The other option was to rent a storefront. But not only was that more expensive, it required more of a commitment than Azara wanted. They could act as if that was their eventual goal, but for first-time merchants in Lound, joining the markets would be perfectly reasonable.
It was a nice walk, just enough to get Azara’s legs warmed up. The raised square surrounded on all sides by streets, which were in turn lined with shops, was filled with people. Carts, some with awnings or temporary stalls, some left open, were heaped with all kinds of goods. Dishes, fruit and clothing vied for the space and attention of the buying throng. Merchants shouted out prices and virtues of their products, the sound mixing with the haggling, squawk of caged chickens, and the hundreds of conversations that filled the spaces in between. The language, clothing and goods might change, but markets were the same no matter where you were.
Jin took them into the heart of the crowds, joining the shuffling mob, both of them keeping their eyes and ears open. They needed to find what information they could, and find out how one went about getting space at the market. A bribe of some sort would be required, especially for a place as busy as this.
“Silk scarves, the brightest colours and finest weave!”
“Fresh picked peas! Delicious peas!”
“...this price can’t be right.”
“...a deal of deals!”
“Not worth coming here anymore...”
The snatches of conversations and the hawkers’ cries each briefly drew Azara’s attention before she dismissed them as unimportant. It was clear there were no slaves here, which would mean they would have to take a trip to the slave market or see about the slave auction. If it came to it, she could frame looking for fire mages as a way to curry favour with the emperor and gain trading advantages. Bribes and gifts to high-ranking officials were the way of life for merchants.
The flexing of Jin’s arm drew her attention. He flicked his gaze towards a man selling baked goods. She shook her head slightly and let her eyes dart over to the man selling various dishes. Jin frowned and glanced again at the baker, stopping dead.
Azara gritted her teeth. The man with the dishes, which included tea pots and tea cups, was the obvious choice to ask about how to join the market. The baker wasn’t a terrible option, but not the best. She turned and began walking towards the dish man, keeping a hard grip on Jin’s arm so he was forced to come along with her. He glowered, but didn’t protest otherwise. Which he shouldn’t be doing in the first place. She knew what she was doing.
They stopped in front of the man, Jin with some reluctance. His thick grey eyebrows and trimmed beard surrounded a round face. “Ah, what can I do for you, sir, ma’am? Are you in the market for a new set of dishes? I have some of the finest porcelain in the city, and prices the shops can’t beat.”
Jin smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid that is not the reason we wish to speak with you.”
The man’s eyes sharpened. “Oh?”
“I’m a merchant, newly come to the city, and had wondered if you could tell me how one goes about procuring a space at this market?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “And I should tell you why?”
Azara stroked Jin’s arm, hoping he would take the signal to be gentle. One wrong push and this man would shut down. “We’re tea merchants, so no competition to you. In fact, some might even look for new porcelain to match a new variety of tea they purchase. Especially if it’s explained to them how different teas require different cups to fully enjoy their flavour and aroma.”
The man slowly nodded, a faint smile pulling at his lips. “That is something. It’s not often we see tea outside of the shops, not any that our clientele would be interested in, that is.”
“As I said, we’re newly come. We have an established trade route in Pocale, but are looking to expand here.”
“Well, if you’re aiming to rent a space, you need to speak to the officials in the regional City Hall. They’re the ones who issues licenses and spaces. You’ll need to pay for it, of course.”
The sidelong glance told Azara what he meant. But that she’d expected. Keeping it concealed beneath her hand, Azara carefully had the crystal flow out of her glove and form the word bribe before pressing it into Jin’s arm.
He glanced at her for a moment, eyes cool, before he turned his attention to the man. “Thank you. I’ll look into that. I hope to see you again soon.”
“Likewise. If you change your mind about the dishes...”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Azara followed Jin as they rejoined the flow of people, frowning slightly at how stiff his arm felt in her hand. She would have another conversation with him about questioning her when they got to their room, but for now, she’d keep listening in case something interesting came up.
* * *
Jin kept himself in check on the walk back to their inn, letting the silence between them grow. The smooth, calm mask he’d spent years developing served him well as he led the way inside, winding a path through the noon-hour patrons who filled the eating area. Up the stairs, Azara’s hand still on his arm, they went.
When they got in the door, Jin dropped his arm so her hand fell away. He ensured the door was shut before beginning a low chant. He ignored her frown, drawing the sigils in the air in the four directions, sealing the sounds coming from the room. A final word activated the spell. It might be a risk, but given the conversation that was to follow, one Jin considered well worth the risk.
He turned to face Azara and took a deep breath. On its release, he dropped the mask, dropped his control and glared at her. “I believe I’ve been patient with you. I believe I’ve done my utmost to work with you up until this point, no matter my personal feelings on the matter. But you’ve been nothing but obstinate, interfering and acting as if I’m a mere servant here! Every decision I attempt to make you override or question! You treat me as a child when I am the chief magus of the Imperial court. I have as much experience in magic as you, if not more. I can say with certainty, I’ve more experience working with others than you do! I’ll not allow myself to be dismissed any longer!”
