Not enough coin

Waiting is painful, I have been standing here staring at the boat slowly getting closer for what feels like forever, but it is finally time.

The ship is currently in the process of docking so i turn around and look at my 3 bodyguards.

''When the passengers start coming off the boat i want to be the first to welcome them, make sure that there is enough space around me''. I need the giants to form a wall behind me and keep the other spectators at bay while I make contact with the merchant.

The three of them nod and get in position, all around and few steps behind me keeping the other giant sailors a good distance away, let's hope they don't push.

The anxiety is filling me as the ramp is lowered and a finely dressed gentleman steps on it. He is old, probably the oldest person i have met to date, I would not be surprised if he is well into his 80's.

Even if advanced in years he still looks flawless, less as if he's coming from a long voyage on a boat and more like he is preparing to visit the king himself. Robes truly make the man, especially the shiny golden ones with black embroidery, i have to get some of those, although they are a bit gaudy for my style i can not deny the presence they give their wearer.

After the king's merchant takes his first step on land he walks straight towards me, I take a deep breath and introduce myself.

''Good day sir, my name is Caspian Season, a merchant by profession, I have come here today to acquire some of your precious cargo''. The man lifts his eyebrow, maybe I was a bit too direct.

''I see, then i trust you know both the content of the boxes and their price, am I correct to assume so?'' Not really.

''Of course sir, i have been preparing for this day for weeks. But do please instruct me on the contents of your ship''.

''Good, then i shall remind you.'' He says to me before taking out a rolled up parchment and opening it before reading out loud.

''By the benevolence of King Willard the second of Tuland I present to the citizens of Westerngrad five boxes containing the greatest pelts obtained from the king's own hunting grounds. These pelts shall be sold to the city for a measly price of 650 coins each. May you all be grateful to his majesty King Willard the second of Tuland''.

Wait, 650 coins per box and there are 5 boxes, thats a total of 3250 coins, and i do not have enough, not nearly enough, oh boy, this is bad, i knew that the information i had was not perfect but even so this is worse than i thought, the plan was to acquire all the items here then sell them to the others in the city.

If the king's merchant goes to the square and sees me selling the same wares I bought moments ago for several times the amount he may be offended.

With the cold sweat running down my back i say. ''I am afraid to say that the information i had was not accurate, i had only prepared enough for 4 boxes, may i know why the number has changed this year, sir merchant?''

The gaudy merchant rolls back the paper and pases it to a worker standing by him. ''It is due to the benevolence of the king, he believes that his citizens were worthy of more this year.''

F**k that guy then, there he goes ruining my plans.

''Then we have to be thankful to his majesty the king for his favor, now, perhaps you need help with transporting the merchandise, may i offer you a hand?''

''There is no need to worry, it is not the first time i come here, all preparations have been made.'' As he explains this to me i hear a noise coming from the ship so i look up the ramp and what i see surprises me briefly.

There are boxes being carried down, each box is most likely taller than I am and need 3 strong looking humans to carry. There are indeed a total of 5 boxes. Now that i look closely at them, each one has a mark burned onto the side, it makes a great contrast with the yellowish white wood.

The mark is probably the king's crest or something, I am a bit far away so its hard to tell what it shows exactly. Anyway the plan must continue even if I can not afford all the items.

''Sir merchant i know that you are in a hurry so may i offer to purchase four of the boxes, coin in hand, right here right now.''

The king's merchant looks at me for a second then says. ''No, there is no need, all the items shall be carried to the usual location and sold over there''.

Not good, gotta think, rich merchant comes to a place he doesn't like to sell something he won't make any money from, therefore you can say that he doesn't really care for the pelts as long as he gets his money, i know, as long as he is as i described him he shouldnt refused this offer.

''There is no need to trouble yourself sir merchant, you have had a long journey and one such as yourself must not bother with selling some measly pelts, i offer to purchase 4 of the boxes with coin in hand and take the fifth box to the square and sell it in sirs name''.

Come on, I bet you're tired from being on that boat for so long, why would you want to walk for 1 hour with boxes trailing behind you just for a ceremony of sorts.

With a shallow smile he responds. ''I like you youngling, what was you name again?''

''Caspian Season sir, merchant''.

''Good, Caspian, it shall be so, you have till dusk to bring me the coin for the last box, now pay up, I have somewhere to be''. Yes, it actually worked. The profit I will make with this is insane.

''Now before I go make sure you bring me back a contract that states both the exact price you sold the pelts for and the name of the buyer, hurry along then''.

He knows, this old man surely knows what i'm up to, yet he doesn't care and even plays along. But enough is enough so he does not want me to make a profit from the 5th box, that is still good enough for me.

So i fish the small box containing the enchanted coins and start removing my mana from each one at a time. The old sly merchant does not even react when he sees me do so and waits until I am finished.

''Are you done?'' I nod ''Good give the box here''. I do as he tells me and hand over the box, he waves his hand over and without even touching the coins they all start shining blue. This man knows what he's doing.

''Now that our business is concluded i shall await you here at dusk, be sure to bring both the coin and contract when you return''.

The old merchant then starts walking with his entourage and heads in the direction of the... brothel?

Well he may not be as old as i gave him credit for.