“Pssh.. nah. This guy’s no good. He’s just a merchant, a speculator. He’ll turn tail as soon as he gets his share.”
His impoliteness wasn’t spoken with hatred, just the tone of a man who’d seen enough merchants to be able to make a snap judgement like that.
“But hey, he seems young and sturdy, so maybe we’ll see each other on the field some day regardless.”
The man’s large hand smacked Lawrence’s shoulder and he laughed before turning away to leave. Lawrence had no chance to even introduce himself; their meeting was over just as soon as it had begun, like a cloud had just passed in front of the moon at night.
“He would surely make for a fine drinking companion.”
Holo’s blunt assessment made Lawrence’s smile widen, but the other man just coughed.
“Well then, how can I help ya, Mr. Young Merchant?”
Lawrence straightened his back nervously and introduced himself. The dark shop was quite bare, but still felt crowded somehow. It might be the lack of many windows. Glass windows were, of course, the domain of nobility; most people had to settle for oiled paper covers or just shuttered holes in the wall. Not this place. It felt like a cargo hold, like any more windows would just get in the way of business.
Flynn was the proprietor here. He was a middle-aged man nearly Lawrence’s height, with a gimpy leg. Anyone who saw him could picture him carrying a sword in his younger days. He sat at his desk, waiting for Lawrence and his companions to seat themselves on the bench in front of him.
“Well, you certainly have bad timing.”
Those were his first words, spoken as he poured wine into his cup.
“Bad timing?”
“Yeah. Timing is everything. We were ready last week, so if you want long-term work, your only bet will be to serve a reserve squad.. but what’s with these two? The fires of hell will swallow ya alive if you bring them with you.”
It finally dawned on Lawrence that Flynn thought he was here as a supplier.
“Uh, no, I’m not here to supply the troops.”
He smiled and continued.
“I don’t even want to be a supplier in the first place.”
Flynn stared at him like he was watching kids playing in the distance. He then smiled and sighed like someone preparing to pardon themselves with an excuse about getting old.
“Ah, really? Sorry about that. It’s been so busy lately that I got a bit ahead of myself. Well then..”
He took a sip, drinking like any frontier supplier who tempted fate would drink.
“Why’re ya here? You don’t have your eyes on our wheat supplies, do ya?”
Being a “grocer” meant that Flynn had a sign for trading wheat as well. But he was being painfully blunt about the obvious fact that this wasn’t really that kind of shop. As a town grew, the markets fragmented as well. Merchants specialized, with some selling shoes and others medicine. But this wasn’t that kind of place; nor was it a specialty shop selling curiosities or dealing with money. There was a good reason Flynn had to specialize as a “grocer.” This clearly wasn’t the place for a normal wheat merchant.
“I’m here because Fran Bonilly told me to come.”
Traveling merchants had their own specialities too. One of those was knowing when to throw out a name. The fact that someone gave a merchant their name usually meant that they owed a debt that hadn’t been repaid yet, possibly for several years. It was even more likely that the merchant accepted their names in lieu of profit, for some other goal. Just like now. Flynn’s scornful attitude quickly became serious at the mention of Fran, and he eyed Lawrence carefully as he set down his drink.
“Is she still alive?”
His respectful tone was obviously not to build rapport with Lawrence.
“Yes. The only one.”
A simple answer like that would make sense to someone in his line of work, and Flynn quickly understood. Lawrence heard him whisper “really?” under his breath, but it wasn’t aimed at Lawrence. Flynn lowered his head and closed his eyes.
“Well, I guess that’s just how things are, no matter how I feel about ‘em. Is she fine, at least?”
His voice was louder again, this time with a tinge of nostalgia.
“She fought bravely enough to win some fame, and earned some injury for that. But she ought to recover soon enough.”
Flynn smiled as though a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Even if she was the last of her band, he could take solace in the knowledge that at least she had survived.
