One week after the boulder monster hunt
Tommy breathed deeply, trying to calm his nerves, opening his favourite mixed drink that he made himself, pouring it, and drinking slowly, finally feeling he could relax…7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXmN1XzhG0
Nothing was going his way; bleeding workers daily, messing with production, and rehiring was a pain since losing his overseer, and the supplies just seemed to be drying up. Nothing made sense… He thought he noticed a pattern: fewer beast kin workers. It was hard to tell at first, as they all were the same… Yet it was easy to see as time went on, as all he saw were humans…
He never threatened them; he paid well, and his expectations were in line with what they were willing to do, so why? These stupid setbacks stop his expansion plans cold. He intended to already be travelling long before now to join forces with that new alchemist but needed the place to run itself, not constant overseeing…
He was rubbing his head, lost in those thoughts, when the thug who was always overseeing others spoke with a stressed face, annoying him more. “Boss?“
“Just say it; we have already been through this…” He grabbed his drink; annoyed it was empty, he just filled it… The thug, still grimacing, presented a letter…
Opening it, he wanted to see whatever they had to say in the past; the letter was always begging him for more; now they just seem to be saying they no longer need his business, his empire…
We understand that for years you gave to us with the best of your ability, yet we found new ways to be provided the same, cheaper, and regret to inform you we are no longer in need of your supplies, though we still welcome your business if you can match the listed prices we provided sincerely the church.
How stupid did they think he was… These prices were absurd and done with the intent to drive him out… He knew if he could secure the new alchemist, they would have a lock-in, and they would stop being so bold… Yet this was not new…
He got a letter near copy-paste like this from the guild also just the other day, and his suppliers were also refusing to sell to him in bulk… Lucky Adventures cares more about money and his rare potions… but this was not sustainable.
He was lost in thought when once more the door opened… the same grimace on the thug's face, which was odd as he was the one suffering…
“Well? I don’t like repeating myself…” He went to pour more, and the bottle was empty…. That never happened before; he had never drunk that much before. It was telling that this job was getting to him… He gulped what he could, the effect starting to make him tipsy. A bit; he would need a hangover cure after this….
“We looked into it, boss, from tavern talk; it’s not personal.”
He barked a laugh, surprising the thug and himself; he was losing his edge if he was willing to show anything but calm to the people… He composed himself, breathed slowly, and spoke, “Well, do tell me how my losing everything is just a chance and circumstances beyond their control.”
The thug squirms under his calm gaze before speaking, “Well, uh… tavern talk from the guys was mostly rumours at first, but they did help paint a picture.”
“Think it was Joe that confirmed it from his sister Jill when she got—”
“I need information, not a life story. The point… please…” The thug nodded, a bit of sweat on his brow, delaying only making it worse.
“They said they took down a giant monster beast…” He waited as the thug stared at him as if that explained everything, which annoyed him more, as he probably really did believe that was good enough information…
“Please elaborate more, assuming I’m ignorant of all details.” The thug nodded but said nothing, unsure of the words he said… “Please tell me why this monster matters to my shop losing business…”
“O, right, boss!“He gained a bit of life; he observed now the thug knew he wasn’t in trouble and was being helpful, well, a little helpful…
“The monster hunt happened in the town you wanted to go to. Word spread the kid was some magic genius and made the cure…”
He stared, afraid that speaking would make him take even longer to get to the point… “Well, the word was the master alchemist was still a young kid and was already drawing business.”
“It’s why Jill went there to see him, and then the monster hunt happened, and the talk was they did it for him!”
“Really… Why?" Did the child know something about monster parts? Is that how he made the cure? Was that what he was missing? It wasn’t worth checking himself, no… But learning from the boy? Absolutely…
“How did they know it was for the child, and this was not just baseless rumour?“He needed more proof than he said, she said….
“Uh…” The thug looked lost, thinking… and that disappointed him, as he thought it was baseless and was going to dismiss him when he surprised him with something more… “HIS SISTER!“the thug shouted, startling him.
A glare got a flinch from the thug. “Sorry, boss, I had to think.”
“And…?” He was tired of these drawn-out talks; he never really talked much with them, and now he knew why: a circle for little information…
“O, right, boss.“
“So the kid's sister wanted to help him, and they were gathering supplies for him.“
“I confirm it… Well, Jill, did they wait outside the shop daily and see her there all the time? It closed, though. “
“WHAT?“Madness! How was he running a business?! The thug shrank back and was about to leave, fearing he had overstepped… ” WAIT.” He saw the fear and panic on his face. Not wanting to lose his job annoyed him; he never got rid of good workers…
Yet his petty outbursts were not helping: “You did good.“
“I wish for you to tell me more… anything you can remember “
“Uh… boss, you said before n—“
“And now I’m telling you to tell me more… So please talk.” The thug still grimaced but nodded.
