Becoming Very Wealthy

It was early morning when Demenik and Doc Johnston finally left the palace.

The full moon shone high in the sky, casting a white light that made the torches along the stone path seem dim. The footman held open the door to the doctor's coach and both men climbed inside, the doctor facing forward and Demenik sitting across from him. Neither spoke until the coach had left the front gates of the palace behind them.

"Well." The doctor yawned. "That couldn't have gone any better if I had written the entire exchange out beforehand."

"I am amazed at how likeable the prince is." Demenik ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn himself as he spoke. "I was pleasantly surprised at the Pits yesterday but thought that might be his way of making a good first impression."

The doctor chuckled. "King Edward is no different. The queen died when Adam was very young, and the King was committed that he should raise the boy proper. He searched the kingdom for the best nannies, tutors, playmates, and interviewed candidates extensively before making his selections.'A ruler must be loved by his people,'the king always says,'and in order to be loved, he or she must be able to relate and communicate at every level of the class scale. Prince Adam is as comfortable on the wharf speaking to a beggar as he is entertaining nobility."

"It is refreshing to see a powerful person that is so personable."

"Yes, I have always thought that the two of you are kindred spirits in that way and others."

"Me?" Demenik put a hand on his chest and laughed. "I wasn't talking about me."

The doctor shrugged. "I am pleased that Ricin has agreed to help us acquire xai, although it is not in the manner that I expected."

"He is a clever man. He agreed to introduce you to one of his countrymen and arrange for them to acquire and bring the beans back here."

"And then show me how to grow, harvest, and refine it into the drink that we have fallen in love with. It should be much easier to smuggle stock seed than continually bring boatloads of it from Kandar all the time. When he suggested the idea, I did not see the possibilities. I am glad we were with Prince Adam at the time."

Demenik laughed. "The prince wanted in on the revenue after you gave him a taste of the product. No one outside of Kandar has ever tasted xai. If we are successful, we will introduce a brand new drink to our country."

"Possibly the world."

"You're right. This will be a complex yet profitable venture for all of us. Repeat the steps involved for me once more, if you please. Just so that we are both clear."

Demenik held up one finger. "Ricin introduces you to a countryman and he smuggles the xai back to us here." He held up a second finger. "The beans need a special climate in which to grow. The king controls a large island which has been left unused for generations due to dense forest coverage, isolation, and a humid climate."

"The exact weather conditions required for growing the xai beans, according to Ricin."

"Just so."

"Your offer to buy the land from the prince was amusing."

Demenik laughed. "We all knew it was a ridiculous suggestion, but it did lighten the mood and allow me to get what I actually desired."

"Purchasing rights to the trees covering the land." The doctor shook his head. "I would never have expected him to grant you that, either. Well done, lad."

"Thank you." Demenik bowed in his seat. "He asked too much at first."

"Your counter offer was also clever. You pay the prince half of his asking price and give the lumber from every fifth tree to him."

"Plus we increased the tax we pay him on xai revenue by an additional one percent. That was a deciding factor, Doc."

"And worth it. Now I am becoming confused."

"You control the xai business with me as partner. I clear the land and use the wood I keep to build ships, with you as my partner. The prince gets his land cleared and it is put to use. He gets lumber and also tax income from the xai produced, plus he retains the land."

"When the king learns you plan to build ships with the lumber, he may not allow it."

Demenik shrugged. "I will offer to build him one ship instead of giving him the trees. That should placate him, don't you think?"

"Definitely. His fleet is the biggest in the world, but he wants it to increase even more." The doctor removed a small flask from inside his jacket, unscrewed the lid, and raised it in toast. "To your clever mind." He took a swig and passed it to Demenik.

"If all goes as planned, Doc, we are on our way to becoming very wealthy."