《Merchant》


 Prologue: A golden guilder

    The road seemed to split; it divided into three directions at its epicenter, each path seemingly endless in its journey. A pine forest surrounded the road, the tall trees covering light and sound from the outside world. The greenish surroundings were filled with tiny creatures, speckles of light, and eerie beautiful silence covered the area like a blanket.


    Pebbles began to shake above the ground, accompanied with the stomping of horses and the shouts of men. At the entrance of the undergrowth, there was a silhouette of a carriage bursting across the trodden path, two horses pulling it forward as the coachman whipped them with a frightened face. Inside the carriage was a well-built man, a rugged face with a scar across his eye; he had chainmail covering his body and a sword hanging over his shoulder. Beside the man was a five-year-old boy, his hair covered his eyes, but it couldn¡¯t hide his ruddy chubby cheeks. The man clenching tightly in his hand pulled the boy¡¯s hand close to him, and dropped a flat metal; it was the common currency across the kingdom, a single golden Guilder that lay in the boy¡¯s palm.


    The boy looked up, seemingly confused as to what he was given, he stuttered and said: ¡°Whattt iz thiz, Zuuuu-rik?¡±


    Surik looked at the boy, tears welling up in his eyes, he hugged him tightly in his stocky arms. He said quietly whispering into the ear of the boy, ¡°Little Lord, no matter the hardship, never forget how to smile.¡± He stood up, walking towards the carriage-door, opening it without looking back and jumping out of it. He rolled across the ground; the brunt of the impact distributed to his body, and then he stood up slowly drawing his sword. The coachman didn¡¯t stop, he didn¡¯t look back, and instead, he merely grunted as he whipped the horses to move faster.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Within the carriage, a coin shined in the palm of his hand, the boy¡¯s head sweeping throughout the carriage, he started to shout in panic ¡°Zuuurik, wez are you!, whez are you!¡±. He started to fumble around the carriage, tears dripping down his rosy cheeks.


    In the far off distance, an army of horses appeared, men with spears in their hands hurrying forward to the forest. A man in the front, a halberd in his arm, he scrunched his eyes to see the shape of a man holding a sword. He roared a deafening war cry, which echoed across the horsemen trailing behind him, pulling them faster towards to the lone figure.


    Surik looked up at the vast empty sky, tinged with yellow marks, and flat clouds that filled the horizon. His bulky outline blocking the entrance to the forest, in an amused tone he said: ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to live this long, but damn I don¡¯t want to die.¡± He looks straight at the raging horsemen rushing towards him, humorously he said ¡°An old man like me against a whole battalion; If only it was twenty years earlier, they all be children and I¡¯d be five times their size. I¡¯d like my odds then.¡± Turning his head around, he couldn¡¯t see or hear the carriage anymore, with a satisfied grin he began to charge forward with his sword pointing towards the carnage waiting for him.

 Chapter 1: A stray at my doorstep

    It was a chilly morning, the fog was settling down, and the cobbled streets were lined with stalls waiting for patrons to bargain for their goods. The owners setting up, hurrying their workers to bring their wares, it was the beginning of a hectic morning. I knew every trader that set up shop here; I could even point out which among them were wealthy or penniless, it wasn¡¯t hard, I just had to look at the bulging figures of some of these bastards and you knew they ate five meals a day with half of the day being drunk.


    My hand fumbled around in the pockets of my dark linen coat, there were about seven hidden pockets that were sewn inside, and it was handy when you were like me who had many valuable things to hide. I wrapped my fingers around a flat cold object; I quickly brought it out and flipped it through the air. It was a single guilder, a faded gold, it was the highest denomination of currency across the eastern kingdom. The insignia of the highborn was engraved deeply onto the coin; it consisted of three swords crossed together in the middle with a grimoire hanging by a chain. The backside of the coin shifted in design, it seemed fluid in its outline, and it was changing as it flipped through the air.


    As I crossed through the lined up stalls, there were employees saluting me as I passed by, I ignored it. I owned half of the stalls here, and every trader here pledged royalties every month or so to me, it made sense they showed so much respect I was their employer in a way. It didn¡¯t go unnoticed to me their looks and stares, a mixture of fear, respect, and greed. I couldn¡¯t really blame them I was flipping a coin that was worth more than they ever earned in a year, probably more, though they¡¯d probably starve to death by the time they held it in their palm.


