The Staff of Naught

by Tom Liberman

  “What was it she said to Khemer right before she handed him the staff?”

  “That’s another problem, I can’t remember. I’ve spoken with Hazlebub and she didn’t recognize it either but Khemer did and it scared him.”

  “That’s right,” said Tanner and snapped his fingers and leaping to his feet. “Khemer said something back to Ariana, after you were knocked out by the blast. What was it, something about the Mage Kings of Das’von I think?”

  Lousa looked up at the merchant her mouth hung slightly open, “Das’von … are … are you sure about that?”

  Tanner sat back down for a moment and put his hand to his chin and thought about it, closed his eyes, and moved his other hand in little motions. Then he began to mutter to himself, “she said Illucidoor or something and then the fight stated, Hazlebub stabbed him, you shot him with fire, it was dark though, hard to see, then the blue bolt then Ariana was standing over your body and he said, he said, ‘What do you know about the last Mage King of Das’von’, that was it. What do you know about the last Mage King of Das’von?”

  “Das’von,” said Lousa to herself. “The King of Cities, the Seat of the Empire, the throne of the Emperor, ruled by Mage Kings since the fall. But, it’s gone now, destroyed centuries ago, everyone knows that. What would Ariana know of such a place? How could she know the name of the last Mage King or any of them for that matter? I certainly don’t.”

  “I thought the Old Empire was from thousands of years ago,” said Tanner a puzzled expression on his face.

  “Yes, that’s true. Something destroyed the Old Empire who knows how long ago but people still lived in Das’von just as people live in Doria now. Doria was the southern capital of the Old Empire, although those Tarltonites would claim their city had that distinction but that was so long ago no one remembers. But there were people in Das’von the northern city. They were the greatest mages in the world who knew some of the secrets from the Old Empire hidden in the city. I don’t understand how Ariana could have heard of it let alone use the name of one of the Mage Kings.”

  “The staff has to be giving her information,” said Tanner. “That’s the only explanation.”

  “What would the staff know about the mage kings of Das’von? Why would it tell that to Ariana and what possible effect would that have with Khemer? It doesn’t make any sense at all. Tanner, I want you to keep a close eye on that girl from now on particularly when she has the staff in her hands.”

  “She doesn’t take it out of the satchel often if anyone is around,” said the merchant his eyes looked directly into hers. He felt himself fall into the brilliant green and her face, always beautiful, seemed to take on an even more luminescent glow. She spoke to him, he knew that, but the words seemed to be like small insects that buzzed in the background of his mind.

  Lousa, her train of thought causing her to lose focus suddenly looked at Tanner and immediately recognized the look in his eyes, “Tanner! Wake up, this is important.”

  The merchant shook his head and sat back in his chair. “I’m sorry, just thinking about the kids there for a moment,” he replied his cheeks flushed a bit red and his eyes looked down to the table.

  “I understand,” said Lousa and looked down to check her top for any exposed skin. She slouched down a little in her seat and gathered her hair and tied it up in back. “You must be terribly worried with Tylan and Shalalee here with you.”

  “I am,” said Tanner this time actually concerned about his children. “I don’t know how they got all caught up in this mess but they are here and there is nothing to be done about it. Now, who do you think should come to this meeting with the trade master? Obviously I’ve been invited but so far you are the only one I’ve told.”

  Lousa thought for a moment. “We should bring Humbort that way Lorim might underestimate our strength,” she suggested with a smile. “I don’t see any reason to bring any of the kids; they seem to have plenty to keep them occupied here in Hot Rock.”

  “It is a rather amazing town, isn’t it?” said Tanner with a nod of his head.

  “What do you know about this Edorin fellow?” asked Lousa.

  “Now you’re beginning to sound like my son. Let’s try not to get distracted for the moment. I agree, let’s bring Humbort and Hazlebub as well, she has a knack for showmanship and I’ve a feeling she might be good at spotting that sort of behavior in others as well.”