“May the rest of ’em be rewarded for their courage in their next life. Ah, sorry..”
He rose to his feet, and put his hand on his chest to report his name.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Flynn Jumogrundt, the thirteenth heir of the Jumogrundt line, and owner of Jumogrundt Grocers.”
He then stuck out his hand, and Lawrence marvelled at how unexpectedly soft his palm felt.
“Well, the Jumogrundt family hasn’t seen battle for centuries. Some of my customers insist on calling me a former mercenary, but it was my ancestors who fought. Their contributions to this city’s founding were substantial, and that’s why they let us operate here.”
“I see.”
Lawrence gently coughed and began talking.
“I’m actually here to learn how things are up north right now.”
“Really?”
Flynn eyed his cup, as if looking for answers in the wine.
“I sure didn’t expect anything like that from someone Fran introduced. And here I thought I could size a man up in a second.”
Lawrence just shrugged and smiled.
“I suppose one look at my companions should be enough to tell you just how odd I am.”
Flynn finally took a good look at Cole and Holo. Lawrence remembered the time a mercenary revealed that merchants were reputed to hire beautiful girls to distract people from the quality of their wares. It seemed Flynn had heard that wisdom as well.
“I see. That said, the north is in a complicated spot lately. Are you looking to hear about migrations? Or get tips on hot goods? Currencies, perhaps?”
Lawrence of course wanted to know all of these, but that wasn’t his real objective. Flynn stared into his eyes, but turned away after a moment. Lawrence sighed.
“Currencies, huh.. on any other day, I guess I would..”
His answer eased the tension, and Flynn finally leaned forward to try again.
“You’d like to know where to avoid so you won’t get attacked, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course I would.”
“Really? That’s why you got Fran’s name, is it?”
Mercenaries needed money just like anyone else, and if Fran was desperate enough she might even let Lawrence use her name like this. Flynn was deadly serious, so Lawrence patiently sat still and swallowed, knowing just how valuable information like that really was.
“Still..”
Flynn’s eyes glanced at the desk as he whispered, then swept across the room from Lawrence to Holo, then Cole. They seemed puzzled, and somehow impressed.
“..what is it?”
Lawrence was no longer able to hide how nervous he was. Flynn was just being too roundabout.
“These two can’t be normal if they’re really your companions.”
“Huh?”
Lawrence was shocked, but Holo laughed. Flynn joined her.
“Oh, am I wrong?”
“I am not that strong.”
Holo responded plainly to Flynn, whose face was turned to her despite eyeing Lawrence. It seemed those who dealt with mercenary bands could spot the true leader in a pack without a problem.
“Oh really? I cannot believe this! I have made a mistake!”
“’Tis to be expected of one who has been so busy of late.”
Holo smiled wide enough to show the whites of her teeth. Flynn smacked his forehead in surprise, which only confused Lawrence further. He looked over at Cole, but the boy just returned his conf
used stare.
“My my. We sure have a special guest today.”
Flynn coughed as Holo happily laughed. The situation still felt quite tenuous, but at least Flynn seemed satisfied.
“Well then. I think I’ll help you guys out after all.”
“Oh, uh, thank you.”
Lawrence reflexively replied before Holo could speak. Flynn smiled and nodded, obviously quite happy.
“But only on the condition that you tell no one what we discuss here. So? Where should we begin? Lots of mercenaries get hired by nobles, so if you bribe ’em-”
“Diva Company.”
Flynn stopped and nodded at Lawrence’s interjection.
“I see.. But Diva can’t operate alone, so they must have the backing of some nobles. And the mercenaries they hire get my supplies. It’s a tight network we have. You could take advantage of that to learn about any number of companies in other towns. But then.. I do know what’s going on up north. I can tell you where it’s dangerous and where it’s safe.”
Holo could take no more, and Lawrence was finally able to relax as she took control of the conversation.
“I only wish to know about one place: Yoitsu.”
