Tyranny of Steel

Throughout the next couple of days, Arethas spent his time going throughout the City of Kufstein and learning about its rapid progress. To think that less than a year ago, Kufstein could at most be considered an agricultural town. Though many regions of the City were still undergoing construction, the fact that the walls had been constructed and decent housing was provided for the area's citizens was astonishing to a man like Arethas. 

The city's overall layout was constructed in a way that not only took security status in mind but also made certain districts in place that allowed for organized living. By far, the Industrial District was the largest of these districts, and yet the Trade district was a close second. The greatest part of Kufstein's design is that the walls extended far beyond the currently inhabited regions of the city, allowing for the potential of tens of thousands of more inhabitants to dwell within the city in the future. Of course, another series of walls could always be constructed, if the City grew beyond its current limits.

Though the Industrial district was largely closed off to visitors, seeing such a vast quantity of smoke in the air led Arethas to believe that there was most definitely a massive industrial output created in this city. Though, of course, he would not believe the amount of steel produced every month in Kufstein if he were to hear the exact amount.

Arethas had initially come to Kufstein to secure an exclusive trade agreement with silk; after all, his personal territory grew vast quantities of the material, and he knew Berengar was expending a great sum to acquire it. However, seeing how well equipped Berengar's garrison was, Arethas believed he might be able to import a great deal of iron into the Empire from Tyrol, which would greatly aid the forces of the empire. He had no way of knowing that the blackened half-plate armor in which Berengar's forces wore was actually made out of quenched and tempered steel. After three days, the Byzantine nobleman returned to Berengar's castle and once more stood before him in the Great Hall. Berengar was the first to make conversation.

"I am Count Berengar von Kufstein; you are here in my territory and have arrived unannounced, be grateful for my benevolence, for I have granted you an audience despite the disrespect you have shown me."

Just because Arethas was a man with a position similar to that of a Duke did not mean that Berengar would back down; as such, he decided to emphasize that this meeting was solely due to his good nature and forgiveness. However, Arethas did not seem phased by Berengar's posturing and reintroduced himself with a great deal of confidence.

"I am Strategos Arethas Maniakes. I have traveled a great distance to establish trade with your region. I know that you have a great desire for silk, and I have a large supply of such a material that I am willing to trade. I promise you that if you make me your exclusive trading partner in this regard, I will give you a decent discount on the materials and will be able to fulfill your demand. I have even brought a large quantity of raw silk for you to browse and see if its quality is up to your standards." 

Berengar smiled upon hearing the news that the other party had a large amount of silk to sell; acquiring silk for his ever-increasing textile industry's demands was becoming more difficult, incurring a rising expense and a lower profit margin. As such, he was more than happy to negotiate on a price with the man. Thus Berengar got up from his seat and walked down the steps from the platform where his seat of power was placed upon before standing in front of the man face to face.

Berengar was quite a deal taller than Arethas, and as such, he was able to look down upon the man with a smug expression on his face. After arriving before the man, Berengar began to negotiate as he paced around Arethas.

"Assuming you can fulfill your words and satisfy the ever-growing demand for silk, I will be willing to deal exclusively with you under the conditions that I receive a fifteen percent discount. However, I would very much like to see your product before I come to any agreement."

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To Berengar, this was a reasonable request; after all, he would be buying in vast quantities and wanted a bulk discount, and such a discount was more than reasonable from the standards of his previous life. Of course, he was willing to negotiate a minimum of ten percent off. However, what surprised him was that Arethas immediately agreed to his terms.

"Such terms are acceptable to me; if you would like to browse my wares, we can go to the trade district in your city where I have left my supplies under the protection of my house guard."

Thus Berengar motioned for a group of his guards standing by to follow him and Arethas into the City below, where they walked around for a bit, capturing the attention of the citizens who began to gossip about the scene. There were many rumors to be made about a lavishly dressed eastern man conversing with Berengar, the Count of Tyrol. 

Berengar was well accustomed to such chatter, it was a common occurrence for the locals to gossip about him whenever he would take a stroll through the city, and as such, paid it no mind. Eventually, Arethas and Berengar reached his carts, which contained a massive supply of raw silk cloth. Berengar carefully inspected the material to see any obvious flaws; after a lengthy period of time, he finally smiled and nodded his hand. 

"If you can supply this quantity and quality of silk at regular intervals, I believe we can agree."

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Arethas returned Berengar's smile and stated with confidence that he would be able to meet his demands.

"I can supply all of this and more every month. My merchant fleet can travel from Ionia to the Adriatic Sea, where they will then travel by caravan into Kufstein. As long as proper protection is provided for them when they enter through Austria, they will certainly arrive in Kufstein within that period of time."

Berengar was instantly happy with this news. Finally, he could expand the trade of the more luxurious textiles and for a decent markup. His profit margins would increase with this deal, and he was pleased with it. After shaking the man's hand, Berengar invited Arethas to share a meal with him in his Castle.

"How about you stay in my Castle for dinner tonight, I promise you, that you will not regret the fine Cuisine of Tyrol!"

After hearing the young Count's offer, Arethas nodded his head in agreement. After all, the more friendly he became with Berengar, the more likely he could get his hands on some of his iron. As such, the shipment of silk was brought to Berengar's textile factories, where it would be converted into velvet and designed into fashionable clothing. Gold exchanged hands between the Strategos and the young Count. Eventually, they returned to the Castle to share a meal to celebrate the new lucrative trade between their two territories. Unknowingly this trade agreement would have important effects on the future of this world and the relationship between the Rising German Empire and the Byzantines to the East.