  “It wouldn’t hurt to bring Unerus along, he’s a crafty little fellow, but I’m afraid if we bring one of the kids the others will put up quite a fuss,” replied Lousa.

  “I agree,” said Tanner. “The only other question is if we want Shamki along as well. Lorim already knows about his prowess as a fighter so there is no hiding that and I wouldn’t mind having him as backup in case things get violent.”

  “I’d also like him to stay back with your wife and the children,” said Lousa, “in case things do go wrong then there is someone with authority.”

  Tanner nodded his head. “That makes sense Lousa. Shall I tell Lorim we’ll meet him at his office in an hour?”

  “That soon?” asked Lousa.

  “Unless you think there is a benefit I don’t see any reason to wait,” said Tanner. “My experience is that the longer you wait the more time the other side has to make plans. Lorim probably thinks we’ll delay for at least a day to consult with everyone.”

  “You’re right Tanner,” said Lousa with a nod of her head. “I’m going to go take one more run at Ariana and see if she’ll admit to anything now that I have more information. It’s a sad day when I can’t get a nine year old girl to talk.”

  “If she was a thirteen year old boy I don’t think you’d have nearly the trouble,” said Tanner with a smile as he watched her walk out of the room. She turned to answer him, caught him staring at her backside, and he immediately tried to look the other way but there was no doubt she had seen the direction of his gaze. “Oh well,” he said to himself. “It’s not like she doesn’t know men look at her that way.”

  An hour later he sat in Lorim’s office along with the gnomish trade master, Lousa, Humbort, and Hazlebub. Paintings from some of the finest artists in Doria including a beautiful picture almost ten feet tall that depicted the great Maw volcano erupting against a brilliant night sky decorated the lavish office. The chairs were made from soft leather hide stuffed with down, and the desk behind which Lorim sat was cut from a single piece of oak and was far more grand than the centerpiece to the mayor’s office back in Iv’s Folly.

  “You didn’t bring your swordsman then,” said Lorim with a smile as he leaned back in his chair and licked his lips with his feverishly active tongue and let his eyes fall upon Lousa’s open neckline. The woman wore a green blouse with drawstrings holding it closed at the breast but these were loose enough to allow an easy view of deep cleavage. Her hair was down and carefully managed to be a combination of loose and wild and yet perfectly in place at the same time. Hazlebub wore her traditional ill-fitting smock that smelled of sulfur although that was not necessarily out of place on the mountainside where strange gaseous emissions were all too common. Tanner sat opposite from Lousa and pulled his chair slightly forward so that he could not see her without turning almost fully sideways, and finally Humbort wore a rough made wool jerkin and dark denim pants with holes at the knees.

  “Did we need to bring Shamki,” said Lousa with a smile and a nod of her head to Lorim. “I heard that you got an ample demonstration of his prowess although I was indisposed at that moment and didn’t witness it myself.”

  “No need at all,” said Lorim with a smile. “I just thought you might be somewhat suspicious after our original encounter. I know people tend to think the worst of us who are not as beautiful as others.”

  “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” said Lousa with a musical laugh and Hazlebub looked at her out of the side of her eye but then noticed the rather vacuous expressions on the faces of all the men in the room and shook her head.

/>   “But, sadly we are not here to discuss the merits of beauty versus ugliness,” said Lorim with a smile. “Although I think we would all know who would win that particular battle. We are here to discuss a proposal I received from a third party interested in that item of yours. Now, I have not a care one way or the other in this matter and I’m happy to act as an intermediary between the interested parties. Naturally I will want some sort of compensation for my efforts in this regard. Perhaps ten percent of the final selling price or maybe you would be more comfortable with a flat fee of, say, 10,000 silver.”

  “Perhaps we could hear the offer first,” said Lousa with a smile and a flip of her head.

  “I would prefer to get my fee out of the way up front,” said Lorim and smiled back at the woman but his eyes narrowed into cold little slits. “That way there is no recrimination afterwards.”

