The Jongurian Mission Read Online Free Page A

hand in readying it for the busy season ahead of us. What is it we can do for you now?”
    Halam drew in his breath and raised up his shoulders, readying himself for what he was sure would be a tough argument to come. “Truth is, Trun, I’ve come to talk about Bryn and most particularly about his future here in Eston.”
    “ Have you now,” said Trun, eyeing Halam questioningly. “Truth be-told, his future, and all those of Eston, isn’t looking too bright to me these days, what with the price of grain what it is.”
    “ Yes, the grain market’s been bad for many years, and all know it,” Halam shot back. “It’s like that all over the country. Fallownia is in the same boat, and the smaller grain producing areas in other provinces are also feeling the pinch.” Halam drew in a deep breath and let it out. “I’ve received word from the royal court in Baden that there’s talk of opening up trade negotiations with Jonguria.”
    “ Jonguria,” Bryn cried out, “but Uncle Halam, we’ve not sent them grain since before the war!”
    “ Aye, lad, and there’s lots of talk about changing that.”
    Bryn, flustered and confused, tried to argue. “But–”
    “ But, nothing, Bryn,” Trun shot in. “You know as well as anyone how tough times are these days.” His stony gaze moved from Bryn to Halam. “If Jonguria’s wanting our grain, I say we give it to ‘em, at a higher price than they’d be setting for us in Plowdon.”
    Halam looked down at his hands. “That’s the talk in Plowdon, and from what I hear, in Baden as well.” He sighed. “What with shipping it all the way to the treaty port on Nanbo Island, or even overland across the isthmus, that cost has got to be made up for.”
    “ Aye, and it ain’t cheap to get it here from my fields down to Dockside, neither,” Trun pointed out.
    “ True,” Halam agreed. “I’d say that you could expect half again what you make now selling it to the provincial officials in Plowdon, if we’re able to come to an agreement with the Jongurians. But remember, we’re just in the planning stages at this point. No royal emissaries have been sent to Jonguria with the proposal, and even the royal court at Baden has yet to come to a firm agreement on the subject. This proposed deal could be months, and possibly even years away. Still,” Halam continued, looking up at the two seated at the table with him, “it is something to hope for.”
    “ Now, though,” Trun continued after a few moments, “I don’t see what any of this has to do with Bryn. A young boy living in the farmlands on the outskirts of the country ain’t got no impact on trade negotiations with Jonguria.”
    “ True, true,” Halam conceded, “but I’d like him to.”
    “ Now what are you meaning with that remark, Halam?” Trun asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
    “ I mean I’d like Bryn to accompany me to Baden to see how a deal like this would move through the royal court.” Halam’s eyes moved from Trun to Bryn. Bryn’s eyes grew wide with excitement as Halam put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I want to give him the opportunity to see his country, to get off this farm and put his mind to something besides fields and stones and livestock for a change.”
    “ You know the place for a boy Bryn’s age is in the fields, learning the value of a hard day’s work!” Trun shot back.
    Bryn rose from his chair and planted both hands firmly on the table. “But, Uncle Trun I–”
    “ Boy,” Trun said in terse, no-nonsense voice as he laid deathly-serious eyes on his nephew, “this conversation is between me and my brother. It might concern you, but you’ll have no part in it. Now, go out and tend to your nightly chores.”
    “ But I–”
    Trun moved his gaze back upon Bryn, saying more with a look than he possibly could with a lengthy tirade.
    “ Yes, sir,” Bryn murmured, lowering his head as he shuffled out the door into the twilight of the early evening.
     
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