Gold First, Everything Else Later [5/6, early afternoon, Guy & Adrien

[Guy Wintour]

Guy had finally managed to arrange a one-to-one meeting with the King, the King was busy and, in Guy's opinion, did not value the position of Authority of Coin as high s he should. The same could be said for the other members of the council, some of them looked down on the position, as if he scrambled in the dirt for coins, while instead he was trying to run and regulate a huge economy. Few people had the mind for this sort of work, to put it simply, they were not intelligent enough. Only the aristocracy had the education but most of them were blinded by stories of knights and honour, looking down on that most important duty of making money. He doubted if many of them truly understood that to spend more than what you had lead to bankruptcy.

Still, Adrien was young, and so perhaps more open to new ideas. Part of the reason he had wanted this private meeting was that so his suggestions wouldn't be shouted down or argued with by lesser minds. Of course, Guy's duty to his king was only a passing concern, his real goal was his own advancement. While everyone else had been playing with swords and bows in tourney's he had been working, not in his official capacity, he had been working for himself. He had been watching, learning, reading, he knew a lot of what went on this city and now he had a chance to observe virtually every important noble in the kingdom. Right now he had to press upon Adrien his own importance, how invaluable he was, he wouldn't be quite as blunt as all that, stressing more the importance of a planned economy and sensible taxation, but that was his job. Sometimes in the dark corners of his mind the idea was in his mind that because of his talent and intelligence it was best for everyone that he be given more power, more authority. But he quickly spotted these attempts at rationalisation for what they were; he was a greedy man, he was not concerned with what was best for anyone else. Only him.

Getting back to work he glanced down at the various books before him that held the most up to date finances of the kingdom. The plague had hit them all hard, during that dark time production had slowed, trade had stopped, and many people had died (a serious blow to the economy). He had put a great deal of effort into getting things back to where they should be but they were a long way off. Guy stood as the king entered the room, he bowed his head, "Your Grace," he said, and then returned to his seat. "Thank you for finding the time for this meeting, Your Grace, I know that there are many important duties that take up your time." He opened the first thick bool, and ran his finger down the column of numbers. In truth he probably didn't need any of these books, he knew the facts, but having a collection of thick leather-bound books before you gave a person such an image of knowledge and wisdom. "I fear that often the concerns of financial matters are not given the consideration they need. First of all, Your Grace, I want to stress, there is nothing in your kingdom that is not effected by the kingdom's finances," he smiled weakly, trying to present a more humble image of himself. He was not from a powerful house and neither did he had no reputation as a skilled warrior or commander, people who had such things did not like to see their intellectual superiors feeling too pleased with themselves. "I do not want to sound dramatic, but in your priorities, gold should come first, everything else can be dealt with after that. I cannot think of an issue in your kingdom that is not effected by the amount of money you have at your disposal."

Guy studied the King carefully, what was that young man thinking?

[Adrien Fontenot]

Of all the times for a meeting with the Authority of Coin, and Lord Guy had picked the day before the big ball. But he’d stressed it was of importance in the note and while Adrien had wanted to blow it off because Coin was Guy’s job, he didn’t want his councilor to feel put out. If Julius had summoned, he’d have gone. If Duncan had told him there was a matter of importance, he’d have seen to him. So he should do the same with Guy.

Growing up with the council and leaders managing the constant demands of the plague, the young king wasn’t well instructed on the importance of finance. Perhaps, if anything, that was part of the reason he went. He knew that he knew relatively little of exactly what the Lord of Coin did... and Guy rarely spoke up in council meetings or summoned him. So, even though the timing was highly irritable, he went.

Guy bowed and Adrien greeted him back, before the man plunged straight to the point, like a sword to the gut. “You aren’t accusing me of being neglectful, are you Lord Guy?” He kept his voice light, even though he was serious. What was Guy going for, by making him believe that they didn’t put importance on the finances. Or was it true? Had he not given Guy enough time to speak at the council? There were many of them speaking and he had to ….

But Guy shouldn’t speak to him that way. Period.

[Guy Wintour]

Guy could tell he had struck a nerve with the king. Kings quickly became arrogant and did not like to be told they were doing anything wrong, even when they were. If Guy cared about it he would take it as a worrying sign that Adrien took criticism so poorly. He knew that he did not command the same respect as some of the other members of the council but that would change. People would respect him. "Neglectful, Your Grace? Of course not, I merely understand that you have so many matters to attend to."

Guy coughed slightly and carried on, "Your Grace, I am here to advise you, I have always felt you appreciated my honest counsel. I can only apologise if I have offended you." It was hard wearing a mask of obedience and loyalty, it was hard to act as if you didn't consider yourself superior to those who were less than you. But it was something he had to do. "If it pleases you, Your Grace, may we continue?" He went back to looking at his books for a moment.

Forgetting his own plots for the time being there were genuine issues that needed to be addressed, even if only playing a role if he was going to do something, he liked to do it well.