“Yoitsu?”
Flynn was just too good at talking in circles and repeating what others said.. now it seemed that tendency had finally come back to bite him. He sat in confusion for a moment before answering.
“Sorry, I don’t think I’ve heard of it. Is it from some ancient legend or something?”
“The Moon-Hunting Bear.”
“Oh yeah, that guy! A lot of mercenaries put him on their banners. So that place was one of the ones he destroyed, is it? Maybe I heard of it after all, but forgot. I talk to a lot of guys from the north after all.. Sorry, I wish I could be of more use to you.”
His apology was quickly met with a reply from Lawrence.
“In fact, Miss Fran is drawing us a map to Yoitsu. We will know its location soon enough.”
That caught him off-guard; his surprise was written on his face.
“She trusts you that much..?”
Lawrence just smiled and nodded as Flynn studied him even more carefully.
“Really? I haven’t even been able to get her to draw me a map.. and I want one. So.. any other questions?”
He was trying to be funny, so Lawrence turned his smile to Cole.
“Have you heard of a village named Pinault?”
It was Cole’s turn to be surprised. He’d always considered Holo’s village to be their most important priority, and had taken care to hide his concern for his own village. But Lawrence knew better, and also realized that Cole would never be able to afford asking such a question.. he had no way to pay anyone back, after all. The boy looked at him, stunned, until Flynn realized what was going on and happily answered.
“Ah, now that one I know. A few years ago the eastern Church sent their soldiers there and ran into a bunch of mercenaries. Good ones, mostly hunters. Lots of them became seasoned archers in that war. Having a strategic foothold is vital in the north, you see, and that’s the kind of place Pinault is. They’d never give it up, especially if it’s home to their friends. It’s safe for now.”
Flynn was speaking directly to Cole. He even intentionally used less jargon than he obviously wanted to. Cole was sitting so tall that when Flynn finally stopped, he slumped down with a sigh of relief.
“Heh.. I don’t know if that’s of any help to you, though.”
“Nah, thanks so much.”
Lawrence had to say something, because Cole seemed unable to find the words to say. Holo stood up and sat down next to him; her smile could comfort just about anyone when she wanted it to.
“Then let’s talk about Yoitsu again when you get your map.”
“I guess we really have no choice.”
“Hey, do you guys have a place to stay? The snow’s been light this year, so we’ve been hit hard by travelers. Finding a room might be tough.”
“Ah, I think we’ll be okay.. the Beast and Fish Tail recommended that we try Sister Eunice’s lodge.”
“Jeez.. you guys really aren’t your ordinary travelers.”
Flynn stroked his chin as he spoke, making Lawrence wonder if they were as lucky as he implied. He considered double-checking with Flynn just to play it safe, but saw a smile form on Flynn’s face before he could ask.
“Winning that waitress over sure isn’t easy.”
Lawrence had no idea why Flynn would bring her up, but Flynn just kept talking.
“That, and the guy managing Eunice’s has a real soft spot for that girl. If she’s sent you there he’ll probably kick someone out just to clear a room for you guys.”
Lawrence smiled in surprise. It seemed that waitress might even be more of a devil than Holo was.
“In fact I’m starting to feel pretty useless here.. even if you guys needed a room I might not be able to find you one.”
“Ah, no, you’ve actually helped us more than you think.”
Flynn smiled back at him with a smile gentle enough to make him pass as for real grocer.
“If you say so. Jeez, I really want a map too.. I wonder what I’d have to do before she’d make me one?”
Flynn’s face rested in his palms as he spoke. He seemed at first like the type you’d expect to just steal the map from them, but it turned out he wasn’t that way at all. He might actually be a more honest merchant than Lawrence gave him credit for.
“Alright, so you guys come back when you have that map.”
“Alright. Who knows.. we might even have some new questions for you by then.”
“Let’s hope so!”
Lawrence shook hands as the two of them stood up. Flynn then shook hands with Holo and Cole as well.
