Rise of a Merchant Prince

by Raymond E. Feist

  “If we had done that, we’d be spilling blood right now.” Looking at Masterson, he added, “I’ve seen the inside of the death cell; I have no desire ever to see it again.” Then he smiled. “Can you imagine Jacoby’s reaction when he discovers that we were the ones selling him grain so he could deliver it back to us? At a loss?”

  Masterson nodded with a smile. “He might burst at that discovery.”

  More men came, some with the grain, now being delivered for a fraction of the price it was commanding on the open market. The others came to plead for time or to offer compromise offers.

  As they had agreed to do, the partners heard every offer of compromise, and in most instances took part or all of a company in settlement. By the end of the day the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company controlled a pair of mills, sixteen ships, a half-dozen shops in the city, and other holdings as far away as the cities of Ylith, Carse, and Malac’s Cross.

  As day came to an end, Roo rubbed his hand over his face. “How have we done?”

  Masterson looked at Lender, who consulted with a scribe employed to keep accounts. “In the last four prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 394

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  days, you’ve captured assets that are, conservatively, worth in excess of one million four hundred thousand golden sovereigns, gentlemen. I would set the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company’s current net worth in excess of two million gold. When we deliver the grain we’re shipping ourselves to Bordon and Port Natal, that will rise to something in excess of three million gold.”

  Roo couldn’t help but grin despite his bone-numbing fatigue. “Damn me,” he said quietly.

  “When’s the party?” said Masterson.

  “What?” asked Roo.

  “It’s traditional around here for the newest member of a syndicate to host a party for his partners and those doing business with him. Given you’re presently doing business with just about every trading concern in the Kingdom and half of those in Kesh and Queg, I hope you have a large house.”

  “A party?” said Roo. Then he thought of the house across the street. “Soon, I think.”

  He turned and leaned across to whisper to Lender. “Can you find out who holds title to that house across the street and how much they require to purchase it?”

  Lender rose. “I’ll find out at once.”

  Roo also stood. “I must for home, gentlemen. My wife has seen less of me since we started this mess than you four have, by half. I must reacquaint myself with her and my daughter.”

  He left word at the door that should anyone need to reach him they could do so at the office of Avery and Sons. Then he walked home.

  Karli looked up as Roo entered the dining room.

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  He smiled and said, “I have something to tell you.”

  The baby rested in Karli’s arms as she nursed.

  Karli said, “Yes?”

  Roo pulled out a chair and sat down. Putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders he said, “You are married to one of the richest men in the Kingdom.”

  He couldn’t repress a giggle.

  Karli pulled back. “Are you drunk?”

  Roo looked injured. “Woman! I am not drunk.”

  He stood. “What I am is very tired and very hungry.

  I’m going to take a bath, and if you would tell Rendel, I would like supper as soon as she can manage.”

  Karli said, “Don’t you want to say hello to your daughter?” Roo looked confused. “She’s a baby!

  How is she going to know if I say hello or not?”

  Karli looked stricken. “She needs to know her father, Roo.” She held up the baby and put her over her shoulder. “She smiled at me today.”

  Roo shook his head. “I don’t know what it is you’re talking about. I need a bath.” As he began to leave the room, he said, “Did I tell you I plan on buying a new house?”

  “Why?”

  Roo turned on his wife and his face hardened into a mask of outrage. “Why!” he shouted. The baby began to cry at the loud noise. “Do you think I intend to live the rest of my life in this tiny hovel your father was satisfied with? I’m going to buy us a town house across from Barret’s! It’s three stories tall and has room for a large garden . . . .” He shook his head and took a deep breath. “I’m going to buy a country house as well. I’m going to own horses and dogs and hunt with the nobility.”

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  As he spoke, his anger faded and a strange dizziness overtook him. He reached out and gripped the doorjamb. “I need to eat something.”

  He turned and mounted the stairs while Karli tried to quiet the crying Abigail. “Mary!” shouted Roo. “I need a tub of hot water, now!”

  As Roo vanished up the stairs, Karli ignored the tear running down her cheek as she said, “Hush, my love. Your father loves you.”

  The music filled the night. Roo stood at the door, wearing the finest clothing he could buy. He greeted each guest as they arrived and he was the man of the hour.

  Every merchant of worth and importance was in attendance, and many nobles who had come as friends of friends. The new house was turned out and decorated and filled with the finest furniture that money could buy. It was clear to anyone who paused to consider, a man of consequence had taken up residence across the street from Barret’s Coffee House.

  Karli stood next to her husband, wearing a gown that had cost more gold than she could believe, but trying to look as if she wore such raiment every day.

  She glanced at the stairway, wondering bow her daughter fared, for she was upstairs in a very noisy house and she was teething. Mary was nearby, but Karli didn’t trust anyone to look after her daughter.

  It had taken months to find the owner of the house, negotiate a price, fit it up, and move in. Karli had insisted they keep the old house she had grown up in, and Roo hadn’t been willing to argue with her.

