The Dragons of Argonath

The Dragons of Argonath by Christopher Rowley Read Free Book Online

Book: The Dragons of Argonath by Christopher Rowley Read Free Book Online
Authors: Christopher Rowley
the white city on the long sound a great deal. Our lives even."
    Once again Sprian's Ridge rose up in their minds. The thin margin that had halted the likely destruction of their world in rapine and fire under the swarming mass of tens of thousands of imps and trolls.
    "We owe the legions our lives. We owe the cities for much of our prosperity. Marneri has been a good market for our grain, enough to provide for all in our village."
    "Aubinas has a short memory."
    "Is Kadein behind the Aubinans?"
    "No. This game is not in Kadein's favor either. The price of grain will hurt the poor in the great city."
    "It makes one fear for the future of the Argonath, all this talk in Aubinas of a rebellion."
    "The future must be faced, no matter what it brings."
    "Whatever we do, we must try and provide for the future."
    "And so we are governed by the prices of things. If we were to abandon all thought of the future, we could spend like princes."
    "My wife already spends like a princess."
    There was a grim chuckle.
    "Ah, we all fare well enough," said Bernarbo. "The emperor is a good one, things go well in Blue Stone. We have been preserved, thanks be to the Mother."
    " 'Tis correct," said Farmer Pigget. "But we must still invest in the future. There will be an issue of consols this month. Will you be taking any?"
    "I am in the long bonds at the moment. I have wondered about the consols. The last issue did very well, I understand."
    "Remember that it is a fine line between fair business and avarice," said Birch. "Ho ho, who preaches the temple line now?" responded Bernarbo.
    "One must be careful with money," said Pigget. "You leave it in gold coins in a box under your bed? Of course not. You put it in a bank in Marneri. The bank is far more secure and is regulated by the Imperial Service. The bank can also lend out money and make a profit. We do the same when we buy bonds or consols."
    "Farmer Pigget, you're absolutely right, and what we have to do is to get the wage earner, the small farmer, the small holder, even the laborer, to invest part of his wage."
    "This is unlikely, they are improvident. Few see beyond the needs of the moment."
    "True," said Bernarbo, "they drink their money at the bar and then complain that they were not paid enough."
    "That is the way of the laboring classes…".
    Seeing Relkin absorbed in their words, they turned to him.
    "And how about you, Dragoneer Relkin," said Birch. "Have you saved your money while in the legions?"
    Relkin pursed his lips.
    "We have indeed, sir. We put our money in the consols, and also in the amalgamated."
    "By the Hand!" exclaimed Farmer Birch.
    Shon Pigget and the others merely stared, surprised at such financial sophistication from a dragonboy. Avil Bernarbo gave a hoarse chuckle.
    "I see that we have a financial prodigy on our hands, gentlemen. Dragonboy Relkin, where did you learn about such matters?"
    "Dragonboys are encouraged to invest their money, sir."
    "Ah, this is legion policy."
    "Yes, sir."
    "An investor for a dragonboy! Sensational news. Well, Macumber, how d'you answer for that!"
    "I've always tried to teach them careful management of their resources."
    "Well, it appears to have been taken to heart by Master Relkin," said Pigget.
    "Bah!" interrupted Haleham. "What about that thief Pixin? And that one last year? I forget the name. Stole a calf right out of my barn."
    "They're more thieves than investors these days!" said Birch.
    "What about this lad Pixin, Macumber? Caught stealing apples. Now it's candles. What next, gold?" Bernarbo pressed.
    "They aren't bad at heart, Master Bernarbo. They just don't receive very much in their lives. Little in the way of comforts, small change, not much love."
    "Bah, Macumber, you mollycoddle them down there. Don't try and tell me different."
    "Avil's right," chipped in Birch. "Five dragon boys in five years, sent to jail for theft in the village. It's got to stop, Macumber."
    They had forgotten Relkin for the moment. He turned away and

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