A Mythical Match Up IV - Futures Market Part VII

            Coskitrask sighed regally and leaned back in his padded office chair. It emitted a soft creak as he pressed his folded wings against the plush surface of its backrest. He had to sit at a slight angle relative to the seat to fit his long scaly tail but he'd grown used to it.

            Talon-tipped fingers steepled, he swiveled the chair and gazed out a window on the right wall of his chamber.

            It was midday. A panoply of brown tiled rooftops lay in the foreground, many of them adorned with narrow brick chimneys or narrow metal spikes. A few stories below lay a wide cobblestone square interconnecting five streets of varying widths. Pedestrians, beasts, and wagons could be seen making their way across and through the square, the click of hoofs and murmur of the crowd hanging in the smoky air. More notably - at least to Coskitrask's eye - a dozen or so tall metal lamps had been recently erected at corners of the plaza. Streetlamps, while not exactly rare, were a luxury only larger or truly prosperous cities could boast. For while oil was cheap - especially along the coast - dozens of lamps burning oil every night added up to a considerable expense. Magical lights demanded a much larger initial investment but could run for years without fading. However, they could be dispelled by even an apprentice mage if they had mischief in mind. The streetlamps below were not oil nor magical - they were electric, powered by underground grid connected to a small coal power plant in his keep. Other dominators might have made a ceremony of their installation but Coskitrask hadn't. Indeed, he doubted his subjects were even aware of their true nature, though from what his agents told him they were proud and appreciative of the addition to the square.

            A timid knock issued from the other side of his chamber's doors.

            "Enter," he said, turning his chair.

            The heavy double-doors creaked open. A brown-scaled, ivory horned kobold no more than four feet tall wearing a trim velvet vest and a feathered cap stepped inside. The little creature paused a moment to look around the room. It had once been a far more traditional Draco throne room, walls decked with banners and trophies and an actual throne with a portion of Coskitrask's personal hoard piled at its base. Now it was mostly empty. The throne had been replaced with an admittedly impressive looking mahogany desk and a massive executive office chair imported from Earth. The desk was littered with scrolls, notes and books - some massive tomes stitched from leather and parchment, others slim and compact, their covers and pages glossy - more imports from Earth. The crown jewel, so to speak, of his workstation was a laptop computer powered by a lithium UPS at the base of the desk. The laptop was currently shut and turned off.

            Coskitrask smirked faintly at the bemused look on the kobold's face. Some of his servants still hadn't acclimatized to the changes he instituted.

            "Pardon the intrusion, dominator," said the kobold in a raspy voice. He reached into his vest and produced a slim scroll sealed with wax. "A message for you arrived via spell."

            "From whom?"

            "The seal bears the insignia of...Dominatrix Melinanatha," he said with a degree of trepidation.

            Coskitrask just sat there for a few seconds.  

            "Bring it here," he said eventually, extending a clawed hand.

            The kobold scurried up to his desk and passed it to his master. Coskitrask retrieved a small knife from a drawer and deftly broke the wax seal. He set the knife down, unrolled the scroll and then started reading it.

            A minute or so passed. The servant waited patiently.

            When Coskitrask lowered the scroll his expression had changed. He seemed both mildly amused but also displeased. He set the scroll down on his desk and waved a claw. The scroll silently burst into blue flames and rapidly crumbled into grey dust, leaving no smoke or heat in its wake.

            "Clear my schedule," he said, rising. "I will be visiting Do va Iesk."

            "I, uh..." said the kobold, startled. He cleared his throat and recovered. "Very good. I will prepare the palanquin."

            "No need," replied Coskitrask. "I will travel by portal."

            "Oh,"

            "If anyone asks, tell them I am occupied with vital affairs and cannot be disturbed," said Coskitrask. "I shan't be absent for longer than a day at most. If I do not return by sunset tomorrow, you know what to do."

            "Of course, dominator," said the kobold, bowing.

            "That will be all."

