Excerpt: The seal of Masterad

Carus retreated somewhat into the corner of the bench. The Foturian state had risen to the south of the Kaethak mountain range, between Turia and Bathbar. The Kaethak were the lesser mountains of the subcontinent. Overshadowed in most ways by the Nurent, owned by the dwarves. The Kaethak mountains were smaller and less impressive than the extravagant cliff faces and spikes of granite and exposed ore that adorned the Nurent. Most importantly, the Kaethak were known as quite devoid of any worthwhile mineral deposits. The Dwarves and Fossalites had searched through the mountains many times, drilling and melting stone and interrogating the small reptilian savages that lived in some regions of the mountains, but to no avail. Near the fist town Foturia, in the relative outskirts of the Keathak a large deposit of iron had been found, which allowed Foturia to grow and thrive in a record amount of time. So far, there seemed to be no end to the wealth of ore they were mining in the mountain valley which was currently being transformed into the future capital of great Foturia.
“We found some natural deposits around Foturia.” He Carus said, while bracing himself for the male dwarf to interject.
“Those mountains have been searched many times, the Foturian areas as well. Where did you find it?” Korril stated agressively.
“That's hardly the point.” Carus said dismissively. “We found some steel earlier, now we want to buy yours. I don't see why you are making a problem of this.”
“You need to understand that we are trying to remain neutral regarding conflicts among you humans.” Trasba started, as her face drifted away into infinity, “we have always sold our steel to you Fossalites, except since a century or so to you, Foturians. By opening the steel market on your end by purchasing dwarven steel the character of the war will change for us, the other mountain-cities and the other Fossalites as well.”
“So we need to know what we're getting into before the carts start rolling.” Korril growled.
“That's all well and good.” Carus said, impatiently tapping his fingers on the bench and avoiding their gaze somewhat, “but I am not about to explain the finer intricacies of Foturian economy in a meeting to arrange a steel purchase. If it is your wish to remain neutral it is in your interest to sell to both sides, otherwise you provide one side with an unnecesary advantage, by blocking the others' acces to your metal.” Mustering a stern face he turned back to the pair of dwarves and admonished “Is that not obvious?”
Trasba sighed. Korril made a nondescript gesture and whispered to her a moment.
“If you would excuse us a moment.” Korril announced as he rose from the chair and led Trasba out to the veranda. The two guards who stood there were sent inside and the dwarven guards closed the door behind them.
While they were out Carus had the small table that stood at the centre of the salon removed and the higher dining table placed there in its stead. Then he had the bench replaced by a chair from the dining corner and had the proposal details stacked on his side of the table. He observed the rearrangement with a smile. His task were was not difficult at all. Making a buyer believe you really need something is among the easiest things to do, usually the effort is aimed the other way around. The only reason he hadn't gotten on his knees and begged these Dwarves to please sell him sell some steel, was that he was to have his dignity as a Foturian leader, and that if there really was a shortage of steel in Foturia, they would have tried to cover up the fact to keep the prizes from going up too far. Doing anything else would raise suspicions. Carus scratched his chin and started pacing around a bit as a waited for the dwarves to return. When they did they saw the changed decor and Trasba sighed and Korril grimaced.
“Let's get to business proper then, shall we?” Carus offered.
The Dwarves sat down and they started bartering. It was a very strange experience for Carus. As they talked he noticed himself trying to lower prices for Foturia and had to keep himself from acting on them or this whole mess would become a pointless waste of money. By the end of it he was sure he had ordered enough for the Dwarves of Nufaar to even start purchasing from other Dwarves to meet the Foturian demand, which would spread the word of Foturia purchasing steel. As soon as the dwarves realised that both sides sought after the same steel prices would soar hig indeed. Since the Fossalites were already hard pushed to stand up to the Foturian armies, this new economic stress on their varied blots of land would damage them greatly. They were already inferior in their training, equipment, arcane support and organisation... They would not last long if every little Foturian state had to haul half their grain and pottery across the continent towards the Nurent...