"Here is my suggestion to you, Lord Salsbruce. When you give your servants the day off tomorrow, calmly inform your head manservant that you have accepted the proposal of the mage's guild who have offered, for a price of course, to secure the valuables of various noble houses in a magically warded vault they have hidden somewhere in the city. After which you and your family, as well as other families who have accepted the wizard's offer, will be going to a gala to celebrate the wizard's venture. You can also emphasize that the guild felt it necessary for the noble families to pack in private, lest curious servants and prying eyes disclose the location of the magically warded vault. For this reason as well, you were informed that your entourage will be making a number of stops that evening, both to throw off curious onlookers, as well as to surprise the guests with the actual location of the gala.
"Tell your manservant to tell no one, and that furthermore, should any of your servants so embarrass you as to follow you and be caught by the mages, you will not hesitate to fire them on the spot. Rest assured, my men will be dressed the part of well-to-do servants when they come by to pick up your trunks. This way, when rumors spread, they will be inaccurate at best, and you will be joining us at the ship tomorrow afternoon along with our other guests. Thus, even should the mages contradict our story later, or a concerned servant follow, by the time conclusions of a more accurate nature are drawn, we shall be safely off, and a panic at the pier shall be avoided."
"Fair enough," Lord Salsbruce said with a nod. "Your plan seems a prudent one to prevent undue panic. I shall also give my servants something extra. It is what little I can do for them, and will hopefully leave them kindly enough disposed towards me such that they will not ransack the place outright if, hope upon hope, all is well and the siege broken." Salsbruce’s bitter smile told Sorn how unlikely he thought this to be, however.
Halence nodded. "Now as to our own agreement, I had planned on leaving with assets in hand."
Lord Salsbruce nodded. "Perhaps you would care to accompany me to the Bank of Caverenoc? I shall go in, withdraw a portion of my funds, and give you your share upon returning to the carriage. We will be in plain sight of the guards by the door, so none should wonder at my armsmen staying in the carriage awaiting the ride back to my house."
Halence smiled. "That would be more than acceptable, sir. Shall we be off, then?"
Soon enough Sorn found himself gazing out Lord Salsbruce’s carriage window at the rather impressive looking stone edifice that was the city bank. It was referred to, jokingly, as the city keep, guarded as it was by no less than thirty well-trained soldiers at any one time.
Though Halence said it was somewhat primitive as far as financial institutions went, Sorn felt it was a great way to offer a very secure method of protecting citizen’s wealth. The edifice and the guards were provided for free, with a perfect record against theft and such. Additionally, there were numerous well-secured metal gates to the vault proper, and duplicates of all records. The only stricture was that the crown could make use of it, with one month's notice being given before taking out the last third of one's wealth. It thus gave the people a safe means of holding their wealth, accepting all accounts worth one silver talon or more, and gave the crown tremendous borrowing power, as most individuals left their wealth there, and in any event needed to give a month's notice before withdrawing the last third. And all it cost the crown was thirty troops and ten bookkeepers. It was widely felt that the crown was making money on it, but no one begrudged them this. It beat higher taxes, after all, and was considered a genuine service to the people.
Halence seemed to enjoy giving the lecture, probably because it had to do with money. Though Sorn did find the material quite interesting, mostly because it had to do with money, he couldn't help but be distracted by the sharp scent of anxiety emanating from the people coming and leaving the bank. Not that he needed his acute sense of smell to sense the grim mood of the populace. The anxious look on most people's faces was evidence enough that these were not the easiest of times.
Shortly thereafter, Lord Salsbruce could be seen leaving the bank and making his way to the carriage. Though his youthful frame was husky of build, his steps looked strained as if he were discretely carrying considerable weight about his person.
