Chapter 304: When the smoke settles...

Chapter 304: When the smoke settles...

As smoke and flames shot from the tall, dark building, the sounds of battle filled the town. The clang of metal on metal echoed out of the smokehouse. The roars of a great beast shook the houses, coupled with insane screams that hurt the listener's ears and brain. The workers who knew him could tell the difference between the roars from the Butcher and those from the daemon.

Off-duty legionnaires, in town for dinner or a beer, and members of the Red Banner drew weapons and formed a rough circle in front of the building. Jenny came out to sit on a bench in front of her house and listen to the soothing sounds of the fight. Granny Gorpunkle joined her and brought her knitting. Above the smokehouse, the floating ship was glowing as the crew threw their heat into the sails.

Emilio turned to Bernice, "More wine?"

She held out her mug like a sleepwalker and then shook herself. "What the hell is going on." They had come outside when the clamor of battle had first been heard. She'd started to run and mobilize the company, but Roderick held her back.

"Best not to get involved in that fight. That is a very dangerous building. I suggest another bottle of wine and some patience."

"Patience!? How can you just sit and watch?"

Roderick held out his hands and shrugged. "Well, first of all, I am a merchant. What am I going to do in the middle of a battle? Sell healing potions? I am not a...well, not a captain of mercenaries."

His father laughed. "I was running a shop during the burger revolt in Lichtenburg. The burgers were running around shouting "Good Day!" and hitting people in the Baron's colors with their spiked clubs, and the Baron's men were attacking the Burgers. I strolled through town, ignored by both sides. I sold so many healing potions that day!"

Roderick glared at his father and continued. "Secondly, this is Sedgewick. Strange things happen, and when the locals need help, they let us know. Best to just watch."

So, they drank and listened and watched as whatever was happening happened. The stones of the smokehouse glowed brightly and then turned black and shiny. The change worked its way up the building, changing the color of wood, stone, and shingles. Heat started radiating from the stones, making the air around the smokehouse ripple; there was one long, mournful scream and then silence.

A few minutes later, the double doors were kicked open, and the Butcher came out carrying a barrel which he set into a wagon with two others. He was clothed in boots and torn pants, covered in blood, smoke, and bruises. Despite that, he was whistling and smiling as if nothing had happened. Spying the people watching, he walked over.

Layla watched her move. She'd moved up again, somehow. More confidence, more grace. Layla would have clawed her eyes out from jealousy if they hadn't become friends. But being Baroness helped. A little. It was time she and the barmaid had another conversation about the best way to progress.

Suzette held up her glass. "I propose a toast. To the Royal Gnomish Bank of Sedgewick, which has just expanded to include the Hamlets, Gadobhra, and Rowan Keep inside its influence. And to the upcoming expansion. Our banker has proposed opening a branch here in Gadobhra." Glasses clinked, and while the women sipped at their drinks, Billy drained his and poured more.

"A Bank? Now things are moving in the right direction. What will it take to let us open up buying and selling from shops in Gadobhra to the rest of the Empire or grab real-world money? I want to crush all those little piss-ants who think they can keep me out of the markets."

Suzette and Layla shared a glance. Billy was at his best when he was in 'conquer the world mode.' "Same problem as finishing the keep. We need teleporters, and we need them tied into the Imperial System."

Billy was pacing back and forth. "One solution to many problems. Fine, I can work with that. Rolly is back, so as soon as Ben returns, we hit the ghouls, get all the pieces of the old teleporter, and give them to the crazy professors. They're putting together a list of materials we need. That leaves our 'special consultants.' Getting them loose will be tricky, but we have a working plan that's crazy enough that it might work."

He strode to the window and was joined by the other two as they looked out over the ruins of the City of Butchers. "We can do this. Money's tight, we don't have much time, and everything relies on crazed magicians and luck, but I've worked with less."

The Butcher of Sedgewick has deposited 51,500 gold to your account.

Sold: Three barrels of Trifecta bacon at 1000 gold pieces each for a total of 3000.

Sold: One thousand barrels of Sedgewick Sausage at 100 gold pieces each for a total of 100,000.

50% of sales x 103,000 = 51, 500 gold pieces.

Billy shared the notification with Suzette, his eyes blazing. "Well, money just got less tight. Tell Ozzy to talk to me about where he wants his Sausage Factory. I've got some building points to spend and know a good investment when I see one."