A creak of wheels, the rattle of reins and harness, clunk and clatter of boxes against each other as they shifted with the rolling nature of the wagon down the road, all were hypersensitive sounds disrupting the solace of the early morning travel beneath the gentle snowfall. Sylvia sat wrapped on the bench with the driver, who had no more intention of starting a conversation at this hour than his liege, watching the road ahead and the woods on either side with their grey ghosts and dark soldiers of trees.

A winter bird took flight from a limb, its color a red splash in the half tones of dark and light. She watched it until it was not even a speck. The rising of the sun had only changed the tone of the sky, not cast away its coverlet of clouds. She had intention to settle a few matters at the warehouse before doing some shopping. Beata was nearly out of her clothes again, and while some of the things the boys had worn could be used, she did need items that were indicative of her gender.

The baby girl had cast off the rheumy infant blue eyes long ago, and in their place were brilliant green eyes that came from her father?s side of the family. But her hair, in its soft blackness, was still short and thin. New hats were required for the little girl particularly during the coming months until it got much warmer.

A sharp strike of hoof upon cobblestone announced as much as the rising walls their arrival into town. The sounds of the wagon were suppressed by the growing bustle of a populace awake and greeting the chores of the day with a chorus of voice and sound. Oft times the wagon would have to stop for crossing pedestrians. The way was slow through the city until they reached the warehouse district were most of the traffic were other wagons.

Yransea warehouse came into view, its main doors open with business of trade at hand, and workers at their tasks. The driver pulled up and hailed in to the group, ?Hallo, there! Where?s it you want this cargo? It?s the pull in from the manor.? Sylvia lowered her cloak hood and snow cascaded from its perch dropping to the seat. The workers that caught sight of her gave their nods, and she smiled to them, nodding in turn. She dropped from the wagon lightly, just as one man rushed to give her assistance. A grateful smile for the thought, even if she had been unaware of his approach.

?Master Rhys or Master Hudson in?? she inquired.

The man gave a bow and a nod, pointing into the warehouse, but he said not a word. Sylvia wondered if the man was mute or just scared to say one way or the other. ?Thank you,? she patted his shoulder and moved on inside, craning her neck first one way and then another to see around the stacks of goods.

At the hail, Sylvia had direction, weaving around the crates to meet Hudson. She was careful her cloak did not catch on the edge of a crate to topple it over, and more than glad she was wearing dark green woolen long breeches instead of skirts. ?Madainn mhath, Master Hudson,? she beamed. ?It is a busy morning isn?t it? I had come to meet with you and Master Rhys about business matters and some changes that have been suggested, but I think it is not a good hour for it.?

In open consideration, not stealthy or suspicious, she surveyed the beginning business of the day. The organization, the work of the crew and their number, as well as the space required and remaining all were tallied and set in her mind. The ledger had spoken of the numbers, but that could not tell all she needed to know. The value of the continued enterprise, require forward motion, but sound judgment, and none of that could happen without proper information. She had to see the way the work was done and the live processes, not just the outcome on the ledger.

Fully aware that she had still left Hudson with only a vague answer to her purpose, she turned back to him, ?A review of the books over the past few weeks have prompted the Yransea Council to ask that I expand endeavors if possible. I think you have perhaps done too well in your time here, for the excellent work is showing.? Another glance over to the workers, ?However, I think other matters need to be taken in hand before that happens.?

She had not drawn off her gloves, making it quite clear that if it was not a good time she would not linger. However, she did not want to leave that to chance and suggested, ?I have other errands to run in town as well, so perhaps I should arrange to meet at a better time? When would you suggest??

As the pen drew its line, Sylvia?s lips pressed together to fight the smile. When he gave his reply the smile was natural and at ease again. ?By no means is there anything severely wrong,? she assured him. ?There are merely measures that need to be in place and considerations discussed before I plan and meet with Captain Caisson to start new ventures into motion.?

Sylvia drew out a square of cr?me cloth from her pouch and continued. ?If there were something severely wrong, I would be telling you we meet now, not asking when the time was convenient.? Her smile carried its warm humor. ?Do not worry that I take any offense to the matter, and I am more than happy to return at the appointed time.? A spark of an idea turned her smile secretive. ?Perhaps between now and then I can learn how to say good afternoon.?

The cloth was offered to him, and she motioned to her own forehead while looking directly at the pen mark upon his. ?You have marked yourself, Master Hudson.? Intent upon using her time wisely and with the increasing list of things to see to at the Marketplace, she turned about to the wide warehouse doors with a wave and smile over her shoulder, ?Until later, then, Master Hudson.?

A tiptoed peek in the back of the wagon she had traveled in on as she went her way out with a wave to the workers as well. Keeping close to the buildings and out of the way of the busy district as wagons and other warehouse workers went about their duties that morning, Sylvia strode northward ignoring the splashes of dirty snow melt the reached up to her thigh, dotting the cloth with brown spots. It was the sounds and smells of the town, and even they could drag up memories. Her mind was engaged on the tasks at hand, and the Marketplace greeted her with its own smells and sounds breaking upon her in a bustling symphony.

