Chapter 3 - Have Wares, Will Barter (Patreon)

On the walk back to the village, I thought about how natural it felt to me, thinking of Grant's Crossing as 'home.' The return from the kobolds in Nerit had been a weird experience though. The first evening was everything I could've hoped for - triumphant return, celebratory reunion and village feast, all wrapped up in one debaucherous event. Everybody had been present and stories were told, retold and embellished on. To Arack's complete embarrassment, I even played that silly tune I'd created for her several times over, introducing my new companion as the "Whirlwind warrior." I had caught parts and snippets of what had been going on in my absence, but there had been no time to sit down and reminisce properly. 

The day after had started off quite well. When I finally disentangled myself from my sheets and got over the worst of the hangover, Lyle arrived to greet me properly. The time apart had treated him kindly. Not only did it look like his leg had healed completely - the formerly so shy blacksmith’s apprentice looked like he’d gained a measure of self-confidence he’d sorely needed. 

His time had been well spent, it seemed. The first two weeks were spent, like his father had threatened, 'doing idiot work' in the smithy. With a grin, Lyle expanded on his explanation, "It wasn't all bad though. All that time at the smithy allowed me to spend all the time I wanted on my own equipment and... wait till you see what I've crafted."

From his eagerness, it was going to be impressive. He rarely bragged about anything but this time, his pride shone through and he had trouble sitting still. It took a major effort on my part not to ruffle his hair - sometimes, he was simply adorable, even without trying. 

When his leg had finally healed, he had promptly celebrated the fact by collecting on what was owed from Kiff and arranging for daily combat training sessions with him. That part, he was less enthusiastic about. He didn't elaborate, but I could easily picture the cantankerous bouncer Kiff taking out his annoyance on the idealistic kid. Even so, he'd kept at it, showing up each day despite bruises and debuffs, to learn. He had indeed learned a good deal - as he said, "the last couple of days, I managed to keep up with him at times - even bruised his leg once." I was just about to check out his skill increases, when the door crashed open and Arack asked me to intervene in an argument that was threatening to evolve into a fight.

Any hope of getting together with friends and relaxing slowly faded further and further from my plans. Every time I believed I'd solved a crisis, something new erupted. I did manage to say hi to some well-known faces. Millerd, Hagren and Aurora, my old gambling buddies, were pleased to see me (and fleece me) again. Greck, my favorite mentor, leered at me in a drunken haze, but it didn’t feel belligerent. I had plans to get around the village and meet up with everybody, but eventually just dropped them and devoted my days to explaining the Fallen how things worked in the village and solve any pressing issues. 

So far, today didn't seem much different - but there was light at the end of the tunnel, it seemed. I'd only need to... "Hey Gillem?"  

The two height-challenged good-for-nothing thugs were walking ahead of me, chattering loudly. "SO sad he didn't fall for it. Picture him in the square, spouting nonsense like this..." He glanced over his shoulder, entirely unashamed. "Yes, my dearest friend, how can I help you?"

"Eat something poisonous, dearheart?" I said in an affected falsetto. "No, I actually have something important we need to go over - you know, as we were discussing, before somebody dragged me out into the rain on false pretenses." I continued to lay out the situation with the kobolds for him and explain what the main issues were. 

Levity momentarily suppressed, Gillem nodded and listened intently. "I understand - it makes sense too. It'd probably be the same for any of us who'd been in the same situation. Still, solving the issue is less straightforward."

I frowned. "Does it have to be? We just have to get them to work and half our problems will be gone. Sure, there's bound to be new issues further on - but there always are. The important part is that we'll have two dozen new skilled workers laboring for the progress of Grant's Crossing and the same number of unskilled labor to help." Also, a dozen potential troublemakers and wastrels, but I wasn’t going to go into too much detail on that now.

"Yeah, sure. But who's going to teach them? You?"

"I... have had  some thoughts on the issue. Not about me teaching them, obviously." I rolled my eyes. "But hear me out. First, we compile a list of the people we have in our village who have the skills we need. Then we see about delegating teachers to the proper number of trainees and add the other kobolds as unskilled labor where needed. Hey presto, everybody's busy and in a couple of months we're packed with skilled workers. How's that sound?"