"I know I am in sight to the guards the entire time. Yet still it is unnerving carrying such large sums on my person without my men-at-arms by my side," Lord Salsbruce confided upon entering the carriage. He then proceeded to hand Halence a modest sized satchel he had kept under his cloak. It was of elegantly tooled leather, and the strap was fastened by a silver buckle. It was a beautiful gift in its own right. Sorn couldn't help but notice several other satchels of similar design strapped about the lord's person before the man re-tightened his cloak about himself.
"I had it checked twice, but please, for your own peace of mind…"
Halence nodded and proceeded to count. "One hundred gold phoenix. As agreed," Halence acknowledged quickly enough.
Halence's parting quiet admonition to Lord Salsbruce before they left him in front of his house gates was to be fully prepared tomorrow afternoon when Halence's men came to pick up the trunks, that they were leaving that evening, come what may. Lord Salsbruce gave a solemn nod in turn, and Halence turned with Sorn to hail a new carriage to take them to the docks.
"Why didn't we just use the same carriage?" Sorn inquired.
"We want to minimize the chance of people making connections in regards to what we are doing. It might cause a panic, hindering our exit, or it might start rumors that would have various individuals view our ship as a ripe plumb for the plucking."
Sorn frowned. "You think that's possible?"
"I think it's possible Sorn, I did not say that I thought it likely. Still, considering that we now have almost three thousand royals in our possession, it is perhaps prudent that we take care with our ship. I shall have to have at least a quartet of night guards posted, and perhaps anchor slightly away from the docks this night," Halence softly said.
Halence gave Sorn's shoulder a friendly pat. "And that reminds me, my young friend. There is something that we need to get you, for both our piece of mind." Giving an enigmatic smile to a suddenly curious Sorn, Halence thumped on the carriage roof. "Driver, change of directions if you would!" At which point Halence gave the name of a certain shop, and soon enough Sorn and Halence found themselves getting off outside of a stout looking building of stone and hardwood, much like its neighbors, save for a curious sign above it, and a door frame inlaid with some elegant bronze inlay. Obviously a shop for well-to-do clientele of one sort or another, though Sorn was still vague as to what exactly the merchant purveyed. Curiously enough, he heard the rough iron ring that bespoke of a forge and smithy, quite at odds with the well-polished exterior this shop portrayed.
A smiling Halence led Sorn into the interior, whereupon both were immediately greeted by a well-dressed merchant who looked pleased indeed to see them. By the self-satisfied expression he wore with his smile, Sorn surmised that business was going well. "Hello, good sirs. A pleasure indeed to make your acquaintance!" The man exclaimed, simpering before them. "I am Arnold, and I welcome you to my shop, Arnold's Elegance, where you can be assured of finding the most elegant silver jewelry, bronze ware, and of course, the absolute best quality iron and steel-ware you will find anywhere in Caverenoc!"
With that, the man gestured with his arm to show a plethora of sturdy looking polished shelves and glass-fronted display cases filled with everything from silver bracelets, rings, and necklaces, to copper, bronze, and silver dishware. Sorn was quick to note a number of iron and steel lock-boxes also available for sale, relegated to being displayed on the floor, due to their considerable weight, no doubt. There was even a nice selection of daggers and light fencing blades, Sorn was pleased to see, which appeared to be of decent quality even from where he was standing, though he had not thought this the store of a weaponsmith.
"Ah" said Arnold, appearing quite p
leased with Sorn's obvious interest in the weapons on display. "I see you are a young man with a discerning eye. No doubt wishing to be prepared for these dangerous times, no? Or perhaps wishing to catch the eye of a certain young lady by displaying your elegant prowess with a blade during a match or light-duel? Rest assured, young sir, these blades are of the highest caliber, made specifically for nobles with a discerning eye for craftsmanship by some of the very best weaponsmiths, both in Caverenoc and abroad.
"Knowing full well as they do my reputation for both quality and the best of clientele, said smiths supply me with only the very best of their wares at a significant discount, which of course allows me to make available these exquisite weapons you see on display at a price which is very reasonable, considering their unparalleled quality, being made of the finest, supplest steel, and master-crafted for perfect balance."
