Unbeknownst to Maria, a new grain store had recently opened in Algaba. It wasn't unusual for a new shop to open in town, but it was a bit odd that it was a grain store.

Algaba was not a big town, and it already had a grain store. That store's business wasn't great because the poor townsfolk mostly grew their own crops. If they ran out of food, they couldn't afford to buy wheat or flour. Even when they were desperate, they'd rather trade for the cheapest beans with neighbors who had extra than buy from the store, as the store's prices were higher than what they could get directly...