Free Crowning Fantasy Book 1 by Coral Russell

unpleasantness."
    "I'm surprised in a country so rich there are those in want."
    "We have not figured out the answer either I'm afraid. Do you have an interest in social issues?"
    "Not overly much. This is my first trip abroad."
    "Wonderful, feel free to call on me anytime you're interested in sight-seeing."
    "I'm glad you brought that up, Lurazat." Radgivare interrupted. "I do have some tasks I'd like Kvinna to inspect personally. Would you be willing?"
    "I'd be delighted."
    "I'll have Kvinna contact your secretary then."
    "No need. Kvinna can call on me personally whenever you're ready."
    "How gracious of you Lurazat. I can tell our stay will be most pleasant in your capable hands."
    The Sayid blew his horn at the head of the table again bringing the conversations around the table to a halt. "Guests, please retire to the courtyard at your leisure for refreshments and entertainment."
    Radgivare begged off saying he had an early meeting with his superiors early tomorrow morning but Kvinna was free to stay as long as she liked.
    ***
    S everal days later Kvinna called on Lurazat carrying the latest writings of Kunskap in her bag. They toured the mines, the different quarters of Rasima, and short trips into the countryside of Zeroob sahaerat.
    "Can we explore the Waha?"
    "I'm afraid that would require a complete retinue of Sudawas and Kertenkele. We have not tamed all the parts of Dohla. The Waha is one of the most wild. Most of Zeroob sahaerat is accessible and the parts around the mines in Shimel Sahaerat."
    "But you do go there?"
    "Most definitely since we have not fully charted all the resources available in that area."
    "And the Padda, Vartalf?"
    "Only nuisances, really. Everything will come under our control in time as in Rike and Patri Peyi. We hope to make the Vartalf amiable trade partners and the Padda have been mostly pushed back to the Slat Galen."
    Kvinna smirked. "The Vartalf as trade partners? I'm afraid the Manskliga have some experience with them and you will be hard pressed to ever trust them."
    Lurazat smiled. "I look forward to hearing all your opinions during your stay here in Dohla."
    Over the weeks that followed Lurazat found himself in deep and pleasurable discussions with Kvinna on a wide range of topics. Lurazat finally broached the subject that had been puzzling him for months.
    "These numbers are frustrating. You mentioned the areas of town you passed through when you arrived. We've invested in education and training and you would think with a willing workforce to do the manual labor... ."
    "Kertenkele?"
    "And Mikachiari. I mean there are wealthy families. I'm from one of them but the rest. I don't understand if it's a lack of ingenuity, willingness to take risks, effort in applying oneself to a trade but the results have been disheartening to say the least."
    "How so?"
    "Looking into the history, the Varlid War saw a leveling of the playing field so to speak. I'm glad we have formal relations now and we're no longer enemies. At least, I hope you don't see me as one," Lurazat teased.
    "Of course not. I think after so many years we've come to realize the good that came out of the war and acceptance of Elyun and Asistan Ti among us."
    "We did introduce an economic system and established a monetary system. It was supposed to and did for a while create a vibrant exchange of business."
    "But not now?"
    "That's why I've been reading Kunskap's papers. Competition was supposed to help regulate business and keep things moving forward and upward. I don't know about Rike but Dohla's growth has slowed. This has produced the most absurd traditions. Competition to marry into wealthy families has become entertainment for the masses. They've got it into their head that's the only way to wealth, through marriage, alliances. It's an archaic system I had hoped we'd put behind us."
    "You're single?"
    "Yes, and you should see the pressures my Ashiha brings to the dinner table almost nightly to remind me. But something is