GOLDEN THOUGHTS
Electrum shoved the storage bag farther under the hammock so he wouldn’t trip on it later. He had just set two mugs on his table next to a wooden bottle when a knock came on the doorframe. He pulled back the tapestry.
“Ragnar, my friend. Come in.”
The pookah captain shuffled inside and dropped down onto the chair. He picked up the bottle. “What’s this? Wood Lily Blend?”
Electrum grinned. “Were you expecting water? Pour us a bit.”
While Ragnar filled the mugs, Electrum pulled the cover off a tray of cheese bits wrapped in mint leaves. “How’s the ship hunting coming?”
“Been down to the Ship Growers Pond. Put in a bid on a fine looking bark that’s due to launch in the spring. Till then I’ll be running the Dragonfly. Needs a bit of work to plug up the leaks, but it’ll hold and get me through.”
“You are planning on continuing the trade then?”
Ragnar narrowed his eyes and studied Electrum. “And what else would a ship captain be doing? Don’t tell me that you agree with Sterling?”
“What did Sterling say?”
“Suggested,” he drew out the word, “that without the Salamander I should just hang up my sails. Ha! Seems to think he should be in charge of the gates.”
Electrum felt a chill. “Did he say something about closing the gates?”
Ragnar snorted. “He’s been wanting to do that for years. When twilight falls on small-minded sprites, their shadows grow long but they stand no taller. Life’s luxuries are more important to folks than any outdated notions of isolation that Sterling is selling.”
Electrum raised his mug and said, “Here’s to luxuries.” He drained the mug and refilled it.
Ragnar chuckled. “What decadent comforts are you craving that the palace doesn’t offer?”
“Oh nothing elaborate or expensive. I was thinking a sunny apartment in the Gold Realm would be comfortable.”
The captain set down his mug. “What about that nice pine you had picked out? Cool breezes. View of the ship launchings.”
“I haven’t given that up completely. I might like to try my hand at commerce though, before I retire into my cocoon.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” Ragnar burst out. “Commerce?” Electrum felt his face flush, but before he could say anything in defense, Ragnar continued. “You should have done that years ago.”
Electrum stared at him in surprise. “Now you sound like Mirta.”
“Wise lady. You should listen to her. What kind of commerce did you have in mind?”
“A little shipping perhaps,” he said watching Ragnar closely to see what he thought of the idea.
“A boat of your own?” He ate another cheese wrap. “How would you cloak it?”
“I can’t cloak it. But a natural disguise might be adequate enough to conceal a small, valuable cargo.”
Ragnar chewed thoughtfully. “Might work. If you’re not looking to make a large profit.”
“Just enough for that cozy apartment.”
“Never been done. But you shouldn’t let that stop you. Let’s see…” he leaned back and chewed on another of the cheese wraps. “Something in the trade district. Not too far from Mirta I would think. There are some nice little dwellings in there that might be just the thing. I have some contacts there – if you’d like me to inquire around.”
“Something big enough for two,” Electrum said. At the captain’s surprised look he added, “a guest room. Oh and a front room for an office.”
“Anything else?” Ragnar’s eyes twinkled.
“Windows would be nice, but not if they’re too expensive. My income isn’t going to be very extensive.”
“You won’t be penniless even if the commerce doesn’t work out. You’ll have your pension.”
“Just in case – I’d rather not count on that too heavily.”
“Sterling doesn’t have that kind of power. The prince would never let him cheat you out of your pension.”
“You’re right. The prince wouldn’t.”
Ragnar looked at him keenly, his eyes holding Electrum’s. Then he drained his mug. “I’m off to pick up my leaky rental. Make a few patches and set sail tomorrow morning. I’ll look into the apartment for you.”