    I was flipping a coin that cost more than any honest man could earn, it was foolish, I was tempting every street rat or thief to steal from me by showing it out in the open. I could see their greed reflected in their eyes as I moved through the growing crowd, I could see their confusion as well, but most of all I could see their fear. It was a show of power. Their gazes avoided mine as I passed through the stalls, they knew, and I knew. They could steal the coin, but they¡¯d probably be dead before they got to spend it. I stopped my footsteps and kept it in my palm, it was time for business.


    Looking up I saw I was already at the shop, engraved across the front of the door was a simple Letiv written across it. I pushed the heavy oak door and went inside, there was the smell of alcohol that covered the place, and bookshelves lined up unorganized across the shop with books strewn on the wooden floor.


    Groaning sounds could be heard across the room, the figure of a man appearing beside a pile of books beside a bookshelf. ¡°Is that you Thaddeus? What time is it?¡± the man said.


    Thaddeus looked at the unshaven old man, dirt seemed to stick to his clothing, and his glasses laid on top of his pointy nose seemed cracked. ¡°What does it matter what time it is when your drunk half the time, Silas.¡± Thaddeus banteringly replied.


    ¡°How else would I know when to have my morning drink, my afternoon drink, and my drink before I pass out at night.¡± Silas jokingly said.


    ¡°Gods, it makes me wonder how you lived for so long.¡± Thaddeus replied


    ¡°The secret to eternal life is simple, drink, drink, and drink some more. Alcohol is a panacea, didn¡¯t you know.¡± Silas said sarcastically. He drifted through the dusty shelves, crossing to the opposing bookshelf, picked a book then sat down. ¡°It¡¯s finished, just like you asked, it¡¯s my greatest work if I had to be honest.¡±


    ¡°Where is it?¡± Thaddeus asked


    ¡°It¡¯s at the back, just like always, it¡¯s already set up so you can leave with it.¡± Silas replied.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Thaddeus walked calmly towards the back of the room, there was a wide door with no handle attached to it, only a keyhole indented on it. Picking a key in one of his pockets, he jammed it in and quickly turned it two times. Pushing the door he went inside, his eyes focusing on a black coat hanging neatly on a rack. He picked up the coat and quickly scanned the threads, it was almost invisible from afar but from close up there were small symbols sewn neatly covering the coat. Thaddeus smiled as he quickly changed into his new coat, it seemed to buzz as he wore it, glowing slightly at his touch before dimming. Transferring his belongings to the coat he was wearing, he swiftly left the room, leaving his old coat behind.As he left the backroom, he seemed to be pulled through the air, gliding towards the door. He drops softly on the wooden floors, raising his hand as a sign of a goodbye, a bottle appears in his hand as he left it beside the door.


    ¡°It¡¯s from the southern cities, expensive stuff, it¡¯s from one of the vineyards by their tribes.¡± Thaddeus said, his voice brimming with joy, it was clear he was pleased as he closed the door.


    The day was shining brightly as Thaddeus ventured out, the crowd was thickening by the moment, and the streets were filled with the heckling of shop owners to buy their wares. The sweet-smelling scent of chilled wine, the roasting boar turning around a fire by a stick, and the spicy filled air filled Thaddeus¡¯s nose.


    Thaddeus quickly dashed into an alley, crossing further down a few alleyways, turning a few corners. It was like a maze, Thad slowly progressing through, his eyes shifting and thinking about the next corner to turn. He turned around, and then his face formed a large grin.


    ¡°Anything to report, Bastian?¡± Thaddeus asked, his eyes staring deeply into the shadows.


    The shadows slowly shifted, forming a hand, the figure slowly appearing to be a young man. Bastian bowed deeply, before straightening his gaze, he hesitantly said: ¡°Your brother, Basil has told me to inform you of something beforehand, he knows how much you hate surprises.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡± Thaddeus chided


    ¡°He has brought another stray into the home, he says he promises to take care of her.¡± Bastian replied, his voice trying to mask his nervousness.


    ¡°What is it this time, a cat, a dog?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better for you to see yourself, Thaddeus.¡± Bastian tensely replied, his shape slowly shifting before disappearing.


    I wonder if I have been too lax in his upbringing, he is young but too old to be this frivolous, Thaddeus thought.


    Thaddeus looked up at the sky, his eyes lost in thought, contemplating about his brother¡¯s mischief. He looked at the streets sighing, there wasn¡¯t any point in waiting here, so he trudged through the streets towards his residence.


