Tran grunted agreement on that one. In fact, even provoked, Grae wouldn’t likely retaliate.
“Wolf was the one that scared me, at first.” The way she laughed said plainly enough that she realized now her fear had been foolish. “Like you intimated me at first. You’re just both so massive. What did you eat as a child?”
“If I said whole cows, you’d believe me, wouldn’t you?”
Her eyes crinkled up in a charming way. “I certainly would. At least you’re talkative and try to put people at ease, though. Wolf just growls and stalks about most of the time. I really didn’t know how to react to him the first month I was in the guild. And then one night, I was out later than I expected doing a trade, and he came looking for me. He just looked so…relieved, to see me in one piece. And then he scolded me, like he would Siobhan, about being reckless and not taking precautions. I understood then that he didn’t say much, but his actions spoke volumes. I fancy I’ve learned how to read him a little better since then.”
Tran could completely understand why Sylvie would choose Deepwoods. But… “Did they really take you in without any questions asked?”
“Not quite. Siobhan had me work with them for a week while we tested the waters with each other. I stayed in the Hall—I was grateful for that, it was a safe place to sleep—and I brokered several deals for her in that time. I think, really, she was relieved to have another woman in the guild. Sometimes, no offense, but you men just don’t get things.”
“None taken,” Tran returned easily. “You women are confusing.”
“Are not,” she sniped back, wrinkling her nose at him playfully. “Anyway, Siobhan was happy to turn the trading side of the business over to someone else. I was happy to join a small guild that knew how to look out for each other. And frankly, Wolf and Fei’s protective natures were a welcome surprise for me. They go beyond what most guildmates would do. And Fei’s knowledge is amazing. I learned the first week that if there’s something I’m uncertain of, to ask him first. He might not know the answer, but odds are he’ll know where to find it.”
Tran made a mental note of that one. He knew Fei to be educated, that was obvious from the man’s bearing and how he spoke, but he hadn’t realized just how much so.
“Fei mentioned to me that you’ve been out of your home for seven years. Why did you wait so long to find a guild?”
Rubbing at his jaw, Tran thought of how best to answer that. “In all honesty, in my younger days I was young and stupid. I didn’t want any constraints on me, which I thought a guild would do. So I went from one job to another, anxious to see all of the world. About three years ago I realized that doing this meant I had no steady income during the winter months, which is a sore trial. I did find steady employment with a trader for a few years until his health deteriorated and he went out of business.”
“And then you took a job that brought you into Goldschmidt?”
“Right. First time I’d been out this direction. I spent more time traveling around Teherani and Wynngaard than Robarge. I count it as good fortune, bumping into you.”
“You like Deepwoods too,” she said knowingly.
“They’re hard people to not like.”
“I know it. It’s why I stayed. That and with all of the traveling this guild does, I can make a substantial amount of money.”
That was interesting to him. “We can do private trading in this guild?” Some guilds didn’t allow that at all.
“Siobhan actually encourages it. Although she pouts if you don’t let her know about the really good finds.”
This was good news. Tran’s pay for being an enforcer in the guild was a nice salary, but it was expensive buying clothes and gear for a man of his size, so he’d feel better if he had a side income as well. “Then, what things are good to buy for trade?”
“Hmm, if you’re coming from Vellshire to Goldschmidt? There’s actually several really good options. How much money do you have to work with?”
They fell to talking about finances, and products, and the possibilities. Tran was astonished at just how much Sylvie knew about the market. So it wasn’t just her pretty face and charm that got her such amazing deals, eh? There was a sharp mind to her as well.
“Are you thinking of private trading in Vellshire?” Fei joined them at the fire, dropping down to rest casually on the back of his heels, dirty clothes dangling between his knees.
“Why?” Sylvie grinned at him. “You want in on it?”
“Of course I do, Sylvie-jae. Don’t ask questions you know the answers to.”
Her eyes narrowed in shrewd speculation. “How much money do you have to add to the pot?”
“Fifteen kors, why? What are you aiming for?”
“Well, I have twenty, and Tran has six, so if we add in your fifteen, then that gives me forty-one kors to work with. There’s two different products that, if I bought them in bulk, we can sell for three times the amount per unit.”
“Meaning I’d get eighteen kors back?” Tran liked the idea of this. A lot. “What are the products?”
“Black pepper and saffron are always sure bets. If we want to be a little daring…?” she trailed off invitingly, waiting to see their reactions. “Then we’ll split the money into two investments: saffron and wine. Vellshire is famous for its dry white wines.”
Tran looked to Fei to see how the other man was taking this. Fei was already nodding agreement. “I like the sound of this.” To Tran, he explained, “I have seen saffron and wine both at the market in Goldschmidt. They are not cheap to buy.”
“If we buy them ourselves,” Sylvie explained, “then we cut out the middleman and we can offer it at a slightly cheaper rate than the other merchants. We’ll sell out quickly that way. A quick turnabout for profit is always the best way.”
Even if this didn’t turn out quite as well as she expected it to, Tran couldn’t see how he had anything to really lose. Besides, nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying went. “I’m in.”
