Blood of the Righteous

Plans of Laying Low

David found himself at the bow of the ship, looking out over the jib. In a mere four years, he had amassed so much wealth that he could retire. With the heat on Karinga, it may be time to toss around leaving the Waverunner. He loved the tranquility of the sea, and he loved the thrill of taking on much more experienced merchants, but with Gaceric and the guild being so vindictive towards Captain Jaxom and his crew, it might be time to lay low and think about a land-based trading career.

Edge came up behind him and put his hand on his shoulder, startling David and bringing him back to the present. "Davey," Edge said in a concerned tone. "As you know, I am not good with my gold. I'll be broke in a week if left to my own devices."

David turned to face him. "That would be unfortunate, my friend. I imagine we will be stranded in Bord de la Mer for at least a month. Possibly for a month and a half! How much gold do you have saved up?"

"Twenty-eight gold."

David laughed. "Edge, you could live like a Lord for two months on that much!"

Edge nodded with a hint of embarrassment in his dark, close-set eyes. "I know, but I tend to get into the revelry of the moment! Some ale, some whiskey, some women, some gambling..."

"So what do you want from me?"

Edge met David's eyes. "I want you to hold onto my gold for me. Pay for my lodging then only let me have two gold and five silver a week. Could you do that for me?"

David nodded with a smile. "Of course! After all you've taught me? Tricks and technique that my..." He caught himself almost saying his fighting tutor. "My mind would never have come up with on its own? Don't worry. You'll have money to spare when we put back to sea."

The big man heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you, Davey. I owe you big."

David turned his attention back to the sea after Edge strode off, anxiety no longer written across his face. His thoughts turned back to his land-based trading. He would have to learn Gaulian to be able to effectively trade with the merchants there, and learning foreign languages was not his best skill. They all seemed so ass backwards in their structure.

He started doing mental calculations in his head of the cargo they had on hand. A bit of it would fetch a good price in Port Cauldwell, such as the remaining silk, the whiskey they picked up in Port Maynard and the crates of preserved meats and seafood they got in Northpoint, and he could use the profits from that to load up on copper and iron before heading to Bord de la Mer, were both were in extreme demand right now.

A stop at Lady Malcoeur's would do for the whiskey, and he could sell the foodstuffs himself at the market while Captain Karinga was having some minor repairs done on the ship. Four days, Fyke had said it would take. More than enough time to hawk some rations, which would more than double their profits that they would receive from Malcoeur, Segovax, or any of the other dozen or so warehouse merchants in the city. Plus, the fact that they were going to be there for four days meant he could use the time to his advantage with Lady Malcoeur, saying that he could sell the whiskey to the taverns himself.

No, he thought, he would stay with the Waverunner for as long as possible. This life just had far too much to offer to leave it behind.