            The little servant turned and exited the chamber. Once he was alone, Coskitrask cursed under his breath. He stepped over the doors, whereupon he retrieved a key from the folds of his robe. He locked the entrance to the chamber and then waved vaguely across in the direction of the doors. A glowing blue rune briefly flared into existence where the two doors met. Satisfied, Cosktrask slipped the key back into his robes and then reached down to retrieve a phone from a belt clip. The device looked tiny and almost alien in his reptilian claws. He tapped the screen, being careful not to scratch its surface, and opened an app called 'MythLink.' He selected a contact from a list and brought the phone to his pointed ears.

            Several seconds passed.

            "This is Coskitrask, dominator of the Pine-Marches," he said, addressing whomever or whatever he had called. "I require transportation to Do va Iesk, southern gate of Ragekin's Bridge. Just myself; no beasts or retainers, no cargo beyond what I carry." There was a pause. "Yes, the fee is acceptable...as soon as possible...I will call when I require a return trip, likely less than a day...my thanks."

            With that, he tapped an 'end call' button and tucked the phone back on his belt. He then returned to his desk and collected a few items - a few pens (one feather, one ballpoint), some parchment, an amulet, a slim guardless dagger and a velvet pouch that clinked when he moved it. Almost immediately after he had gathered everything he wanted a shimmering blue oval appeared a few feet from his desk. He turned and stepped into the oval, which then promptly vanished.

            Hundreds of miles away tucked in the shadow an enormous gatehouse attached to one of Do va Iesk's many bridges, an identical blue oval soundlessly manifested, startling a gaggle of ravens that had been pecking away at the remains of a fish near the river. Coskitrask stepped out of the portal, which disappeared behind him. He raised his hood and quietly stepped around the building and onto a crowded cobblestone road. Though he attracted a few sour looks from those who saw that he was Draco, he otherwise proceeded untroubled up the road away from the bridge.

            Several minutes later he detached from the crowd and approached a stately two-story building surrounded by a short stone wall enclosing a small courtyard. Coskitrask approached the gate and knocked. Several seconds passed. Then with squeak and the groan of strained timber the gate door opened, revealing a badger beastfolk wearing a blue and white tabard.

            "Aye...oh, milord Coskitrask," he said, recognizing the tall red-scaled Draco despite his hood.

            "I require use of the meeting chamber upstairs," said Coskitrask, stepping past him. "Send word that-"

            "Oh, yer guests are already here," said the badger.

            Coskitrask paused mid-step. He glanced back (and down) at the guard.

            "Are they?" he said in an odd tone.

            "Aye. They await ye in the chamber."

            "And who permitted them access to the chamber, let alone the compound?" he said, turning to face the guard.

            "Oh, er, master Deuxtrassineaii did," said the badger, shrinking under Coskitrask gaze. "They called upon the master in the morning and he welcomed them. Been 'ere ever since."

            "What did they say?"

            "I din't hear," said the badger. "But uh, truth be told, he weren't too hospitable at first but became most effusive after they chatted a bit. Even sent one o' the pages down to the market to fetch fresh fare for 'em."

            "I see," said Coskitrask. "Where is Deuxtrassineaii now?"

            "Gone, milord," said the badger. "Dunno where."

            "Typical," snorted Coskitrask. "Inform your master that I wish to have a little chat with him myself when you next see him. Until then I will..." he hesitated "...Our guests are the inestimable Lady Melinanatha and her human consort, yes?"

            "Aye."

            "Of course," sighed Coskitrask. "I will see them now. We are not to be disturbed."

            "As you wish, milord."

            Coskitrask walked around the small pool in the center of the courtyard and entered through the main entrance. He passed through the small but tastefully decorated foyer, up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. He opened a door at the end.