  After the dust had settled on his manipulation of the grain trade in the city, he turned out to be worth far prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 397

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  more than even he had dreamed possible. When the last ship had returned from the Free Cities, the net worth of the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company wasn’t in excess of three million gold pieces, it was closer to seven million—for the locusts had spread to the Far Coast and Yabon, and grain prices were at a record high. Additionally, several of the businesses they had acquired had proven quite lucrative, showing a quick profit as soon as Roo and his partners had taken control.

  Now Roo knew he was a man of importance, as the great and near-great of the city came to his home to pay their respects. Roo felt as if his chest would burst when a cadre of horsemen rode up before a carriage and from the vehicle Dash, his brother Jimmy, and their father and mother emerged. Behind it came another carriage, bearing the crest of Krondor, and coming to visit his house were the Duke and Duchess of the city. Even those who attended out of curiosity, those cynical souls who judged Roo the current favorite, a man likely to be forgotten in a year, were impressed as the most powerful lord after the king came to call.

  Dash entered and smiled at Roo as he took his hand, shook it, then kissed Karli’s. Turning, he said,

  “May I present my brother, James? We call him Jimmy so as not to confuse him with Grandfather.”

  Roo grinned as he shook hands with Dash’s older brother. They were attempting to keep secret the fact they had, indeed, met before, and that Jimmy was helping his brother to make Roo a very powerful man. Behind them came a man who could be no one else but their father, the resemblance was so strong.

  Dash said, “This is my father, Arutha, Lord Vencar, prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 398

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  Earl of the Co
urt.”

  Roo bowed slightly and said, “My lord, it is an honor to welcome you to my home. May I present my wife?” He introduced Karli and then was introduced in turn to Elena, Dash and Jimmy’s mother.

  The handsome woman said, “We are pleased you asked us to attend, Mr. Avery. We are pleased our son has discovered a legitimate interest” —she glanced at Dash—“for a change.” Her slight accent betrayed her Roldem origins.

  Behind them came Duke James and the Duchess Gamina, whom Roo welcomed warmly. Gamina said, “I am more pleased than you can imagine to see you in such surroundings, Mr. Avery, given the grim circumstances of our last meeting.”

  Roo said, “That makes two of us, my lady.”

  James leaned over and said in Roo’s ear,

  “Remember, thou art but mortal, Roo.”

  Roo’s eyes narrowed and he looked slightly confused, but the Duke swept past and entered the large room off the stairway; other guests waited outside in the garden. Everything there was in bloom, as Roo had paid a great sum to bring in fully mature plants and for a short time Karli had rejoiced in the size of her new garden. But Roo couldn’t escape the notion she didn’t like the new house.

  Jerome Masterson came from the large room and, from behind, whispered in Roo’s ear. “The Duke of Krondor himself! You’re a success, lad.” He patted Roo on the shoulders. “You’re about to find more invitations to dinner arriving than you could answer in a year. Accept the best only, and be polite to the rest. He patted Roo’s shoulder again and wandered back into the crowd.

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  Karli said, “I should go check on Abigail.”

  Roo took her hand and patted it. “She’s fine.

  Mary’s up there, and if there’s any problem, she’ll come fetch you.”

  Karli didn’t looked reassured, but she stayed.

  The clatter of horses announced the arrival of Jadow Shati and several soldiers from the garrison.

  Roo greeted them and shook hands. “How’s the leg?”

  Jadow grinned, his broad smile revealing remarkably white teeth. “Fine, though I now know when rain’s coming.” He patted his left leg. “Almost have all my strength back.”

  Roo introduced his former companion to his wife, and Jadow led the soldiers with him inside.

  Roo didn’t know any of them, and laughed to himself; these were obviously new barrack companions of Jadow’s who had come along on the promise of free fond and drink.

  The evening wore on, and at last Karli had persuaded Roo that she needed to check on their daughter. While she was gone a large carriage rolled up and Roo’s heart began to pound when he saw who was inside.

  Jacob Estherbrook and his daughter arrived and Roo felt his heart beat hard in his chest. Sylvia let the doorman take her cloak, and Roo saw she was dressed in the newest fashion, a gown cut so low as to be close to scandalous by more conservative court standards. Her father wore expensive but conservative dress, a short-cut jacket over a tunic with a single row of ruffles in front, black hose, and black leather shoes with silver buckles. He went hatless and carried a simple cane with an ivory hilt.

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  and greet her father. “Roo,” said Jacob, shaking hands firmly, “I must confess you’ve done remarkable things, young man. We must meet soon and discuss some ventures I have in mind.”

  He moved along, and Sylvia lingered. “We’ve just returned from the country and I would love it if you would come for supper again, soon, Roo.” Her eyes never left his and the way she said his name made his knees week.

  Then she leaned forward and whispered in his ear, “Very soon.”

  Then she was moving past him and he felt her breast brush against his arm. He turned to watch her as she vanished into the now crowded house.

  “And who was that?” came Karli’s voice.