Sorn nodded distractedly, only listening with half an ear, examining one of the fencing rapiers for himself, thinking that for a blade this light and delicate, it was truly a gentleman's weapon. In short, only good for young nobles fencing without armor, or a truly skilled swordsman who could slip his blade past his foe's armor and knew to deflect his opponent's blows such that they slid off his blade, to minimize the risk of warping the sword. The swept hilt inlaid with silver wire looked both serviceable and beautiful, providing excellent defense for the hand, and no doubt sturdy enough to survive any number of blows. Sorn had to acknowledge that the balance was perfect for a thrust-centric weapon, as he found to his satisfaction when, with a nod from the eager merchant, he executed a lightning fast series of lunges, parries, and ripostes, his lead foot stamping forward with each lunge. Not his choice of a weapon by any means, preferring as he did sturdier blades that could slash as well as impale, but unquestionably well constructed nonetheless.
"Ah. I see the young gentleman is truly a connoisseur of the manly arts. An excellent choice of blade, there, young sir. Made by one of Caverenoc's best rapier-smiths, no less. If you look upon the elegantly inlaid hilt, sir, you can see his mark. And of course, should you so desire, we can inlay your weapon with any number of gems to best reflect your taste and style."
Sorn smiled at the eager merchant, slowly shaking his head. "I am sorry, my good merchant, I am more of a backsword man, myself. The rapier is an excellent choice for unarmored opponents with plenty of room to maneuver, but in an actual pitched melee, it has its drawbacks, I am afraid. You are exposed after every thrust, dangerous if facing multiple opponents. Slashes are rarely as fatal as quickly, but they have excellent crippling power, and the slash that cuts also defends against other foes. The rapier has some ability to pierce thinner gambesons and boiled rawhide, though rarely fatally so, and against thicker armor, it is all but worthless. Against a shieldman able to charge up and smash aside a long thrusting blade, you truly are at a disadvantage."
Sorn gave a sympathetic shake of his head. "No, good sir. In a real battle, a sturdy backsword or arming sword, able to parry hard blows without bending or snapping, able to cut and slash as well as pierce, is by far the better weapon. And for all that they are worthless for parrying, a war hammer or flanged mace would be the perfect choice for attacking heavily armored infantry, so long as you use them with a shield. Sadly, you don't seem to have any of those items in stock at the moment, from what I see."
At which point the crestfallen merchant gave a somewhat melodramatic sigh. "Indeed you have the right of it, young sir. For who would know better than an obviously well-trained young noble such as yourself? Alas, for all their elegant grace and peerless maneuverability in unarmored duels, rapiers are not, I am afraid, the ideal weapon for your average rough and tumble melee. Though of course, it goes without saying that such encounters are not what the better class of person normally finds himself in. This is why we specialize in rapiers here at Arnold's.
"Yet nonetheless, your observations are most astute, young sir. In these trying times, what with those upstart hooligans causing such a ruckus on the other side of our walls, it pays to be ready for whatever a panic-stricken crowd throws at our city's young nobles. Certainly such uneducated ruffians wouldn't know the first thing about rules of fair combat, of that we can both be assured. Indeed, I shall make a point of securing from my suppliers the very best in sabers, backswords, and shields, as well as other handy general-purpose melee weaponry, right away. In fact, I know a silversmith who can work quite elegant inlays in war hammer heads, of all things. Furthermore, should you but request it, sir, I can make available to you a selection of these most exquisite items for your perusal by this very time tomorrow, if you would but give me leave to do so, young sir."
Sorn nodded, as he was definitely interested in seeing whatever passed for sabers and backswords in these lands. Not that he had any complaints about his own broadsword supplied by Lord Canterbier. It was a weapon he could use to devastating effect, as the combination of his unusual strength and the sword's point of balance allowed him to deliver powerful chopping blows capable of cleaving through skulls or cracking bones even under armor, as he snapped his blade about in tightly controlled arcs that guarded even as they aggressed, much like fighting with saber or stick. Even sparring with his cousins, he used lead weights to make sure his sparring stick, leather wrapped for safety that it was, had the same weight and point of balance as his sword, so he knew he could hammer through near anyone's defenses with a speed expected only of the lightest of fencing blades.
