Office of the Minister of Primary Industry

The Daimyo came in and sat, gesturing for Sora to do the same. The rest of his bodyguard stayed standing, hands on weapons, with two of them remaining outside the door.

"I wish to open trade negotiations between my city and the nation of Isra. My city is the only large port in Tawakoshi, and as such demand for foreign goods is very great."

He spoke calmly, eyes locked on the man before him, already evaluating him.

Sora would eye the chair for a moment, somewhat surprised that the Daiymo had invited him to sit with him for the negotiations. However, the young warrior would listen to his Daiymo's orders and would settle in the chair next to him just as Robert began to speak. 

Sora wouldn't say anything for now, though he would look at the offered chocolate bar somewhat critically. His attention would return to Robert again though, he seemed familiar. 

"Do you have a sister named Roxanne Robert?" he asked when there was a lull in the conversation, just a bit curious was all. He did have the same family name as that one woman he had met before, after all.

Robert was caught off guard by Sora's question. How did he know Roxanne? What was she doing in Tawakoshi, of all places? He didn't particularly like Roxanne. In fact, they'd get into huge arguments whenever he visited the estate when he was younger. Still, he was curious. Tawakoshi was a bit odd, even for her.

"You know Roxanne? How?"

He took a deep breath and composed himself, trying to be professional. This was neither the time nor place for gossip about his family.

"Never mind, that's a matter for another time. After the negotiations, perhaps. To answer your question, though, she's my cousin, not my sister. Nice girl."

She wasn't at all nice, in his opinion. He couldn't stand her. Still, it wouldn't be very professional of him to start complaining about his cousin in front of the foreign delegates. He turned back to the Daimyo, smiling.

"Yes, I'm sure you have many items and resources that would find eager buyers here in Isra. As for the bounties of the sea...well, we know a thing or two about that here in Port Silverion. What sort of commodity items do people want in your city? Foreign goods are always a novelty, and I'm sure we can provide all sorts of things for your people to buy."

"They have a hankering for foreign arts and foods, decorative pieces. Of course, anything superior to what we already use in terms of raw materials is also likely to be desired."

There was also a significant black market in magical items, but he was not going to mention that in any sort of official capacity, regardless of how much money it made him.

"We of course specialize in various inks and their applications, seaweed ropes which do not rot when exposed to water, pearls of course, and numerous other items which can be had from the sea."

Akagi raised an eyebrow but made no comment. The man seemed to be new at his job, else he would know the quality of his iwn nation's raw materials, which feed every industry a country has.

"I am glad to hear it, Minister. Shall we discuss exchange rates, tariffs and the like?"

This was the boring bit, but it didn't really matter what the exact goods were, this was where both countries would make money.

Daimyo Zuikaku felt good about the negotiations. For all of the Minister's quite excellent business acumen, he was simply not a politician. Which also made him more enjoyable to deal with incidentally, but the political implications of several of the clauses were in Akagi's favor, even if economically they seemed to be in Isra's.

"Dinner would be most excellent, I am eagerly awaiting my first taste of Isran cuisine."

"Did we really make it master? Will we find Brother Shaun here?" Young John was full of excitement.

William answered a bit somberly, "I didn't not know if we will ever find Brother Shaun. But we will certainly, learn something." He knocked on Robert Fletcher's office door, praying that the man would be here.

"Are you Robert Fletcher, the previous mayor of Ozmodias? If so we have traveled long and far to meet you." The blind priest did not notice the women in the office, but his disciples certainly did. The two young men grinned and nudged each other as the peered into the office.

"Have you seen this man?" Brother William got right to business, holding a wrinkled picture of Shaun. The three priests looked more like beggars in their travel worn state. The bottom of their robes we're in tatters, showing shoes with toes sticking out. Brother William himself wore no shoes. The trio we're covered in dirt, but at least smelled acceptable.

Robert frowned at the three blind priests. Who were these people? He'd certainly never met them before, and he usually didn't talk too much about his days as mayor of Ozmodias.

"Er...no, I don't believe I've ever seen that man before. And yes, I was. Um...why do you ask? Who are you? Perhaps you'd best come inside..."

He stepped back, allowing the filthy trio into his office.

"Would you like gentlemen like something to drink? I have coffee, tea...Hazel, fix a pot of coffee, would you?"

Before he even spoke, the young woman had already started the kettle on a small stove.