“Good. Then when we get to Vellshire, both of you go shopping with me.” Slapping her hands on her thighs, she said, “But for tonight, if you want to go bathe, Tran, feel free. Fei will stay with me.”
Fei went alert at this. “Something happened?”
“Pushy flirts,” Sylvie summed up succinctly.
Tran took her at her word and went for a set of clean clothes and a towel from his room. As he did so, he turned it over in his mind, daydreaming. Now, what would he spend his eighteen kors on? A new coat, perhaps? New straps for his sheaths? The possibilities were endless. Perhaps he would set some of it aside to invest through Sylvie again. That way he would have more options in the future.
Secretly he hoped that everything turned out the way he wanted it to.
Chapter Five
The ferry south of Turton had been set up with the understanding that it had to handle large wagons and caravans. There would be no way to use paths otherwise. The barges were wide and sturdy, good enough to handle a fully loaded wagon and its team without too much difficulty although it was admittedly somewhat cramped. The ferry started up just after dawn and the caravan boss had at least three wagons ready at the docks, beating out the competition.
Tran was absolutely positive that the guild had come this way before, as they knew the ins and outs of the place, but it also seemed like this was the first time they’d taken a caravan of this size through Turton. They underestimated how long it would take to get all of the wagons across.
In the way of rivers, this one wasn’t particularly wide, but its depth and speed made it treacherous. It wasn’t something that a wagon could just cross on its own. The woods were thick and dominant, the size of the trees giving credence to how old the forest was, even from this distance. But there was a clear space kept on the shoreline and Tran assumed that was where the paths were built.
It was mid-morning before they had the first group all the way across. Siobhan appeared at his elbow and requested, “Can you call Grae for m
e? I can’t find him and I don’t have a loud enough voice to be heard over this crowd.”
The place was noisy, what with all of the animals and bored drivers speaking loudly over each other. Obligingly, he raised his voice, “GRAE-MAEE!”
Siobhan jumped and put a hand to her heart. “Heavens, man, you’re loud when you’re of a mind to be!” She was smiling as she said this so it was meant as more compliment than complaint. “I’m getting you to yell for me more often.”
He grinned down at her. “Siobhan-maee, this pace doesn’t seem like a good one.”
“I’m thinking the same,” she responded, pulling a sour face. “We badly underestimated how much time this was going to take. Our original plan was to get everyone across and then have Grae take each group, as we had in Goldschmidt, but I think we’ll run out of daylight if we try to do that, which will leave at least one group out here camping in the woods.”
And wasn’t that a pleasant thought. “I’d rather not.”
“Me neither. But I think that if we—” she cut herself off as Grae appeared in between two wagons. “There he is.” Raising a hand, she waved until he spotted her, then waited for him to come in closer before continuing. “Grae. We’re not going to make it at this rate.”
Grae grimaced. “I know it. Do we have a Plan B?”
“We do. You basically have the first group over there already, don’t you?”
“Yes, I think they’re all there.”
“Then go ahead and take them the last leg. While you’re going and coming, we’ll work on getting the second group over. If luck’s with us, we’ll have the second group ready by the time you’ve returned.”
It was certainly more time efficient to do it that way. “Then, Fei and…who else should go with him?”
“Beirly, I think. The three of us can handle the second and third groups.” Siobhan pulled at her chin, forehead drawing into a frown. “I’m just a little worried about that division. Turton’s docks are well guarded, more than they had been last year, but the same cannot be said of the opposite side. And bandits are notorious for lurking in there and waiting for people’s backs to be turned.”
Well of course they would, that stretch of woods would be prime pickings. Rich clients coming through, the chaos of unloading and loading, and the lack of guards would make it the perfect setup for banditry. “Then should we go over there?”
“I’m thinking so. But let’s ask our client first.” Siobhan moved off, Grae at her heels. Knowing that those two should not be wandering around without an enforcer, Tran tagged along with them.
Siobhan found the caravan boss, a bear of a woman named Monica, and explained the situation quickly, ending with, “Which do you prefer?”
“Guard the other side,” Monica responded promptly. “You’re right, we’ve got enough protection here, it’s the other end that’s worrying me.”
“Then we’ll go over on the next ferry and concentrate our efforts there.” With a respectful nod, Siobhan gathered up the two men following her and issued orders. “Go find the rest of the guild and tell them what we’re doing. Grae, if it’s a matter of having an enforcer along until we’ve gotten to our destination, then take Wolf with you on the first leg and have him stowed in an inn before coming back. He’s too sick to be working the rest of the day.”
“Of course—if you’re the one that tells him to go. He’s not going to listen to me.”
Siobhan growled in aggravation but didn’t argue, moving off to find the man himself.
Tran watched her go and asked in bemusement, “Does Wolf really only listen to her?”
“No, that’s not quite right,” Grae denied although the rueful smile on his face said otherwise. “I mean, of course he listens to the rest of us and helps out as he can, it’s just that in the rare times like these when he’s sick or injured, he becomes more protective of her. Of all of us, really. He feels like the enemy might exploit his weakness if he dares to show one.”
That made perfect sense to Tran, as that was indeed how an evil mind would work.