“Well, goodbye.”
Lawrence turned around after saying that, and just as he did, he heard a knock at the front door.
“Oh ho, what a busy day we’re having!”
“That’s only a good thing, for business.”
“True! I’ll be right down!!”
Flynn waved at Lawrence as he shouted at the door. Lawrence stood to one side of the door and opened it to let the next customer in; as he did..
“Ah!”
They gasped as a huge lump of a man rolled into the store. Flynn poured himself some more wine. Whoever the man was, he was tremendously portly, and was carrying a lot of goods on his back.
“..Mr. Lou Loah, I presume?”
Flynn used a jocular tone as he stared at the comical heap on the floor. He clearly had no intent on helping the man, so Lawrence took the liberty to lift him to his knees. He was covered in dust; he’d probably just wandered into town.
“Ah, ow.. Jeez, sorry..”
“It’s alright. You okay?”
The man nodded in embarrassment at Lawrence’s question, then keenly stood with the goods still on his back. He was huge, yet his goods were just as substantial as he was. For all his girth he certainly wasn’t a weak man.
“Looks like another person with great timing.”
“Huh?”
“You’re here because of the rumors of war, yes? I’ll wager those are all bibles, aren’t they..? Well, sorry to say it, but anyone who wants ’em is already on their way north.”
Lou Loah sat right back down on the floor when he heard that cruel truth. If he was a book dealer, then hearing it would have been like his worst nightmare coming true. Lawrence couldn’t help but pity the man.. at least until he heard him shout out loud.
“Damn it, God! That’s going to be a hell of a trip!”
Flynn watched as Lou shook his fists at the air like a little kid. Of course, it was justified, even if few people would have the stomach to act so pathetically. It was actually the kind of bumbling act that would endear him to others, so perhaps he was doing it on purpose. Even Lawrence heard himself chuckling.. at least until he noticed that Flynn was eyeing the doorway behind him.
The voice Lawrence heard next was
grim.
“Damn your own greed before you damn God.”
The voice belonged to a small body that came in after Lou. The very last kind of person one would expect to wander into a shop like this. A priestess. But even as Lawrence stared at her, frozen in shock, she finally took a look at him and froze as well. Her eyes didn’t lose their sharpness for a second, however.
“Incredible..”
The feeling was mutual.
“No kidding..”
Lawrence cleared his throat and properly greeted the girl who had put him through a hell of a trip mere weeks ago.
“Long time no see, Miss Elsa.”
Her hair was dry, and her eyes doubly so. She was still the same girl he remembered, only thinner. But then, she wouldn’t be used to traveling, so that checked out. In stark contrast with her lack of personal care, however, her black frock was entirely free of any dust.
“What? You two know each other?”
Lou reacted like he was an audience member watching a troupe of actors.
“He helped our village not too long ago.”
“Oh ho!”
Lou’s mouth opened; he clearly didn’t care about concealing his act.
“Then you’re from Tereo village as well?”
He looked up at Lawrence, already shorter than him, but also leaning forward from the heavy load on his back.
“No.. I just happened to be passing by and gave them a hand.”
“Oh, I see.. then..”
Lou’s bumbling gesturing was so exaggerated that he could make anyone laugh. And yet, Lawrence couldn’t deduce if he was hiding anything. Many people with evil intents concealed their true character with just this kind of exaggerated buffoonery. Lawrence wasn’t so malicious that he would assume the worst of the man, of course, but that was no reason to be careless. He just smiled, until Flynn finally jumped into the conversation.
“Hey! This is a grocery store, not a pub! Go celebrate your reunion elsewhere!”
Lou slapped his forehead and looked at him apologetically.
“Ah, sorry.”
Elsa, on the other hand, had nothing to say. In fact, she really shouldn’t have anything to say to them. Even Holo seemed too tired to want to reveal just how irritated she must be right now.