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CONFIRMATION OF SALE
$10.5 billion for 11.71% equity in Goldwing Finance Ltd
Total stock owned by KIH = 15% / 15 votes on the Goldwing Finance shareholders board
Shipsskrog, Notoya City
Yvette Pelletier was not a nervous woman. She had plenty of experience, having led Goldwing Finance safely and successfully through the political and cultural upheavals of the last months and years, but even she could not deny feeling a little frisson of excitement and anxiety at the prospect of meeting an international delegation, including a Crown Prince, to discuss establishing such an extensive and lucrative partnership.
She waited in the main conference hall, which lay in the original Shipsskrog building, an ancient overturned longboat used as a shelter by the Vayrholtians who had come to Notoya City and set up as traders centuries ago. The Shipsskrog itself was mostly used for formal functions, with the offices and central facilities of Goldwing Finance being located either underground or in the two large skyscrapers to the south of the ancient longhall, surrounded by smaller parks, walkways, and the many little coffeeshops and other business that had sprung up around the financial powerhouse like parasites.
The door opened, but it was only Cenwulf Rittmeister, the fair-haired and bearded minister for industry, or Lord Industria to give him his proper title. He was also currently the Lord Adjutant of the government, as well as being titular Jarl of Vayrholt, and was dressed in a fine blue tunic with a thick cloth overcoat, fur hanging over his shoulders. He smiled as he entered, and sat down next to her, striking up a conversation to pass the time....
Notoya International Airport, Notoya City
The delegation from Kauvers and the Recon Empire were met at the airport by a convoy of limousines and 4x4 vehicles, bearing the Imperial Eagle and the golden logo of Goldwing Finance. Most of the guards were wearing ISDF digitals, in navy blue, but some were also wearing plate gold armour with full helms, clearly Goldwing staff. Polite aides welcomed the delegates, ushering them into the convoy where refreshments awaited them as they sped through the city, a strange melting pot where new modern architecture, all curves and glass and beautiful lighting, combined with traditional ancient stones, overgrown ivy and well worn oak over cobbled sidestreets where butchers, bakers, and craftsmen did the same trade they had been doing for a thousand years.
Eventually they pulled up at the Shipsskrog, which stood at one end of a modest plaza. Behind a trio of high, gushing fountains, atop a rise of pseudo-marble steps, stood the weathered hull of the Shipsskrog, a plume of woodsmoke boiling out of the centre of the hull.
At the doors stood a pair of golden armoured figures, looking like valkyries of legend, and they stood aside to let the delegates pass through the giant oak doors, where Pelletier and Rittmeister stood to greet them, introducing themselves, shaking hands, and bowing to the Crown Prince, before bidding their guests sit. As refreshments were being poured, Yvette began to speak, whilst Rittmeister cast a glance at his opposite number, the Minister for Finance, Francesca Megan.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, and may I say what a pleasure it is to be hosting you here." said Ms Pelletier, smiling.