  Tanner coughed gently, “I think I can speak for the group when it comes to negotiating trade goods. Ten percent is far too high and a flat fee is out of the question when the value of the item has not been even remotely put to the test. Perhaps three percent would be more in line.”

  Lorim laughed out loud at this suggestion and smiled with his many teeth at Tanner. “I’ve done business with you before my friend and I’d think you would show me more respect than to make such a ridiculous offer. My feelings are genuinely hurt.”

  “I wasn’t aware feelings were of any importance when came to a negotiation,” replied Tanner and spread his arms wide. “I retract my previous statement. Instead I offer you a heartfelt apology and three percent.”

  “Your generosity is without peer my friend Tanner,” said Lorim with a smile. “I will accept your apology gladly although I must insist upon at least seven percent or I’m afraid we can’t continue to do business.”

  “Five percent,” replied Tanner.

  “I’ll agree to five if you throw in that hammer you recently acquired. I’m quite certain that I know someone who would like it back as a family keepsake.” said Lorim and put out his little hand that was soft with no calluses.

  “Six percent and no hammer,” said Tanner and put out his own hand.

  Lorim smiled brightly and took the proffered hand in a firm grip that belied the soft look to his hand. “Deal.”

  “Deal,” said Tanner.

  “Now, my client, who wishes to remain nameless for the purposes of negotiations is willing to purchase the staff from you for a princely sum of 15,000 value of silver coins in gemstones and sundried other valuables,” said Lorim. “This is a fine offer I think but, naturally you must make the final call.”

  “Fifteen thousand,” said Humbort his eyes wide. “I ain’t never seen so much silver in my life.”

  Tanner smiled at Humbort, “It is a nice offer, but I think far below what we were expecting to see. I’ll have to talk with my associates but I think it is safe to say that your client will have to significantly up their offer before a serious negotiation can begin.”

  “I look forward to your counter offer,” said Lorim with a smile and the little fellow stood up and made a motion to the door. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have other business to which to attend.”

  “Of course,” said Tanner and stood, as did Lousa, Humbort, and Hazlebub as they quickly exited the lush chamber.

  “I don’t think …,” started Lousa but Tanner silenced her with a quick shake of the head. “Not here,” he said in a low tone and the four made their way out of the building, and only stopped to pick up their iron helmets at the door.

  Back inside the building Lilithia appeared from behind another door and moved next to Lorim and put her arm around the gnomelike man that made his entire body give a little shudder. “You did well my sweet,” said the silver haired darkling and ran her fingers through his thinning brown hair.

  Lorim nodded his head and leered up at her his own arm snaking around her slender waist, “Well enough to be rewarded?”

  “Not that well,” said Lilithia with a smile as she detached his arm with shake of her hip and moved across the room to the painting of the volcano where she lingered for a long moment. “Now, the next phase of my plan is going to be more difficult but I have confidence in you trade master.”

  “Your wish is my command Lilithia. I don’t think they will counter particularly high and your resources should be able to purchase the item without too much difficult. If worse comes to worse we can attempt a violent solution again. Now that I have a better understanding of their strength I imagine we can pull it off without too many difficulties.”

  “Ah, my little friend,” said Lilithia, “and I only say little in reference to your stature, not your other attributes, that is not what I have in mind.”

  Lorim smiled broadly, leaned back in his chair, and stretched broadly which caused his heavy belly to extend. “I am confused then,” he said. “I thought the object was to purchase the item legitimately rather than attempt a more, shall we say, direct approach.”

  “After consultation with my mother the plan has been change. As you are to be the intermediary in these negotiations I must trust you with certain information. This information is of a delicate nature and I must have assurances that you will not share it with other parties.”

  “My discretion is beyond doubt Lilithia,” said Lorim opening his palms up to the woman. “I’m hurt that you would even suggest otherwise.”