***

            Melinanatha and Nathan sat at a rectangular table, facing Coskitrask. Melinanatha wore a white toga-like dress - her prodigious breasts bulging proudly beneath its fabric - and her typical allotment of gold and diamond jewelry and Nathan wore a clean light-blue long-sleeve collared dress shirt. A silver dish littered with half-eaten refreshments - breads, cheeses, butters, fruits, biscuits and the like - sat on the table before them. Melinanatha held a brass goblet in her clawed hand. She sat in a chair much larger than Nathan's; there were several oversized chairs as well as ones designed to accommodate smaller folk positioned around the table. The room was illuminated by a row of wide windows on the eastern wall.

            Both looked up at him when he entered the chamber. Their cheery and jovial expressions turned stern.

            No one said a thing for a time. Coskitrask stood there, waiting, pokerfaced. Neither Nathan nor Melinanatha said anything. Then, Coskitrask adopted a soft smile. He lowered his hood, revealing his short blonde hair.

            "I am pleased to see my vassal has been hospitable," he said, walking over to the table and taking a seat on side opposite them. "And I apologize for the delay."

            Melinanatha and Nathan exchanged glances.

            "So..." said Coskitrask, leaning forward slightly. He seemed to be waiting for them to say something.

            "Let's dispense with the power plays." said Nathan suddenly. "It's not helping either of us."

            Coskitrask grinned with genuine mirth.

            "I suppose it is," he admitted, sitting back. The chair creaked under his bulk "To what do I owe this...visit?"

            "You know perfectly well, Coskitrask," said Melinanatha sharply. "Or did you even trouble yourself to read the missive?"

            "It said you had a business proposition," said Coskitrask. "And while I am flabbergasted you'd deign trade with me, Melinanatha, it mentioned little else beyond that."

            "Let it be known I make this offer with many misgivings and only because my consort Nathan insisted," she said slowly.

            She nodded at Nathan, who then reached down for something.

            "Here's what we have in mind," he said, sliding thin sheet of documents - ones made of crisp, white modern paper, stapled and printed, not handwritten - to Coskitrask. "You're welcome to go over them and pass them along to a lawyer or... clerk, solicitor, whatever you use for legal stuff."

            Coskitrask stared down at the proposal.

            "You could have simply sent me the contract through messenger or magic first," he observed. "I will of course peruse this document but that will take time; at which point we will meet and negotiate the details."

            "Yeah, I don't think you're in a position to negotiate," said Nathan.

            Coskitrask's lips peeled back, revealing the hint of a fang.

            "Don't. You. Dare," said Melinanatha icily through clenched teeth.

            There was an awkward silence. Then, Coskitrask cleared his throat.

            "Why don't you summarize the offer, then?" he said pleasantly, as though nothing had happened.

            "Fair," said Nathan. "It's a futures contract. Once you pay the initial margin we'll re-start the mines in Melinanatha's domain - well, it's actually already started but...anyways. Once it starts producing - shouldn't be more than one, two months, tops - we'll start stockpiling ore. You're welcome to buy more when it becomes available before the final settlement. We project we'll have more than enough to fulfill the contract well before that time."

            "Why would I buy copper from you?" sighed Coskitrask, sounding bored. "Let alone copper ore?"

            "Oh, it's not for copper ore," said Nathan. His voice acquired a mischievous, almost vindictive tone. Melinanatha grinned like a lioness about to devour a downed gazelle.

            "Not...copper?" said Coskitrask.

            "Why don't you read it yourself?" said Nathan.

            Coskitrask snatched the contract off the table and began thumbing through it, scanning the pages. He muttered softly under his breath, reading the fine text. Nathan and Melinantha smiled at each other and held hands.

            Almost a minute later, Coskitrask slowly looked up, his draconic face betraying barely concealed fury, and then looked back down.

            "Monazite and bastnasite," he read softly.

            The red scaled Draco put the papers down. Though clearly displeased, he seemed to have regained his composure.

            "I have no interest in ore that has no use in the Realms," he said firmly.

            "Cease this pointless prevarication, Coskitrask," snapped Melinanatha. "We know. We know the true reason behind your interminable attempts to steal my domain. You were never interested in my copper. If anything, you used copper as a weapon against us."

