Brian Pratt - Fires of prophesy

He sees their server coming toward them with two plates, topped with several skewers containing meat and vegetables along with two mugs. As their server places the plates in front of them, he can still hear sizzle coming from the meats. Once the mugs are on the table, their server says something and Roland gives him a reply before going over to another table with two gentlemen.

Keeping his voice low, Roland says, “You guys don’t seem much like merchants to me.”

James looks at him with a mouth full of food and doesn’t reply.

“What is a,” lowering his voice to a whisper, he asks, “mage, doing running a caravan?”

“It’s rather complicated,” James replies and then takes another bite.

“I think I have the right to know what is going on,” he asserts quietly. “If for no other reason than I’ve brought my wife and child along. I mean, you guys take out a Commander of Ten like he was nothing!”

James glances around but no one seems to care about their conversation. Turning back to Roland he says, “We’re looking for someone.”

“Who?” Roland asks.

“A friend of mine who was taken captive at the fall of the City of Light,” he explains in a hushed tone. “As well as Jiron’s sister, who was taken at the same time.”

“How?” he asks, incredulously.

“We’ve reason to believe they’re being taken to the slave markets at Korazan,” he explains. “We mean to go there and find them, buy them if possible, rescue them if not.”

Roland sits back in his chair and just stares at James, as if he is unsure if he actually just heard what he did.

“You’re welcome to leave at any time if you think it’s too dangerous for your family,” James tells him.

“I don’t know,” he replies. He continues to eat, thinking about what James told him.

“A man back where we rescued you said that you made things?” James asks him.

Blushing slightly, Roland says, “Nothing, really.”

“What?” he asks again.

“Well, I had this idea that if you filled a bag with hot air, you can make it float,” he explains then sets himself as if he expects to be ridiculed.

“You would probably need an air tight bag of little weight,” James suggests.

Surprised at someone finally taking him seriously, Roland says, “Exactly! But I haven’t been able to find anyone able to make what I would require. All the cloth I’ve been able to afford has been too heavy.”

“That could be a problem,” James agrees. “What do you hope to do with it?”

“Do?” Roland asks as if the question had never even occurred to him.

“Yeah, do,” he says.

“I’ve never really thought past getting it done, actually” he admits.

“I’m sure you could come up with something,” James says hopefully. Could think of several applications, mostly military ones in this society, he muses to himself.

Finishing the last bite of his meal, James sits back in his chair, stomach gurgling most contentedly. Once Roland is done, they leave the inn and head over to where they’ve been told they can acquire some barrels and possibly a wagon.

They come to a building with an adjacent large open courtyard containing wagons, barrels and several other various items constructed of wood. A sign outside the door shows a wagon with two barrels.

“This must be the place,” James says to Roland.

“Looks like it,” he agrees as they go up three steps and open the door.

They enter a fair sized room, with dozens of barrels of varying sizes stacked against the walls. A man is busily stacking small buckets upon a table and turns around to greet them when he hears the door open. He says something in the Empire’s language and stands there expectantly.

When Roland replies to him, explaining that James cannot speak the language, he immediately switches to the northern tongue. “Welcome to Salli’s Barrels,” he says to James. Placing his hand on his chest he continues. “And I am Salli, how may I help you fine sirs today?”

“We understand that we may be able to procure some barrels from you?” James explains. “As well as a wagon, perhaps?”

Nodding his head, Salli says as he gestures around his shop, “As you can see, I have many barrels for every need, as well as a couple of wagons available out in the courtyard.”

“We would like to purchase a wagon and about six large barrels,” James tells him. “We are taking a trip and need sufficient water to sustain us through the journey.”

“Ah,” says Salli, “I have just what you would need.” He goes over to where several large barrels sit against a wall and then says, “These barrels are made for just such a use. See,” he says as he holds up a round wooden lid, “I have even made lids, especially for these, so the water will not slosh out during your journey.” He shows them how easy it is to seal the barrel and to reopen it again.

“How many do you think we would need for about ten horses and eight people?” James asks.

Thinking for a second, he says, “Probably four would be sufficient, provided you are able to replenish them every three or four days.”

“Very well,” he agrees, “we’ll take four. Now, can we go see what wagons are available?”

“Certainly sir,” he says as he leads them out a back door to the adjacent courtyard. Outside are four wagons of varying size and age. One is really old and looks to be falling apart, another is brand new with lots of ornamentation. Seeing James looking at the one with ornamentation, he says, “Sorry sir, that one has been special ordered by another customer. I do have these other three available.”

He takes them to one that is neither old nor new and looks to have seen service at some time or another. “This one here, though not new, is sturdy and will last you a long time.”

James and Roland inspect it, the wheels don’t show signs of cracking and overall, it looks to have been very well cared for. “How much?” James asks Salli.

“For the barrels and the wagon,” he replies, placing his hand on his chin in contemplation, “ten golds.”

“Ten?” James says in mock shock and then begins what he really hates, haggling. “Surely this wagon has seen better days, I would think six would be more than adequate for such a well used wagon.”

“Six!” Sallie exclaims. “Why not just steal it from me right now!” With a look of outrage, he says, “Surely you can see that this wagon, though having been used, still has many, many years left in her. I couldn’t part with it for less than nine.”

“Hmmm…” James murmurs as if he’s contemplating the offer. Turning to Roland, he says, “Wasn’t there that merchant trying to sell his extra wagon for seven over at the caravansary?”

“I think so, yes,” Roland says with a smile as he plays along.

“Eight, good sirs,” Sallie counters. “And I’ll throw in a couple buckets to help in the watering of your horses.”

James thinks about it for a second and looks to Roland, who nods. “Alright, eight it is,” he says, holding out his hand to clench the deal.

Beaming again, Salli takes his hand and shakes it firmly. “Thank you good sirs,” he says. “When would you like to pick it up?”

“We could just take it right now,” James replies as he hands over the eight golds.

“But you brought no horses,” Salli says, taking the coins. “Surely you two will be unable to pull it yourselves.”

James looks at Roland, “How could we forget about the horses?”

“I hadn’t,” Roland explains, surprised that James had. “I just thought you wanted to purchase the wagon first.”

Turning to Salli, he asks, “Where can I get a couple horses?”

“There’s a horse trader on the other side of town, a man by the name of Jiharan,” he explains. “Just tell him Salli sent you and he’ll treat you fairly.”