Free Colors of Chaos by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

the delivery costs in full. The Guild has almost eliminated brigands in eastern Candar, at least those who prey on the highways. At times, it costs less to ship wool from Land's End on Recluce to Lydiar than to carry it by wagon from Montgren. So ... any good that must be grown, produced, or collected away from the highways ..."
    "Wait... you were just saying that our highways were being used against us, and now-"
    "Patience, Broka ... patience," said Kinowin tiredly. "Trade is complex. Let me explain. Those who buy goods are those who have coins. Those who have coins live in the cities. The cities are either ports or connected to ports by the White highways. Recluce is a much smaller place than Candar, and the Blacks use their arts to increase production of many goods, especially wool, oilseeds, and some fruits they dry. They also produce luxury goods that would otherwise come from across the Eastern Ocean. Their weather mages see the storms upon the seas, and they lose fewer ships. For all these reasons, many of their goods are much cheaper."
    Cerryl wanted to rub his forehead. Never had he thought he would hear discussions on costs of trade in a meeting of the White mages. He turned toward the middle section of desks and caught a glimpse of Anya's red hair. Seated to her left was Faltar, his white-blond hair standing out even more than the red of Anya's. On Anya's right was the dark-bearded Fydel.
    Mutterings began to rise around the chamber.
    "... can't he make it simple ..."
    "... just send a fleet... if it's that much trouble ..."
    "... send the lancers to Spidlaria and clean out their demon-damned Council..."
    "Why do we even have to do anything about Recluce? All the Blacks do is sit on their island and cultivate order. Anyone who causes trouble gets thrown out-usually to our benefit." That came from a thin gray-haired woman in the middle of the chamber, one of the many that Cerryl did not recognize.
    "We're not talking about an arms action now," Jeslek said mildly from where he stood beside Kinowin. "Aren't you tired of our gold going to Recluce so that the Blacks can use it to buy Bristan and Hamorian goods?"
    "Their spices and wines are better and cheaper," a heavy voice rumbled from the back.
    "So is some of their cabinetry," added another voice.
    "And their wool-"
    "If you can wear it, Myral!"
    Abruptly the white-haired and sun-eyed Jeslek strode to the front of the dais beside Sterol. "Silence!" His eyes roved the room, chaos rising around him.
    A faint smile played across Sterol's face as he slipped off the side of the dais and down the far side of the chamber behind the pillars.
    "What Kinowin is saying is," Jeslek announced loudly, "that if we let people buy cheaper goods from Recluce traders, too many peasants and artisans in Candar will go hungry, and they won't pay their taxes, and we'll have trouble supporting the Guild and maintaining the highways."
    "So ... what are you proposing, Jeslek?"
    "Nothing major. Exactly what the High Wizard proposed. Just a 30 percent surtax on goods from Recluce."
    "Thirty percent? He said 20. I'd rather drink that red swill from Kyphros," rumbled the bass voice.
    "Precisely my point."
    "That will increase the number of smugglers."
    "We'll use some of the money to build up the fleet to stop that."
    "And the rest? Does it go into your pocket, Jeslek?"
    "Hardly. That's up to the Council, but I'd suggest that it be split between an increased stipend for Guild members, rebuilding the square, and funding the road construction. Would anyone else like a word?"
    "Won't that just funnel more golds into Spidlar?"
    "What about Sarronnyn ..."
    "Southwind will love that. . ."
    Cerryl's eyes caught the flash of red as Anya slipped from her desk and through the pillars to follow Sterol. He frowned as the two mages vanished through the archway and out toward the foyer of the main Hall. Anya and the High Wizard-he definitely didn't like that. Leyladin had said something about Anya being there