He looked at me like I'd been drinking. "Erm. Unrealistic. At best. First of all, we can't just tell everybody that they have to accept teaching somebody who might be the competition half a year from now. Second, who's going to fund all the items they'll need to get started?"

"Of course. You've seen right through my bluff. Now, if only we had somebody who was known for being able to talk people into doing stupid things. Maybe even several somebodys." I wriggled my eyebrows at him.

"Bah. Point taken. Okay, let's say we actually manage to talk everybody into it. Where's the money?"

"That part's...well, it's a work in progress. I have an idea, but I'd like to ensure that it's viable first."

"Really? I'd figured you were going to ask the Council to pay."

"Nah - that wouldn't be fair for any of you - and it's going to be expensive. Actually, if you guys could come with an incentive for anybody who takes on a student, it'd help a lot in convincing people. It wouldn't have to be much either. Call it an investment in the future of the village."

He ground his teeth, but relented. "I'll see what I can do. Your idea isn't too far-fetched and we have a meeting tonight to consider the situation anyway."

"Thanks, Gillem. You know I rarely fail to deliver. Heh - speaking of which. Thank you.” I passed him a tiny purse with the three gold coins I’d borrowed from him.”

Gillem swiftly pocketed it. “Don’t mention it. I mean it. I don’t want the word to spread that I’ve borrowed somebody money.”

“Sure.” We were approaching the gates to the village and I looked at the in-game clock. Past noon. Hmm – my stomach was rumbling. With the bad food I’d had in Nerit, I wanted nothing more than hiding in my room with a king-sized platter of delicacies. Even so… “When’s the meeting?”

“Huh? Oh, with the Council? A couple of hours from now.”

I nodded. “I’ll have to meet up with you backstabbers later. I’ll try to get this thing with the finances solved straight away, so you can get moving.”

Gillem raised an eyebrow, smiling. “You know, things used to be so quiet before you arrived. We used to be able to bicker over a tiny decision for weeks.”

“Meh, sounds boring.” I laughed.ruefully. ”To be fair, I could do with a month or two of boring – not until we’ve fixed this, however.”

I saw off the two collaborators at the gates and went straight to Ms. Bertinga's shop. Standing in front of the building, I marveled once again at the sight of it. Whoever had thought that painting tons of different items in any garish color available made for wonderful decoration ought to be put in front of a firing squad. Still, I'd grant her this: no caravan guard, regardless how tired or drunk he was, would fail to notice the shop.

Ms. Bertinga was busy when I entered. One of the kobolds had made her way into the shop and was haggling over a cookpot and I stood back, observing the two. Not for the first time, I was forced to admire her acting skills. She had the 'adorable old lady'- act down pat. The kobold, who'd been used to living her life from day to day and fighting for survival was clearly confused about the whole thing. Within moments she had the rugged young kobold eating out of her hand, even as she overcharged her in the deal.

When she was certain the door was closed, Ms. Bertinga let out a full-throated chuckle. "Oh, Arcangelo. I've missed you. Things have been ever so dull without you. Do tell me you're here to entertain me for the rest of the day."

I laughed. "I missed you too, Ms. Bertinga. Nerit didn't have a single person who could hold a candle to your wit and wisdom."

"Oh, you are laying it on thick today, youngster. One wonders what that means about what you're about to propose." She adjusted her shawl and folded her hands before her.

Exasperated, I shook my head. "I can't hide anything from you, can I? Well, I have some mundane business I'd love to get out of the way first, if it's alright with you?" At her nod, I continued. "Appreciated. I only need a ton of basic tinkerer materials - the cheapest you've got. I'm aiming to break through to the next level of expertise within the next couple of days."