            Coskitrask said nothing at first.

            "Why don't you explain, then?" he said eventually in a frustrated voice. "Since you seemed to have discerned everything."

            "I thought we agreed no more power plays," said Nathan.

            Coskitrask simply rolled his green eyes.

            "Fine," said Nathan. "According to a very good friend of mine, Melinanatha is sitting on one of the richest deposits of rare earth elements on either of our two worlds. Cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium - others I can't remember or pronounce. They're used to make electronics and computers - everything that powers the modern world. If it existed on Earth, nations would literally go to war over it."

            "Most impressive," sneered Coskitrask. "Shame it isn't on Earth. What use are these 'rare earths' in the Realms of Shaltae? We do not craft electronics or computers. Nor have we the capacity. From my understanding, making these devices demands massive workshops - factories - and arts we cannot replicate here." He paused. "Are you plotting to...transport these metals to Earth and sell them there?"

            "I never said that," said Nathan.

            "Even if Bytei-....Mythic Matches permitted large scale trade between our two realms, the cost of transporting that much cargo through portals would be ruinous."

            "You're way off. There's a market for them right here. You."

            "I told you I have no interest in these wretched rocks."

            "Yes, you do," said Nathan patiently. "Because there's no other reason to be so obsessed with acquiring Melinanatha's land. You already have a controlling stake in most of the copper interests in the region. Your domain is ten times wealthier than hers but not contiguous with it so incorporating her domain into your holdings it would be a major hassle. The money you're obligated to send her parents is barely a blip in your budget. Not saying taking over wouldn't be an asset, but the time, money and effort you've sunk into screwing her - no, us - over does not add up to what you could gain."

            Nathan realized he was getting angry. But there was something he had to get off his chest. He took a deep breath, exhaled and continued.

            "Speaking of which, don't ever drug me again," he said through gritted teeth.

            "Drug? What are you talking about?" said Coskitrask, sounding puzzled and annoyed.

            "It matters little if you gave the order directly or left the details to your Silver Stag lackeys," snarled Melinanatha, rising. "You slipped Nathan a candidus cameo to humiliate and wrest secrets from him. Touch him again and I'll-"

            "Easy, Melinanatha," said Nathan, resting a hand on her beefy arm.

            Melinanatha reluctantly sank back into her seat. Coskitrask hadn't so much as flinched the entire time.

            "Still," said Nathan, casting Coskitrask an evil eye. "You must have been really desperate to turn the local trading houses against us. And don't pretend it wasn't you. We caught the person who poisoned me and traced it back to the house of the Silver Stag."

            Coskitrask stared at him and Melinanatha for a time. Then, he grinned and chuckled.

            "Ah," he said, still smiling. "I admit I did mention in passing to some of the good folk of Do va Iesk that the trading House of the Green Claw would arrive proffering a futures contract. And that they were far more desperate than they appeared." His grin acquired a diabolical character. "And that I might be disinclined to maintain or establish trade agreements with any party that did business with them."

            Melinanatha narrowed her eyes.

            "Figured as much," muttered Nathan. "One thing I haven't been able to figure out is how you got the word out so quickly. The first house we talked to already knew everything and that was in the late morning. It couldn't have been longer than ten hours after I got drugged and spilled everything."

            "Ten hours?" said Coskitrask, cocking his head. "I sent messages soon after I learned of your little enterprise - a week ago, at least."

            There was stunned silence.

            "A...week?" said Melinanatha, deflating somewhat. "I thought we'd cleansed Northkeep of your agents..."

            "That...that actually makes sense," said Nathan, blinking in surprise. "But...why drug me if you already had the trade houses in your pocket?"

            Coskitrask leaned back in his chair and clasped his claws together.

