Chapter 29: Claw
Crispian took a moment to collect his thoughts. Being in Westeros was much different to how things had been before. There was much more to think about and look over. He preferred it this way. Preferred to constantly be working and not have the strain of nothing to do hanging over him. His missing eye was proof of what he did if he had nothing to do. The King cleared his throat and Crispian turned to look at the King.
"So, Crispian how are the accounts looking?" The King asked. Not for the first time, Crispian found himself wondering how the King managed to retain his youthful appearance despite the burdens he faced daily.
"Well, Sire, despite the continued war in Braavos, trade with the other free cities is growing exponentially, and we are also experiencing a boom of trade within the Kingdom itself. The silver mines of the north combined with the gold from the West are ensuring that the people have more money within their pockets." Crispian said from memory.
The King gave a rare smile. "Good, that is very good. And how goes progress on bringing investors in for the Bank."
It had been six years since the King had first proposed the idea for a Royal Bank, where lords and merchants could invest their money and where others could take loans. The King had rather sensibly seen the danger in keeping everything tied to the Braavosi. "Well, after some cajoling and after pointing out Braavos' failing returns we're getting more investors now, Sire. Lord Lannister naturally has put in five hundred thousand dragons. Lord Tyrell three hundred thousand. And several merchants have collectively invested some twenty thousand dragons."
The King looked shocked. "That is, that is more than we expected."
"Indeed, it is, Sire. However, the Kingdom's economy is doing very well, minus Dorne's own internal issues. And as such, many investors are seeing where they wish to invest their money. Furthermore, it does not hurt that the interest rates you have recommended are sufficiently low to encourage high investment for low risk." Crispian said. He had been studying this for some time, in order to present a complete picture to the King, for he knew how much the man hated incompleteness.
"And do you think this is a long term solution?" The King asked.
Crispian laughed. "As much as financial gains can be considered a long term solution. Sooner or later the financial benefits we are seeing now will falter, but with the Bank under the control of the crown, the risks will be less."
That seemed to satisfy the King somewhat for he remarked. "Good. That is very good news." There was a brief pause and then the King asked. "And what of Dorne? You mentioned they are the only realm that bears a financial burden due to the ongoing war. How much of a burden?"
Here Crispian needed to bring out his notes to portray an accurate picture. "Somewhere between three to five percent, Sire. This is happening monthly."
"Monthly!" The King remarked. "How are they losing so much?"
"Because Braavos is also destroying itself, and Braavos was their main trading partner. The more the war rages on, the more the investors will move elsewhere." Crispian remarked.
The King looked thoughtful as he mulled over this information. Crispian knew that the King wished to prove a point by allowing Dorne to eat itself alive. But if Dorne continued on that path, he feared that it would be the King who got the blame for it, not the Martells, for the Martells had bent the knee to the King and agreed to their oaths. It was his laws they were fighting over. His thoughts were interrupted when the King spoke. "We have spoken with the Marcher lords, and they have agreed to participate in the hunt for Deria Martell. They shall keep it discreet though so as not to alert the Dornish to this. And once she is found, we shall fly to Sunspear to meet with her father."
"A wise move, Sire." Crispian said. "Dorne will need to be rebuilt once all is said and done. And that will make it easier for Your Majesty to shift things into your image."
"Indeed. Though we fear that Dorne is not going to be useful for the economic plans we have. There is barely anything there, and this war would have destroyed what little resources they had remaining." The King responded.
Crispian nodded but then whispered. "Something that Her Majesty could fix." He knew that Queen Visenya used magic on some things, if she used it in Dorne perhaps that area would be more amenable to the crown.
Crispian saw the King consider his words, then nod. "Indeed, we shall speak with her in time. Of course it does depend on when this war ends. Her Majesty is with child after all."
"Of course, Sire." Crispian bowed his head in acceptance. The King had three children now, Aemon, Prince of Dragonstone who was eight years old and becoming a terror for his antics, Prince Maegor who was four years old and followed his brother around like a puppy and finally Prince Aenys who was slowly growing into a young boy at the age of two. He had a dragon and that was something promising. He wondered whether there would be a girl born this time and who she would marry.
There was a brief silence and then King asked him. "Is there anything else you wished to discuss?"
"No, Sire, that is all." Crispian replied and with that the King waved a hand dismissing him. Crispian rose, bowed and then straightened and left. As he walked out of the King's solar he found himself wondering where he should go now. His wife and son would not be here until the next day, and he did not really want to retire to his chambers. He decided to go for a walk.
As he walked he mused on the best ways to maximise the crown's gains. Perhaps they could do some proper digging in the Riverlands. He was convinced they would find something in that region which could make them even richer and ensure there was not constant war ever again. Perhaps he should speak with the Queen about it, which one though was the eternal question.