She clapped her hands, so like a grandmother approving of her grandson's drawing that a chuckle escaped me. She pursed her lips, tut-tutting, "Do allow me my simple joys, son. It has been ages since I was able to talk about the intricacies of tinkering with anybody. You are about to break through to where things become truly interesting." She piled up items while she talked, cheap, low-quality stuff - just what I needed to improve. A few coins changed hands and I poured the items into my inventory. One side of her mouth curved up. "Now, you've already gone and gotten me in a good mood. What are you trying to sweeten me up for?"

I cleared my throat. "Well, I'm going to make a proposition. One that involves you losing out on a rather large amount of earnings by hinting at even larger future earnings - and of course, by appealing to your better nature."

She snorted. Immediately, she held a hand over her mouth, as surprised as I was by the un-ladylike behavior. Then she exploded into a burst of laughter that eventually petered out with her gasping for breath. "Oh, sweet (gud), I needed that. Now I'm really curious."

"Alright. Here's the deal. Sixty kobolds are about to become proper parts of Grant's Crossing and starting to work for a living. Some are going to be horrible workers and some are going to try a new career when the first one doesn't take. Each and every one of them's going to need equipment."

Her eyes lit up as she glanced involuntarily at her shelves, filled with the collected paraphernelia of a hundred caravans passing through.

"Exactly. You stand in a situation to make a killing. However:" I lifted a finger. "I would suggest that you offer each kobold the opportunity to buy the equipment as a long-term loan, interest-free and at cost." She raised one eyebrow but I soldiered on, "I know. Why would you want to deprive yourself of what could be immense profits? Three reasons. First. If every kobold has to trade for or buy their own equipment right now, few will be able to do so right away. You'll have to wait a long time and many may stay poor. Second. If you do this, you can get rid of a lot of old crap that's cluttering your shelves and get a fair price for it - guaranteed income for years. Third. If you do this, you'll be establish yourself in the minds of every damn kobold out there as a wondrous person and the go-to woman for future trades. Of course, once they're earning a wage, you're in your full right to fleece them of everything they have when they come to you for trades." I drummed my fingers on the counter. "Did I miss anything? Oh yes - the appeal. Would you rather earn a big slice of a small cake - or a slightly smaller slice of a huge cake, once the kobolds have helped Grant's Crossing grow?"

She did a double take. "Appealing to my better nature indeed. Are you really telling me that greed is my better nature, Arcangelo?"

"You tell me. Hah. In all seriousness, though - tell me that I'm wrong. Any way I approach this, the good thing to do is also the way that nets you the best income in the long term."

She mulled it over a bit. "Your logic would depend on me staying the largest trader in the village for years, though."

"I know. So can you do that?"

Her nostrils flared and I knew I had her. "Alright. I will accept, on one condition. Before we get into that, I must correct you on one misconception, Arcangelo. I care about the future of our village. Greatly so." She tittered. "Mind you, if I can do something for the village and out-earn everybody else at the same time, I would take pleasure in that. Indeed I would."

"Wonderful. Which condition would that be?

"It's the one thing you forgot in your sales speech, dearest. Nice speech too. You managed to cover almost every exception I could come up with."

Oh, she was definitely enjoying stringing me along. I summoned all my patience, "so what did I forget?"

"The risk involved for me, should the kobolds destroy or lose the items. Odds are, they wouldn't be able to pay me back in that case. Therefore, my condition is this: I need the council or somebody else to take on some of the risk, in case a kobold is unable or unwilling to pay me back."

I grimaced. "You're right. I didn't think that one all the way through. I'll... see what I can do. Is there a limit to how low you're willing to go?"

Her response was instant, as if she'd already done the calculations while we spoke. "Half. If every single lizard takes off with their items, and I only recoup half, I can avoid having to sell the shop - barely."

"I appreciate the candour. I'll try to see if we can't get this done. You'll remain the biggest merchant in a growing city and I'll be the one who made it happen." I put on my best smile. "Obviously, you're not the type to forget that fact whenever we're going to trade in the future."

"Oh Arcangelo - it's good to have you back, deluded as you are. You get going now and make things happen - we will see about a tiny discount." 

Ms. Bertinga practically pushed me out the door and I strode back towards the tavern, whistling as I went. +2 to Barter from a single encounter - that had to be a good deal.