Heart of Dorkness

Terror Fifteen - Merchants

I walk up the steps leading into the Merchants Guild and pause as I see that both guards by the door are staring at me. Hello, I say. Im not sure if this is the right place, but Im looking for the offices of Mister Javier Jurez. Hes a member of the guild.

Ask the receptionist, one of them says.

Right, thanks, I say as I scoot on by.

That was surprisingly easy. Im not going to complain though.

The interior of the Merchants Guild reminds me a bit of home. Lots of stone cut in straight angles, plinths and pillars along the sides of the room, and a large wooden desk by the front. I cant see any more guards here, but that doesnt mean there arent any. Not that I can imagine much of a need for even more guards. For all that the place is imposing, its not opulent. Theres none of that gold gilding and pretty art Id expect from a nobles place. Just a few potted ferns next to some benches on the sides.

The receptionist, a young man in a nice suit, looks up as we move closer. Greetings, he says.

Hi. Im looking for the office of Mister Javier Jurez.

Im afraid that Mister Jurez is... currently indisposed.

Oh, I know, I say. I heard that he was arrested?

The Guild prefers not to feed the rumour mill when we can avoid it.

I nod. Thats fine. I still need to see him. But if hes indisposed, are there people he worked closely with? A secretary, a partner? We usually do all of our business through him directly, you see, so Im not too sure who to contact about my concerns.

I understand, the secretary says. And of course, business must go on. I can put you in contact with another merchant that can service your needs, perhaps even at competitive rates?

I keep my face neutral. My hood hides most of it, but sometimes people can sense that kind of thing. The secretary doesnt look like a mage...

[David Escriv The Greeter]

Adept Primus Secretarius

An adept? I guess that even secretaries will level up eventually, but he looks pretty young to be an adept. Maybe Im underestimating the guild. David here seems to be trying to fish business away from Mister Jurez while hes away. Thats pretty cutthroat.

Maybe, I say. It would depend on a few things, notably how long Mister Jurez will be indisposed for. Which is something Id like to discuss with someone working for or with him.

The secretary nods, a deep, near-bow sort of nod. I understand. Mister Jurez does have an office in the Guild itself, most members of good standing do, but he conducts most of his affairs in Santafaria from his estates. He turns and casually walks to a drawer which he opens, his fingers skating across the top of a dozen files before he opens and unfolds one, then eyes it for just a moment. Do you want the address for his estates?

Sure, I say. I take note of the numbers and the street name he gives me. The same as what the man at the inn noted down. Thats a confirmation, at least.

I thank the guild secretary for his time, then exit the building with Felix next to me. That was a little boring, and somehow really tense at the same time, Felix says.

Thats how a lot of things are, I think, I say. Not that Ive been to too many places like this. Or, um, any of them. But Ive read books.

You havent been to too many places?

Well, theres not much to explore around my home. Plenty of rooms and hidden nooks in the castle, but theres basically nothing outside it. So I might be just a little inexperienced when it comes to, you know, people and such. But Ill be fine. I read a lot of books just to get ready.

Youre doing alright, I think, Felix says. I think that a lot of people expect nobles to be a little strange, so youre not too suspicious.

Im strange? I ask.

You talk weird.

I huff. I do not talk weird.

By the way, where are we going?

I stop, then sheepishly fish out the note in my pocket and look at the address on it. I have no idea, I admit.

We do end up finding a guard patrol on the street, and Felix approaches them to ask them where the address is. Theyre very polite and point us down the right road without even making a fuss about us. I guess two lost girls in the better part of town aren't that strange. My clothes might give me an air of nobility, and Felix looks plain and unassuming.

Jurezs estate is a modest one, at least compared to some of the more lavish homes weve crossed. Then again, none of them seem all that spectacular to me. Theyre two-storey villas, with balconies on the second floor and gardens partially hidden behind walls that anyone with a bit of athletic skill could scale.

Jurezs place is similar to his neighbours, a tallish home all in the same pale beige stone. The entrance is gated, but theres a pull-cord next to the door that, after verifying were in the right place, I tug twice. A bell rings inside, and I step back.

Lets hope that whoever is working with Jurez has an idea of whats going on, I say.

The books are more important, right?

Well, no, the temple being burned is more important. Books are nice, really nice, but theyre just a hobby. The temple, thats important. But I was sent here for the books first, and taking care of those is a whole lot more manageable. I dont even know where to start with the temple stuff.

What would you do about it?

I dont know what I can do, I say. Was it just an insult, was it an act of war, was it just something petty? Im not a god, so I dont know. M-- the Dark Goddess will decide what to do about her temple.

After I deliver all of the books, of course. Accomplishing my first ever mission properly, and bringing back a whole heap of important news all at once. I try not to grin too hard. I havent finished yet, so its hardly the right time to start imagining how proud Mom will be.

Someone opens the front door and scurries over. A housemaid, in a long dress with an apron before it. Hello? she asks.

Hello, I reply. Were here to speak with. Well, whomever is home.

Ah, Im afraid now isnt a good time, she says.

Its really important.

I can see the maid weighing it for a moment. Were just kids though, at least to her, and she dismisses us with a smile. Im sure I can pass a message along.

I dont grumble, because that would be immature. A message though. I dont know what to say. It needs to be something thatll convince someone to let us in, and I dont think I can just flash gold around and expect to get a proper welcome. That would be too suspicious.

Can you... can you tell whomever is here that a messenger has arrived? From... Luciana Malvada.

Is that your name? the maid asks.

No, I say. Its the name of the person whose message I have.

I can deliver it, she replies.

I shake my head. Please just tell... whomever is there that its a message from her, delivered in person. I cant just speak it aloud.

As you wish, the maid says. I can sense a bit of reluctance there, but she heads out with a slight bow and darts back into the home.

Who 's Luciana Malvada? Felix asks.

My mom, I say.

She sounds very important. Is your mom a noble?

If it was anyone else, Id think she was fishing for information, but I think that Felix is just genuinely curious. She isnt, actually.

The maid returns a moment later, looking a little red in the face. She starts to fiddle with the latch keeping the gate shut. The master will see you now, she says as she ushers us past. Up-upstairs. To the right.

Thanks, I reply. I barely have time to take in the entrance lobby, all done up in tiles and with stucco walls.

We climb up the stairs, and I notice a door held open to the right, leading into an office.

A man is standing there, tall and a little rotund around the tummy, with nervous hands and feet that cant stay put. He sees us, and I feel as if hes seeing right past my hood before he drops to the floor, uncaring that his suit is getting crumpled.

Lady Malvada, please forgive me, he begs, forehead pressed to the floor.

Um, I say.

I think there may have been a critical misunderstanding.

***