The Dragon's Path Group Read discussion

This builds on Brittain's discussion from last week. What are your thoughts on the shift from hiding the money to using the money to set up a new branch of the bank?

I think its bloody brilliant myself. I was a little worried that the constant running with the money would get tiresome as a reader and I knew that route would bring forth a steady supply of people trying to kill/rob them and perhaps more betrayals from within the "fellowship". And that may still happen. But this track too was a surprise, although not entirely unexpected. I had been wondering when more of the economic elements with Cithrin would make their way into the story and was pleasantly surprised with this change of direction for the crew. I too have read of Abraham's interest in economics and one of my favorite short stories, "The Cambist and Lord Iron: A Fairy Tale of Economics" is by Abraham. It is an interest of his and I like that he works that into the fantasy realm he has created.

I love this, obviously, but I'm the kind of guy who plays games like Privateer with the sole aim of setting up a trading empire. (Oddly enough, I am a terrible businessman in real life.)
As a plot device, this is fun because he subverts our expectations for daring smuggling ventures and doomed Alamo-esque last stands, leaving the bemused reader to cheer for loan contracts and venture capital. That makes me chuckle. (Again, Marcus could be a proxy here, finding himself guarding a banker instead of marching off into hopeless battle.)

What I really appreciate though, is that this sort of thing highlights a part of world building that is often overlooked. Maps and legends and aliens and laws of physics and whatnot are all important, but I think authors and readers forget the more mundane parts of the story. How are these armies eating? Who financed that vast star fleet? Where does Gondor's food come from? How does the nobility afford all the feasts and weddings (Red or otherwise)? Cithrin's efforts to horn in on the city's bid to globalize, because that's what it is, are a much different side of life than we usually read about.

This is one of the reasons I love Daniel Abraham's works. Not only that he made another twist for the story, but he also reveals internal mechanisms of this world. As Brittain said there are a lot of little details easily overlooked in other fantasy novels that make a story work in the fullest. As is the case here. And, I hope I am not venturing in the fourth part of the reading, the chain of productions are important in most of these cases. Such as the brewery Cithrin chooses as one of the first investments.
There are a few elements that are confusing in the beginning, but I did manage to untangle them in the end and get a grip on the wide picture of this side of the story. I love it!

I am not used to reading so much detail about the real workings of a fantasy society and I have to say that I am really enjoying it. I like the way that the least effective person we have met so far is actually King Simeon, who is barely keeping control of his nobles. I also like the huge power that can come from holding the purse strings - as we saw with the Magister at the beginning of the book when he refused to loan money to the king(?) of Vannai. This seems very true to life to me, especially in modern America where we see business people throwing millions of dollars at politicians in order to alter policy in their favor.

I was actually grinning when Cithrin explained the wisdom in investing in the brewhouse - and then we see her expanding into a coffeehouse and tap room. I think the head of the bank will be quite happy when he learns of what she has been doing.

I can't say that I thought that I would be intrigued by the inner workings in so much detail. But I am, and I can't help but wonder if it's going to work out or fall apart. But it's working, and as it works I am able to get to know the society a little better, as well as the characters. Honestly, I think I am getting a deeper perspective than I would have if not for these glimpses of the economics of society.

It made sense to add the bank. All the foreshadowing with Magister Imaniel drilling Cithren comes into play now. The financial aspects add a lot of layers to the story and require the addition of new characters. It's like a place to rest for a bit, but I'm not convinced it will last very long.

leaving the bemused reader to cheer for loan contracts and venture capital

Love that, well put! It really does add another dimension to the world building that we are unaccustomed to in most fiction. I'm not a particular fan of economics (though I do like money!), but Abraham makes it interesting in the way he makes it part of the story. There is no info-dumping here. It is all relevant plot and I applaud him.

Such as the brewery Cithrin chooses as one of the first investments"

That move on Abraham's part made so much sense. Not only does it act as an example of the kind of things her bank will do, but it sets up a perfectly safe meeting place for her in which to conduct business. It also makes sense with the character arc Abraham was creating because Cithrin seems to have become very fond of drink ever since her first sampling of it.

as we saw with the Magister at the beginning of the book when he refused to loan money to the king"

That was one of the first things that shocked me and told me this would be a fantasy with different elements than I was used to. I'm happy that has indeed been the case as it has made this a gripping read.

Honestly, I think I am getting a deeper perspective than I would have if not for these glimpses of the economics of society.

I'm right there with you Starr. I think the world is opening up in greater measure because of the financial/economic aspects of the story.

It made sense to add the bank.

It really did, although I certainly didn't see it coming in the way it manifested. I kept wondering through the early part of the reading when Cithrin's money knowledge would come into play and was happy that it happened in this book of the series.

The bank also sets up a great reason for Marcus and Yardem to stay on with her, as guards. In that kind of society a banker certainly could not walk around unprotected on a regular basis.

I think this about turn with the investing of the money instead of continually transporting it was inspirational. I love the fact that the author keeps pulling out these surprises. I never expected this and it's most welcome.

I thought it was a brilliant turn of events. If the item can't be hidden, put it into public use. Then you have lots of interested parties that don't want that item taken away.