Richard Tuttle - Web of Deceit

“I understand and appreciate your service,” smiled the Bursar. “The return trip by barge is much too slow and boring.”

“My wagon can hold more slaves,” hinted Sebastian. “Are you sure those are the only ones available?”

“I am afraid so,” answered Wicado. “Trang desires to keep the rest, whatever they are worth. Perhaps on your next visit we will have more, although I doubt we will be purchasing anymore of them.”

“Many around the country have decided that they are not worth the cost of their keep,” nodded the merchant.

“Well I am glad you have found a market for them,” Wicado said. “I will mention your name to some of the other estates. Perhaps they will want to dispose of the worthless creatures.”

“Perhaps,” smiled Sebastian, “and I thank you for spreading my name around.”

Sebastian picked up the papers from the Bursar’s desk and inspected them. He turned to leave and hesitated before returning to stand before the Bursar’s desk.

“There is one other thing you may help me with,” Sebastian said.

“Name it,” smiled Wicado. “I will do what I can.”

“Seeing as I have empty slots in my wagon,” Sebastian began, “I could use some other types of slaves. I have a customer who is interested in the goings on in Fakara. Would you happen to have three or four recently arrived slaves from that barren land?”

“We get a great deal of our slaves from Fakara,” nodded Wicado. “I am sure there are some we can do without.”

“They must be recent arrivals to satisfy this customer,” reminded the merchant.

“Hmm,” Wicado said. “We have only had one shipment recently.”

Wicado walked to the window and stared out as if he was thinking upon some important matter and wished to dwell upon it. He turned and looked at the merchant.

“I do not think we are ready to sell those in the last shipment,” the Bursar stated.

“I would offer a fair coin for them,” pushed Sebastian.

“It is not the price that troubles me, friend,” smiled Wicado. “I am sure the Seneschal would sell them as your offer is generous enough. It is personal I guess. The boy Rejji is among them and I have grown attached to him. He reminds me of myself in my youth. The other two are his friends and I would not like to see the sorrow in his eyes if they were sold. I hope you understand.”

“It is not good policy to become attached to slaves,” reminded Sebastian. “Only ill can come of it. Farewell until next time.”

Wicado nodded as a courier came in and handed him a note. He read the note as Sebastian was leaving.

“Wait,” called Wicado. “Let me speak to Trang and I will return promptly. Have the wagon loaded, but do not depart yet.”

The merchant nodded as Wicado crossed the hall and entered the Seneschal’s office. He emerged several minutes later and saw Lam coming down the stairs.

“Lam,” Wicado ordered, “find Rejji and send him to my office right away. Then gather up the slaves, Mistake and Bakhai and bring them around front. They will be leaving with the merchant.”

Wicado spun and headed for his office without waiting for a response from Lam. He sat down at his desk and filled out more slave transfer forms. He finished the forms and stood in front of the window gazing out. Rejji arrived and coughed to make his presence known, but Wicado remained silent at the window. After a few awkward moments, Wicado turned and Rejji could see the barest trace of tears in the Bursar’s eyes.

“You asked for me?” Rejji asked.

“Yes, Rejji, I did,” Wicado answered. “You are being sold.”

“Why?” quizzed Rejji. “Have I done something wrong?”

“No,” answered Wicado. “I have just been informed that I am to take on an assistant. Your services to my office will no longer be needed.”

“I understand,” frowned Rejji. “Still there are many other things I can do here. I do not mind working the fields and I have been good. I don’t want to be separated from my friends.”

“You will not be separated,” Wicado said with a faint smile. “Mistake and Bakhai are going with you.”

Rejji walked over to Wicado and hugged him. “Thank you, Sir,” he said. “I would die if I lost them.”

Wicado stiffened and returned to his desk. “There is no guarantee that your new owner will keep you together,” he stated. “It does sound like the three of you are desired for your knowledge of Fakara though and that is a good sign that you will be treated well. I shall remember you always, Rejji. You are a fine lad and have done well in everything asked of you. The merchant that drove us back from Khadoratung is waiting outside. Take these papers with you.”

Rejji picked the papers up and stared at the Bursar for a moment, but Wicado’s head was down and he would not raise it to make eye contact, so Rejji left. He exited the mansion and saw the merchant’s wagon with Bakhai and Mistake standing behind it. The merchant was there as well and he watched Rejji approach. Rejji handed him the papers and he nodded.

Rejji glanced at Mistake and saw that she had been crying again. Rejji supposed that she thought she was being sold without him. He smiled at her and she broke into a big grin.

“Rejji,” the merchant said, “you may call me Sebastian. Seeing as I know you can be trusted, you may ride up front with me. You shall perform chores for me until we reach your new master. You may start by making sure these two are properly shackled. I must go pay the Bursar. I will return shortly.”

Bakhai climbed into the wagon, but Mistake stood her ground. “You aren’t really going to put those on me, are you?” she asked Rejji.

“I am,” Rejji said. “Are you so quick to forget what almost happened this morning? We have not even left the estate and you are thinking about it again. Be glad that the reports of you trying to escape will not follow you to our new home.”

“Home?” Mistake squealed. “My home is in Fakara, not in chains.”

“Get in and let me get your shackles on,” frowned Rejji. “I will try to talk with the merchant after we are under way. Maybe he can be bought.”

“With what?” scowled Mistake as she climbed into the wagon. “I already caused you to lose your gold. Now you have nothing to bargain with.”

“I will still try,” smiled Rejji as he fastened the shackles on his two friends. “If we are going to be near the capital, I know I can make money there. I will promise him an exorbitant sum for the three of us.”

“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” Bakhai offered. “This merchant’s horses are well cared for. Wouldn’t he care for us as well?”

Rejji looked at Bakhai and shook his head. He climbed out of the wagon to see Sebastian coming down the steps. Sebastian indicated that Rejji should climb aboard up front and then silently took the reins and started the wagon rolling. He did not speak as the wagon left the Pikata estate and turned onto the road leading to Sintula. Eventually, Rejji could not take the silence.

“How much did you pay for the three of us?” Rejji asked.

Sebastian gazed over at Rejji and shook his head. “You seek to buy your freedom from me?” he asked.

“Yes,” confirmed Rejji. “I do not have gold now, but I can make it and you know I can be trusted.”

“I know you can be trusted to ride up here with me,” Sebastian smiled. “That is not exactly the same thing as trusting you to deliver on a promise when you are out of sight.”

“But I cannot make the gold to pay you if you do not set me free first,” reasoned Rejji. “I am willing to pay you double what you paid for us.”

“That is an awfully gracious offer,” Sebastian remarked, “seeing as you have no idea how much I paid for you. I could make up any price I wanted to. Have you not thought that far ahead? Or is it that you never plan to pay me anyway so the amount is irrelevant?”