Chapter 507 - A Table's Tale (Part 2) (Patreon)

Again, the table had been moved, though this time with far more care. Not only had no new damage been added to it in the meantime, all previous surface damage had been worked out completely. On top of that, the precious wood had been covered in a protective coating, which further hid the blemishes. Incidentally, the coating also sealed up the mechanisms which would release the hidden compartments within, which created another layer of protection.

Not only had its previous blemishes been treated, the table was also no longer by itself. Surrounded by many compatriots of similar make, it had been placed in a dark and dry room, which would protect them from the harsh, salty air outside. If the table had had any feelings, it would have felt very happy at the care which had been put into it, and at the new-found companionship. The table, of course, could feel no such things. Neither could it feel annoyance over the fact that once again, two people were talking about it in the third person, despite its presence.

"So just this then? You got nothing else stashed in another warehouse?"

"Yes, Captain Sami. The cargo in question is these desks, fifty all in all. The delivery needs to be swift, straight north, with no detours and no port visits on the way. Then up the Argu River. No need to worry, we have already arranged for safe passage along the way, so no one will check your ships in Huaylas. Once you reach the port of Rhodanos, people of the local Wonders of the World shop will be ready to receive you. As this is important cargo, we will also provide you with one half of a seal. Please make sure that those waiting for you in Rhodanos own the other half of the seal before you complete the delivery."

"That's fine and all, and I don't mind using your seal and whatnot. But your expected course is a bit of a problem for me. You see, we usually run the route in reverse, from Saniya to Hueatlan and then to Challwala and back south, because profits are better that way. There's nothing in the north that anyone in the south would want. So what would I even do up there if I have nothing to sell? Why would I run the route in reverse for you when I could do better the other way 'round?"

"We at the Wonders of the World were told that you were one of the most reliable merchants in Saniya. That was the reason we offered you this business in the first place. Most merchants would love to establish a relationship with us."

"No need to get upset. I never said I won't do it. I just said that doing it will cost you extra."

"That was not what we agreed on."

"We haven't agreed on anything yet. And anything we said beforehand was said before I knew about your route, or your suspicious cargo."

"I have no idea what you are trying to say. The Wonders of the World shop is an entirely above-board business, and we would never do anything 'suspicious'. Though if all you wish to do is insult me and my employers, I better leave now. I would be curious what the president would have to say about this."

"Wait, friend. No need to get nervous. It's not like this is the first time I've carried hot cargo. We do it all the time. I also don't care what's so special about these tables of yours. Once I take the job, I won't ask any further questions, and I will do exactly as I'm told. All I care about is the payment. If I spend my time on this, you will have to make it worth my while, I hope you can understand that. And don't try to pay me with 'reputation' or 'connections' again, not until I can buy bread with them."

"If you insist on a raised price, Captain Sami, I may have no choice but to look for other ships. There are plenty of merchants who would love to be friends with the Wonders of the World."

"Are you trying to threaten me? But threatening is my thing."

"We would never threaten anyone. We will simply look for the most competitive offer in the market."

"In that case, I guess I have to spread word about what you're doing here."

"What!? You-"

"You're not doing anything illegal anyways, right?"

"...I thought you did not want to take the order."

"No, I just wanted to be paid well for it. Now that I know you're so bothered by this, I think we can negotiate a good price."

"Maybe we should go to the police with this instead."

"And say what, that I wouldn't smuggle your illegal cargo unless you pay me? Sure, let's blow this whole thing out of proportion, let the entire city hear about it. I don't mind."

"You-"

"And if you're planning to resolve this in some kind of gray way — like hiring some goons to deal with me in the middle of the night or attempt to steal the cargo back — I'd like to remind you that I sail under the 'Bloody Admiral' Chanca, who works for Ekkoko. Even this warehouse here belongs to him. Isn't that the real reason you found me for this job, rather than some older captain with more experience or prestige? Isn't it just 'cause our fleet can protect the hot cargo, and won't steal it in turn? So what do you think? Will a gang war go well for you? Or maybe I should just tell Chanca about the big score hidden inside these tables and have him hunt down whoever you hire next. What do you think?"

"...actually, I came here specifically because I was told that Captain Sami was more reasonable than his partner Chanca."

"I'm being very reasonable. Chanca would have already taken apart your tables to look inside, at the very least. And maybe he'd have done the same with your head, at the very most. So what'll it be, my reasonable friend? A good deal for both of us, or trouble only for you?"

"Fine, we can renegotiate the transport fee. But remember that this could become be a repeat deal, so don't go too far."

"See, I told you threatening was my thing."

Not long after, the table and its companions left the darkness of the warehouse, to embark on the last leg of their journey.

__________________________

For the first time since its construction, the table went on a long journey. Together with its forty-nine companions, it was loaded into a dark cargo hold aboard Captain Sami's flagship 'Suyana'. For several days, they traveled across rough seas, ever further towards the warm waters of the north. Had the table had a stomach, it would have surely been sea sick by that point.

