The Merchant of Menace (The Bookania Quests Book 6) by Kendra E. Ardnek

Author:Kendra E. Ardnek [Ardnek, Kendra E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: GiraffeCrafts
Published: 2020-10-18T20:00:00+00:00

Interruption:

A father sighs heavily as he watches his daughter play with her dolls. When would he see her sisters again? Would they grow old and die on these islands, at the pirates mercy. What future could he give her here?

“We just have to make a home here, together, he finally says, sitting down on the floor beside her.

She looks up, scowling. “We can’t stay here forever. Don’t give up, Father. We’ll figure it out, eventually.”

13 – Wherein Contest is the Only Option

Basil stared at Hylock, fighting every natural urge to march right up and punch the smug smirk right off the man’s face.

“So, I trust your journeys were pleasant,” Hylock continued, once the girls had left the hall. “Did you find what you were looking for? I mean, I can clearly see that you found some friends, though you had friends aplenty here. I can’t imagine that they were your quest.”

“My quest, as I said, was between my father and myself, but I was successful.” Rather by chance, granted, and Antonio was still lost, but it was success all the same.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Hylock shifted and eyed Basil thoughtfully. “I would have hated to have had you go to so much trouble for nothing.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” Solomon stepped forward, head tilted to the side as his arms folded over his chest.

Basil swallowed. Meg’s fiancé could be quite rash and impetuous, and that was the last thing they needed right now.

Hylock’s eyebrow only flickered. “Basil, your new friends have quite the temper.”

Basil sighed. “Forgive them – they’re not used to our ways.” He glanced towards Solomon and gave a quick shake of his head, and the man, thankfully, fell back with a careless shrug. “But we did bring goods for trading. Would you really keep us here? Surely it’d be far more beneficial to allow this merchant to come and go – he has many rich goods for sale, and he only brought a fraction of them with him this time.”

Hylock shifted in his seat; eyes narrowed as he stared at Basil. “Ah, you drive a hard bargain, same as your father always did.” He shook his head. “Well, there are no hard feelings between us, I promise. I’m sure we can work out something – but you know I have to take care of my people, as any good king should. So there shall be no rash decisions, and until I’ve made up my mind, you shall enjoy every bit of hospitality that Menace has to offer. Your friends shall all be treated as our own, and I’m sure they’ll be happy indeed, here.”

Well, all but the captain and Robin and Eric, who would each be worrying about the child they left with the Afrikan, and even Solomon with Serendipity, but Basil couldn’t voice that concern. And, if it came down to it, Hylock would be more than willing to retrieve them. Not the ideal solution, but it was one.

“Your generosity knows no bounds,” said Basil, making sure to layer in as much sarcasm as possible.

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