"Six silvers!!! I want them." Kirim continued.
"I said I’d get it for you tomorrow Kirim." He protested. The other men looked at the newcomer warily. They had no loyalty for one another, but while the six sat and gamed together, with a shared pot between them, any disturbance would be dealt with impatiently. Violently.
"Bastards are sending me off tonight. I need it."
"Don't need coin at sea." Another man said.
"If I drown, I want it my pocket, not his!"
"Everything I’ve got with me is on these cards" Pointing to the table and motioning for everyone else to calm down and resume the game. "Let me finish this hand, aye?"
"And if you lose?"
"I've got some coin at home. You'll get it"
"Fine." Kirim said quickly. Then shouted at the bar keep while pulling up a chair to watch the game. "Get me an ale!"
The agent lost his hand. "See you're a bad player. Does he owe you coin too?" He asked, and a couple shook their head while the others continued to just ignore the intrusion.
The agent put his hand up as cards were about to be re-dealt. "I'll cut my losses." He said, and the others nodded as he exited with Kirim.
"Don't have any gold left anyhow." Kirim joked.
"Unlike you, I have good credit."
After they had left, the younger agent turned to Kirim and asked, "you're leaving tonight?"
"Aye." Handing him the note. “Get this sent Rawlin.”
"It's not encrypted."
"I didn't have time. You do it and send it on."
"Sir, you can't leave."
"I know that, but if I do get dragged below deck at least the navy will know a fleet’s coming out."
"Have a plan?"
"Not really."
"If I don't see you tomorrow I've gone with the ships. You're in charge, okay?"
"Yes, sir. Same orders?"
"Aye. Tell the others."
The agent nodded and the two separated. "You better have those silvers when I get back!" Kirim shouted back over his shoulder.
He had less than two bells before the head count on deck.
Could just jump overboard?
It might have been possible to swim back to shore, but the vessels were crowded.
Too many eyes. Burning the ship... too messy.
Kirim knew what he had to do.
I just don't really want to. Seemed like a nice guy to me. Except for the whole pirate thing.
Quickening his step towards the officer's quarters.
Then... what can I really say. I’m a damned assassin. The Captain of the Sotto Dreamer needs to disappear.
Just over two bells later Kirim stood on deck with Figly and the rest of the ships sailors waiting. The first officer watched the gathered men from the foredeck, turning restlessly every so often back to shore. Other officers had joined him, and one was sent down the plank to the harbour wall to search for their Captain.
And they waited. A senior looking man arrived that Kirim didn’t recognise and began screaming at the Sotto’s first officer in a fit of rage. More sailors were sent to find the Captain. His house would be searched, then the bars and brothels. Kirim knew they would never find him. Not tonight. Not until the body started to foul, the stink escaping through the ceiling. Kirim had been careful to pack the officers gear and leave the room empty. He wanted them to think the man had simply run away.
After a bell, the man returned, shouting again at the cowering officer. To Kirim's delight, the sailors were relieved. Only, when he reached the harbour he was shocked to notice all the other ships were dismounting too.
"What's going on?" He asked an officer.
"Captain's done a runner. We ain't sailing."
"What about them?"
"None of us are. They'll find the Captain and make an example out of him. They'll want us all to watch.”
"So, the fleet won't sail?"
"Oh, you'll be going, don't worry about that. Tomorrow night, same time. We'll need a new Captain though."
Fuck...
"I thought they were worried about the weather?"
"If you drown in a storm you know who to blame."
Yeah. Me.
"Bastard Captain."
"Aye."
I can't murder another one. Looks like I’ll be swimming.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Taleese
On the reluctant advice of Gomes and to the delight of Ranon, Bo moved into the cramped attic of the ancient guest house. Gomes had also given him the address of another man from the tower who had dealt in silks, among many other things for the last twenty cycles. Ignoring Laxis's advice, he flagged down a red wagon and showed the driver the address. The man nodded, motioning to the back carriage and he jumped in. An old lady sat next to him while a man took up the entire bench opposite with himself and a cargo of three cages filled with angry chickens. Feathers littered the floor, more bursting into the air every few seconds as each new engagement between the cramped birds shook the cages violently against the wooden surface.
He greeted them both using the words Phondock had taught him with a broad smile and a nod of his head. The man ignored the gesture, too busy controlling fighting chickens. The women smiled back with wide eyes, then spent the rest of the journey trying to stare at Bo when he wasn't looking.
And not doing a good job of it. Damned unnerving.
After half a bell and the rotation of five or six passengers, the driver finally banged on the board between his bench and the carriage. Looking through the viewing slit he said something incoherent to Bo and nodded again, though this time with more urgency and perhaps a little impatience. He jumped out onto the road and the driver whipped the horses into motion before his feet had touched the floor.
This place is more affluent. Bo considered the instant he looked up to get his bearings and lay sight on the buildings around him.
Large, detached villas. Wide paved road. High white washed walls. Guarded gates. No one selling anything. The owners here have money.
