The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(164)

“Local girl, eh? I wasn’t sure with all of that covering you, but that’s definitely a Greenwild accent,” Tipton said with a grin, his eyes locked on the fine weave of her veil. Silk was rare in the Greenwild and any who could afford it were wealthier than most in Brannaford.

“Actually Merro, though I was raised near here,” Jala said quietly and she watched the man’s expression change at once.

“You tell that bastard Neph that I will have no trade with Merro. I don’t give a rats ass who they got playing High Lady down there I’m not buying it and I won’t be selling nothing to anyone from there. Figures he would try to send a local girl in here hoping he could get a better deal. After the way that bastard acted the last time he was here I woulda thought he would have had more sense than to come back.” The volume of his voice rose with each word in his tirade and Jala was nearly covering her ears by the time he finished.

Slowly, Jala reached up and pulled her veil free, revealing her face and hair. With her other free hand she unclasped the pin that was holding her curls in place and shook her head letting them fall free before locking her gaze once more on the merchant. “Actually, I am High Lady Merrodin,” Jala said softly, allowing the man to stare blankly at her face and eyes. There was no mistaking her for anything other than Elder Blood and she knew it. Her days in Sanctuary had taught her that much. “I apologize for any offense that Neph may have given in my absence. He is Delvay and they are different from us in their manners.”

The man was still staring at her, his expression caught somewhere between shock and anger. Slowly he nodded, though what he meant by the nod she couldn’t guess. It was possible that he was simply agreeing that Neph was rude.

“I have an army outside of Brannaford’s walls. I’m sure you have heard rumor of it,” Jala said as the silence stretched between them. The man nodded once more his expression still one of utter bewilderment. “Our supply ship has been delayed and I’m in need of food and medicinal provisions for my soldiers. I’ve been told that you are the one to speak to about such orders.”

“I usually supply ships, but I might be able to handle enough to last you for a while if the price is right,” Tipton said cautiously his interest returning again.

Jala nodded and exhaled slowly. “My finances are in Sanctuary’s bank, actually. I can offer a promissory note with my signet upon it, but I cannot offer hard coin,” she explained in a quieter voice. This was the difficult part. In most other cities they would have had a bank or a money changer to handle such things, but Brannaford wasn’t large enough for such things.

“You expect me to hand over supplies enough for an army for nothing more than a piece of paper with your mark on it?” Tipton demanded, the volume of his voice rising once more.

“I had hoped you would be willing to accept a note of credit for the supplies. The gold is there, Sir. You simply have to cash it in. I’m sure that the short trip to Sanctuary would be more than worth the gold you will charge me for supplies,” Jala returned in what she hoped was a charming voice.

“Sanctuary is held by rebels right now, or had you forgotten that. I’ll not do business for paper, lady. Either bring me coin or find some other fool to deal with,” Tipton declared loudly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

The sound of the door rattling open drew both of their attention. Valor stepped through the door silently and closed it behind him before crossing the room to the counter. With a faint nod to Jala he dropped his bridle down heavily on the counter and looked up to meet Tipton’s eyes. “Those are real sapphires and that is truly a golden bit. Give the lady what she wants and be grateful she offered to buy it rather than simply taking it with her army,” Valor said quietly.

“Yes sir,” Tipton agreed hastily with greed lighting his eyes. Quickly he snatched the bridle from the counter before Valor could change his mind and looked to Jala. “Food you say and Medicines. Of course. Give me but a few moments to check my inventory and I’ll bring you a list of what is available.” He nodded to them both again and swiftly disappeared through another door into the warehouse itself.

Jala watched him go and turned her eyes back to Valor. “You didn’t have to do that, Val, but thank you,” she said softly.

Valor nodded and smiled faintly at her as he leaned back against the rickety counter. “I was getting sick of the golden bit jokes anyway. You owe me another bridle though,” he replied his eyes tracing across her face.