The man grimaced. “You had best pick them up right quick or the officers will declare your goods abandoned and claim them for themselves. I’ll make you a deal. I have warehouse space nearby. You may store your tea there for a time, but you allow me to choose some of your products as payment. If none of your tea suits me, then I’ll ask for hard coin. If I like what I see, I may well buy the lot off you. Spirits know that we don’t get as much quality tea into port as some of us would like.”
Jin nodded eagerly. “That is very kind of you. I can’t possibly pass up that offer.”
“Good. Now, what kind of teas have you brought?”
“I have a mix of green and black, with some of the lighter blends of the green, although I have two that are the earthier type often favoured by the heartiest drinkers. I also have some...speciality teas.”
The man’s face tightened up. “What do you mean?”
“They’re enhanced teas. Teas given a drop of magic to promote wakefulness, sleepiness, appetite, various effects. They reinforce the natural benefits of the tea with a small spell. They’re all the rage in the Empire, but I haven’t seen them exported often.”
The shopkeeper’s shoulders unknotted. “That could be of interest to some of my clientele. I may mention it as a possibility.” He frowned for a moment, before his eyes went to Jin. “I’m Garnell Hyatt, the owner of this shop. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jin took the extended hand and shook it firmly. All in all, this was a good start. He didn’t think even Azara could find any complaints with what he’d done so far.
Chapter Fourteen: Inquiries
“... and I’m sure one of these places will suit you both like meat and salt. We have many fine properties.”
Azara kept her eyes downcast, so the man couldn’t see her roll her eyes. The housing agent Jin had found was enthusiastic to the point where she wasn’t sure it was genuine or not, and had talked nonstop since he’d picked them up with the company carriage. He was all aflutter, like a bird who’d found a bush of ripe berries and not a predator in sight.
She glanced at Jin, who was giving the man, Sceley, his full attention. Or the appearance of it. She doubted Jin was actually that focused on the other man’s chatter. Yesterday had been a success, with Jin getting their tea into one of the higher-end shops, the owner impressed with the quality. The first batch should be on the shelves now, and as much as Azara wanted to see the shop herself, it would be suspicious for them to show up. It still made her itch though.
She had to admit that Jin had been clever, selling some of their general tea to the shop owner, but negotiating a different arrangement for the speciality teas. Jin himself would do business with those clients, while the owner would receive a small consignment for introducing those of his customers who were interested. Azara studied Jin’s face for a moment. His clean-shaven appearance was a nice contrast to the facial hair on most men here. Mustaches were the obvious favourite, a style she’d personally never cared for. She was glad Jin hadn’t tried to grow one to fit in. Her mental image of what he’d look like wasn’t kind.
The carriage slowed, and Sceley perked up, his head swivelling back and forth until they came to a stop. He was out of the carriage in a moment, practically vibrating as Jin got out and offered Azara his hand. She took it without a second thought. It was only the light squeeze that caught her attention.
She glanced at Jin who leaned forward so her face was between him and their guide, giving her a look that spoke volumes. Azara swallowed a chuckle at eyes that begged for rescue. “I’m a lady, I’m afraid I can’t help,” she whispered, letting some of her amusement show in her eyes.
He sighed heavily and straightened. Jin reclaimed her hand and tucked it into his elbow, offering Sceley a smile. “Lead on, good sir.”
Their housing agent bobbed his head. “It’s always so nice to rent to a couple as respectable and as in love as you.”
Azara felt her eyes widen before she caught herself. Jin’s arm tightened around her hand, a bit of colour staining his cheeks. They both glanced at each other before looking away. To distract herself and to hopefully not draw attention to their reactions, Azara glanced up at the house they were approaching. One of three houses attached to each other, all made of the same orange brick so common here, the right-hand one was the same three stories as its fellows. Stone steps under a brick arch led up to the front door, wrought iron surrounding the little walkway running in front of the large window on the second floor and on top of the arch.
Sceley stopped under the house’s archway, smiling as they joined him. “This house comes completely furnished, including linens. You’ll only need to provide the help and you’ll be settled in shortly. We’re close to the new theatres, as well as one of the finest shopping districts in Lound. The only condition for rental here is that no children or animals be present. That isn’t a problem, is it?”
Jin shook his head while Azara tried to ignore the way her ears had perked up at the mention of a theatre. “No. We’re looking for something a bit more permanent than our current lodgings, but we may need to travel frequently back and forth, depending on how business goes. But there’s an equal chance that we may be able to situate ourselves here more permanently.”
“The owner of this property is willing to do long-term rentals and short-term of at least three months, so that should not be an issue. Now, shall we take a peek inside?”
Following Jin’s lead, Azara was glad their story had been accepted so easily. Neither wanted it to come to actually renting a house, with the dent it would put in their finances. If they were stuck in the city for that long, Azara thought she might go crazy. Her longest investigation ever had taken two months, but that had involved her travelling around after the slaving ring, not stuck in one giant rabbit warren of a city.
