16.08.592 AF (+30 Days)
[Walter]
The past month has brought prosperity to Cardhan, with The Craneer selling a total of thirty-three barrels. Twelve of these sales came directly from the capital, while the neighboring baronies of Sarvin and Zeranth accounted for a combined eleven barrels.
To ensure smooth transport of beer across territories, I organized a merchant caravan consisting of two wagons, entrusted to Desir—the same teamster who had first brought me from the capital to Cardhan. He accepted the position eagerly, as the pay for a weekly delivery of barrels far exceeded what he might earn through his steady trade across multiple towns and cities.
For security, I hired five escorts from the capital, as all capable fighters from the village had already been recruited to serve as guards. Their levels ranged from ten to sixteen, with the most experienced among them—a level sixteen veteran—having fought in several skirmishes near the capital. His presence alone made the group a formidable defense for the caravan.
A week ago, I received yet another letter from Baron Aldric, increasing his offer to twenty gold for the beer recipe. I declined without hesitation. Twenty gold was the equivalent of selling over a thousand barrels of Carneer. Had sales not been this strong, I might have been tempted by such an offer. However, the past month's profits alone had brought in nearly fifty silver, making it clear that I had something far more valuable in my hands. This golden goose wasn't for sale.
With earnings like these, I could cover the Crown's annual loan repayment from just a single month's profit.
Though I'll have to pay 20% in taxes, I'm already planning ways to avoid part of it. Overreporting expenses and underreporting income should do the trick. Carneer's production process is unique, and with no precedent for its costs, I can easily manipulate the records. These small deceptions could save me nearly half of what I'd otherwise owe.
As for Baron Aldric, his beer revenues have clearly taken a hit in nearby regions. His monopoly is still formidable, but Carneer's cheaper price and superior quality will inevitably erode his market share. Reports suggest that the capital remains the largest buyer of Sarvin Beer, earning him two to three gold coins a month. By comparison, my profits from Carneer barely reached twenty silvers. Yet, I have no doubt that with time, its reputation will grow, and surpassing that barrier will only be a matter of patience.
Baron Aldric won't stand idly by and let that happen. His escalating offers are proof enough, and with the latest bid of twenty gold rejected, I know it's only a matter of time before he resorts to other means. I anticipated this the moment I declined his first offer of ten gold last month and have been quietly preparing for the inevitable.
I'm fully aware that Baron Aldric will likely begin offering incentives to taverns and merchants, convincing them to exclusively stock Sarvin beer and effectively freezing Carneer out of the market. To counter the merchants, I've already established a merchant caravan to supply the beer in nearby territories.
As for the taverns, I don't need to worry about my own village. Accepting Aldric's incentives here would only harm the local tavern owners, who depend on Carneer's quality and price. However, the capital and Sarvin are a different matter. I don't have the bribe money to compete with Aldric's treasury, but I do have a different plan.
According to my reports, my treasury currently holds nine golds, and that is excluding my essential expenses and eliminate the interest owed. I had tasked Desir with finding out the prices of taverns in the capital, and the figures were clear: taverns on the outskirts were priced at one to two golds, while those in the more affluent areas went for four to five golds.
I decided to purchase two taverns on the outskirts and one in the affluent district, bringing the total cost to seven golds. Though parting with three-quarters of my wealth stung, it was necessary. With these taverns under my control, I would be able to manage not just production and transportation, but distribution as well.
I named the taverns The Lion's Rest, a tribute to the lion on the Carnell family crest. I hired a dozen individuals from the village and sent them to the capital to manage the taverns at a fair price, ensuring they ran efficiently and profitably.
Now, it was a matter of patience. Waiting for Baron Aldric to realize that the most he could do to disrupt Carneer was to cut off its supply in his own territory. However, this would only stir unrest among the tavern owners. Aldric's beer, being of inferior quality, higher price, and lower profit margins, would fail to meet the demands of the market, especially in the capital.
[Aldric Sarvin]
I sat in the grand study of my estate, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows through the tall windows. My treasurer, Lucien, was standing by the fire, fiddling with the iron poker, a quiet unease about him. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the table as I thought about the situation at hand. The news of Carneer's rising success gnawed at me more than I cared to admit.
