Pirates Of The Decian Sea

Part 5

Fyke and the young Yeoman walked through the busy streets of River's End under the warm afternoon sun. Women flooded the market district seeking to purchase what they needed for their family's evening meal. Hawkers called out to them, trying desperately to attract attention.

"David, how do you keep it all straight in your head? Avis Moran? I never would be able to remember smiths' markings like that."

"I don't know, I guess I just have a knack for it. I am very disappointed in Grayson, trying to cheat us like that. We'll be able to sell them to that home décor shop in Port Cauldwell for five gold each, but if they were high quality real weapons, I could have bought them for five gold and turned them around for ten or eleven with Lady Malceour."

"Hm," Fyke said. "I'm sure the captain won't mind, though. It will still be four hundred gold profit."

"He'd be happier with eight or nine hundred."

"Don't let it worry you, Davey. The weapons, the cloth, the whiskey, it's all gravy! The bank's gold is the real pile of potatoes."

David sighed. "Yeah, lumpy gravy at best. Damn, I wish weren't so pressed for time!"

"The captain will understand." One of the problems with David Tanner, Corwyn thought, is that he held himself to a high standard, much higher than anyone else. He didn't like watching him beat himself up like that. Over the past three years, David had become like a nephew to him, a brilliant nephew. Jax felt the same way.

They arrived at the Waverunner. David climbed up the gangplank and grabbed a young crewman. "Billy, do you know where Dunkirk is?"

"Down in the hold, Mr. Tanner."

"Thanks, lad."

Corwyn followed him down the ladder into the dark hold of the ship. Dunkirk had moved all of the ships provisions to the stern of the ship, maximizing the room for the new cargo. Doc wouldn't be happy, having to lug the provisions an extra half of the ship's length, but it would provide plenty of room for all they needed.

"Afternoon, Tanner," Dunkirk said. "Do we need anything to be up on the pallets this run?"

"Yes. I'd say about sixteen pallets will be fine. We can't be selling bilge soaked cloth, after all. Oh, and Dunkirk, can you send some of the crew over to Dickenson's brewery and to Grayson's Warehouse & Exchange?" David handed the gaunt man a parchment. "Here is the manifest of what I purchased."

"Couldn't shake a delivery out of them, eh?" Dunkirk asked.

"No, not with the small profits we'll be making on them. With a delivery, we'd barely break even."

"If we had more time, David would have done a lot better," Corwyn said in his defense. "But look at it this way, in less than half a day; he's managed to fill the entire hold! And we'll be able to sell it all in Port Cauldwell."

Dunkirk shrugged. "I suppose we'll be having to deliver them too. Alright, boys. I'll grab some of the more strapping lads and we'll head out."

"Better go soon, Will. Captain's going to want to set sail at midnight," Fyke said.

"Yes sir."