The last few words were spoken through gritted teeth. His fingernails dug into his palms as he clenched his hands, feeling his whole body flushed with emotion. Jin couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this way towards another person. He wanted to shake Azara until some kind of sense was able to enter her head. Instead, he settled for keeping a hard look on her.
She stared at him for a few moments before she sighed. Crossing her arms over her chest, she raised her eyebrows. “Are you finished?”
Jin felt a muscle jump in his jaw. “Am I finished? This is exactly what I mean! You’re dismissive of my decisions, what I tell you, and my own background. If you had a spell to control my body, you’d do so and be rid of me immediately.”
Azara frowned. “I didn’t exactly ask for your assistance in this. In all honesty, I was not happy to have you thrust upon me, but I was given very little choice in the matter. Given the culture here, your presence has been useful, but you spend too much time questioning me. There are times when I can’t give you an explanation. That is the nature of this kind of work.”
“You never explain anything! You bark orders, expect me to do what you want without opinion, and don’t allow for other possibilities. You don’t know everything. That was made abundantly clear when you didn’t realize the status of women here.”
She took a step away before she glared right back at him. “I’ve spent years chasing down slavers and freeing fire mages. I’ve worked my way into the worst places in the worst cities and survived. I have done everything by myself, without the help of anyone. I don’t need you.”
He snorted derisively. “I can leave right now. You can try to explain yourself, try to act as a merchant, but you won’t get far. We both know the
only position you could find is one on the street. You do need me.”
Azara opened her mouth then glowered at him. He had her and she knew it. “I could hire someone else.”
“Where would you find them? What would you tell them? And how long do you think they could stay with you? I’ve been ordered to work with you and I am prepared to leave. You show no consideration for me, or what I might do to help. You say you’ve done everything alone? That’s because you’re not capable of working with others. You may be able to do many things on your own, but one day you’ll find you need someone to watch your back, or to do something you can’t. Then where will you be?”
She stiffened and took a step towards him. “I can protect myself.”
“But can you save everyone you want to save by yourself?”
“What does it matter to you?”
Jin threw his hands up. “Because I’m trying to work with you! You’ve made it incredibly difficult. I may not have the experience you do with finding information from others, but I didn’t become the emperor’s chief magus by accident! I’m an accomplished magus, I know more spells than almost if not all of my peers, and I have navigated the pitfalls of court since I was brought to the Palace City! I’m not some village idiot you happened upon in your travels.”
“You haven’t told me what you’re capable of.”
“And you haven’t asked! You assumed I knew nothing and have done nothing but try to single-handedly take care of every task. Rely. On. Me.” With each of the last words, his tone grew louder and more forceful as he stalked closer to her. When he finished, they were glaring at each other in a distance short enough that he caught the faint scent of the floral soap that still clung to her. It almost distracted him from his anger.
But she looked away, her hands gripping her elbows. She said nothing for several heartbeats, and just when Jin was about to snap something about her actually replying, she spoke. “I don’t work with others. The only people I travel with are fire mages I’ve rescued. They are used to being ordered around. They expect it. That’s the dynamic I am used to.”
It was as close to an apology/explanation as Jin thought he was going to get at the moment. He eyed her before he sighed heavily. “When I ask you questions, I’m trying to understand your reasoning, trying to learn what I can do to assist you. I’m not questioning your decisions. I would appreciate it if you showed me some trust. I have shown you plenty, and have only now complained about you always taking the lead. I only have so much patience.”
She looked up at him with a wry expression. “I noticed.” When he only raised his eyebrows, she made a face. “I’ll do my best to not react as I have. I’ll answer your questions as best I can, when I can. But there are times where I can’t, where quick decisions are more important.”
“That I understand. I command my own people at the palace.”
Azara let her arms fall to her sides. “I suppose you do.” She glanced around the room then at him. “I assume this is a silence spell, given that you were yelling?”
“It is.” He wasn’t going to apologize for his tone if she wasn’t going to apologize for her behaviour. She was entirely too obstinate.
“I can think of several times that spell would be useful. Very useful. It takes some time to cast though. Will you give me a run-down of your most useful spells as well as the approximate time it takes for you to put them into effect? That would help me think of more effective strategies. For both of us.”
“That is something I can do.” If he’d finally gotten through to her, if he could keep her on this kind of path, they might have a chance. Azara wasn’t bad when she wasn’t being controlling. Especially when she smiled like she had that first time.
Chapter Thirteen: Connections
With her arm linked through his, like she wasn’t comfortable, and her parasol open against the sunshine that had just made an appearance, Azara was glad for Jin’s silence. She’d spent more time than she cared to last night thinking, and the walk from saying goodbye to the captain and Merise was giving her more.