The small canvas tote Sylvia had brought with her was not up to the demands of her extended shopping list. She needed to have something to eat when returning to the warehouse. So, in addition to the small updates to her daughter?s wardrobe and the jarred vegetables meant for the meal that night, she had added lunch. A basket had been purchased in compensation. The empty tote regulated to act as a covering cloth.

On one side of the basket was the bread, cheese, and small ceramic jar of warm soup. The bread was fresh and warm, wrapped in cloth to keep it that way. The thin sliced beef and slender wedge of sharp cheese were similarly treated. These food items were unbalanced against the other half of the basket that had ribbon wrapped bundles of clothes. Knit caps, linen caps, and tiny chemises with embroidered edging had been purchased for Beata. That she had splurged and purchased one new pair of breeches for each of her boys and a new tunic for herself had been something of a needling guilt at her conscious. There were not necessary, yet, and still she had purchased them.

By the time she arrived at the next vendor, enthusiastic smiles greeted her. The man knew from observation that she was not a browsing shopper, but one with a purpose. There was no sense in haggling too much with the man as her prior purchases worked against her, but she managed a decent price for the spices meant to take back to Yransea as part of the example of trade to be found in Rhydin.

The morning traded for noon, and late in that lunch hour, with the weight of the basket on her arm and slowing her steps from their early morning zest to a cautious stride, she returned to the warehouse. A wave to the fellows eating their meals she made a direct path in the direction of the offices. From the floor she could spy Hudson and Rhys sharing their meal and a very entertaining story. It was either that or charades, and she paused to watch from the sketchy vantage of the work floor.

A grumbling stomach and aching arm was not allowing her to observe long, and so she went to the stairs and up with a smile and knock upon the door frame. ?Good day, gentlemen, oh, wait,? she snapped her fingers and tried again, ?Latha math, gentlemen. I hope it is a good time to speak to matters of the warehouse.?

She set down her basket and looked between them. ?I think first order of business might be to the hiring of more workers.?

Rhys pulled out another chair for her to sit, and at her comment went straight to the books to be able to discuss the risk to their profit margin if more people were hired on. He did not say anything just yet, but waited to hear her out. Sylvia, however, was willing to let the statement stay as it was and prompt discussion, so she began to fix her meal.

Sylvia had barely taken a bite when the gentlemen began their presentation of the facts and ideas for the warehouse and the ventures that used its space. The finished bite swallowed, she set aside the sandwich. Eyes moved from one man to another as they spoke, nods indicated at each point made so they knew she listened well to their words, and she reviewed the pages presented to her with their suggestions. The jovial, easy going demeanor was replaced with that of Baroness seeing to the business of the barony. She was not sour or dictatorial, but her expression became passive, violet eyes sharp to observations and words taken in their full meaning.

Rhys discomfort at mages was not surprising, and considering she knew Captain Caisson had similar unease with the arcane, she offered an answer. ?Truth being I cannot make decisions in reference to Captain Caisson?s accounts here with regards to his expansion or where he wants to go. He trusted that to you men, but I do see that an accountant would be a beneficial step for Yransea, and I doubt he would object to the matter. On that count, go ahead and see whom you can find to serve the position.?

Numbers went through her head, prospects and provisions, plus the turn of the seasons. She gave a look to Hudson, ?I anticipate you wanting to invest time in your original profession at the turn of the seasons.? She lifted a staying hand to be sure her entire meaning was heard. ?This is by no mean a desire to supplant your position, but you both might want to consider having an assistant, not the accountant, that could cover times when neither of you can be here.? There was a pointed look at Rhys who had a private conversation with Ewan some weeks before on his health. Ewan had naturally shared the concerns with Sylvia. Though Rhys spine stiffened and his lips pursed in a taciturn nature, he gave a noncommittal nod.

Straightening, she continued, ?With that in mind, I can see Master Hudson?s point in the mages. I have no issue with this, but I suggest you speak Master Corinsson before proceeding. He can give you a few leads to trustworthy mages, unless,? she looked to Hudson, ?you already know of some that you would consider. If that is the case, I would still expect Corinsson to be consulted.?

?The point of which I bring this up, there have been some suggestions from the Yransea Council to expand the merchant ventures while drawing the barony out of the business as much as possible. I am not privy to their concerns at this time, but with the assembly of merchants and landholders in the next weeks in Yransea I hope to resolve the issues.?

She sighed and took up her sandwich again, but did not take a bite, only turned it over in her hands much like the thoughts of her mind. ?In the mean time, let us risk more towards the barony?s side, since our expansion is in more doubt and thus the growth can be slower. Caisson will benefit from this for a time, and I think he will not argue to that point.? She looked between the men, ?Here is my suggestion, and please do correct me if you think I go too far: hire the accountant and two workers, and speak to Corinsson about the mage. Split the cost of the accountant and two workers between the profit of both Yransea and Caisson, but the mage is to be entirely upon the barony?s books. I also suggest looking among the workers we have already for an assistant; a slight increase in pay to match the increase in duties. Concerns or suggestions??

The blending of their presentation might take some time to work out, but there had to be a fine balance. A little risk on one side would be the easy wager for the other.