One of the sailors had been kind enough to show Sorn how to use a whetstone, allowing him to keep his sword perfectly sharp, and the swept hilt Lord Canterbier's smith had so expertly forged to the tongue of his blade protected his hand and wrist exceptionally well. Still, it was a far cry from the familiar caress of a perfectly crafted mithril sword forged by a master. A feeling, he had to admit, that he somewhat missed.
It did not appear that Halence had entered Arnold's Elegance for weapons, however.
"Indeed your weaponry, as well as your other wares, are top notch, of that we have no doubt," Halence cut in. "Yet our purpose for gracing your shop with our presence today was actually to enquire as to what you had in the way of strongboxes.
"Ah yes, I understand completely, my lord!" concurred a beaming Arnold. "Nothing more important than strongboxes for holding goods secure in these most uncertain times! And you will be pleased to note that I only carry the absolute finest in strong boxes. No weak points, vulnerable hinges, or any of the other follies that part too many otherwise well-to-do merchants and nobles from their hard-earned wealth, of that I can assure you. And a far better choice than the central bank as well. For who knows when and if the King might seize those assets in the times ahead? Far wiser to keep your money where the king and the entire army are not privy to its location." At this, Arnold once more gave a melodramatic sigh. "Yet alas, we have already sold an absolute plethora of these masterworks, just in the last few weeks gone by. To tell you the truth, my master craftsmen can barely keep up with the demand, for of course they spend all the time necessary to make sure that each one is an absolute masterpiece of solid security. But fear not, I believe that I still have a few of the higher end strongboxes in stock… Ah yes, here we see several of our finest works before you."
The gregarious merchant brought them before several modest sized chests, each constructed entirely of steel, quite solid and well constructed, from what little Sorn could tell of such things.
Halence, however, with what appeared a very discerning eye, did a quick, yet thorough inspection of each of the strongboxes. He did not shirk in the least at the prospect of getting his elegant hosiery dirty as he crept down on all fours, examining joints and lock both for soundness, even tipping the modest-sized yet weighty strongboxes over to assure soundness from top to bottom.
"Indeed," Halence allowed with a slight nod. "Your strongboxes are certainly of sound quality. I note, however, that only two of the four have additional latches for attaching one's own lock, as opposed to simply using the on
e inherent to the box, and only one of those two has a rear steel loop for securing the box to an external anchor of some sort. After all, good merchant, what good is a lockbox, if a thief can simply carry it away and open it later at his leisure?"
"You are all too right, my lord!" agreed an effusive Arnold. "It is one thing if, in most cases, you are primarily concerned with the integrity of servants hoping to take advantage of uncertain times. Quite another matter entirely if one need fear rogues outright! A credit to your discerning eye, my lord, for in truth, few think to inquire about matters beyond the quality of the workmanship which is of course, second to none.”
Halence nodded. "Of the workmanship, I have no doubt, good merchant. What matters to me now is price. For though I have found other strongboxes that meet my requirements, I will be candid in saying that the quality of your offerings is at least on par. So tell me, good merchant, how much of the very silver that I aim to protect would be spent in securing the means to do so?"
"Dear gentle sir, we needs must consider the costs involved in hiring said master craftsmen, the demand placed both on them and upon my establishment to supply ever more strongboxes, these are rough times indeed, and for any other pair less discerning and deserving then yourselves, I could not bare to let it part for less than three silver eagles. Yet in your case," and the merchant sighed here, "I could let it go for two eagles and two talons."
Halence’s voice was cold. “So. You are charging in excess of the price of two well-crafted broadswords. For a metal box.”
Peril & Profit Page 13