  He turned and discovered his wife standing before him, returned from upstairs. Roo blinked, then said, “Ah, that was Jacob Estherbrook and his daughter, Sylvia.”

  Karli made a disapproving noise under her breath. “The shame of the woman, coming out in public half-naked like that. And look at those men fawning over her.”

  Roo narrowed his gaze, for one of the men fawning over her was Duncan, who was quickly cutting off every other young man in the room as they sought to get close to Sylvia. Roo turned to greet his next guest, and said, “Well, she’s pretty and her father is one of the richest men in the Kingdom and has no sons. She’s quite a catch for any single lad.”

  Karli said, “I noticed that didn’t keep you and the other married men from drooling down her dress.”

  She took Roo’s arm in a possessive fashion and stood there until it was clear no more guests were to arrive.

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  The party lasted well past midnight and Roo couldn’t remember a tiny fraction of most of the conversations he had held. He had been pointedly vague when pressed on matters of business, referring people to Jerome or telling them to stop by at Barret’s the next business day.

  He mixed as best he could, trying to keep track of who spoke to him on which matter, but the truth was he was drunk on wine and success. He was one of four partners in the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company, but he was rumored to be the driving force behind the sudden emergence of this powerful new company. Women flirted with him and men sought to engage him in conversation, but throughout the night he was only concerned with two things: basking in the glow of triumph and keeping track of Sylvia Estherbrook.

  Each time he caught sight of her across the room, his breath caught in his throat, and when he saw another man hovering over her, he felt anger building inside. Karli kept him moving among the guests, only pausing to speak with the Duke and his family, forgetting for the time she socialized with nobility that moments before she was furious with Roo for his behavior around Sylvia. Twice she left to nurse Abigail, and when she returned she found her husband watching Estherbrook’s daughter.

  At some point the crowd began to depart and bade their hosts good-bye. While Roo and Karli were standing at the door, Jacob came and took Roo’s hand. “My thanks for inviting us to the celebration of your new company, Rupert.” He smiled at Karli.

  “Mrs. Avery, it’s been a pleasure to meet you.”

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  Karli smiled but glanced around and said,

  “Where is your daughter, Mr. Estherbrook?”

  Jacob smiled. “Oh, she’s somewhere in there.” He took his cloak when the doorman presented it to him, folding it over his arm while waiting for his coach to be brought up from where it was waiting. “I have no doubt at least a half dozen of those young lads have agreed to escort her home. I am not able to keep late hours any more.”

  “Indeed,” said Karli coolly. The coach arrived and Estherbrook departed. A little while later, Duke James and his wife and their son and his wife left, again setting Karli nearly glowing with pride. While many rich and powerful men had visited her father in his modest home, no noble had ever passed through their portal. And in the first evening of entertaining in the new house, the most powerful man in the Kingdom after the royal family had come calling.

  Seeing that neither Jimmy nor Dash had accompanied their parents, Roo said, “Excuse me a moment, please,” to his wife and left.

  He found Jimmy talking to the very pretty daughter of a miller who now worked for the Bitter Sea Company and took him by the elbow, moving him away without even an apology. “Where’s Dash?”

  Jimmy glanced over his shoulder and made an expression of regret to the young woman, mouthing that he would be back in a moment. “He’s over there.” Jimmy pointed acr
oss the room.

  Sylvia Estherbrook commanded a portion of the main salon, with a circle of admirers around her. At her side stood Duncan, his most charming smile on display as he told some story of his adventures, to Sylvia’s amusement and the irritation of the other prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 403

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  young men. Dash stood a short way beyond, watching in a very observant fashion. “It’s his turn,” said Jimmy.

  “His turn for what?” said Roo.

  Jimmy whispered, “We’re taking turns to make sure no one gets fingermarks on your young Miss Estherbrook.” He glanced back at the young woman he had been speaking with and said, “That particular young lady is ... very interesting, and as I am really not in your employ and Dashel is, he thought it the brotherly thing to do to watch over your friend for you, while I . . . take advantage of the opportunity to become ... better acquainted with that sweet girl there.”

  “‘ Your young Miss Estherbrook’? ‘Watch over your friend’?” repeated Roo, his expression darkening.

  Jimmy whispered, “It wouldn’t do if one of these young gentlemen got a little too much to drink and made a fool of himself over such an unusually pretty woman, would it? Given Mr. Estherbrook’s importance in the community, I mean?”

  Roo said, “I guess not. Is Dash seeing her home?”

  “Either he or Duncan,” said Jimmy.

  Roo nodded and said, “Get back to your young lady.” He moved through the party until he found Luis, who was sitting as if at home, his bad hand kept in a large pocket on the side of his new jacket.

  Luis raised his good hand, holding a drink.

  “Señor,” he greeted Roo in his native Rodezian dialect. “You are a man of consequence, to all appearances.”

  “Thank you,” said Roo. “Who’s at the shop?”

  “Bruno, Jack, and I believe Manuel. Why?”

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  “Just thinking.” He glanced around. “I would like you and Duncan to stop by there on your way back to your house. Just to check up on things.”