Certainties

"I'm afraid I don't understand"
"You do. You understand just fine. The total comes to 401 gold pieces, 5 silver pieces, and four-and-a-fifth copper pieces. Round that down to four."
"I'm not giving you my hard earned money!"
Treasury Commander First Class Adriana pursed her lips. This had become quite a tired dance already, and she was only on the third merchant.
"Lycia is and independent nation, recognized by the High Council in the glorious era of 168 days ago. You're selling goods on Lycian territory to Lycian citizens, and thus incur a flat 10% sales tax, with a 1.5% levy for not filing...well, anything, with anyone. We put up signs, Mr Willcent. Signs saying to hand in your paperwork. Signs saying the cutoff for that was today. They are very big signs, Mr Willcent. Now, do you want to pay your tax, in cloth, gold, or other trade goods, or do you want the 20 gold fine and a night in the watch house for tax evasion?"
"You can't arrest me! You're not even a real nation!" Mr Willicent twirled his mustache in what he no-doubt thought was a rakish manner.
"We can, and we are. If you want to test this, Captain Falgrim here will put you in manacles, and lay your guards out if they try and stop her"
"Oh, with ease" added Falgrim, cracking her knuckles at the merchant's quartet of guards. "How easy will it be to find work if all these nice people see you lose a four-on-one with against an old woman? Cmon, draw those cards"
The guards raised their hands in acquiescence, and Mr Willcent scoffed in disgust.
"Fine, take my money. The merchant's guild will hear of this!"
Adriana tilted her head "The merchant's guild...will hear...that you paid your taxes? You're supposed to pay your taxes! And we're supposed to tell the guild that you have paid your taxes! That's literally how this works! That's how civilization works! How are you so bad at this?" She took a deep breath.
"Please have your taxes ready by noon tomorrow. Attempting to flee will incur a further 7.2% retrieval levy, a 35 gold fine, and me telling the merchant's guild that you didn't pay your taxes. As it stands, I'm revoking my previous offer of leniency. I will expect that one-fifth of a copper piece to be included. Do you have anything you'd like to add?"
Mr Willicent glowered
"I thought so. Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any further queries, direct them to the National Treasury of Lycia. It's the tent with the red and gold flag."
Walking to the next Merchant's caravan, Adriana allowed herself a grin from ear to ear. Falgrim noticed
"You seem to enjoy this."
"I enjoy it because I'm good at it. Today, Treasury Commander First Class." Adriana punched the air triumphantly. "Next stop: A husband who can cook, clean, and look after two kids who will have his hair but my eyes."
"How's that progressing?"
"Poorly. I've formed a shortlist of suitable candidates, but none of them have agreed to go on a second date yet."
Falgrim sized up the next wagon. Millicent Magnificent Merchantry, a Freyan provider of sundry minor elixirs and drafts. Only two guards, one of whom was sound asleep under the cart, the other wouldn't be a problem. Struggling to keep a straight face, she managed "No second dates at all? But you're so good at lists!"
"I know! You know what I think? I think boys are just scared of confident girls"
Falgrim nodded "I think you might be right"