Mastery Is Earned

After dinner, Raymond and Henk stayed at the inn.

Derek and his men had just been paid, but they had no intention of wasting their money. The four decided to sleep beside the wagons at the warehouse. It would save them the cost of lodging and let them keep an eye on the cargo.

Teddy neither stayed with Raymond and Henk nor wanted to sleep at the warehouse. He left the inn alone after the meal, and no one knew where he went to spend the night.

Early the next morning, Raymond and Henk ate breakfast at the inn, then went their separate ways.

They had come to Brightwater primarily to sell the goods. With the experience they had gained on their last visit, most of the shipment should be easy enough to handle. The strange black ore was the one problem. Apart from selling it to the beautiful woman named Tessa, they seemed to have no better option.

Raymond and Henk had already agreed on how to divide the proceeds during the journey. After all expenses and Marcus’s share were deducted, they would split the rest into three parts: two for Raymond and one for Henk. Henk owned a share of the wagons, so the arrangement was fair.

Each had something important to do that morning. Raymond needed to deliver a private letter from Marcus to Brightwater’s City Watch Commander, Edgar Holt. Henk went alone to the church to ask whether the money he had sent had reached his hometown.

City Watch headquarters stood on a gentle slope at the boundary between the upper and lower districts. A broad street connecting the two districts ran past its entrance. The headquarters also contained barracks, stables, and cells, making it a sprawling complex.

“Sheriff Marcus of Blackstone asked me to deliver this letter to Commander Edgar,” Raymond told the guard on duty at the gate, handing it over.

After a brief wait while the guard sent word inside, Raymond was escorted to Edgar’s office.

The office was on the second floor. From its windows, Raymond could see the crowded rooftops of the lower district and the docks beyond. A blond man in leather armor was reading the letter Raymond had brought.

Edgar took his time. At last, he set the letter on his desk, rose from his chair, and walked over. “You’re Raymond?”

“Yes, Commander.” Raymond bowed slightly.

“Very good.” Edgar nodded several times. “This says you destroyed a bandit gang operating in Blackstone’s territory. You also fought alongside the force that wiped out a large group of goblins, and killed their leader yourself?”

Raymond smiled. “My companion and I did those things together. I couldn’t have managed them alone.”

“Ah, yes. Your companion. The half-orc named Henk?” Edgar glanced behind Raymond. “Where is he? Why didn’t he come?”

“He had another matter to attend to, Commander.”

Edgar shook his head, then nodded and looked at Raymond again. “Tell me, young man. Would you like a chance to earn more money?”

“I’m not sure what you mean, Commander.” Raymond regarded him warily.

Edgar laughed. “I should have been clearer. Brightwater has a bounty of its own. Are you interested?”

“There are plenty of mercenaries who need money, Commander. Why ask me in particular?” Raymond asked with a faint smile.

Edgar returned to his chair behind the desk and propped his chin on his hands. “There are plenty of mercenaries who need money. I need one who can keep his mouth shut, think for himself, and deal with trouble. I trust Marcus. Whatever his other faults, he knows how to judge people.”

Raymond considered this for a moment. “What trouble do you need me to deal with, Commander?”

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Edgar’s tone grew serious. “A number of merchant vessels crossing Deepwater Lake have been attacked by fishfolk lately. Survivors say the fishfolk have a leader. If we’re to protect shipping on the lake, we need to eliminate it and make Brightwater’s shipping lanes safe again.”

“I imagine plenty of mercenaries would take that job,” Raymond said.

Edgar shook his head. “The leader hides on a reed island in the lake. Send too many people, and the fishfolk may dive underwater and flee before anyone gets close. Send too few, and they may attack the boat from below before it even reaches the island. More importantly, they stole cargo belonging to the city lord’s son. We must kill that fishfolk leader and get the goods back.”

*So that’s it,* Raymond thought.

The fishfolk had caused trouble for so long. No wonder the city was suddenly in a hurry now: they had stolen some nobleman’s goods.

“Do you have any thoughts?” Edgar asked when Raymond remained silent, looking down.

Raymond lifted his head and looked at Edgar. “I do, Commander. Forgive me for being blunt, but if killing the leader and recovering the cargo can’t both be accomplished, which takes priority?”