“Uh… the short version, I guess, is Jill found out the kid was good at magic, and his sister was helping to hunt for his supplies.“
“And the shop was open but ran out of stuff; too many people were buying, and now they’re waiting to restock.“That was much more helpful, and he dismissed the thug, leaving him to stew on this new info…
He did think about trying to hurt the kids' supply chain; a rumour even went around that he did… yet he never did… He merely was having trouble stocking his supplies, it seems, for a while. Others have been plotting against him since Herbert left… And now there have been more shops offering cheaper, lesser-quality potions… but still potions…
The kid was the cause of his misfortune and probably the catalyst of his too, spreading info on how to make cheap potions, the fool… Information is power; you hoard, not sell, to whoever walks by on a corner…
He sighed. No drink, no leads, and nothing but annoyance to look forward to; it reminded him of when he first pushed into this city, gaining power… The fools did not know his worth and always tried to undervalue what he offered… The cure was the linchpin of change for him and helped his success; the rest was history… He smiled at those fond memories.
A week passed of headaches, fighting, and probably a few grey hairs; settling his affairs, he was able to shore up his staff. It mostly was thugs that stayed loyal, coming from the streets, and a few with half a mind to listen and work well that ran the shop.
If it were the old days, he would not trust half of them near a bottle to brew, much less a potion to sell… But the lack of business in this sense was a boon, as it allowed the few lesser staff who did stay with some wit to train others, as he could not be bothered to hover and make sure they knew what to do…. Why does he pay them if he is going to do that?
The trip out of the city was uneventful; at the crossroads, he did stay for a few nights trying to get his bearings. He wasn’t in a rush; last he heard, even after a week, the rumour was the shop was closed…
As he tended the counter waiting for a morning meal, he was surprised there were people up and talking so early with joy about work; he did not mind productive people, so it was refreshing to know they were talking about work as he casually listened waiting for his meal.
“I told you it works as well as a normal one.“
“How do you think I work so fast?“The male of the two is talking…
“Whatever you always brag about, your stupid wind blessing to move faster. What’s new?” the female replied, indifferent to his joy.
“It’s not just the mana potions; he got stuff for gas, sore muscles, and hangovers, Suessy. It was a treasure trove, trust me!”
“He opened again the other day; it was amazing.“
“And he’s just going close again,” she retorted.
“That’s just it; he was open the next day too! I had to leave back here or would stay and bought more today. “
“Gods, it’s not a long trip. I was planning to go back maybe tomorrow!”
“The supplies kept getting bought up, but he even got kids at the gate praising his low prices, so it means he’s good for business!”
“Do you think he has, um… you know?“she asked, embarrassed.
“For cramps? Yeah, I remember it for you, sis. I would not do that to you!”
“Thank you, brother. I owe you and won’t complain to the other girls. That you’re lazy and stupid anymore! “
“When did you do that?”
“Uh, never? It was a joke… “
“Hey, get back here! I need that medicine!” The voices trailed off into the distance, and he was stunned. The kid was back, and he expanded his business, it seems… So closing was a clever ruse… just to drum up business… He was indeed someone he could work with.
Thumb
The sound drew his attention to a small bowl in front of him, a simple porridge mix with a scent of honey and some berries also, and he smiled, thanking the keeper. He would very much enjoy this meal and see the child today and let him know how they can very much help each other…
The carriage ride there was uneventful, and the sun rose, bringing the day to fullness. He stopped at the inn just to get his bearings and a drink and ask how to find the shop, though the way sounded simple enough. He paid for a guide; he wasn’t here to sightsee and wanted to ensure he did not get lost…
When he saw the shop, he was less than impressed. It was decent for its location, but he could have easily expanded more… and it looked like his home was part of it. Why? He will never be free from the people…
He wanted to patiently wait to be escorted in, but, to his shock and amazement, there were no guards… True, his other high-class shop had no guards to keep the customers feeling safe and not thinking they would be robbed, but those were rich guests, not commoners…
He entered the shop, working his way around a few guests. The business was indeed booming, putting his shop to shame even on his best day… Maybe he underestimated the poor people's wealth… Yet when he looked at the prices, he nearly choked in shock. This fool of a boy was robbing himself blind?!
