Friday Post

Caoilinn

The interior of the warehouse was exactly what it should seem. Dimly lit with piles of dusty crates and boxes that looked as if they hadn't been touched in centuries. In between them several men paroled, all taking careful note of our presence. I followed without comment, the warehouse was a front, obviously. The cargo the Temurans dealt with was likely stored elsewhere, under false names...for legal purposes.

In the back recesses of the building a walled off space stood, the doors here were elaborate, which I thought was a little silly, really, given that they were rarely seen. Double wooden panels, carved with beautiful scenes of the moon on the horizon. Two more men stood at the doors, scowling at Nevan and I as we appeared.

"Heavens," I murmured, just loud enough for my guide to hear, "it looks like everyone is miserable working here."

Edur grunted softly but moved toward the doors and the guards moved aside. They opened without sound, well oiled and maintained.

The space beyond was immaculate and ornate. A sitting room, lit well with lanterns and furnished with pieces that looked as though they belonged in one of the dragon palaces. Hallways lead off in three directions, one on every wall but the one we had entered through. I could see a small distance down them, but there was nothing of note.

"Sit," Edur gestured to a low couch. Instinct told me to resist the order, I didn't wish to be sitting when the Temurans arrived, but I forced a pleasant smile on my face and perched at the edge of the well cushioned piece. Nevan did not sit. He and Edur had a silent little face off where the younger man tried to impose his will over the older, but in the end Nevan remained standing, behind me and to the left, keeping near the door in case we needed a quick exit. Edur finally shrugged and exited, leaving us alone in the room.

We sat like that for several minutes. A tactic that was generally very effective at throwing off opponents in the midst of bargaining. One they must use instinctively, given they would have no idea what I had come for.

Finally, something in the far hall shifted and a door closed. I found myself standing despite my intention to appear bored and uncaring. Knowing my crossbow was accessible soothed my nerves a little.

Three men appeared, easily walking abreast. Temurans, tall and slender with sharp features and dark eyes that calculated everything in an instant. These three looked much the same, all dressed in the fine clothes of the wealthiest Kordian. Two were nearly indistinguishable, but the third, the man who stepped forward first, was slightly older, the hair at his temples beginning to gray.

The three brothers. Ferret shifters, and as clever and crafty as their beast kin.

Daddy had spoken of them often enough for me to know that these were not just any of the Temuran contacts either, but the head of all Temurans who did business in our country. I had hoped to see them directly, had asked for it, when I requested to see Mr. Meara, one of the codes my father used, but I had rather expected to be sent to one of their underlings instead. The oldest would be Gha, and he ran the business side of things. The twins Hunnin and Sija protected the Temuran interests and enforced contracts. I gathered my wits for what was likely to be the most important discussion of my life.

"Greetings, daughter of the McKowen," Gha, his words heavily accented but clear and concise. "It is a pleasure to have you grace our place of business. What dealings may we conduct together?"

"Greetings, sons of the Gudhi, it is a pleasure to grace your business," I returned the acknowledgment, hoping I had gotten all aspects of the response correct. Gha smiled warmly, so I thought I succeeded. "I have come on an unfortunate matter..."

"That of your father," Gha nodded sadly, and gestured to my seat, "we have heard," he sat opposite me. Hunnin and Sija stood behind him, mirroring Nevan. "I assume you have contacted all of his regular partners?"

They'd heard. That wasn't good because it meant they'd likely already expended resources to gather information, and found nothing, and they would be reluctant to put any more forth without compensation. They would also know all the steps I'd taken before coming to them, which put me at a distinct disadvantage. I was desperate, and they knew it.

"Yes, I find it difficult to believe that no one anywhere has heard anything, don't you?"

"Indeed. It is a terrible thing for one of us to vanish like this. Sends the wrong messages, soon others will get the idea that maybe we all might disappear."

"You think someone knows where he is."

It was the same conclusion I had come to. If daddy had died, his remains, or that of the barge or any of the workers would have been found. Someone would have noticed, he hadn't ventured off on some wild expedition into the wilds, the journey had been a simple one, down the river Syaina to the southern port town of Olnox. The river was very civilized and well traveled, if they'd gotten into trouble they would have had to wait half a day, at most before someone else had come along.

Gha nodded again. "And they are hiding it well, which means they have resources and it will be expensive and dangerous to investigate."

I figured that out too. Though I had hoped they wouldn't have yet.

"I'm sure you are aware that the McKowen's are not without resources." What do you want you sneaky ferret? If he'd wanted gold he would have come right out and said it, so it was something else, and I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it.

"Your father must speak terribly of me if you think I'd make you pay for our assistance in this sad time," Gha's face took on a look of sorrow so sincere I nearly second guessed myself. "I will do this favor for you, daughter of the McKowen, and all I would ask is a small favor in return. Something easily accomplished, so that my other business partners do not see me as impartial."

Aha. There it was.

"Why, I can't imagine what a great business man such as Gha of the Gudhi would request of a simple merchant's daughter," I gushed anxiously, playing foolish and ignorant. "I don't know what to do if you wont help me. Maybe I could offer you payment instead, daddy has a bit stashed away..."

A corner of his lip lifted, just a fraction. He knew my game. Dammit. 'Silly frivolous woman' usually worked.

"Fear not," he held up a perfectly smooth hand. Not a single callous. Gha of the Gudhi was not doing the heavy lifting in the business, I guess. "It is a simple matter of attending a gala and having a conversation."

I blinked, because of all the possibilities that had been running through my mind, this was not one of them.

"You'll have to go early, of course, I should think a week or two would suffice. I will aid you by lending my favorite cook, Teijou, I know that ladies will often bring staff to aid at large events and this will buy you some favor."

"What gala, exactly?" I managed.

"It will be held by the Vandaven, will that be a problem?"

I collapsed back against the couch cushion, much to Gha's amusement. Vandaven...a dragon house.

"And who am I to have a conversation with?"

"Lord Terran Vandaven. You will do your best to convince him that the canal project is in his best interest to put through."

I knew, vaguely, of the canal project. The proposal was to divide the river Syaina and trench a passage all the way to Monaver, the capitol. It was an ambitious, and extremely expensive, but for some it would be invaluable. I guessed the Gudhi brothers were of those that benefited.

How was I, a simple merchant's daughter going to even get into a position that a dragon would consider talking to me, let alone listen to me about business matters?

"What are the consequences, should I fail?" I really, really needed the Temaran's help. I didn't want to walk away from here without it, but I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to.

"None at all," Gha smiled kindly. "It would be to our advantage, if you succeeded of course, but if not," he shrugged, "there will be other ways to deal with the problem."

Right. Meaning the favorite chef was no chef at all, or at least, not only a chef. They were using me to sneak a man into the inside. And if I failed and the connection ever came back to me the consequences would be dire indeed.

But then, at least daddy would be safe. It was the least I could do for the man who'd raised me all on his own, taught me and comforted me. And loved me.

I had no choice, really.

"...Alright, it's a deal."