A Tale of Fortunes Cross

Ch. 8: Payday

They awoke the next morning. Both were feeling more rested and overall relaxed than they had felt in more than a month. Without the hot air or stress of having to impress an emperor and finally a comfortable bed. They walked outside and Sarah turned to Karaan to ask "So how are we going to start this morning? Obviously breakfast yes?" Karaan replied "Yes. But there will be a small change. I'm no longer paying for anything on your behalf. You will be responsible for everything yourself." Sarah glared at him thinking of how this was a terrible joke. She said "How am I supposed to do that without any money?" Karaan reached into his coin bag and pulled out two silver pieces. He handed them to her and said "Here's how. I mentioned previously that usually I would hire a body guard to escort me through this region. But because of you I don't need one so this will be your job. Since you are my indentured servant and you don't have much of a choice either way I will par you half the usual fee. You will decide what to do with the money once I hand it to you. You can purchase items to sell later in which case I will rent to you any free space in my carriage. The rate will be negotiable. You can gamble and get drunk perhaps earn some winnings. Or whatever you see fit. When we leave the town you will have the option to pay me anything that you wish in order to pay off your debt. Otherwise I will call on you to help me with certain tasks as normal and it will count toward your debt." Sarah looked at him with glazed eyes and slowly smiled. She thought for a minute before asking "50 copper pieces a day?" Karaan replied "Yea." She asked "It only counts when we aren't in a town right?" He replied again "Yea." She asked "Well what are we going to do now?" He replied "Well you're free to do as you like. I on the other hand am going to get some breakfast. Then to sell my wares and I'm going to look around to see what's for sell. Oh I forgot to mention. If, or when I should say, we run into bandits with a bounty on their heads you may take the bounty for yourself. Assuming you are willing to take their heads with you. I would recommend looking at the bounty lists before leaving town. You can usually pick them up for about 10 or 20 copper pieces at the town court." Sarah smiled and replied "Thanks I think I'll just follow you around for a little while if you don't mind. Besides I'm feeling pretty hungry."

They went to the market and bought some fruit and already cooked fish and bread then sat down and ate. They talked for a while Sarah thanked Karaan again for the arrangement. Karaan replied sarcastically "How else am I supposed to get rid of you if I don't give you a way to pay me back?" Sarah laughed and continued eating. They finished their meal and cleaned up. Sarah followed Karaan to the hotel and followed him around for a few hours. He went to various shops and stalls looking to sell his goods. He sold a few for a modest profit nothing much. One item he miscalculated its worth and sold it for a small loss. Eventually Sarah got bored as usual and asked where a pub was in the town. This was a fairly large town. It was nothing compared to the palace town but it was still much larger than most towns they had been to. Most of the houses in this town were made almost entirely of wood, even the larger buildings. This is something that Sarah found unusual but she ignored it. She was directed to the pub. She ordered a glass and sat down to gamble. The men at the table made fun of her "What's up with this little girl trying to play a man's game? Hahaha" There were three men at the table. This was pretty common the average game was between 3 and 5 players. She asked if she could join. They were all too happy to take her money.

She already had change for one silver piece from breakfast. She asked "You mind if we start out small until I can warm up?" The guy that was obviously in charge of the game said "sure thing little lady. Ill reshuffle the deck to so you have plenty of moves to lose all your money. Sarah thanked him and placed her bet. She had learned well from Karaan, she let them win several hands then when the bets started to get higher she started to turn it around. The men dedicated all of her wins to beginner's luck that is until she more than doubled her original sum. She fell down to one silver piece and on that turn bet the entire piece winning back her silver piece and two more. She continue to bet until all the men dropped out of the game. She walked away with more than 5 silver pieces. She ordered a few drinks and Karaan came in to check on her. She bought him a drink. She had spent a good portion of her money by then and was obviously drunken. HE drank a glass with her then helped her back to the room. She passed out on the bed almost instantly and he went to sleep too. Sarah awoke bright and early with a massive headache. Karaan awoke to her screaming and groaning. He asked "hangover?" She screamed YES! He just ignored her and walked out. A little later a man walked into the room and brought her a glass of warm milk. She looked at him with glazed eyes crying with happiness. He said "Karaan asked me to bring this to you." Tears swept down her face as she slowly sipped it down. He walked out and she stayed in the room for the rest of the day. Karaan came back a little later. Sarah asked him if he had anything to eat. He told her that he didn't and asked her what she wanted. She replied "the fish was good yesterday." He said "Ok Il run and grab you some but Ill charge you a delivery fee of 5 copper pieces." She said "Nah I'll go get it if you'll go with me." He said "Sure, I don't have anything better to do."