He heard voices bringing him back to focus, as it seemed the gods sided with him once more to help this poor child from himself and his ignorance…
“Bad news is coming.“
“And I know they’re coming for you.“
He only caught the tail end, and he was sure the person was a shadow man. He was trying to warn the kid about the asinine prices, so he figured now would be the time to step in as a master himself; he knew how to run a business…
“Master Wolf, I presume?“The room seemed to be still, which was odd; he spoke normally. Why was that drawing attention… And why was that Shadowman glaring at him? He could not fight and was slightly worried…
“It’s fine, Arlin. I got this: “Wolf spoke with a cold calm, the shadow… Er, Arlin? Move away and give him space. Master Wolf looked annoyed, but he was sure it was from being interrupted by that pesky Arlin. He was here for business and making money, so he walked up and extended his hand as Wolf reluctantly shook it…
“A pleasure to finally meet you. I heard nothing but good things about you.”
“I do have a few suggestions."
"Your prices are much too low; double as a base would be wise, but four times is closer to what you should be doing. It’s amazing how much you’re losing, but don’t worry; we’ll fix that—”
“Uh, I never got your name…” Wolf interjected mid-speech.
“That was rude of me, Master Wolf. I got excited to meet a worthy partner and put the cart before the horse, as they say; "He was joyful things were going so well!
“I’m Master Tommy. I run a shop in the city. “
“As I was saying, mast—”
“No…” Wolf said coldly.
“Ster Wolf, we should raise…”
“I’m sorry, what?” Tommy was lost, unsure of what was happening.
“I said no…” Wolf repeated, bluntly and more coldly, Why? He wasn’t sure how things changed; he did nothing wrong.
“If it is about terms, I promise you will be equal. I don’t plan on taking from you, merely collaborating. “I tried giving my best smile to assure him I was in his favour, yet all I saw was malice….
“I heard about your greed and want no part in it, and it is not master, just wolf.” He looked around, and now all eyes looked at him with hate and fear, gripping him in an unfamiliar place surrounded by enemies. When he thought he was making allies, what was wrong with all of them? Even here, far beyond the tribe's reach, they still saw him as wrong for the love of money. Madness…
Yet all looked at him as if he had started a fight when all he did was to extend his hand, and he felt shamed and lost… He nodded slowly, afraid any word he spoke would just start a fight, and left defeated…
This was supposed to be a lifeline, a new start, yet all he found was despair and hate. Why…
He left defeated and alone; nobody believed in him, and all hated him when he never did anything but tried to help. Sure, he charged, but he always made sure he gave equal to its cost… The trip home was a slow affair, with nothing good coming of it.
Two weeks later
The shops ran themselves, which saved him more misery; if nothing changed, he still could make a meager profit, but it was a sad change from the empire he foresaw that could expand to all kingdoms or, at the very least, be King of the Hill as it was now. He was a niche at best…
He was letting himself slip more each day that passed since he looked more dishevelled and had bags under his eyes, but he carried on; nobody would come for him, and his thugs and workers only cared that they still got paid. That did bring a smile to his face. Those that did know the value of money and feared losing it; he would give them a bonus this week for loyalty; they more than earned it after that child's rejection so openly and in public, no less….
He never did anything to deserve such actions… He was always fair in his deals, and even the lowest, he tried to give a chance to rise in power…
He poured another drink, a habit he hated that was now more common… Yet still, the smooth liquid soothed him ever so slightly where his pride stayed, breaking like his spirit… neither to find comfort yet, as he lost himself to the slow intoxicating of the drink ever so slightly. He wondered, am I wrong?
With those thoughts, he finally noticed his door ajar—no, open? How long was he there?' he thought, finally seeing his thug standing and saying,
"Boss?"
“If you need me to come back, boss, I will, but I do need an answer.“
“And you’ve always seen him before, so I don’t know what to do?”
“Hey, boss?”
“Bos—”
“I heard you…” I interjected, now hearing him clearly rambling the same words endlessly….
“Who is it?”
“Uh… Like I told you, boss, the gnome?”
“Uh… tinker? I never had to get his name. Do you want me to?”
“No, I know him well; let him in… Me sulking changes nothing…” smoothing my hair as best I could to at least put on an air of dignity. I no longer felt I saw his white turban pass the thug as he was too short to see over the desk… But he happily climbs into the chair, facing me with pride, meeting me once more…
He had a long, well-groomed black beard and fine, light blue silk with a side pouch on his belt about as big as his waist; it seemed his small size made that pouch look bigger… As the thug quietly closed the door, the little gnome could not wait to boast with pride about how happy he was to see me….
“You're looking well, my friend!” the gnome boasted. Sure I do, he thought.
“I hope we can make many new deals!” I glare at his smiling face, wondering how best to tell him I no longer have anything valuable to sell and am considering shutting everything down.
