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#Post#: 103--------------------------------------------------
Breakfast With Karl
DIR By: High Captain Song
Date: July 16, 2023, 4:51 pm
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The Players
High Captain Song
High Captain Malora (Technically there in spirit as she vanished
in the middle of this.)
Karl the Merchant
The Setting
The Café in The Caravanserai Market
Frode
My Mate and I leave the rented slaves under the command of Dalgo
and make our way through the streets to the Caravanseari cafe. I
let her lead the way, primarily as it gives me an excuse to
stare at her toned backside surreptitiously, while also scouting
for trouble as I watch to see who seems to be staring at the
fiery Free Woman boldly striding through the marketplace in
leather leggings, vest and shirt. She wears them far better than
I do, though I have similarly piratey clothing on. We both have
a soft spot for the café, for it is where we met half a lifetime
ago, or so it seems. Though both our circumstances were quite
different at the time. We both take a seat at our favorite chair
and are immediately recognized by one of the regular cafe
slaves. "Two blackwines and our usual. You know what we like."
The slave nods and hurries off as I throw a glance to my Mate
and smile, my hand deftly gliding across her thigh under the
table.
Karl
''Thought i heard those breathing patterns '' Karl said in a
matter of fact voice , He got up and tapped his way over to
their table , Reaching there the old merchant formed a pleasant
smile as he heard the two's breathing patterns '' Tal there
Frode , doing well i hope ? '' He greeted the man as he stood at
the side of the table '' May i join you ? '' He asked in respect
for even between men and the other casts it was good to show
respect
Frode
I nod , marveling at the Merchant's memory and ability to see
more than most while seeing nothing. "Of course , my friend. We
were just about to break fast. Have you eaten already? I can get
the slave to fetch you something if you have not."
Karl
Karl smiled at this '' Thank ye '' He shortly retorted , Moving
his hand on the tables surface he used it to guide his movements
to the side of the table so he could be in front of the two
though he didn't see it was always the right thing to do when
sitting with others '' When you been without sight as much as i
have you pick up a good memory of breathing patterns n voices ''
He remarked as if answering a hidden question '' I've eaten
Frode my friend no need worry about this old man '' He said this
with a chuckle
Frode
"Well, we can afford to get you a cup of blackwine if you want
it, even with the price going up again. Our fortunes are
improving. I trust Malora already spoke to you about our new
business venture while I was away?" I knew she conducted a fair
bit of business without my presence and the only reason she
wouldn't have talked to a merchant about our new shop would be
if she hadn't encountered you yet.
Karl
'' You an yer mates company is enough fer me my friend , Hmmmm
'' He said as his hand strokes his white haired beard thinking
on the answer to this , As old he was at times he was at times
over-flooded with info regarding others matters with the
ship-full amount he has '' Aye that'd be the truth , glad to
hear things are turning up well fer you '' He said with a grin ,
It always did the old merchant good to hear the good fortunes of
his friends
Frode
"Well, enough. And how are your own ventures progressing? You
know you'll always have a place to sell your more exotic wares
with us., if need be." I suspect you won't, knowing your
business takes you about almost as widely as me., but I 've yet
to meet the merchant who doesn't welcome another person to do
business with.
Karl
Tapping his fingers along the surface of the table he thought
this over , As he did that grin of his spreads over his lips as
he liked the idea of this '' Sure , gives me another place to
sell my overstock of goods '' He said taking the chance to work
with them in giving aid to his two friends , Reaching into his
bag he places down a bottle of Black iced Ale fourth tier in how
potent it was an slid it over to him '' You ever need something
to make you really wake up , You can 'ave this to help with that
''
Frode
I nod as I take the bottle and nod, inspecting the label.
"Lately my problem has been more with sleeping enough. But I
will keep it just in case." I chuckle. "Maybe I'll have a sleen
I need to make jittery."
Karl
'' It'll do that as well , trust me i know my brew '' Karl said
with a grin then sighed shaking his head as he thought of the
new lot in his crew '' With the docks being destroyed Twice now
i've been quite busy , But , Twice the profit '' Karl said
giving him his greedy merchant grin , He was a Coin devil when
it came to his cast work knowing how to milk coin from people
but also not enough to make others avoid using his services but
enough to ward off others who seem to like to disrespect him
making him a force to be ware of but a useful one if known and
done right
Frode
I nod, having had a hand in rebuilding those docks. Twice.
"Nasty business that. I had hoped to help track down those
responsible but...." I throw a glance to my Mate. "It has been
pointed out that it is not my place to go dealing with every
little thing that goes wrong in the world."