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien nodded, “Yes, many matters. With so many lords in the capital, my attention has been elsewhere. But I appreciate that you haven’t forgotten your duties Lord Guy.” Adrien drew in a breath, hoping his words would both settle the tension in the air and still keep him in charge. He was fifteen. Guy was a man. And like he felt with all the counselors, they were his elder and far more experienced than he. He always felt like he was dancing in a pit of snakes when he had to talk to them.

“Your apology is accepted of course. Please, sit and let’s continue. The finances of my kingdom are always important, especially considering what has happened in the last ten years. Continue.”

Adrien sat in his own chair, his shoulders back and his head up. No matter if he was bored or excited, he knew he had to keep a kingly air about him. After all, if he didn’t, wouldn’t they just take more advantage of him? “What did you need to speak to me about?”

[Guy Wintour]

Guy smiled in a relaxed and friendly manner, "Excellent, Your Grace," said Guy, "My duties occupy most of my time and I take them seriously." Financial matters certainly were a time consuming business, and then with all his plots, it was a wonder he found time to sleep. "Every lord wishes to see their king, Your Grace, it is only natural, and you do well to make sure to give them your attention." He certainly believed Adrien, every jumped up noble would clamour for the king, believing their own small problems were of interest to the kingdom and the state.

"As you point out, Your Grace, the last ten years have proven demanding on our finances," said Guy, "Prudently the resources of the kingdom were put to use to try and give what assistance we could. But while we spent there our reserves there was reduced taxation and trade." It was a sorry state of affairs indeed. "And then...the current celebration is very expensive. Every day more bills come." It was a headache meeting the demands of the various lords, they were used to residing in a place where they were in charge and now found themselves surrounded by people who considered themselves their equals or their betters.

"There are many complicated theories on how best to generate revenue on the scale of a kingdom, I personally believe through wise taxation and using our existing wealth we can generate more," said Guy. "We need to aim for more than maintaining an economy, we need to grow richer. Grow more powerful." Guy closed the thick books in front of him and produced a smaller volume, "I have a few ideas on changes to taxation and schemes to generate more wealth, Your Grace, they are outlined here," he said placing the book on the table, "But perhaps I could outline my ideas now?"

Guy's ideas would hopefully bring in more revenue but they were also designed to serve his own purposes. Everything Guy did for someone or something else, was ultimately for him.

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien relaxed. He had probably overreacted. Of course they were all uptight, with the recent deaths and the strain on the kingdom and everything else going on. And Guy was responsible for so much. Adrien had to place a lot of faith in the man, because he did manage the money of the kingdom. His father must have thought something of Guy though, for choosing him to be Authority of Coin.

“Surely the celebration has helped bring some business to our merchants here on Forsilvra though?” He asked. He would have thought at least...

And then he looked at the book. Julius would have wanted him to read it cover to cover, but who had time for that? He was a busy king! And there looked to be so much there... “Yes, just outline for me what your plans are Guy. Anything of significance we can bring to the council then? We should all be interested in improving the coffers and the kingdom’s wealth. And we’ll need more if we want to improve our army, which I’m sure Lord Bradyn would tell you we needed to do.”

At least, Adrien thought that would be a wise way to spend their money.

[Guy Wintour]

Guy nodded, "The celebration has brought in some money to merchants," he said, "But the costs to the crown have been huge. Lords have expensive needs." Going over the expenses gave him a headache, noblemen were such fools when it came to money, most of them had no idea how their own lands generated their income, instead some capable adviser handled it. As such they spent it freely. "Then there is the question of getting some this added revenue back in taxes, keep them low in the hope it will help the economy or take more to fund the kingdom. I think it best to keep the taxes relatively low but make sure it is properly collected, you'd surprise how much is not collected and how the rich get round our laws. I have a plan to deal with this but it may upset some of your wealthier subjects." Guy knew that the rich resented paying taxes even more than the poor. "It is vital to build up trade routes at once, make connections with foreign lands, the more we sell to them the more gold we have."

Guy thought back to the Authority of War and the others on the council, "I understand the necessity of a strong army, Your Grace, we need to able to defend ourselves, and I'm sure every other Authority has urgent needs. One plan I propose does see sensible expansion of the army and other areas. There are men with no jobs and no money who exist on charity, if we employ them then they will have gold to spend. But this must be carefully." Guy knew that his ideas would take time and effort but they would also give him more power.

[Adrien Fontenot]

Considering Jon Fitzwulf was just killed, and if it was murder, Adrien did agree they needed a strong army. “I think we should train and employ more men. That plan is a good one. And expand the trade routes. And take in the taxes.” He didn’t really know what he was talking about, but all the ideas sounded good and Guy knew what he was doing. Guy had, after all, found money for all sorts of things. “If they complain, send them to me. I will speak with them. They might rail and argue, but what is the worst they can do if we have a good army and strong supporters like my uncle?”

They needed peace though. “Besides, everyone should understand that our kingdom needs to recover. We need to get people to work, sowing the fields and making things and working the iron. Building an army will do that, as those people will have needs, and as that money is spent so the peasants will be able to eat and buy and pay their taxes as well.”

Yes, there. That sounded good. He hoped. Guy would speak with him more if he learned quickly, and Julius would be proud of him for making decisions.

“Who should we trade with?” Not the Linchao he hoped!