            "You seem to be under the impression that Sarcoelinanie and his trading house are little more than appendages," he said eventually. "This is not entirely true. I direct them to accomplish certain goals, yes, but leave many of the nuances to their discretion. If, hypothetically speaking, they were to hire an agent to cause Nathan mischief it would likely be to sow discord between you two - nothing more." He looked up at Nathan and his expression hardened. "However, there are some things I would never do and never permit any of my vassals to do - among them drugging a human visitor. That would draw the ire of Mythic Matches." He paused. "If Sarcoelinanie, any of his kin or any of their vassals caused you harm, I would see them disciplined - severely. However, such accusations need to be supported by evidence or testimony - a witness. You said you apprehended the poisoner. Present them."

            "...No," said Nathan.

            "Then, what other evidence can you offer?"

            Nathan stared at Coskitrask, searching his reptilian face for any hint of deception or turpitude - any smirk, wrinkle of the lip, twinkle in the eyes, anything. He saw only earnest, grave concern. He almost found himself believing the bastard.

            "Forget it," sighed Nathan. "I knew you'd cover your tracks too well."

            "Fret not, beloved," said Melinanatha, smiling. "He will pay for his temerity nonetheless - literally."

            "How," said Coskitrask, rolling his eyes.

            Nathan slid the contract closer to Coskitrask.

            "This is how," he said firmly. "You want that ore? You're going to buy it from us. At the prices specified in the contract. No more, no less. There's no negotiation here - it's yea or nay. I won't say it's a fair price but considering it's the only source of monazite and bastnasite in the Realms of Shaltae, you'll just have to eat it."

            "This again?" groaned Coskitrask. He rose from his chair. "I told you I am not interested in the ore. So, if that's all you have to say, I think I'll be leaving now."

            "I'd pretend to walk out too," observed Nathan. "It's a good tactic. But useless here. Sooner or later you'll be back at the table and we're not budging on the terms. So spare yourself the effort. We KNOW you want the ore. You portalled up here as soon as you heard from us. Hell, you almost admitted it way back at Northkeep when we were meeting with Melinanatha's parents. What did you say again?  There is more at play here than you can possibly imagine?"

            Coskitrask was silent.

            "Well, are you going just going to stand there mute as a statue or are you going to act like a Draco and stand for your hoard?" said Melinanatha.

            Several seconds passed. The tension in the room seemed to be reaching a boiling point. Then, Coskitrask slowly lowered himself back into the chair.

            "Before we proceed, I would hear from you why it is you think I desire this ore," said Coskitrask slowly and carefully. There was vitriol in his voice but also a quiver of uncertainty - possibly fear.

            "Making electronics, maybe even computers, for the domestic market," said Nathan flatly. "I know the Realms doesn't have the infrastructure for it - I mean, microchip fabrication plants alone are insane to build - but you do have magic. I heard from a...mostly reliable source that there's a spell that can copy any object if you have the right raw materials. Even if that spell isn't an option I bet there are plenty of ways to use magic as a short-cut in the manufacturing process. Simple electronic devices are getting really popular here even so the profits could be huge." He shrugged. "Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you're planning on reselling the ore to companies back on Earth. You said transportation is expensive, but I'm almost 100% you have contacts in Mythic Matches - there might be a way."

            Nathan leaned forward and cupped his hands together. "Whatever you have planned, I know we're not going to get the details out of you. We'd just steal your ideas. It's not like we have to worry about patent violations or copyright infringement here. So we're going to squeeze as much out of you as we can - if you get rich, we get rich. And if that doesn't work for you, well, blow me."

            Nathan punctuated the last sentence by pounding the table. With that, he sat back in his chair, folded his arms and glared at Coskitrask. Melinanatha stepped behind him, gripped his chair's backrest and also glared at him, her triumphant, expectant expression mirroring Nathan's.

            There was a long pause. Coskitrask seemed almost frozen in time - only occasional blink hinted he was still fully animate. Then, slowly, his mouth curled in a sinister grin.

            "No," he said. "I refuse your terms, whatever they are," he said, gesturing at the contract on the table.

            "Then we're done here," said Nathan firmly.