Karl
'' I don't try to fix everything that is wrong in this world we
live in ether , Buuuut , I do make sure i use to the full
benefit as much as i can to make the most coin out of it , Means
more profit '' Karl said grinning widely as it then shifts into
a sad face as he found a item one of his students had with him
his entire life until his passing , Karl reached into his bag
and pulled out a half of a spear that a Certain red Savage had
crafted '' On my travels i found this while i was visiting a
friend of mine , One of my men found it an brought it to me , By
the feel of it , it's a spear , A student of mine always had
this , A red Savage , i forget his name but i know he didn't
speak much Gorean , A hunch told me to give you this , I don't
know why but i know mut gut is never wrong '' Karl said sliding
the half of the spear over to him
Frode
I nod as I look at the spearhead and think it's make looks
familiar. I throw a glance to Malora who bites her lip but says
nothing. "It wouldn't happen to have been Kaiden, would it?"
Karl
'' Yes '' Karl answered , He didn't show much emotion but enough
to show that the old merchant wasn't happy but sad '' When i was
teaching him throughout my time knowing him, He often spoke of
how he was fond of you and yer mate , In my sleep i had a dream
of him speaking to me and told me to give you this and give you
a last fare well '' Karl said , His cane in his hand cracked in
his grip , Not out of anger but a sign of sorrow that filled his
old heart for losing one whom he showed ways of his trade or
anyone important to him was always a hard tank on his emotions
Frode
I nod and take the spearhead. "Thank you. This means far more
than you could know, for Kaiden was a Song-Brother to me, in the
words of his people and many was the time we played together and
shared a meal with our women. I was sorry to hear of his
passing." Indeed, that was one of the wrongs on the list of
things Malora and i agreed would be settled "later." "It will
have a place of honor in our shop." I look to Malora and see no
objection.
Karl
'' I'm sure he would be proud if you could do that , Knowing him
he'd come out from the sea of the dead and give you his normal
brotherly growl if you didn't '' Karl said with a chuckle ,
Having done this he felt lighter and not carrying the weight of
this matter on his shoulders '' Though i do have good news ,
Kaiden has a Son that is alive and i currently in the care of
one of Kaiden's chosen family members '' Karl said giving this
good news to the two
Frode
I nod, "That is good news. And yes. Yes he would," I say, as I
idly stroke Malora's thigh under the table again, even as I try
to think of a change in subject. Not that we've been avoiding
the subject of when (not if, but when) we might ponder children
of our own. We just agreed that it would be somewhere down the
line once we were done finding new adventures. I can't help but
think, however, that the storefront may be the first step
towards that subject being discussed yet again.
"So how is that girl who was helping you around.... what was her
name again?"
Karl
If Karl had working eyes he'd be blinking at this question but
of course he lacked sight due to the axe wound that claimed his
sight , He formed a smile '' oh you mean silver ? , Quite well ,
she's been keeping my books in order so i know the inventory of
my goods is ether low or overstocked , Plus she helps me a lot
in other ways but that goes without saying '' Karl said giving
him a grin then flowed into a smile
Frode
I nod. "I hadn't seen her around lately. I'm glad to know she's
still doing good work for you." I sip at my blackwine as I take
the sprearhead with my free hand and tuck it away in the pocket
of my leather vest. "So what business do you have today? Apart
from supervising the construction of the shop I don't think we
had any plans...."
Karl
'' Aye she's been busy helping me , As she should '' Karl said
then stroked his white beard '' Well , that depends on how the
gods will it , i could go an do more work or i could spend more
time with you my friend '' Karl said simply thinking out loud ,
He couldn't help but chuckle and think more on it '' If i ever
had a shop or any building it's be a tavern '' Karl said with a
smile '' Or i could take a steak an slam it into land and claim
it though i'd like to work on a partnership between you two an
me if that ever happens , Then i could have a Ally home ''
Frode
I nod to Malora. "Something to be hoped for. Unfortunately, I
don't think we'll be able to spend the day sitting here sipping
blackwine and enjoying your company. But it was good catching up
with you. I trust you'll be there once the shop is ready to be
opened in two days time?"
Karl
Karl chuckled softly '' Aye that is true , you look after
yourself , Same goes for your mate as well my friend , Oh you
know i'll be around , I'll make sure to give enough goods to
sell in your shop when it opens so you have goods to use to make
coin , All i ask if my fair share and we can talk about other
matters of that nature ''
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