    The building was tucked in the corner, it was grey and plain, and it was unassuming among the lined up structure. It was silent, I wasn¡¯t surprised since everyone was probably working around this time, it was a prosperous city and there weren¡¯t too many whelps just laying about doing nothing. I walk towards the door, preparing to knock before suddenly a blade passed through butchering the door. I didn¡¯t hesitate, my coat slightly burning; I was yanked towards the door streaking through the air and closing the five-meter gap between me from the door. I kicked the door, pushing my whole weight into it, and the sword dislodged itself as I broke the door open. In front of me, I saw a girl lying on the floor holding a sword in her hand; she was pushing herself up and trying to get her bearings.


    ¡°I expect an explanation, Basil.¡± Thaddeus demanded, his eyes looking up to see his brother¡¯s figure holding two blades in his hands.


    ¡°She is the stray I picked up, isn¡¯t she just precious.¡± Basil humorously said, his eyes a deep grey reflecting no light. He was wearing a large cloak on his body, but it didn¡¯t hide his lean and muscular figure. A katana rested firmly in his one hand, while a wakizashi was held in the other.


    ¡°Did you kidnap her?¡± Thaddeus quietly said.


    ¡°Why would I kidnap her, I saved her from the imperial guards, they were troubling her at the city gates. You know how they are to people from the spooks.¡± Basil replied, his voice exuding confidence.


    ¡°You brought trouble to our doorstep.¡± Thaddeus stepped closer towards the girl, his eyes scanning her face. ¡°You hear that, my brother saved your life, so hopefully you don¡¯t send him to the court after this. ¡° Thaddeus whispered, eyeing the girl.


    Basil looking confused, he asked, ¡°What would a stray have to do with the courts?¡±


    ¡°Because, brother, she isn¡¯t just some rancher girl running away from her village out in the spooks.¡± Thaddeus stood up, giving his hand to help her stand up. ¡°Am I right, Princess?¡±

 Chapter 2: Merchant

    Thaddeus was calmly sitting down. His eyes seeming empty, yet coldly staring at her, as if he waiting for something. Raina didn¡¯t know who this man was, but he seemed too calm for someone who knew she came from the royal lineage; in fact, it seemed like he thought little about her position. The younger brother, Basil, his whole demeanor seemed to change after hearing who she was, his charming smile turning into a cold silence. She felt uncomfortable.


    Raina knew he was waiting for her to speak, waiting for her to give more information; it was as if he was weighing her life on what she would say next. She was scared. Raina didn¡¯t expect anyone would know who she was, she had dyed her hair black and even changed her eye color to green, most of all she was royalty and rarely seen by the common folk. How did he know who she was, and what else did he know, she thought. There wasn¡¯t much time, and she couldn¡¯t just wait. She was being hunted.


    ¡°Since you know who I am, it seems only polite to tell me who you are,¡± Raina said.


    ¡°Manners don¡¯t suit riffraff like me, Princess.¡± Thaddeus snorted.


    ¡°How did you recognize me?¡± Raina pestered.


    Thaddeus didn¡¯t reply, he just started flipping a coin, Raina didn¡¯t see where it came from but it was flipping through the air. It was a golden guilder. How does he have that, only nobles could afford it and a few merchant groups, she thought. I don¡¯t recognize him and he is too young to be any Sharl for any merchant group. Maybe he stole it, a thief then.


    ¡°I only saw you once on this coin, much to your shame, but your beauty is quite distinct,¡± Thaddeus said softly.


    Raina winced at the reminder, she knew what he was referring to, and it was about her appearance in the coin. It was something common among the royal blood, a competition; it showed who was favored and who received the most support among her siblings. Each coin was enchanted, the face side of the coin would change each month, and whichever child appeared was the one favored. There were two parts to this distinction, one was the value of the heir, and one was the favor of the Lord. At the end of each year, every golden guilder would reset and changed solely on the decision of the high lord, the first month of the year then was reserved for the favored heir. Every month forward was a show of support; it showed the power of each heir and the wealth of their supporters, this was done through the guilder. A noble, merchant or any power could vote for an heir among the seven children of the high lord. They would cast votes through a guilder, using their grimoire to force change upon their coins, at the end of the month it was tallied the amount of fortune collected by each heir and their face would then be assumed for the following month on the facet of the coin. She sadly had only imprinted her face once on her naming day; this showed her position or lack of position among the heirs.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Raina prompted, her voice projecting fear. She looked around the room, hoping her fear would make her seem defenseless, distracting them. She had to find a way to leave. Raina breathed in slowly, seeming to calm herself down while preparing to manifest her grimoire. It would only take a bit longer before the poison was burned out from her system, she could then use her magic, she thought.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ask you why you are here. Let me tell you what I think, the seventh princess, the black sheep of the family is finally being made useful by the high lord.¡± Thaddeus paused, his voice a whisper, ¡°There is only one way a princess is useful to a kingdom, and it is through an alliance by marriage.¡±   If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Raina stood there stunned; before quickly she regained composure, then showed an indifferent face. Who is he! How does he even know things that other nobles do not, or is it merely a conjecture? If so, he is an even scarier man than I originally assumed, she thought.