Bo found the number of the closest house to him and then walked left down the road.
Ascending, damn. Other way.
He reached the end of the numbers, realising eighty-seven was not on this stretch. Rounding the corner he saw another huge stone wall with spikes and dense hedge peaking over the top.
Must be a pretty tall hedge.
Bo walked along the wall until he saw the gatehouse. Two gates with a gap in-between large enough for carriage.
Only one set is probably ever opened at a time.
Yes. The man Bo was about to meet was as security conscious as he was dangerous.
Two dogs caught sight of the boy instantly and raced to the inner gate barking furiously. After raising the alarm, both went silent, crouching in front of the iron barrier facing the boy. They tracked him with their eyes and every time he made a step closer, teeth were bared in a savage low pitched snarl.
Alsatians. This garden though...
He looked through both sets of gates out to a huge manicured lawn. The canopy from two vast trees either side of the house, created shaded areas across the grounds and in the centre of each a pagoda stood.
To the left.
And a beautiful cottage with a covered seating area to the right. The house...
It's a mansion
...Mansion which had been constructed with wood in the Carridean country estate style and painted white to match the walls and outer buildings. Three floors spread widely into two wings. A large porch sat at the structure's centre linking the house to the pebble driveway. More entertaining areas extended from various doors, highlighted with flowers curling up each pillar towards timbered sun roofs.
There's some Taleese architecture mixed in there with the Carridean too though. Lots of open spaces and tiered roofs with carved finials on every edge. It’s wonderful.
Bo saw movement from the house and he double checked the number on the gate. Two more dogs ran out of the house, flanking th
e figure.
It's a north man.
"You're from Carrid?" The approaching man with a flat peaked cap asked, waving his maple walking stick around in the air.
Looks like a sheep farmer with those dogs running around his legs.
Bo waited for him to get a little closer before replying politely, "Yes, sir. Just arrived." Still having to raise his voice a little.
Bo studied the man as he unlocked the hinged iron door built into one side of the gate.
Sixty summers, maybe more. We’re a similar height and build though and he’s definitely a Carridean. Flaxen hair faded white from sun and passing cycles.
All four dogs darted into the space. They resumed the same position, on hind legs facing Bo in a line, tongues out panting.
Only now much closer. I’ve not seen them blink and I’m pretty sure they’re desperate for him to set them on me.
The man closed the inner gate’s door, entering the space behind the dogs.
"What can I do for you, young man?"
"A friend of mine, Gomes. He recommended that I should come and see you."
"Gomes eh. Been a while."
"He said that. He said if this was inappropriate I should extend his apology."
"It's fine."
"An offer of a drink was also mentioned."
The man smiled warmly and said "It always is with him. Come in, don't mind the dogs."
Easy to say...
He opened the gate and the dogs ran through the gap again. They had been calm while the two men were speaking and now seemed almost friendly. Bo petted one cautiously and it rolled on the floor in front of him playfully.
The man guided him towards the house along the drive, feet crunching on the grey and white pebbles. The four Alsatians raced around them looking for attention while the two resumed their questions and answers.
"Why did Gomes think we should talk?"
"I told him my plans, to set up shop here. Export textiles. He said you were in the trade?"
"I am that." Pausing for a moment. "What's your name?"
"Bo. And yourself, sir?"
"Chiros. So, Bo. Do you make a habit of this?"
"Erm... This? I don't understand."
"Announcing your plans to others? Your potential direct competitors?"
"I. Er..."
"Did you research anything about me before you came today?"
The dogs sensed the nervousness start to take hold of Bo and their playful behaviour instantly ceased. All were looking at Chiros with the occasional uncertain glance towards the boy.
"I did not."
"Bo. Gomes and I used to be close friends. We’ve not seen much of each other though, over the last few cycles. A decade really. He has his routine and I my own. There is... Well it matters not. What does matter is his judge of character. Impeccable. Always has been. So, if he sends you here to me, then I will hear you out. Help if I can. But Bo... you did not know this fact. You did not know me. You voluntarily put yourself at risk today."
"Risk? Really?"
"Yes risk. I know three people in this business at least who would have turned their dogs on you the second you said, 'set up shop'. Others would hear you out politely, offer you a drink and then as soon as you had left, visit their friends in the city guard or one of those immigration officers. Problem solved."
"I see. I guess I..."
"You have any experience in business?"
"I ran a leather supply shop."
"Buy from the tanners and sell to the stitcheries?"
"Yes."
"Wholesale?"
"Commission."
"I see. Freelancer."
"But, I worked for myself." Bo puffed up a little, a little taken a back with how quickly the old man had extracted the nature of his work in the tower.
They had entered the house and Chiros pointed towards a room behind the entrance’s central staircase.
"Take a seat."
"You have a beautiful house, Chiros."
"Thank you." He said looking at the boy closely. Bo broke eye contact and feigned curiosity in some feature of the rooms decoration. Chiros walked to a cabinet on the wall and withdrew two cut crystal glasses, filling them from a similarly designed square decanter half filled with red liquid and capped with a glass stopper.