            "No, we are not," said Coskitrask. "I am not done with you - or Melinanatha. You seem to have forgotten I crippled your trade house and domain with just a few whispered words. And my reach does extend into your world, little human; I can do just as much damage to you as I did to her, if so inclined. Fear of reprisal from Byteiye stayed my claw but now I think I am willing to take the risk." He snorted. "I will give you credit for discovering the true worth of Melinanatha's mines - the monazite and bastnasite deposits there are of incalculable value. But you and I are the only ones in the Realms who appreciate its worth. To all the fools here, they are simply shiny rocks. And none will believe they are other than that - I will make certain of it. Then I will wait you out. No, I will starve you out. I will employ all my considerable resources to destroy your economy, reputation and standing. Then, when you are reduced to absolute destitution - when you scavenge moss and dirt to make soup - then and only then I will offer you a pittance for your domain, which you will seize upon like a half-starved dog."

***

            "...you will seize upon like a half-starved dog."

            With that, Nathan's phone went silent. Sutwar of House Besatheri slowly looked up at Nathan from across the table. His whiskers twitched as he grinned.

            "My, that Coskitrask has quite the vindictive streak, doesn't he Cassa?" he said, glancing back at his feline beastkin sister, who was lying on the couch.

            "Quite," purred Cassa, shifting her voluptuous recumbent body. "And he had no idea you were capturing his words on this...phone of yours?"

            "Nope," said Nathan smugly. "Not a clue. Kind of embarrassing for a guy who thinks he's ahead of the curve in technology from Earth."

            Sutwar, Cassa, Melinanatha and Nathan laughed. As they did, Petra the chipmunk beastkin maid picked up the empty tray from the table and carried it out of the parlor. Sunlight shone brightly through the wide open windows, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow.

            "We had to be careful not to get him too riled right off the bat," explained Nathan. "He'd suspect something. So we strung him along long enough to get him to drop his guard. We weren't completely sure he wanted the ore until after the meeting."

            "Masterful work, dear human," remarked Cassa, clapping. "And you, noble Draco."

            "He is one to occasionally make good on his threats, however," observed Sutwar. "If we move against in any way, well..." he trailed off meaningfully.

            "There's risk in any investment," countered Melinanatha. "Coskitrask desires these ores above all things. If you were to purchase them first - at the far more reasonable price we now offer you - then you hold power over him. You could sell them to him at a greater price and he would lap it up like a parched wolfbeast. Or even look into starting your own elec-...electronics industry."

            "We'll sweeten the deal," added Nathan. "Copper futures under the terms we originally discussed - NOT the ones you proposed - at a 5% discount on settlement. And that's copper ingots, not copper ore. You won't get a much sweeter price unless the market goes absolutely nuts and you'll definitely have a use for the copper."

            "Can't you refine this... monazite and basty-nite for us?"

            "Not yet," said Nathan, shaking his head. "We're not even sure it can be done in the Realms without magic. We're going to look into it once we have the capital. And we'd be happy to share anything we learn when and if it happens, if you aren't already doing it yourself by then. Again, that's as long as you agree to our terms," he tapped the papers on the table.

            "Hmmm....I still don't know," mused Sutwar, almost playfully.

            "I would make the point we came to your houses first despite your...less than reasonable response to our initial offer," said Melinanatha, her pleasant smile souring a bit. "However, we will be visiting other trade houses and merchants this day with the same terms. And we have but a limited quantity of ore and futures on offer."

            Sutmar rocked his head from side to side, lips tight in the effort of thought. He turned back to his sister.

            "Cassa, what do you think?"

            Still smiling dreamily, she made a vague gesture with her paw. Sutmar nodded in understanding as though she had been perfectly clear.

            "Houses Besatheri and Sear accept your proposal," he said, grinning. "We'll take the copper futures and rare earth ores - as much as you can provide." He extended a paw.

            Smiling beatifically, Melinanatha reached over and gently shook Sutmar's paw with two clawed digits. As she did, her gaze briefly turned towards Nathan. She winked.

            Nathan smiled.