“It’s good you’re here. I was—” Tommy was cut off.
“Say no more. I already know you want to make deals, yes?” Not sure what deals he was talking about... I was literally going to say I’m retiring… Yet I did not make it this far in life; had I not been shrewd, I wanted to see where this would go…
“Depends on the deal.” I casually said it as if it were all planned.
“That’s why I like you, my friend – always sharp and seeing all like the desert viper!”
“I heard about the city and other towns not making deals with you. A tragedy, I say.” A chill entered my calm; was he testing me? What was his goal… but his face still had sincerity, confusing me…. He never talked like this before; it was always begging for cheap potions…
He saw my confusion, and his smile broadened, making me worry more… ” you, my friend."
“Only showed me respect with your power.”
“It made me very rich.“
“So now I wish to share that bounty with you where others see greed… I see opportunity!” I nodded slowly, liking where this was going even if I did not completely trust him; he pulled out a metal rod and laid it on the desk.
I examined it closely, wondering what its value was. It had a screw top, which I opened; it was empty. The metal wasn’t heavy, but very plain. I wasn’t sure what the purpose of it was; was it just storage? A waste if so… It wasn’t very large, maybe around the size of his forearm; a pouch would be better and lighter, and he pulled it out of one, so…
“I fear I lack understanding of the point?” I said, watching him for clues… “Is it just a metal tube?“His grin stayed wide and full of mirth.
“You know I invent things, yes? He asked, full of pride. I nodded, unsure of what to say.
“Most of my trinkets had no value. Simple things are a novelty at best. “He looked around, waving his hands a bit as if the gestures explained it all… Then he focused on me, a predator’s grin replacing the joy he had before, and I wondered if I needed my thug; even if he was a gnome, it felt like a threat…
“You… my friend… gave me power.” He pulled out of his inner shirt a small potion. “Do you remember what I asked you for when I visited?“ A bit annoyed, I did remember.
“Depends; it’s been years since you asked for many things…”
“True, my friend, but more recently this year, please.” He gave it thought; if he had his overseer, she could tell him in detail the date…. He had to handle a few potions personally, and the gnome desired a specific few; the last was odd… Now that he thought about it, he wanted a potion that could be a cold liquid that absorbs heat…
It was tricky, as most potions he made resisted heat or cold, but he never sustained it for long. It was annoying, but he found combining mana crystals with it did extend the duration, but it felt like a pointless waste to him just to make a cold liquid that you never drink…
“The last I recall was the ice potion… And judging from the color, that one is it?” He laughed, full of joy.
“True, true! This is that, my friend, BUT this is more!” He was unsure what could be more about it, but listen…
“Well, you told me it only works short-term, 12 days at most, and I was happy with that!”
“A luxury vs. heat? Well, I used it till it went bad, like you said, one crystal and done. Sad, but it was done…”
“Or so I thought!”
“I was sad I had nothing; it was difficult to visit you even if it was fun!” I gave a weak smile, trying to show support yet hoping he gets to the point.
“Well, desperate I am and tried another one!“
“And it worked once more…” That was surprising, but truthfully, I did little to study its effects; I only cared that it stayed cold in extreme heat and lasted at least four days… as he kept explaining things I missed about my potion…
“Now that alone made me happy, but twice usable is hardly special, he went on, still with mirth. “Yet before I rushed here, I could use it six times before it went to water only…”
“And I had you make me a set to last me…” He trailed off with a hint of madness in his eyes. I knew what he was wondering: if I could mass-produce it since I made so many…
“Even if I could, why the metal tube? And I hardly think it makes either of us rich…”
“You’re wrong, my friend; no offence, you think too small. I plan big, my friend.” He took the metal tube back, poured the liquid in, and set it on the table. He knew it would be cold; he could even see the metal freeze over a bit as the gnome kept his hand near the pipe, fingers spread…
He wanted to say it was interesting but hardly praiseworthy when the gnome used his wind blessing I never knew he had…. And a cool breeze nearly freezing me blew on my face.
“Here, my friend? A novelty at best.”
“But in a desert heat or long travels in said desert?”
“That is power…” I said, finishing his words… I could not help but state that now that I saw it was worth and rechargeable… There was still an issue with requiring the wind, though… and he saw my face, making him smile wide once more…
“The issue is wind, yes?” My gift helps, but I can never sell that.” He pulled out another small circle with a small stand with little blades and a mana crystal. “My trinkets can hold magic and force movement like wind to blow, but blowing hot air in a desert is pointless, yes?“
I nodded, lost to the thing he was showing, as he pushed the small metal object near the metal tube and inserted the crystal, and it blew endless cold air, chilling him to the bone… “By the gods, amazing!” I blurted, lost in the sight. He laughed with joy. Hearing me say that.
