Blood of the Righteous

I Struck a Bad Deal?

"Well, Mr. Tanner, you definitely are on the mend." Quenton began to put his instruments away. "You can put your shirt back on now."

Slowly, David did so. He was still tender from the beating he had received. The noise above on deck was starting to get louder. More people were walking around and chatting. He suspected the rest of the crew had returned.

Fyke pounded on the doorframe that led down to the lower deck. "Tanner, get up here! Captain wants to see you!"

David hopped down off of the surgeon's table and hurried up the stairs. He squinted, as his eyes had gotten used to the soft candle light of below decks. Once his eyes adjusted, he was impressed to see the main deck busy with twenty-five or so men, getting ready to set sail.

"There you are, Tanner."

David jumped. He hadn't heard Captain Karinga walk up beside him. He noticed that Karinga was nursing a fresh scrape on his cheek. "Captain, what happened to you?"

"Ah, just a few more of Gaceric's piss boys. Nothing to worry about. Here, take this and look it over," he said, handing David a rolled parchment.

David unrolled the parchment and leaned against the forecastle wall that housed his small room. Quietly, he studied the parchment. Karinga had secured a large salt contract from a large meat warehouse. He angled the contract so the sun shown directly upon the small lettering. His heart sank a bit as he read the details of the deal. It was becoming obvious to him that while Captain Karinga had a good heart and was an excellent sailor, fighter, and adventurer, his skills in business left a bit to be desired. Regardless, David had decided to help him, and he would do his best to make sure that the faith that was put in him was not misplaced.

Karinga looked at him expectantly as the rest of the crew went about their business of readying the ship for a quick sail.

David gave the captain a dubious look. "Captain Karinga, are you sure you want to speak of this here?"

Karinga motioned with his hand indicating that David should get on with it.

David lowered his voice and leaned towards the Captain. "If I am to be your Yeoman, I must insist on accompanying you on negotiations. Please don't misunderstand me. Under normal circumstances, a contract such as this would be an excellent deal, but these are not normal circumstances. This merchant, Wembly or whatever his name is, wants the salt delivered to a warehouse almost two days' ride north of the city. From what I remember from my books, there isn't a port where we can dock the Waverunner up there. You are going to have to hire a caravan to transport it. Also, with Gaceric's piracy and the coming battle, sea transportation is at a premium! Every ship in the port at that time will be ferrying people away from the city, and those that can't afford it will be cut off from the rest of the world, assuming there is an extended siege. This merchant is obviously wagering that many a poor cattle farmer is going to sell him his cows cheap so as to pay for transportation. He is going to take them north, slaughter them, as feed will also be at a premium if a siege takes place, and he wants to preserve the meat with salt. At times like this, salt is as good as silver." David suddenly noticed that almost the entire crew was listening to him lecture the captain on negotiations and economics. He continued. "If the cattle were to remain in the city or nearby, the Aragil army would most certainly confiscate them and slaughter them for provisions. They could also find the stash if it were stored within or close to the city. After the siege, this Wembly would be able to sell the preserved beef at outrageously inflated prices."

Karinga's eyes had glazed over during David's lecture. "So you are saying I struck a bad deal?" he asked quizzically.

David began pacing back and forth. "Let me think. There has to be a way to salvage this situation."

Fyke butted in. "Is it that bad, Yeoman?"

"Considering what a caravan will cost with an invading army bearing down on them, this could be a total financial disaster for..." David paused in mid-sentence and brought the contract up to his eyes again. "Hold on. It says you are responsible for delivery of the salt to the warehouse." David continued to scan the parchment. "It doesn't say anything about you having to PAY for the caravan! Is the merchant still in town?"

Karinga thought for a second. "Um, I suppose he is."

"Good." David rolled up the contract. "Take me to him. We still have something further to negotiate. At worst, Wembly will cancel the contract, and that will be a far better situation than we are in now."

The captain shot a half smile towards Fyke. "Didn't I tell ya, Corwyn? I knew I made the right choice with this lad."

Fyke laughed and slapped David's back. "This lad is going to make us rich, Jax! And himself too."

David stuffed the swelling feeling of pride back down. "We can congratulate ourselves when the deal is done. But now, we must catch him before he leaves the city."

Karinga nodded. "Dunkirk, have them batten down for now, but we'll be returning within the hour. Be ready to set sail."

"Yes, Captain." The tall dark boatswain said. He began to bark orders to the crew, who obeyed without question.

Edge jumped down from the quarterdeck, landing with the grace of a cat. "Cap'n! If'n its all the same to ya, I'd like ta tag along. I'll just be gett'n in the way here, an' with the trouble you've been havin' with Gaceric..."

"Alright, Edge. But if anything does happen, I can handle myself. You make sure nothing happens to our new Yeoman. Understand?"

"Aye, sir. I'll be protect'n him like he was my own son." Edge grinned at David. "But after a few months at sea with some of my trainin', he won't need anyone's protectin'!"

Karinga nodded and the trio made their way down the gangplank and into the crowded city.