While she was beginning to think Jin was a decent sort, that she’d been too hard on him, she would rather be with her siblings. But she couldn’t ignore the possibility of finding her parents. So as much as she’d rather enjoy the family she’d found, she’d stay in Lound as long as it took. Even if the buildings and city sometimes made her feel like she was a scared fourteen-year-old girl again.
* * *
Azara brushed her hair out, the light of the lamp the only illumination. She kept her back to Jin, who was already in bed, reading one of the books he’d brought with him. This one was on the history of Nalbin, an odd choice, but not a problem if found by others.
Dressed in another of her matronly nightgowns, Azara pretended the two more sensual ones didn’t exist. She found herself relaxing into their usual nighttime routine. Jin used the bathroom first while she got herself undressed and redressed in her nightclothes, then while she was in the bathroom he did the same. He would read the newssheets or one of his books while she brushed out her hair and ensured her dresses had been stored away properly. Occasionally they exchanged reports, but more often than not they went to sleep.
With time, she’d found it easier to fall asleep beside him. Waking up was different though. Far too often, she found her legs tangled with his, or just this morning, her head pillowed against his shoulder. It was hardly professional, and she could imagine what Jin thought about it. She’d thought the larger bed would prevent that, but it hadn’t done a blasted thing.
Azara sighed. Today had been too long, with them going to four different houses, each with their own issues and perks. The first one had been the best, though it was only just within their imaginary budget. Or rather, the budget she hoped remained imaginary. It was an odd thought to be thinking of staying anywhere for three months. She generally didn’t know where she’d be the next week, let alone that far in the future. She wondered how other people did it. She wondered how Jin did it.
She put her brush onto the table by the window, the soft clunk making Jin look up. “Learn anything interesting today?”
&n
bsp; Shaking her head, Azara moved to her side of the bed. “Nothing except that some people have more money than sense. That one flat was tiny, and it was the most expensive of the lot! Just because it was in the most ‘fashionable’ district is no excuse.”
“It was terrible, wasn’t it?”
“I also imagine it’s the one our housing agent would make the most money off of, the way he continued to talk about it.”
“That man is incorrigible. Be glad you can get away with smiling or feigning shyness. I’m forced to actually have dealings with the man, and I can assure you, I wish we didn’t have to. But it’s expected of us.”
Azara sat down, bringing her knees up so she could prop her chin onto them. “A great number of things are expected of us, it doesn’t mean I have to like them.”
Jin slipped in his page-marker and closed his book so he could fully face her. “We’ve gotten the tea into a shop, and from the first report, it is selling well. It’s a good first step, and will help spread word of what we have. Then we can sell the speciality teas and make more progress.”
“What do we do when we run out of tea?”
“We make a return trip. We can take a day or two to relax, to see family, and the others.” Jin mimed writing something on the blankets between them. Having heard a couple beside them engaged in...amorous activities that had made Jin blush, they were both cautious about the thickness of the walls.
She smiled, thinking that Jin was cleverer than she’d first thought. It would also give them the chance to gather more information. They’d have to be careful in case they were watched, but there was a chance she could visit her siblings. That alone would be worth the journey.
“I would like that. I was thinking I could pick up some silk from the Empire and have some more fashionable clothing made here. The silks I’ve seen aren’t anywhere near as fine.” Azara made a face as she spoke, but presenting the face of a woman who didn’t think too deeply about things that didn’t interest her was her job.
The look of almost horror Jin gave her had her lips twitching around a chuckle. Unable to resist, she fanned her face with a hand, as if she was feeling faint, the way one of the more annoying women in the play had been doing. That startled a laugh out of Jin, and Azara preened a bit. If she’d been willing to be honest, she’d have admitted this was the most relaxed she’d been on a job ever. Of course, if she was being honest, Azara would have admitted a great deal of other things that she preferred not to think about, so she chose to ignore those thoughts. But they continued to simmer away in the back of her mind.
Jin grinned, making him appear a great deal younger. Enough she could believe they were only a year apart in age. “You are one of a kind, you know that?”
She fought to keep her face sober. “I’m aware. If there were more than one of me, you’d faint from the excitement.”
That made him laugh again. Azara couldn’t remember the last time she’d made someone laugh, not when being herself. Jin shook his head. “I think I would faint from the fright of it. One of you is bad enough—”
She cut him off by hurling a pillow at his head. It caught him square in the face, and he spluttered for a second, looking so shocked, Azara started to laugh. He stared at her as she doubled over, holding her sides as her whole body shook with amusement. After a moment or two, he chuckled as well. “May I propose a truce? I fear we may disturb our neighbours if we continue.”
Azara nodded, still laughing. It felt good, natural. She was wholly herself with real laughter bubbling out of her. As she slowly calmed, she wondered how many years had it been since she’d done that? Glancing up at Jin, who was shaking his head at her again, Azara thought that in this moment, she was actually glad to have met him.
* * *
Jin leaned against the back of the rented carriage and sighed. Breakfast had both been more and less awkward than he’d thought it would be. More, because Jin hadn’t known what to say to sustain the atmosphere from last night, and less, because Azara hadn’t gone to full sharp edges. They were there, but she seemed more relaxed with him now. She felt more like a colleague. He hoped they could both keep it up.