“You see, my friend, I make pointless things, but you? You make them have value; it would not be cheap being powered by a mana crystal, which would make it for the rich only, but being reusable would give it infinite value…
“Work with me, friend, in the desert with this; the heat will never bother you.“He felt conflicted; there was nothing for him here, so why not? This was a lifeline to power, the same he offered the kid who rejected him, so why would he reject someone offering him the same…
“It shames me to admit I never got your name.“He might have said it before, but he never bothered to learn it, thinking he was a nobody, and he hoped this wouldn't hurt his new deal…
“Kamil, my friend! I trust you just forgot about me not visiting sooner!” He nodded slowly, shamed by this man of power so easily forgiving his not caring. He watched as he took out the mana crystal, stopping the spinning, and wrapped the metal in a cloth, putting both away in the pouch before facing him once more.
“So we have a deal, yes?”
“I agree, but I need time to get my affairs in order… And how will I even know how to reach you? I never visited…”
“Nonsense, my friend, you can send a letter and I’ll get you, or I can send a servant.“He looked conflicted for the first time. “Do you care if beastkin are second-class citizens?” He smiled back.
“Why would I care about that?” As the talks turned to the details of their new partnership, he felt hope for the first time in a while that he wasn't wrong and this would now be his path to power.
The days passed in a blur, setting up his trip. Getting his main thug and three others to join him on this trip, the rest stayed behind to manage the job… It hurt him deeply to not be overseeing it, but with the downturn in business, it was not more of an extension to his new adventure than his main empire, and it could self-sustain with care…
The carriage ride stopped halfway to their destination in a town similar to Crossroad, as it was a waypoint between major cities, an odd name choice of Oasis, but the innkeeper looking to talk mentioned those coming from the desert had seen it as such, and those leaving to it would find it as such if ever back; sadly, he had to take their word for it.
They had to unload and transfer all their goods to a very odd monster beast. They said horses were not bred for desert life and suffered vs. these beasts that were native to the land.
It was huge, twice as tall, and three times as long as their carriage. I asked how they fed such beasts; they said they ate mana in the air or among the sand. Mostly, they just needed water, which sounded absurd, yet he literally brewed magic things, so I remained quiet…
As he walked around them to get a close look, still not trusting such beasts, they were covered in a shell-like rock from front to back. It looked like a giant mound or sloping boulder when they sat still, and as he kept walking around to get a better look, he noticed the front wasn’t round like their back but had a shovel-like head…
The same person who answered his query before said they used it to fight predators by shifting sand at the threats; they have been known to get annoyed and do it to others who intruded on them in the wild, but nobody gets hurt.
He said if you find them when lost in the desert, it's a blessing, as they only settle near water and will share if unprovoked, as amusing as it was; he cared little even here in this town; he felt the edge of heat and wasn't looking forward to more…
The trip there was indeed a miserable one, and he was tempted to quit long before this even started. How did anyone live in the heat…
Even his thugs sitting quietly with him were miserable… It was almost scary—the shift when it all just stopped? And the temperature went down rapidly; he looked outside and saw they entered the town, but that explains nothing.
It was only after they reached the palace where he was to meet that he got his answer from a servant. They said magic power barriers could reduce heat but could not completely block it out… But going from sweating endlessly to just being annoyed was a nice change, so it was a blessing all the same…
As he looked around, he saw an odd mix of differently dressed people and a lot of people… No, just beastkin-covered? He double-checked, and yes, only his beastkin servant was covered… Why?
“Is it a custom beastkin cover themselves? “Even covered, he saw the beastkin flinch and bow low. “We are unworthy to stand uncovered as equals, so we must hide our shame.” They did not look up even as others kept unloading their stuff inside… His thugs look lost and confused as he felt, but he trusts the gnome would make things work…
As if Sumon by magic, “MY FRIEND!” The little gnome trailed by two other servants, all in black, bowing before him, and the one he was talking to, joining them all, waited for the gnome to greet and settle them…
He told us he already had me a wing in the place for me and my men and would work all details out for me. He knew I was tired and this was all new, but he would give me time to adjust before talk turned to money…
It was a nice change to be bowed to and respected again, and instead of trying to beg to be equal, he was given nothing but love and respect. No, they were wrong, not him, and he would prove it thanks to this gnome… Er Kami, he needed to practise remembering the name of a man who showed him respect…
And so the story of the man who wanted power does not end, nor does he truly grow; he merely changes and shifts with the sand, with all unaware of where his actions will take him or how it will affect others.