Tran found Sylvie and gathered with the rest of the guild on the next ferry that came to them. It was a tight squeeze, in between the cart and the reinmals, and the only room left for people was right in the front. Even that wasn’t quite free space as there were stacks of coiled rope and of course the ferryman himself guiding them along.
Their ferryman was not a friendly sort, and he only offered them a nod of greeting and used his chin to point them where they should go. The flat barge had railing on all sides, of course, but it hit Tran mid-thigh, it was that short. He maneuvered carefully into a corner and braced himself, both hands gripping the railing.
Sylvie noted his position and gave him a bemused smile. “Are you afraid of water?”
“Not quite,” he denied. “Just don’t have a lot of experience with it. The lakes near my home were leech infested, so….”
“Ah, I see. But you do know how to swim?”
“I was taught, yes. I can keep my head above water and make it to shore.” With a lot of dog paddling and splashing. He eyed the water under them with a nervous eye. “The pace of this river is a little fast.”
“It’s not still water,” Grae agreed, joining in as he came to stand at Tran’s other side. “These coils of rope with the heavy ball weights on them? I’m told they’re emergency anchors because sometimes one of the lead ropes will snap. The ferryman will throw these into the water to hold position until another lead rope can be strung up.”
“Haven’t lost a barge yet,” their ferryman chimed in with a proud growl. “Came close, though, ’bout twelve years ago.”
That was strangely un-reassuring.
The rest of the guild packed in, all of them huddled together like lemmings. The ferryman started off, their pace not particularly fast but steady. Tran had an eye on the opposite shore and was silently praying to arrive without incident. He really didn’t want to end up in this river.
“Will you quit?” Siobhan batted at a reinmal that seemed intent on nosing her or lipping at her neck. “I’m not edible, you know? Quit!” Aggravated, she took a step back, leaning her torso away from the animal.
There was a rattling sound, that of metal rolling across wood, and then the coil near Siobhan’s feet snapped taut.
Wolf let out a sound of dismay and panic, grabbed her by the arm, and jerked her around and into Fei’s direction. The other enforcer, startled, grabbed her and kept them from both toppling to the deck. Unfortunately, the disaster was not averted. Tran realized in the same second that Wolf had simply changed places with her, as his move to get Siobhan had turned him around and put his own foot squarely in the coil of rope instead. He had no time to react before the giant Wynngaardian was abruptly jerked over the short railing and into the river.
Swearing, Tran planted his butt on the railing, swung his legs out and around, then jumped into the river after the other man. He had to clamp his mouth shut as his skin broke through the water’s surface. It was freezing! Granted, they were in the beginning of the winter months, but it was so cold he was surprised the water wasn’t frozen. The shock of the temperature kept his eyes wide and the water was thankfully on the clear side instead of being murky. He saw where Wolf was going down and set off in strong strokes towards him.
The other enforcer was fighting with the rope, trying to get his foot clear of it, but he was upside down and weak from being sick. The water’s strong current kept taking him out in a horizontal line, fighting his every effort. Tran grabbed the line to keep himself from being drawn away, unsheathed the short knife at his belt, and cut the line free just below Wolf’s foot.
Snagging the man around the waist, he brought him close to his chest and tried to take them both up to the surface, but couldn’t. The other man was too heavy and Wolf didn’t have much strength or breath left in order to help. Mentally growling a few choice words, he reached around and unbuckled the leather straps keeping his iron hand in place. That was hard
er to do than it should have been, as the wet leather didn’t want to cooperate. He finally wrestled it free and let it drop to the river bottom. With that weight gone, it was a far easier task to haul Wolf’s head above water.
They broke the surface with twin grasps and found that the barge hadn’t moved far from them. Someone must have thrown weights off to the side to keep them from going anywhere. Tran did a side-stroke, swimming for the side.
“Go towards the back!” Siobhan ordered, already slipping past the wagon sideways, heading that direction.
Tran saw sense in the order as she said it. The back had a gate to it, so it would be easier to open the gate than to try to haul them both over the railing. It was also closer than trying to reach the side. He altered course slightly and tried not to gulp water as he swam.
Tran was within arm’s length of the barge when Wolf rallied enough to grab hold of it himself. Relieved, he took hold on his own and kept an eye on the other man to make sure he didn’t lose his grip. He didn’t want to have to repeat that rescue.
Fei was right at Siobhan’s side and opened the gate wide, extending a hand to Wolf first. “Grab hold, Wolf-ren.”
Wolf tried, but of course he only had one good hand now, and his other arm was slick with water. It took the concentrated effort of all three of them to get him back in the barge, and once there, he just collapsed and breathed hard. Tran levered himself up with some help from Fei, water gushing out of his clothes as he moved.
Sylvie appeared from inside the wagon and handed down a stack of blankets, which Tran was desperately glad to see. The breeze was mild, but it was murder on his already chilled skin. Teeth chattering, he looked down at Wolf.
The man was looking right at him, an odd expression on his face. “No one else would have had the strength to pull me out of the water like that.”
Origins: A Deepwoods Book - a Collection of Deepwoods Short Stories (Deepwoods Series 0) Page 21