Her displaying a sense of humour had been a surprise. It shouldn’t have been, almost everyone had one, but she didn’t give one much in the way of lighter emotions. Except that one brief display with her siblings when they’d first met. But she could be unexpectedly funny. Enough that he’d even laughed, and that was something more than one of his magi would have said was impossible.
He smiled a little ruefully. He supposed he shouldn’t be so quick to judge others for a lack of humour, with the professional attitude he had spent so long cultivating. To stand by the emperor’s side, Jin considered a calm face, control of emotions and a true sense of decorum to be the absolute minimum. In addition to the mastery of one’s skills, of course.
Jin sighed. He hoped everything was going well at court. He also hoped those looking to move up hadn’t had too much time to plot against him. This was a test of his abilities, as so many tasks set to him by the emperor were. His celestial majesty had to ensure he had the best in top positions or invite himself and the Empire to ruin. That meant Jin had to keep himself sharp, stay ahead of others’ machinations, and remain the irreproachable kind of magus he’d striven to be since his schooling had begun.
The slow of the carriage along with a quick glance out the window told Jin he’d reached his destination. He stepped out of the carriage when the driver opened the door and flipped the man two coins with a nod. “Thank you, sir!” The driver grinned as he hopped up onto his seat and glanced about for another fare.
His attention on the shop, Jin noticed more people going in and out this time. He was glad to see the place was doing a brisk business. It meant he’d made the right choice.
Stepping through the door with the faint chime of the bell overhead announcing him, Jin glanced around at the men and few women talking to the assistants behind the counters as well as perusing the goods on display. Most were dressed well, with a few dressed a cut above that. Those were the women accompanied by men in what looked like servants’ livery, their sharp eyes not missing anything about the goods they eyed.
“Ah!” The sound made Jin glance up. The owner of the shop finished his talk with an assistant with a few words and hurried over, a smile lighting his face. “There’s the man I want to see.”
Jin returned the expression. “I take it sales are going well?”
“Well? Well? I can hardly keep it on the shelves! And word has spread, my friend.” Garnell clapped Jin on the shoulder. “Come into the back with me. We have much to discuss.”
Following the shopkeeper, Jin wound his way past the customers until they passed through a curtained doorway. Garnell moved past the room filled with shelves full of boxes then into a narrow hallway.
Jin found himself ushered into a small, single-windowed office, a large desk dominating the space, two chairs in front while one was behind it. Waved towards the chairs, Jin sat while Garnell settled himself across the desk.
“We’ve already nearly sold out of all that I bought and the portion I took as payment for storing your tea. People are asking for it, and I’ve had inquiries from higher-ranked nobles about getting a supply. Word is that it’s the best tea to ever make it to Lound. I want to buy your remaining stores.”
Jin appreciated both Garnell’s honesty, and the sharp look in his eyes. Still, he wouldn’t be any kind of merchant if he left things at the previous price knowing it was an in-demand commodity. “Has there been any interest in the speciality teas?”
Garnell gave him a sidelong glance, as if to say, I see how you’re trying to negotiate. “I’ve had two people express...interest in learning more. I have their names and contact information and can set up meetings for the commission previously agreed upon.”
Jin nodded. Two would
be a good start, and if they were pleased and spread the word, it would only be a matter of time before they could meet with those holding real power here. “I’ll entrust you to make those arrangements.”
The shop’s owner looked at Jin expectantly. He let the silence stretch out between them until Garnell finally made a face. “About the rest of the tea?”
Jin smiled. “Yes, the rest of the tea... I’m happy to sell you the rest of my stock, but I think the price must be adjusted. You bought the trial batch for one shell for each tenth of a stone. I think two shells per tenth of a stone would be more reasonable.”
Garnell choked. “Doubling the price? Are you mad? No, out of the question. I’ll give you one shell, two petals for the same weight.”
Jin snorted, though he filed away the slang word for the flower-printed copper coins away for future use. “For the best tea in the city? One shell, eight petals.”
As the negotiation got going, Jin found himself enjoying the give-and-take. If his livelihood depended on it, he probably wouldn’t have had quite so much fun, but it was interesting to be another person for a bit. He liked Garnell, so giving him a good price was easier. Especially since a good price for him meant he’d likely charge a better price which would only help spread the word.
They’d cast their bait, and now it was time to see what bites they got.
Chapter Fifteen: Teas
Jin ignored the slightly incredulous look from the driver as he stepped out of the vehicle. In one hand he carried a wooden box carrying samples of each of the speciality teas, and with the other, he adjusted his hat. Dressed in his finest suit of daywear, and with Azara’s various warnings and orders echoing his ears, he faced the manor.
White stone stretched up into four stories, with mock arches and columns, statues visible in key spaces on the roof. Every bit of the place seemed to gleam under the rare sunlight they had this morning. The front drive led through a large gate, high walls hiding the rest of the lower floor from view.
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