By Any Means

By C. Marry Hultman

In the expansive and legendary world of Wargia tales of heroism, war, and danger spread like the Web, the name given to the magical force interlinking every living thing in the realm. Here nations fight each other for dominance when they are not engaged in bloody civil wars. The tales from the Web span eons and are as vast and varied as

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fables
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9789189853102

Book preview

By Any Means

C. Marry Hultman

A black silhouette of a person holding a bow and arrow Description automatically generated with medium confidence Fables is an imprint of

Nordic Press

Kindlyckevägen 13

590 43 Rimforsa

Copyright 2023 by C. Marry Hultman

978-91-89853-10-2

Cover by Plus Edlund

Formatting and setting by C. Marry Hultman

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www.nordicpresspublishing.com

The situation is dire, Your Excellency the rotund little man with the receding hairline exclaimed. He placed his sausage fingers on the polished hardwood table in front of him and nervously looked around at the other members of the city council seated there. The city, no the entire region, is facing economic ruin, Sire. What are we to do?

There was an awkward silence as the five dignitaries in their fancy attire looked over at the figure seated at the head of the table. Then, nervously, their gaze fell upon the man dressed in purple robes standing next to the throne- like chair, who closed his eyes and sighed.

I am sorry to have to speak like this Prince Eddwin Pa Weist continued. We are at our wits end here.

The prince let a finger curl his dark mustache while he bit his lower lip. Is this the consensus of the entire council then? He said and let the question hang in the air.

It is true my Prince replied a brown duck dressed in a red tunic with gold trim and a matching beret. My house is drowning in goods that my merchants are unable to sell. If this continues, I will be forced to close several of my businesses.

Pa Wals speaks the truth a light elf rose from the table. He was tall and handsome, dressed in vibrant colors with the purple cape of authority slung over one shoulder. Our ships return to the docks with most of their goods still in the hold. It is near impossible to bring back merchandise to meet the needs of the city.

The fourth council member, an elderly woman dressed in a flowing crimson gown and white shoulder length in a braid, tapped her pipe on the table for attention.

It is clear that our region has lost its trading power as opposed to the other regions of the Kingdom, she said. It is a travesty to say the least. The house of Lind, my house, has been a member of this council since this nation split in four. Since then, Wiloe has been the riches of the four, yet now our stores are empty, and our goods are no good. The other three regions surpassed us long ago and I warned that this would happen, but did Your Grace listen? She placed her pipe flat on the table, steepled her claw like arthritic fingers and leaned forward. Pa Weist’s inns and taverns are devoid of guests; Pa Wals’ merchants’ stores are gathering dust and Pa Chlie’s ships are unable to unload wares and I am unable to pay my workers who toil in the fields.

What is it you are trying to say Pa Lind? Prince Eddwin pushed back his ermine lined cape and mimicked her body language. To me it sounds like my council comprised of the greatest trading houses in Wiloe do not have the ability to solve a simple economic downturn. Is it not common knowledge that the market fluctuates? 

Pardon me Your Grace, Pa Lind’s demeanor changed to a threatening one. You must be well aware that the economic situation is not due to any ineptitude of these great houses, but instead a symptom of the measures Your Grace chose to implement last year.

Those executive orders have ruined me? Pa Weist added.

Not to speak of the citizens who are moving to other regions. Pa Wals continued. They even move to the capital, and we all know what the King is dealing with there.

True, Pa Weist agreed. It speaks volumes if people are willing to take their chances on plague and riots to escape this situation.

So, then we close the borders Eddwin was becoming visibly agitated and the man dressed in purple nodded his head at one of the servants waiting in the corner.

We are not in need of the borders closing Your Grace Pa Lind shook her head. "If this city is to survive, we are in need of