  “Your discretion is truly beyond doubt,” said Lilithia with a smile. “It is available to the highest bidder and that is why I want to make it quite clear that in this case, the highest bidder is offering to let you live should you keep this information to yourself.”

  “Are threats really necessary my lovely,” said Lorim a wide smile on his face.

  “I notice you don’t deny the accuracy of my character assessment,” said Lilithia as she returned the smile.

  “Strong moral fiber is not a suitable trait for my position as trade master,” said Lorim and again smiled at the woman, “but, that said, I certainly understand the price you put on my discretion. Please feel at ease to explain the situation to me so that I can pass it along to the interested parties.”

  Lilithia paused for a moment and looked at Lorim with narrowed eyes before she walked over to the front of his desk and leaned towards him. Her high necked silk top revealed none of the décolletage that Lousa had in abundance but enhanced her more limited attributes in the same way. “I no longer wish to obtain the staff,” she said with raised eyebrows.

  Lorim’s lips pursed and moved back and forth his eyes narrowed for a moment and he sat in silence for some time before returning his gaze to the darkling, “I see. So the offer was intentionally low hoping they would not accept.”

  The woman nodded her head.

  “And no matter the counter offer I am to refuse saying it is too high. Eventually the negotiations stall and then you offer something else. Is that fairly accurate?”

  “I suspect,” said Lilithia who leaned back and smiled. “That they do not want to sell the staff but simply want information about it. They want to know what it is and, more particularly, how to destroy it. They were surprised that their ally, I can’t remember his name, the one whose head was smashed in by the boy?”

  “He is dead, his name is unimportant,” said Lorim as he leaned forward in his chair, licked his lips, and waited for Lilithia to unveil the true plan.

  “Not completely,” said Lilithia. “My mother is quite interested in whom he was and how he came to have the staff but that will all be part of the information exchange. Nevertheless, my goal is to give them the information they want and make certain they believe what I am telling them. Therefore the negotiations must have a ring of truth to them.”

  “I see, I see,” said Lorim. “That is easier said than done. We want to lose the bargaining but make it seem as if the losing was not our intention. Tanner is a crafty merchant and it won’t be easy to fool him.”

  “Tanner, he is the plain looking fellow,” asked Lilith
ia.

  “Yes, the merchant. He is here with his wife and children. I had thought that we might use threats against them to facilitate the negotiations but I see now that is not our plan,” said the trade master once again leaning back in his chair. “Would you care for a drink of fine dwarven Apple Brandy? A shipment came in this morning as a gift for my part in negotiation an iron ore treaty with a citadel of the little fellows.”

  “Please,” said Lilithia, “I assume it is strong and thick just like the people who make it?”

  “Indeed, a little too much for my delicate palette but I add a dollop or two of water to even things out. I find the dwarves to be a distasteful race on the whole given over to simplicity and violence. But, they are excellent customers so one must make sacrifices.” With that the little man stood up and went over to the small sideboard and opened it to reveal many bottles of brilliantly colored liquids. After a moment he chose a bottle with a light brown fluid inside and poured some of the contents into a pair of round glasses with long stems. He swirled them several times and brought them over to Lilithia. “Now, tell me what I am supposed to learn from the merchant and his friends and what I am supposed to tell them.”

  Chapter 22

  “You’re going to sell it!” shouted Ariana as they gathered in a common room and people at the other tables of the Camel Sway Inn turned to see why the girl screamed.

  “Keep your voice down,” said Lousa with a raised forefinger of her right hand and gave the girl a stern look. “This is a private matter and not for everyone in the bar to hear. And, no, we are not planning on selling the staff.”

  “Then why did you say you were?” asked Ariana her voice still elevated and she looked back at Lousa with a frown and a glare still in her eyes.

  Tanner, seated across the table from Lousa and Ariana and next to his wife interrupted, “We didn’t say we were going to sell it. We just gave the trade master that impression. If we tell him that we refuse to sell then he has no other choice than to try and take it from us by force.