Wine.
"Are you going to talk to the town guard after we've had these drinks?" Bo said in awkward jest, still avoiding eye contact and tracking the glasses in the man’s hand. He was anxious.
"No Bo, I’m going to help you. I've been buying silk from the provinces around Talon for a long time. Most likely every piece of silk you lined your leatherwork with came through one of my operations. But my... interests have expanded quite a bit since then. There may be some arrangement we can make that would be mutually beneficial."
"What other interests do you have here?"
"Other tradable commodities and the infrastructure needed to get them to market across the continent."
"Shipping?"
"You're quick. Yes. Land, sea and river. Depends on the destination."
"Just for your products?"
"No, anyone. I realised a long time ago that I could get my wares to Carrid cheaper if I took someone else's cargo with me."
"I see, that makes sense."
"So, Bo" Chiros said finally sitting down, putting the boy at more ease. "What was your aim today?"
"Aim?"
"Yes, aim, goal, objective."
"I... er... was looking for advice I guess."
"You guess?"
"I don’t know, okay. Talk business." Bo said, finally overcoming his fear with a growing frustration.
"I don't mean to be harsh Bo. I have an idea for us already, and it's only been five minutes. In a few weeks, I’ll likely have more. You have come at a fortuitous time."
"How so?"
"The balance is right."
"Balance?"
"What you lack in experience you have energy."
"And you have experience."
"Exactly. Like I said, a fortuitous time. Time and energy are now at a great premium, boy.” Chiros trailed off his words and Bo waited for him to finish whatever thought had captured his attention.
“I was once very much like you, you know?"
"Young?" Bo half joked again.
"And foolish."
"I..."
"If you could do this again what would you do?"
"How do you mean?"
"Given your experience today, what would you do differently on your next unannounced visit to a wealthy recluse of unknown character?"
Bo looked at Chiros and focussed on collecting his own thoughts this time. "I would have learned more about you. Asked Gomes for more information."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Have any idea about what you want? Have a negotiating position?"
"Why are you asking me this?"
"Because Bo, if I decide to offer you some help, which make no mistake you sorely need in this town, I want to ensure the investment is placed in capable hands. If I have to be honest, and I must, I’m finding the effort so far, wanting."
Bo was cut deeply by the rebuke.
It's true though.
It was.
"You think me naive?"
"I do. A privilege of the young."
"Privilege?"
"Very much so. The result of hope not yet constrained by betrayal. Ambition, without the consideration of misfortune’s certainty.
"Life wasn't easy in Carrid, Chiros. I failed many times, back to empty pockets again and again."
"What did you do?"
"Moved back with my mother."
"As you should have done. And it is to be commended that you carried on. That you made it here. But Bo, my point in all this is that Taleese is not Carrid. If you fail here there is no safety net. If you step on the wrong toes, someone will put a knife in your back. Do you understand?"
"It's really that dangerous here?"
"It’s dangerous everywhere Bo. Men kill each other for two reasons. Money and love. The day you even inadvertently threaten either is the day you make an enemy."
"I will be careful."
"In word and deed Bo. In word and deed. Do not tell anyone else your plans. Never. Ask direct questions and reply vaguely." The man continued to study Bo before continuing. "I'm not sure how much longer I'll be in Talon."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm not that old Bo. Politics. King Jumithon is getting a little too cosy with Galtus for my liking. For all its development, Taleese is not a stable nation. The people are divided between an elite in Talon that back the royal family and the peasantry who yearn for the return of democracy. There has been talk, and it is only talk at this point mind, of a resumption in formal alliance."
"Between Narubez and Taleese?"
"Yes. And tensions are high enough on the continent as it is. An alliance would unsettle the Assembly in Carrid. There could be sanctions. In any case it's bad for business and we could be stuck in the middle of any conflict here. Diplomatic or otherwise."
"We'll have to leave?"
"I don't know yet. But that is a possible scenario in the future. I would recommend you keep your assets... Liquid."
"I see."
"But in the meantime, I have an offer."
"A job offer? I don't think..."
"No. A proposal, let's say. I have two villages which dye fabric for me. They are currently without stock, or orders and the villager’s complaints have started to become threats."
"Why aren't they manufacturing?"
"I don't have the sales. The continents economies are not in good shape. Prices are higher now too, because the desert roads are no longer viable."
"The Shaa?"
"Indeed. You say you have distribution in Carrid. Presumably something I’m either overlooking or unknowingly competing with. In any case, if you can shut the villagers up with some contracts and send me some coin, I’ll be happy."
"I have distribution. What's the product like?"
Chiros looked at Bo for a long time. Then smiled with acceptance.
"Come with me." Chiros said rising from his chair.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sea of Arne
"We can rely on Kirim." Rawlin said to Dokra. "If he says they are sending a fleet out, then we should prepare for that as a likelihood. Worse case our trap is never sprung."
The Ravens of Carrid Tower Page 7