At the Argu Delta, they turned east, and continued to travel inland towards Arguna. They passed Huaylas and the Eye Lake without incident. At this point, most ships would continue on to Medala's capital, which was still the richest city in the empire, despite best efforts from the people of Saniya. However, the Suyana ended up landing at the less conspicuous and often forgotten port of Rhodanos.

From there, all tables were unloaded and handed to the waiting employees of the local Wonders of the World shop. Unfortunately, there were far too many tables for the local employees to handle. Thus, the prototype table was handled by men who were much better at sales than they were at transportation.

"Careful with this, Titu. If we drop it there'll be trouble"

"Why are we the ones carrying these things anyways? Don't we have hired people for exactly such a purpose? Why are we wasting revenue on them if they don't even do such simple work for us?"

"Don't tell me you don't know how important this delivery is. Didn't you read the order form they sent from Saniya?"

"Of course I didn't read it. You know-"

"Yes, yes. The great Titu only reads messages from important people."

"At last, you have said something good."

"I was quoting you. And this is more important than anything else. The delivery was directly ordered by Vice-president Brymstock himself."

"What, the boss sent it!? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I told you to several times read the order. I guess you were too busy at Lord Gratidia's banquets to deal with the store."

"Wait, that's why you dragged me here? I thought you just didn't like me."

"Since it's an important delivery arranged by the vice-president personally, I thought we should handle it ourselves, in case something goes wrong. And if only one of us is there, it'll reflect poorly on the store. Be happy that I'm not a politician like you."

"...so why would Lord Brymstock care about some routine delivery of tables? We get these all the time."

"Well, this time, we're getting a lot more than usual, and they're coming directly from Saniya. Also, they will only stay with us for a short while. We are supposed to send all of them over to various shops all over the northern kingdom. I don't know much more, but it all feels terribly important. Didn't you notice our recent test runs?"

"...I may have been busy with-"

"Yes, yes, I know. You're a busy man. Keep going like that and you can't complain if I get promoted before you."

"So what about those test runs?"

"I've been tasked with sending tables like these around the surrounding estates, to document the reaction from the locals."

"And?"

"Our scholarly friends let every delivery pass without any proper inspection. They might still be spooked from the last series of incidents. So whatever we're delivering this time, it's no doubt our friends won't stop us, even if it's something big."

"So you're saying these tables are different somehow? Do you think they contain-"

"Shhh. Yes, I agree. These are just more 'hidden beacon shrine' tables, nothing more. It's just a routine delivery, understood?"

"...maybe for once, I should stop talking and concentrate on my work."

"Good idea. Move your feet."

__________________________

At the end of its journey, the table finally returned from whence it came: a forest. However, it would have had no time to enjoy the serenity of nature, even if it had been able to enjoy anything. Instead, its carriers simply dropped it and several others like it down where they stood, shouted "Delivery!" into the forest and ran as fast as they could.

Soon after, the inhabitants of the forest appeared and carried the table deeper inside, towards the lights and the noise. Hidden deep inside the forest, far off from any roads, a large camp of bandits had been established. Though it was called a camp even by its inhabitants, it looked more like a village. Permanent houses made from wood ringed a forest clearing, and traps and simple fences had been erected all around for protection. Even more, the bandits within the camp weren't the usual fare of starving, male serfs who had escaped their masters in search of survival. Instead, they all looked well-fed and capable. There were even women and children present.

Apparently, they had something to celebrate, beyond their excellent health, since they had gathered around a bonfire to eat, drink, and sing. The table, of course, remained indifferent to the festivities, as did the two bandits who were carrying it. After they had declined a drink from a passing bandit, they carried the table into the largest hut in the camp.

Once inside, its inhabitant asked the carriers a few questions, before he ordered them to let down the table on the spot. The two did as they were asked, and put down the table upside down, with its head on the earth and its legs in the air.

Luckily, it had no sense of balance, or it would have suffered from nausea once more. At last, the man who had been determined as its recipient from the very start came towards it. He twisted open the painted seal on one of the legs, and it was good that the table couldn't feel anything, since not only was its leg ripped open, but a sharp bayonet was also removed from its insides.

Unconcerned with the table's feelings, Latrus, master of the largest band of bandits in Medala, held aloft his new weapon as it glistened in the light of the bonfire which illuminated the room.

This size steel was enough to make a solid, improvised spear. All they had to do was attach a handle and they would have a weapon good enough to use even in war. Of course, a single blade would never be enough to fight on such a scale. Inside this one table, Latrus would find another nine like it, as well as parts for two whole flintlock rifles, ready for assembly.

"Finally, our weapons order has arrived. Once again, Brym remains a man of his word."

For a moment, he admired the craftsmanship in his hands, before he remembered what these blades stood for, and what they foretold.

"You best stay sharp boys," he shouted towards the men who had carried the table here. "Someday soon, once these tables are everywhere in the north, something big is going to happen. Go out and enjoy the bonfire. Our days as bandits might be numbered."

Hermit's Notes: Last part of the table saga, in which all the strands from Book 7 come together. There'll be another (one or two) Corco chapters, until we move into book 8.