[R&S 2.6] Drekkssian Mining Company (Patreon)

March 2nd, 1526

To her highness,High Princess Giselle Rwalwikk

The Drekkisian Mining Company has received an inquest from King Wikk of Mistrya, requesting all 310 of our workmen for a period of one year. As your loyal subjects we would never think to entertain a direct contract from someone outside your patronage and realm; however, considering the prospective client and the circumstances, I plead with your highness to review and consider this most magnanimous offer.

I have enclosed with this message the original letter we received, but allow me to provide context to the sums and figures contained within.

The offered pay is five times the value of our combined extractions, and your highness would certainly be entitled to the bulk of compensation for our leave of absence.

My men are good, loyal people and Mistrya is a foul and smelly land. Not a soul would dream of desertion. No offer of coin could possibly sway their hearts from their devotion to your ladyship.

I would leave behind my second best foreman to train and bring on new workmen to continue operations in Roxsis. The pay surplus after your ladyship’s cut would more than cover these new costs and would result in an even larger skilled workforce at your disposal.

If not for the considerable benefits to your ladyship, I would have seen this offer used only in the outbuilding, if you would pardon the crassness of one who has spent much of their life in the dark.

Your devoted and loyal servant,Hathis GoldbergDrekkisian Mining CompanyRoxsis

March 9th, 1526Mr. Goldberg,

It is with great regret that I find your letter. While certainly it has created a joyous quality of pride, not to mention clarity of communication, I do believe that permitting last names among the professional classes has given the false impression of rank and status. Let me avail you of these fanciful notions.

The Drekkisian Mining Company is to continue clearing the gold mine in Roxsis, working the limestone mine in the Riverlands, and the open pit in West Vodan.

I understand that my judgment may seem odd or unintelligible to one who has spent much of their life in the dark, but I assure you that from my position in the light of knowledge and wisdom, staying put and working our lands is best for you, your men, and our realm.

Go with the gods,High Princess Giselle Rwalwikk

March 15th, 1526

To her highness,High Princess Giselle Rwalwikk

Your words have been received, and as always I shall obey them.

If your ladyship would accept, perhaps I could raise and train a new cohort of workers and send these newer, fresher, less experienced men to Mistrya. This effort would not in any way impact the current operations in Roxsis, the Riverlands, or West Vodan and your ladyship would stand to make a great deal of money.

Your devoted and loyal servant,Hathis GoldbergDrekkisian Mining CompanyRoxsis

March 21st, 1526

Mr. Goldberg,

You have long been a good and loyal man. It is for this reason, and this reason alone, that I grant you some grace during this moment where you so strongly err, and that I do not use your indiscretion to make a public example of disobedience.

Let me be clear. It is beyond your station, your rank, and your understanding to propose such international business on behalf of a foreign lord, especially from King Imrik McGary. You embarrass yourself by suggesting such matters whose consequences you can not fathom. You would no more accept the suggestions of a child in matters of engineering than I would accept the suggestions of a foreman in matters of state.

There is nothing for you in Mistrya but ruination. You think of gold when you ought to think of duty. You think of wealth when you ought to think of loyalty. Better yet, you ought not think at all and simply do as you are told.

It is not malice nor vengeance that drives my tongue to such lashings. Even a man such as yourself should understand that a King does not write directly to a foreman, bypassing the foreman’s liege lord, out of a matter of expediency. He does not offer five times the wages because he has a kind heart or lacks and understanding of economies.

I will not say it again after this: You and the Drekkisian Mining Company are to continue your work as is.

Should you disobey me, you and your men will never return from Mistrya. Your children will not take up your crafts; at best they will spend their lives as itinerant farmers.

Do as I command, and nothing more.

Giselle RwalwikkGeneral of Vodan,High Princess of the great city of Rwalwikk,Defender of Drekkis,Warden of the Grasslands,Honorable Knight of Drekkis,Your liege lord,Your patron,Your landlord,Your highness

March 27th, 1526

To her highness,High Princess Giselle Rwalwikk

Your wish is my command.

Your devoted and loyal servant,Hathis GoldbergDrekkisian Mining CompanyRoxsis

April 2nd, 1526

To her highness,High Princess Giselle Rwalwikk

My dearest majesty, I regret that I must be the barer of bad news. I have relayed your instructions with utmost vigor and seriousness to my men, but despite their many years of loyal service, 57 men, about half the workforce in Roxsis, have let greed take hold their hearts and deserted to Crownhold. I fear that by the time this letter reaches you, they will be already beyond reach.

I assure you that I had impressed upon them the solemnity of their duties and loyalties. I reminded them how, if not for your highness’s intervention, we would all be dead or enslaved by the very same Mistryans. I cannot give excuses for my men’s treasonous actions, but I beg you to be merciful to their families.

May Velthara judge their souls.

Your devoted and loyal servant,Hathis GoldbergDrekkisian Mining CompanyRoxsis