Brokerage
One could be forgiven for assuming a kingdom that drew in the lost and lonely was little more than an attractant for those needing to rid themselves of surplus children. While that was a role the kingdom served, what seemed to be unspoken was that the bulk of its interactions with other kingdoms was in trade.
Like any kingdom, there was much produce that was valued beyond their borders, yet even that paled in comparison to the main source of income.
Sarah often sat in on the trade discussions, especially when she’d been the face of the kingdom during consultations. She quickly learned that her meetings, while essential, were a tiny cog in a highly complex machine.
When two parties in the Underground fell out over that appalling breach of etiquette at a state dinner, all of their trade ceased as a matter of protocol. As it would now be unseemly for the parties to continue trading publicly, the Goblin Kingdom stepped in as a middleman, quietly allowing trade to continue, while taking a cut of the proceedings.
This was a reasonably easy process after a fresh falling out, but it grew increasingly complicated over time as the needs of the parties were altered beyond a simple exchange of goods. The kingdom came into its own as they negotiated deals, often through multiple layers of exchanges.
Sarah had almost expected the deals to be conducted via open outcry, but had been fascinated by the quiet efficiency of all involved and the impressive way they shared knowledge and expertise.
If you were dealing with a trade within an agriculture portfolio, it was easy enough as the team was familiar with the entire process. However, when the trade deals moved beyond singular remits was when the meetings excelled, as different portfolios determined the best exchange of ore or textiles.
It had taken a moment for Sarah to understand that this wasn’t a stock exchange of competing portfolios, but a brokerage where, regardless of the trade, the Goblin Kingdom always made a profit. While there was every opportunity to take advantage and demand a greater percentage, it was run as fairly as possible. This allowed the kingdom a steady income of both funds, and a hoard of trade secrets a dragon would covet.
It certainly put a different light on the boasting of an ambassador, when Sarah had been privy to discussions on a failing crop and their farmers' desperate need to pivot to an alternate crop. The Goblin Kingdom had arranged for the change in agriculture and suggested a different source of trade to fill the gap.
Looking back, Sarah was uncertain if the ambassador was aware his kingdom was in peril, nor that the Goblin Kingdom was ensuring it didn’t suffer from a failed harvest. It was possible the analogy of a swan could have been in effect, Sarah suspected that it was her kingdom that was paddling like mad below water to keep the Underground running with grace and efficiency.
labyfic — drabble #266: dragon
Part of the Balance!verse
Like any kingdom, there was much produce that was valued beyond their borders, yet even that paled in comparison to the main source of income.
Sarah often sat in on the trade discussions, especially when she’d been the face of the kingdom during consultations. She quickly learned that her meetings, while essential, were a tiny cog in a highly complex machine.
When two parties in the Underground fell out over that appalling breach of etiquette at a state dinner, all of their trade ceased as a matter of protocol. As it would now be unseemly for the parties to continue trading publicly, the Goblin Kingdom stepped in as a middleman, quietly allowing trade to continue, while taking a cut of the proceedings.
This was a reasonably easy process after a fresh falling out, but it grew increasingly complicated over time as the needs of the parties were altered beyond a simple exchange of goods. The kingdom came into its own as they negotiated deals, often through multiple layers of exchanges.
Sarah had almost expected the deals to be conducted via open outcry, but had been fascinated by the quiet efficiency of all involved and the impressive way they shared knowledge and expertise.
If you were dealing with a trade within an agriculture portfolio, it was easy enough as the team was familiar with the entire process. However, when the trade deals moved beyond singular remits was when the meetings excelled, as different portfolios determined the best exchange of ore or textiles.
It had taken a moment for Sarah to understand that this wasn’t a stock exchange of competing portfolios, but a brokerage where, regardless of the trade, the Goblin Kingdom always made a profit. While there was every opportunity to take advantage and demand a greater percentage, it was run as fairly as possible. This allowed the kingdom a steady income of both funds, and a hoard of trade secrets a dragon would covet.
It certainly put a different light on the boasting of an ambassador, when Sarah had been privy to discussions on a failing crop and their farmers' desperate need to pivot to an alternate crop. The Goblin Kingdom had arranged for the change in agriculture and suggested a different source of trade to fill the gap.
Looking back, Sarah was uncertain if the ambassador was aware his kingdom was in peril, nor that the Goblin Kingdom was ensuring it didn’t suffer from a failed harvest. It was possible the analogy of a swan could have been in effect, Sarah suspected that it was her kingdom that was paddling like mad below water to keep the Underground running with grace and efficiency.
labyfic — drabble #266: dragonPart of the Balance!verse