Dlome
The Trade
Twas late in the evening when fair Trinsic came into view. I
was tired and ready to place my belongings in the safe keeping of
Trinsic's bank. I rode through the west gate of the city alert to
those around me. The bustle had not lessened a bit despite dusks
arrival.
As I approached the bank I noticed a man on a horse shouting
loudly.
"What is it you need sir? I cannot hear thee over the
din." I shouted as I moved closer.
"I wish to sell my horse." he shouted back.
"Ahh then thou art in luck! I could use a horse, and your
steed seems to be in fine condition." I replied in a normal
tone.
Realizing that he needed not shout, he said more quietly
"I ask 250 gold for him."
I paused for a moment and pretended to rustle through my bags
as I studied his character. The man was tall, but not as strong
as his armour would suggest. His complexion was dark and
compounded by the dirt and grime that coverd his visage. He was
quite obviously a warrior. Upon rummaging through my bags, I saw
a golden key that I found nearly a week ago. I had no use for it
as I had no idea what it unlocked.
I said to the man "I'll trade thee your horse for my
ship. Dost thou like?" I faked a carless slip of the key
allowing it to fall onto the cobblestone plaza.
With a gleam in his eye he replied "Yes!"
His eagerness was heartening and obviously compounded by the
chime the key made when it hit the stone.
"Good" I reply.
"Where is thy ship?" he asks.
My target was plainly interested. "At the end of the
docks here in trinsic... Would you like to trade?" I
replied.
"Yes sir, but I must see thy ship. I have been cheated
before." He said as he moved the horse farther away. I
noticed his complexion grow darker... and not from the falling
sun. It seemed he noticed my profession.
Others in the area shouted to him "Dont trust him! He is
cheating you!"
In a brisk voice he replied "Sir, I must see thy
ship." His warm welcome tone was now gone. He would be a
tough costomer.
"Come, sir, to the docks." I said.
He followed at a distance. I noticed him studying me. Surely
he had noticed my profession now. "Keep thy distance
Dlome" he shouted.
He knew my name. Twas going to be a hard sell indeed...
We arrived at the docks. The crowd was less here making
negotiating much easier. It seems fisherman are a quiet lot. We
walked to the end and I showed him the ship. "Hand me the
key so that I may ensure it does unlock this boat."
"No sir. Ye will cheat me in the same way that you fear I
will cheat you."
It seems we were at an impasse. His features continued
to show his dissaproval of my lifestyle... I knew i could get
nowhere with his mindset.
"Sir, I do not need or want my ship anymore. If you will
give me thy horse I will gladly hand thee the key. I have no need
for it." I said.
Hopefully I could ease his fears. His eyes remained in a tight
squint, but now to fight the setting sun more than to show me his
dissapproval.
"Sir, i understand thy fears. There is nothing I can do
to ease them either. We must trust each other for this to
work." I said. With this, I could see a very obviosly
release of tension. Somehow I sounded honest to him.
"You are right, sir," he replied. He moved closer to
me so he could speak more easily. "What do you
suggest?"
"I was once in your position as well. I was a simple
tinker trying to deal with a thief. I spoke to the man for a
while until I had determined his motives and his thoughts. Do you
know me?"
His reply was silence.
With only a short pause I continued "I suggest that I
place the key here on this barrel and you leave your horse at the
opposite end of the dock. This way neither of us will be able to
take both."
"How dost I know that the key unlocks this ship?"
"Leave the horse so that you and I can both command
it." I replied.
I darted over to the horse and attempted to mount, but the
horse would not allow it.
"You tried to trick me!" I shouted.
"Sir I cannot trust thee." he called back.
"Obviously sir you are the one not to be trusted." I
said in discouragment.
Our problem was now worse. I turned to him and looked in his
eyes as he glanced towards the ship. Once agian I could
see the glint in his eye. Feeling his desire to own the ship, I
walked away.
"Wait!" he called after me.
I stopped and turned slowly "What sir" I snorted.
"I will let you mount the horse" He said quickly.
I walked back to him and mounted. "Thank thee sir."
"Give me the key now" he said with a worried tone.
"Of course sir. Here, take it"
"Don't go anywhere!" he shouted.
"Sir, I will wait right here" I moved the horse
towards the shore and stopped.
He moved past me and approached the gangplank. The sun had set
and in the dim light I knew he could not easily see me or the
lock he was trying to negotiate. As he attempted to turn the key
I turned the horse and galloped away. In the distance I heard a
cry. I believe he found that the key did not fit the lock.
I don't know this man's name. I prefer to keep my victims
faceless. If you doth know my story, heed my words: Be wary of
all, and befriend only those who have proven their honour. Words
are a mere passing of time, actions show truth.
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