12. Commerce (Patreon)

Aloe and the remaining scribe remained still in the audience hall, still flabbergasted by the emir’s mannerisms (and body movements). The scribe of commerce was the first to come out of their daze as Aloe heard the rustling of cloth and papers as the woman stood up.

“You give a person too much power overnight and they begin bossing you around.” The woman sighed and walked toward the entrance, but as she crossed Aloe, the girl stopped her.

“Wait,” Aloe said calmly, mostly because she was still distracted by... things. “I know you, right?”

“I’m surprised you even remember.” The scribe snorted and pushed the papers in her arms up, strengthening her lock on them. “Yes, we have seen before, Aloe. I went to your house once or twice to dine whilst Amid was still alive.”

“My father?” The girl asked. “What relationship did you have with him?”

“He was kind of my assistant.” The woman explained as she continued walking.

Aloe followed suit. “Assistant?” She added with a frown.

“Alright, that may not be the best word to describe Amid.” She corrected. “As you have stated, I am the scribe of commerce of the court of Sadina. But as the title of this position entails, there are a lot of voids where money is related. Whilst I am for all intents and purposes but in title the head of the economy of the city, I require other people to manage all economic-related issues not about trade. Taxation and agriculture are examples of this, but as you know, your father helped me with banking.”

The moment they stepped out of the audience hall, Jafar greeted them. Fortunately, the guard had enough presence of mind to not interrupt the scribe mid-explanation.

“Though rather than managing the finances of the city and palace like an accountant, Amid was more of a diplomat. Talking with foreign, privately owned banks rather than working with the national one.” Aloe could only but be surprised at the lung capacity of the woman as she said all of that without taking a breather. “If that satisfied your curiosity about my standing and that of your late father, I’ll get going now.”

“Wait!” Aloe interrupted once more, now with more emergency in her voice as the scribe started to get away.

“What is it now?” The woman turned and added with a deadbeat gaze.

“Could I interest you in an enterprise? I swear it won’t even take five minutes.” Aloe offered.

Before her lay the scribe of commerce of Sadina, one of the richest cities in all of Ydaz, and she seemed to be an old friend of the family. Aloe would be a moron if she didn’t seize the opportunity at her hands.

At first, the scribe didn’t respond, simply choosing to approach one of the big and open archways of the palace that functioned as glorified windows. She peered into the sky and sighed. “Five minutes.”

“But of course!” Aloe agreed excitedly. “My id-“

“But not here.” The mature woman interjected. “Let’s go to my office, I won’t be standing up in the middle of a corridor.” Then she subtly approached Aloe and whispered in her ear. “One can’t ever know who is listening.” And she started walking away. “Are you following or not?”

“Yes! One moment please.” Before she could get a response from the scribe, Aloe turned to face Jafar. “Could you go back with Mirah and ask her to give you my bag? I need something inside it for this.”

“Alright,” The guard sighed. “Follow her, I know where her office is.”

“Thanks, Uncle Jafar,” Aloe added with a smile. It felt as fake for her as it looked for him.

“Now you call me uncle...” Jafar turned away from her and muttered as he made his way out. “Just like Aya, only being lovely-dovely when she wants something...”

Aloe ignored the grumpy man and followed the scribe. The palace’s corridors were great in size and decorations. They were so tall and wide, able to fit giants and tens of people walking side by side, that it even gave Aloe a bit of agoraphobia. It’s a bit overwhelming...

And the decorations didn’t fall short. Every archway had curtains of its own, made of translucent silk of a superior quality than that of Aloe’s shawl, and there were hundreds of archways. And that was without mentioning the tiling. Much like the public baths, every surface of the palace of Sadina was covered with colorful tiles in eye-striking patterns. It didn’t matter if they were the floor, the walls, or even the ceiling.

When Aloe said every surface, she meant it.

Soon enough, as her mind was equally amazed and terrified by the display of the palace’s riches, Aloe didn’t notice her escort came to an end.

“Here, enter.” The scribe pointed into the room with her eyes as she held the doorknob.

“Sorry,” Aloe added quietly as her expression reddened in embarrassment.

The scribe of commerce’s office was littered with shelves. And those shelves were littered with scrolls. And then there were some piles of hardcover books here and there on the ground.

“Sit wherever you can.” The woman offered as she left the papers she was carrying on the overloaded desk.

Aloe complied, sitting in the only chair in the room that didn’t have parchment on top of it.

“I see it on your face.” The scribe commented as soon as Aloe sat down.

“What?” Aloe replied instantly in confusion as a reflex, not really having listened to the question. Or rather, answering before processing the words in her mind.

“The room.” She elaborated. “You think it’s messy.”

“I do not.” Aloe’s words sounded faker than that of drunkards promising ‘a good time’ at the bazaar at night.

“Sure,” The scribe said noncommittally. “But regardless of what you think, I have a system here. And I know where everything here is.”

“What’s that pile then?” Aloe pointed at the stack of parchment on the chair at her right.

A bold move considering she was trying to pitch a sale to the woman in front of her, but sometimes, you had to risk your entire career for the sake of comedy.

“Uhm, one second...” As a slight smile formed on Aloe’s expression, the scribe swiftly responded. “Fish and salt trade contracts with Aramita, plus some ships warranties and titles.” The woman added confidently.

Aloe frowned and quickly grabbed the stack of parchment. She read the first one, her frown deepening as she finished it. Without stopping, she shifted to the second one. Then the next one. And the one after that.

“Dunes...” She muttered in sheer stupefaction. “These actually are trade agreements with Aramita and other concessions with the shipyards of the coastal city...”

“See. I have my system.” The mature woman boasted proudly.

“But these... some of these documents are even a few years old. How do you even remember them?”

“A master never reveals their tricks.” The woman chuckled. “Anyways, are you going to tell me about your ‘enterprise’ now or not, Aloe?”

“Well, it’s easier if I had in hand what I asked to-“ A knock on the door interrupted her. “Perfect timing.” Aloe grinned and rushed for the door.

“Here’s your bag.” Jafar handed Aloe her satchel.

“Thanks,” Aloe responded with a slight bow. “Stay close, I won’t take much longer.” And then she unceremoniously closed the office’s door.

“You already have your things, tell me then.” The scribe pointed out, her tone slightly trickling out of patience.

“Of course.... uhm...” Aloe's mind went blank as she was talking.

“Wait.” The woman interjected. “You don’t know my name?”

“O-of course I do!” Aloe denied the accusations. “I just have it in the back of my mind. Um, just... trying to... push the memory... out....”

“I should have expected as much.” The scribe sighed. “Stop trying to scramble your brain, you are going to hurt yourself that way. The last time you saw me was like ten years ago, you were but a little brat. If I didn’t even remember your name before Rani mentioned, and that was with me working closely with Shahrazad, it’s impossible that you even remember mine.”

“Em... alright.” Aloe expressed with a hint of shame. “So how should I refer to you, scribe of commerce?”

“The name’s Tamara, Tamara Asuleya. You don’t need to use titles, just call me by my name.” Tamara added with a wrinkled smile. “Just don’t forget it this time, if you want to have a deal, that is.”

“I won’t,” Aloe replied and the old scribe frowned at her. “Tamara.”

“That’s better.” Tamara chuckled.

What’s with women forcing me to call them by their names today? Is this some conspiracy? A memo I have not gotten? Aloe thought, half-jokingly, in the confines of her mind.

“With the name matter settled,” Tamara began, “let’s see now this enterprise of yours.”

Wordlessly, Aloe took an item out of her satchel and put it on top of the desk.

It was nothing more than a small jar with a lid tight up with thin strands of rope.