Edgar nodded repeatedly, plainly impressed. “Clever boy. I like working with people like you. The cargo matters more to me. Understand? That said, if you can deal with the fishfolk leader as well, Brightwater will reward you accordingly.”

“Reward?” For some reason, Raymond suddenly thought of Walter, the Mayor of Blackstone. After choosing his words carefully, he asked, “What exactly would that reward be? Forgive me, Commander. I’m a simple man.”

“Five gold coins for recovering the cargo, and another three if you kill the fishfolk leader!” Edgar swept out a hand. “Brightwater isn’t Blackstone. Here, if you’re willing to work and risk your life, there’s always money to be made. We’re rather practical people. We prefer to reward service with coin. I hope you don’t mind.”

Five gold coins. Three more. Eight gold coins in total?

Raymond felt his heart pounding.

He had sold a great quantity of ore and furs on his last trip and had not earned that much. Killing the fishfolk leader alone was worth three gold, while recovering the cargo would earn five?

That was a wealthy city for you. And then there were all the other goods and supplies the fishfolk had stolen. Anything no owner came forward to claim could become spoils of the operation.

“Commander,” Raymond said, suppressing his excitement and looking at Edgar earnestly, “I truly admire the way Brightwater does things.”

Edgar laughed and nodded.

Of course, more money meant more risk. The reward was tempting, but Raymond would not agree before learning what this fishfolk leader could do.

“Has anyone fought it, Commander? Or at least seen it? And how much cargo was taken? Is it heavy or bulky? How many people would it take to carry it back?”

“I’ll answer all of that.” Edgar searched his desk and found a sheet of parchment. “The leader is much larger than an ordinary fishfolk, but only about six feet tall. Several mercenaries have fought it. It isn’t especially strong, but it is cunning. It stays in the water and avoids a direct fight, which makes it difficult to deal with. As for the cargo, it isn’t very heavy. Two people can carry it out. Once you confirm that you’re taking the job, I’ll give you the exact details.”

“Understood. First, we find a way to get the cargo out. If we go after the leader as well, the best place to kill it would be on the island. We can’t let it escape into the water.” Raymond rubbed his chin.

“Right, but don’t let chasing it delay the recovery.” Edgar nodded. “Getting the cargo back comes first.”

“May I have a few days to think it over? I need to discuss it with my companion. And we’ll need to talk through the terrain around Deepwater Lake and the details of the plan.”

“Of course,” Edgar said. “You should think it through. But I hope you’ll give me an answer soon. It would be best if you could bring the cargo back within a week. As for the terrain, don’t worry. Plenty of Brightwater’s fishermen have been to that reed island. I already have detailed maps of it and the surrounding waters.”

“Within a week? Is it that urgent?” Raymond asked.

Edgar gave an awkward smile. “It is, but I can’t tell you why. Money is no problem, Raymond. Bring back the cargo, and the five gold coins are yours. You can trust in Brightwater’s wealth and generosity.”

“I don’t doubt it, Commander.” Raymond smiled.

“In any case, welcome to Brightwater, Raymond.” Edgar smiled back. “This city needs brave young men like you.”

“You’re too kind, Commander.”

Edgar picked up Marcus’s letter and read through it again, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. “As for this T Marcus mentions, I’m afraid I truly don’t know who that is. Did you bring the ore?”

“I’m sorry, Commander. The ore is at the warehouse,” Raymond said. “It’s unusual. Last time, no one in Brightwater dared buy it except a woman named Tessa. Tessa Mercer. Have you heard of her?”

At the mention of Tessa’s name, Raymond caught a slight twitch in Edgar’s eyelid. Edgar seemed to be trying hard to keep his expression under control, but Raymond had noticed.

Edgar shook his head and smiled. “Tessa Mercer? Of course I know her. She deals in things that can’t be sold openly, and she sometimes supplies us with information. Perhaps she has a way to sell your ore. Her business is illegal, but she follows the rules. You can deal with her without worrying.”

Raymond nodded firmly and did not press the matter. Edgar and Tessa plainly knew each other better than he was letting on. There was no point trying to draw more out of him now.

After a little more conversation, Raymond left City Watch headquarters.