Book 1: Chapter 17: Fickle fate.

Book 1: Chapter 17: Fickle fate.

To be fair, he was a big man. Human-wise, Pert -context implied this was his name- was a broad-shouldered, strapping hulk of a man. He had nearly a full head over the shorter Leon and weighed easily a hundred pounds more. The man didnt need to specify threats to intimidate people, his bulk did it for him.

And then there was me.

I was him, but better. The upgrade, in every way. I admit, I took no small amount of inward pleasure as his eyes visibly widened at the sight of me. There was something about frightening an obvious bully that I had never outgrown.

Please, I smiled softly. Continue with whatever you were saying. Dont let me interrupt.

The silence that stretched out was thick enough to run a knife through and spread on a loaf of bread. I could see, even smell the emotions that flickered behind his face. Shock, the rejection that this wasnt happening, acceptance that it was, and then thinking on how to salvage the situation.

Or maybe I was just overthinking it and the man was simply dumbfounded. Either way, I remained with a fresh jug of milk carried in one arm, and loomed over the human as he tried to formulate something to say.

It took a few coughs and false starts, but I believed in his ability to say something. Eventually.

And whore you?

We both knew the answer to that, but I humored him anyway.

The new supplier. I smiled broadly. Pleasure to meet you.

I believe theres been a mixup, He sputtered after a moment. I have a signed contract with these here folks to exclusively provide them with milk, and I believe you to be unlawfully intrudin upon that.

I nodded politely.

To whom is this *contract* beholden then, mister..?

I trailed off, expecting his name.

By the laws of Baron Ironmoor, of course. As per the law of exclusivity ratified by his excellence himself, you are trespassing upon my fair, Gods-given rights and interfering with my business. He said, gaining confidence with every word. Deliberate disruption of another mans legitimate business will not stand. I suggest you keep yourself in your lane or well see what the sheriff of these lands has to say.

He was attempting to salvage this by turning the subject to my transgressions and deflecting to me. Twas a good thing I was not inexperienced with such tactics.

It is fortunate for me then, I rumbled with a soft smile. That I do not give a single illegitimate fuck about the baron or his laws. All I see is bully trying to take advantage of a desperate family.

You would slander my honor and cast doubt on my good name? He all but puffed up. Ill have you taken before the baron for sla-

I am not casting doubt on your good name, ser. I interrupted the very image of patient politeness. I am denying its entire existence.

I pre-empted the redness that burst onto his features by clapping my free arm down on his shoulder and yanking him close to me. There wasnt a peep as I leaned forward and looked him dead in the eye.

Now, with your best interests and safety in heart, I suggest you fuck right off. Walk back to your cart, turn it around, and drive on home before anyone gets any harsh feelings over all this. I said that as nicely as possible, tone soft but stern. And if you have any untoward ideas about coming back to make trouble for these folks, I know where you live.

I didnt, but he lacked that knowledge.

Is that a threat? Ill have the law here before you can so much as blink! He sputtered angrily, trying to pull away. I tightened my grip on his shoulder and let him wriggle about for a bit before I answer.

Is simple, my good man. Youre a Tax Evader. Decreed by the Baron. Status says so, and status doesnt lie. Now, this here bein a fine establish in good standing with the baron, I cant buy your product. He scratched away nonchalantly Les of course you get that status removed by payin your fair share like the rest of us, you wont see a single grubbin sliver of coin from me.

Well, that complicated things. Still, no sense trying to force a man into doing business with me when he obviously didnt want to. I could just find someone else to buy my goods from. I wanted a long-term profit and buyer, not a one-off deal neither side liked. With a sigh, I plunked the basket onto the countertop.

Ill just buy this and be on my way, then.

Right gentlemanly of you, ser. The tanned man nodded. Thatll be seven gold coins.

The what? I almost bellowed. Thats double the price listed on the shelf!

Tight rein on those emotions, I told myself. No reason to lose it over some haggling. Wasnt haggling, it turned out.

Fraid thats what youll be paying. The man shrugged again, supremely unconcerned. Tax Evaders gotta pay double on any goods, barons orders. You have an issue with that, take it up with Lord Ironmoor.

I contemplated unwise things, but decency got the better grip on me. Without another word, I turned and strode from the shop.

I had not made it more than a dozen strides when a young lad waved me down.

Garek, ser. He spoke nervously. He knew me, but the reverse was not true. Ser Raffnyk has asked me to bring you to him. The matter is urgent.

My mood was already foul, but at least there was someone in this bloody town I liked decently enough. With a nod, I gestured the lad on and followed him through the streets. The roads were quiet now, eerily so. People wandered about their business, but the bustle and hubbub of it all was gone. We drew near a tavern I recognized, and the lad ushered me through.

Raffnyk, the orc I recognized as Stonefang and several others were gathered within. The human looked up as we entered, his expression tight.

Garek. He greeted me, face pinched.

Raffnyk. I returned with a nod.

Gods Above, man. He sighed. The rider was worn thing by lack of sleep, with bags around his eyes and normally neat clothes in disarray. You could not have picked a worse day to do your shopping.

What did I wander into this time?

Violence. He groaned. Incredible amounts of it. That fact that youre here heralds it as too late to leave. Theyll have sealed the gate by now and be looking for us. And for you.

Who? I demanded. I could smell the unease in the air and the men and women in here shifted, tensed.

Ironmoors bloody bastards. The orc growled. We should have been tipped off when they stopped letting our men out of the blasted town.

The good baron has decided the settle the score with our order once and for all, Raffnyk grimly informed me. Up until now, tensions brewed, yes, but there was some modicum of law and decency.

See, The orc grunted. Just yesterday, the good queen passed away in her sleep. We ride without her protection now.

The time for hard feelings and strained civility has passed, Raffnyk growled. Bloodshed is inevitable, now. The town is locked down, and theyre coming. You wandered in at a fatefully disastrous time, my friend.

Gods Above, and this day had started so well..