tobias examined the man’s uneasy expression. "Does that agreement specifically prohibit transporting goods for the Adventurer Guild?"

The manager quickly shook his head. "No, nothing of that sort. It’s simply a matter of our available capacity and contractual obligations."

"Then I assume you wouldn’t object to providing a quotation for a later delivery date," Tobias replied calmly.

The manager hesitated before answering. "I’d have to consult my partners before making any commitments."

By the time the conversation ended, Tobias had gained little useful information.

However, one detail troubled him.

Several companies appeared reluctant to discuss the Guild’s shipment even when offered reasonable payment.

That afternoon, Tobias brought his findings to Irene Valcrest.

Irene examined the transportation quotations while Tobias explained the situation.

"These prices are ridiculous," Irene remarked, comparing the figures with previous Guild contracts. "Even allowing for seasonal fluctuations, I can’t justify paying three times the normal transportation cost without evidence of additional expenses."

Tobias nodded. "That’s my concern. We could absorb the increase, but doing so would encourage other contractors to demand similar rates."

"Exactly," Irene replied. "And if this happens with every major shipment, our construction budget will become meaningless."

Tobias pointed toward the original delivery schedule. "The contractors are expecting the reinforced fittings and iron components before they begin certain structural work. We can proceed with surveying and preliminary site preparation, but prolonged delays will eventually affect the construction timetable."

Irene considered the problem. "Could we purchase the materials closer to the regional capital?"

"Possibly," Tobias answered. "Some items are available through local merchants, although I haven’t confirmed whether they can meet our specifications. Others may need to come from different suppliers."

Irene nodded thoughtfully. "Then we should compare the cost of replacing the shipment against the expense of waiting. We may also need to examine whether our existing contracts allow us to recover losses caused by unreasonable delays."

After completing their review, Tobias requested an audience with Sage.

The Guildmaster was examining reports concerning the regional expansion program when Tobias entered his office.

"Guildmaster, I’m afraid the transportation problem has become more complicated," Tobias began, placing the collected correspondence upon the desk. "Several carriers have declined our shipment, and those willing to discuss it are demanding unusually high fees."

Sage read through the documents while Tobias summarized the explanations provided by the different companies.

"Insurance costs, existing contracts, and unavailable wagons," Sage observed, setting down one letter. "That’s quite a collection of excuses."

Tobias nodded grimly. "I can’t prove they’re excuses, Guildmaster, but the timing is suspicious. These companies were accepting ordinary commercial shipments along the same route until recently."

Sage considered the information carefully.

"Have we confirmed that any of them are deliberately refusing Guild business?" Sage asked.

"Not yet," Tobias admitted. "We have their written responses, but nothing directly connecting the decisions."

"Then we shouldn’t accuse anyone," Sage replied firmly. "A company has the right to decline a contract it hasn’t accepted, and legitimate transportation problems do happen. If someone is interfering with our arrangements, we’ll need evidence before taking action."

Tobias nodded. "Understood, Guildmaster. What would you like me to do?"

Sage leaned forward and examined the regional map. "First, identify alternative suppliers closer to the construction site. Second, contact smaller transportation operators that don’t depend upon the same commercial arrangements. Third, review whether we can divide the shipment into smaller deliveries rather than relying upon one company."

Tobias considered the suggestions. "That would increase the administrative work, but it might reduce our dependence upon the larger carriers."

"Exactly," Sage replied. "We shouldn’t allow one disrupted contract to stop an entire construction project. Have the contractors proceed with surveying, site preparation, and whatever work can be completed using available materials."

Tobias recorded the instructions.

Sage then added, "And keep copies of every refusal, revised quotation, and unexplained delay. If there’s a pattern, those records may eventually tell us something."

"I’ll make sure everything is documented, Guildmaster," Tobias assured him.

By the following day, Tobias had begun implementing the revised arrangements. Several local suppliers were contacted, smaller carriers received requests for quotations, and the construction overseer was instructed to proceed with preliminary work that did not require the delayed shipment.

The Guild’s expansion had slowed, but it had not stopped.

Nevertheless, the incident demonstrated how vulnerable a large construction project could become when transportation networks suddenly became unreliable.

Elsewhere in Kingsford, Pax Riven received an unexpected visitor at the discreet office he used for intelligence work.

Fenric Vale entered carrying a folded document obtained through one of their commercial contacts.

"Pax, I think you’ll want to see this," Fenric remarked, placing the document upon the desk. "One of our contacts works with a merchant brokerage that handles transportation agreements along the western roads."

Pax examined the document. "What did he discover?"

Fenric pulled out a chair. "Several transport companies received unusually favorable contracts shortly before the Guild’s shipment was delayed. The agreements reserve substantial portions of their carrying capacity for the next few weeks."

Pax’s expression sharpened. "Who arranged those contracts?"

"That’s the interesting part," Fenric replied. "Different merchants signed them, but our contact believes the payments were arranged through the same financial intermediary."

Pax studied the names listed in the document.

The arrangements could still have an innocent explanation, but their timing was difficult to ignore.

"Have we identified the intermediary?" Pax asked.

Fenric shook his head. "Not completely. However, one of the payment references resembles a transaction we encountered while investigating Edmund Krail’s financial connections."

Pax slowly placed the document upon the table.

If the connection proved genuine, the Guild’s transportation difficulties might be more than an unfortunate commercial coincidence.

"Keep this between us for now," Pax instructed, looking toward Fenric. "I want the contracts verified, and I want to know who ultimately provided the money."

Fenric nodded. "I’ll contact our source again."

Pax returned his attention to the document, his expression growing increasingly serious.

Someone might already be using Westmark’s commercial networks to interfere with the Adventurer Guild’s expansion.

And whoever was responsible appeared to have begun preparing long before the first construction materials were scheduled to leave Kingsford.