The list of spells Jin had given her had been useful, some of them surprising her. That told her that he hadn’t been wrong. She had been treating him as barely useful, and that only sometimes. He’d been right to point out she wasn’t working with him and he had more experience in that. She still thought he could have done without yelling, but as she wasn’t without fault, she couldn’t say anything.
She would give him some lead, to see if he behaved or tried to pull them off course. Then she would decide either to cut him off or let him have more line as things ended up. For today, she wasn’t after specific information, so he could do what he liked. Within reason.
Past the Custom House, away from the ships but not so far as to be troublesome, lay their destination. Set up on a natural spit and built up with stone, the market had high stone walls surrounding it, with only a single thick steel gate as an entrance. That currently stood open as small groups of people came and went, most leaving empty handed.
Azara nodded internally. Good, there wasn’t an auction on. Their cover would be harder to keep up if they didn’t make the attempt at buying, and she didn’t think either of them could stand that thought.
She glanced at Jin. He walked with his eyes locked forward, his face blank. There wasn’t even a hint of the emotion that usually lightened the mask he occasionally wore. To avoid another potential storm up like yesterday, she left it for the moment. If it became a problem, she would speak to him.
Jin slowed their pace as they approached the gate, the two guards outside of it and the four inside hard to miss. A man in an impeccable suit of grey and black, his hat and cravat both sitting precisely where they should be, stopped those entering, making notes on the list he carried.
Her eyes narrowed, but she thought he was a paper pusher, not a threat. Though there was the possibility he was a mage. She couldn’t communicate it to Jin in public, but if they needed to come back here, she fully intended to get him to check for mages. That spell alone would save her a lot of trouble and potential danger.
It was a short time until they were in front of the vaguely good-looking man with the mustache and small trimmed beard. “What are you looking for?” His voice was light but carried an air of boredom.
“We’re looking for help. I’m a merchant and we’re establishing our business here, which will mean a fair amount of heavy lifting as well as odd jobs I can’t do and run things at the same time.” Jin was able to drop his mask enough that he appeared in earnest.
The man glanced up at them, scribbling something onto his list. “Your names?”
“Verryl of Renaud House and this is my wife Azara.”
She kept her eyes down. They hadn’t been introduced, so no one would expect a proper acknowledgement from her.
“The next auction is in four days’ time, it begins with a showcase at four of the evening, and the bidding at six. To participate, you must register upon arrival if you are not a returning customer.” The rehearsed speech was dry, almost clinical. For that, as well as the position he held, Azara was inclined to dislike the man.
Jin only nodded. “We will endeavour to be here. May we take a look?”
The man waved his hand. “Do not touch the merchandise.”
“We won’t.”
Azara couldn’t help the way her hand and arm tensed on Jin at the word merchandise. Instead of stewing, she looked around as they walked through the gate. Thick stone boxes lined the walking route towards where the hallway opened up. Each of the miniature shelters was barred in steel and filled with people.
They were separated by what appeared to be age as well as gender, with no men and women sharing the same box. All bore a slave’s collar and the spells that went with it. Azara had to fight back a growl, focusing instead on the locks of the cages and on the col
lars she could see. That was hard, as most of the slaves huddled against the rear of their enclosures, more than one with fresh tear stains or welts that showed their treatment.
Azara twirled her umbrella to give her hands something to do, clamping down on the way the crystal was heating up. It knew what her being in a place like this generally meant. But she wasn’t here for that, not yet at least. She was pleased to note the door locks were simple, requiring only the key to open. She could have that open faster than a scream could escape a guard’s throat.
As they strolled down, two men passed them shaking their heads. “The prices here have become outrageous. No one outside of Nalbin will pay that much, let me tell you.”
His companion made a face. “It’s not as if they’re better quality. It’s south you want to go for good slaves at reasonable prices, I recommend...”
The stranger’s voice faded away as he disappeared from sight through the gate. Azara kept her eyes downcast, watching through the corners of her eyes and through her eyelashes, studying those slaves she could see despite her sour stomach. She doubted anyone would keep valuable slaves like fire mages out in the relative open like this but still checked.
Jin’s gait was slow but stiff, his face showing polite interest while his eyes remained hard. He glanced into the cages. His eyes flickered between several of them but he didn’t show any reaction to any of them.
When they reached the auction area, a small amphitheatre-like space covered with a cloth overhang, Jin turned them around, his pace increasing as they made their way back. He looked a lot less at the slaves, his eyes straying to the gate. She didn’t say anything but filed away his behaviour to question him about later.
They slowed when they reached the gate, the man taking notes not sparing them a glance, his attention on another man in a suit. “...get that load out to the estate. You should return in three days, plenty of time before the next auction. Don’t dawdle or allow your people to dawdle.”
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