    ¡°A runaway Princess, not something you see every day, I wonder how much your worth.¡± Thaddeus said smiling.


    Raina quickly manifested her grimoire, a book appearing before her, her eyes glowing a deep blue. ¡°You will tell me who you are, you will lead me to where I wish to go, and you will die if you think of betraying me.¡± She commanded, her voice projecting strength and power through the air itself.


    ¡°Scary¡±, Thaddeus stood up, ¡°Brother, it seems like a perfect time to show your blades aren¡¯t for decoration purposes.¡± He laughed as he reached out for a shield to appear, a small buckler manifesting filled with tiny engravings and symbols strapping upon his arm. Basil quickly drew his two swords, calmly holding a stance with both his swords pointing forward.


    ¡°Now, Princess, let¡¯s put all our cards on the table. I have a shield, which I won¡¯t pretend has been fortified five times by an enchanter. While my brother is troublesome, he is quite adept at killing your kind.¡± Thaddeus stepped closer, ¡°You might have won if you weren¡¯t poisoned by gold, but right now you might just die if you fight.¡±


    ¡°And you will die with me,¡± Raina said, her voice filled with anger. I need him to fear me, think I am insane enough, or else he won¡¯t listen, she thought.


    ¡°What was your plan? How were you planning to escape your marriage? Or a better question, how were you going to escape your fianc¨¦.¡± Thaddeus laughed.


    ¡°She needed to distract him, play with his game, give her more time to regain her strength, she thought. ¡°I was looking for the Merchant; men say he can assure passage to any fiefdom across this kingdom, they say he holds control to the ley lines, and that any wish can be granted with a suitable price.¡± Raina slowly said, her voice containing awe and respect.


    ¡°You bet your life on a legend, in order to run from a Lord that is feared by his people, a demon pretending to be human.¡± Thaddeus teased, his voice brimming with amusement.


    Raina¡¯s eyes glowed and she pushed, her grimoire pulsing with power and pushing everything in front of her away. The chairs and furniture pushing to the back of the room, yet the two brothers stood strongly in front of her. ¡°He is real.¡± She snapped. He has to be, or she will die for the sake of her brother¡¯s greed, she thought.


    ¡°Do you know where he lives, how he looks?¡± Thaddeus asked, his voice implying doubt.


    ¡°He has representatives everywhere, it is said any man can speak their wishes through them, I will meet one of them.¡± Raina rebuked, gnashing her teeth, as she prepared for a summoning.


    ¡°Silly games, I am getting hungry, aren¡¯t you brother.¡± Thaddeus stepped back, his shield pulsing as a piece of paper appeared. ¡°This is an enchanted explosive, it is both expensive and illegal to own, which means it is twice as valuable. I am confident I can cover my brother, and not die once I ignite it, but do you?¡±


    Raina¡¯s face quickly turned pale, ¡°That¡¯s insane, everyone will know, you will be hunted for this.¡± She shouted.


    ¡°Maybe, but that isn¡¯t an issue for the dead is it?¡± Thaddeus exclaimed. ¡°You just need to tell me one thing."


    ¡°What is it?¡± Raina asked.


    ¡°What were you going to offer?¡± Thaddeus asked.


    Raina hesitated. If I tell him he won¡¯t ever let me go, but if I don¡¯t I¡¯d probably die, she thought.


    ¡°It¡¯s an unbonded grimoire, that¡¯s what I will offer,¡± Raina whispered softly.


    Thaddeus stunned stood there, he then smiled, his shield and the totem vanishing. He slowly walked to the back of the room, getting a chair, and he then sat down. He looked at his brother, just staring at him before he began to sheathe his swords. Thaddeus then looked straight at her eyes, deeply, calculating as he looked at her.


    ¡°My name is Thaddeus, I am the Merchant, what is your wish?¡± Thaddeus said.