The Einherjar 2 by J.L. Harrie

Author:J.L. Harrie [Harrie, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Current Status (Negative): Tired. Malnourished.

CHAPTER 17

James followed Geoffrey out of the room and back to the dining room table. Taking a seat after the merchant had tiredly plopped himself into a chair, the einherjar waited for the other man to speak.

“I’m not fully convinced it’s over but… thank you.” the merchant sighed. He didn’t want to allow himself to believe that his precious daughter had finally been cured, only to lose her shortly thereafter. He knew his heart couldn’t take it. Over and over again, priests, shamans, and alchemists of all kinds had promised the impossible, only to disappear with their payment, and for his darling Clarissa to slip back to illness within a few days.

James nodded in understanding. “I intend to spend a day or so here in town, before I leave to tend to other matters. Might I suggest deferring any talk of payments until a significant time has passed? Perhaps a month or more? I’m in no rush, and I want you to focus on the joy of helping your daughter recover, rather than matters of wealth.”

Geoffrey studied the man across from him carefully. He’d been a successful merchant for many long years, so he was more than accustomed to tricky customers, but for the life of him he couldn’t understand what game the foreigner was playing. “Why?” he asked finally.

James shrugged. “I’m sure you’ve noticed how I resemble the werejaguars of the Beast Tribe. And I’m equally certain you can imagine how warm a welcome that will earn me here in Guayabo. Even so, I wish to be able to do business here, in this town. In that regard, the legitimacy I would gain from your testimony is worth even more to me than the debt of the Dáinn Household, even if it costs you nothing.”

“Ah.” Mr. Eaton muttered, finally understanding what the other man wanted. “But that only holds if you really have cured my daughter.”

“Precisely.” James replied. “Thus my willingness to wait until my skills have been proven.”

The merchant nodded. He’s playing the long game. This isn’t a sale; it’s an investment for him. He had made his fortune thanks to taking such a long view on many of his dealings, so he could only respect the man across from him for using such a tactic. And it gives me hope that he really has cured her, just as he said he would. Try as he might to remain skeptical, Geoffrey had to admit that the strange man’s play only made sense if he was being honest. “I’ll agree not to call in House Dáinn’s debt, nor to add any further interest, until I am certain of my daughter’s recovery. If it becomes clear that she truly is healed, then their debt is yours, to do with as you please.”

“That is most fair, Merchant Eaton.” James replied with a smile.

“What other business do you have in town, if you don’t mind my asking?” the business man in Geoffrey couldn’t help but be curious about this potential customer.

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