"Lucien," I said, breaking the silence, my voice low but steady, "this new beer from Cardhan—it's a threat. A serious one."
Lucien turned slowly, nodding in acknowledgment. He had been my most trusted adviser for years, and I could tell by his expression that he, too, had been considering the matter.
"Indeed, my lord. The quality of Carneer is undeniable, and the price—substantially lower than ours," he replied, his tone laced with frustration. "If left unchecked, it will soon surpass Sarvin beer in market share, especially with the younger generation. We can't afford that, not when the heart of Sarvin's economy relies on our brew."
I gave a sharp nod. Sarvin's reputation had always been built upon the strength of its beer—something my family had cultivated for decades. The sales were steady, the network strong, but this upstart from Cardhan was disrupting everything. Carneer's superior quality, combined with its price, was quickly attracting the attention of tavern owners and merchants. The capital was already seeing an influx of its barrels, and I couldn't allow that to continue.
I glanced across the table at my son, Peter, the heir to my title. He was watching me closely, his brow furrowed, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. At 25, he was already a capable young man, though there were times I wondered if he truly understood the weight of the responsibilities that came with ruling a barony like Sarvin. He hadn't inherited my pragmatism.
"Father," Peter spoke up, his voice carrying the impatience of youth, "how do you plan to deal with this? Surely you can't let this upstart from Cardhan ruin everything."
I met his gaze and leaned forward. "I'm not about to let Cardhan take what's rightfully ours. But we need to be strategic. The tavern owners in Sarvin and the capital are key. I'll begin by offering them exclusive deals, but we can't simply outbid Carneer's price. We need to make Sarvin beer more appealing—whether it's through incentives, or… persuasion." I paused, considering the weight of what I was about to suggest. "I'm prepared to offer them substantial discounts, but I will also make it clear that refusing to stock Sarvin beer will have consequences."
Lucien raised an eyebrow, understanding my words all too well. "You mean to exert pressure through... less subtle means?"
"Exactly," I said, my voice steady. "We have the power to control distribution in Sarvin, and we'll use it. I've already had a few... discussions with some of the capital's more influential tavern owners. They'll fall in line. It's only a matter of time before they realize which side their bread is buttered on."
Peter looked uneasy, but I could see the spark of ambition in his eyes. "What of Carneer's distribution outside of Sarvin? Will that be enough to stop it from spreading?"
I gave a slight chuckle, leaning back in my chair. "Not if we make the cost of doing business too high for them. I'll talk to some of the other barons. A few well-placed favors and threats should be enough to create some resistance. We can control the market by controlling the flow of beer across territories. We have the gold, the connections, and the influence."
My daughter, Elara, who had been sitting quietly by the window, finally spoke up. "But, father, how long do you think this will last? Carneer is gaining a reputation for quality. If you cut off its supply, won't that just make it more desirable? Won't the people start to demand it more?"
I turned to her, my expression softening just slightly. Elara, at 19, was the youngest of my children, and though she was often quiet, she had a sharp mind. "Yes, I've considered that, Elara. But we need to take the market back, slowly, strategically. We'll flood the capital with our beer, offer discounts, and push Carneer out. Once they've lost their foothold, we can control the narrative. After all, people drink what they can get their hands on, not always what they want."
Peter's voice cut through the air again. "And when Carnell becomes desperate, we'll offer them a deal they can't refuse. A merger, perhaps? Sarvin's resources combined with Cardhan's quality."
I shook my head, a wry smile forming on my lips. "Peter, you're learning. But that's a future plan. Right now, we need to secure our position, ensure that Sarvin remains the dominant name in the beer trade."
The discussion turned to logistics as I outlined my plan, with Peter and Lucien chiming in, but my mind kept returning to one thing: Carneer's success wasn't just about beer—it was about defying the very order of things. A village master, a child no less, challenging the Baron of Sarvin. It was audacious. And that was precisely why I had to crush it, before it became something more than just a nuisance.
I could see the pieces falling into place. It would take time, but Sarvin would remain on top. I wasn't going to let this challenge, this Carneer, threaten everything I had built.
And if I had to make a few enemies along the way, so be it.