Read Online Merchants and Mages (Highmage's Plight Book 2) by D.H. Aire - Free Book Online

discretely, behind them. Se’and glanced casually back as Raven paused to glare at one fellow in particular. He chose to back away, which was fine by Se’and, who didn’t like the look of the well serviced sword at his hip or the scar on his face one bit. She signaled Raven to once more lead the way.
     
    The Merchants Lane smelled. George was not the only one whose nose wrinkled. Well, the tannery up the street certainly was not helping, but there was another scent overlaying those cloying odors that bothered him.
      “Staff,” he muttered.
    :Really?:
    “Staff,” he whispered under his breath, growing angry.
      :Fine…Enhancing…,: his computer staff stated, increasing the sensitivity of the human variant of their combined passive sensors abilities, which meant George’s nose wrinkled even more as chemical identifiers flashed across George’s thoughts.
      He turned and followed the scent, stopped and muttered, “What’s that?” 
      “Milord?” Se’and whispered, clearly unhappy at her lord’s apparent distraction.
       :George, that’s…:
      The sign above the Guild’s door read: “Goon Power Guild.”
      Frowning, George headed for that door as Fri’il rasped, “Milord!”
     
    The outer hall served as a shop and was filled with wooden casks. A Guilder frowned as George entered the shop and crossed the room to the nearest cask and pulled off the lid.
      “Sir? May I help you?”
      “Just, uh, checking out the quality of your wares.”
      “I assure you they are the finest in the Province – if not the Empire.”
      He touched the black powder then rubbed it between his fingertips. There were a great number of candles burning. He flicked some grains into the nearest. The flame instantly went out. “Of course, goon powder’s the
    local fire extinguisher.”
      “Certified to put out any fire – in sufficient quantity, my good sir.”
      “Magery,” he muttered, then bought a flask full.
      Se’and muttered at the cost, “You had to buy the primo brand?”
      “The finer the… oh, never mind. Would it be possible for me to speak to the, uh, Master goon?” George asked the guilder, realizing how bizarre that sounded even to him.
      “I’ll see if Master Sylvan is available…”
     
    “Master D’Aere, so our product interests you?”
      “Very… I’ve just a few questions. I take it the finer the grains the more powerful the reaction.”
      “Of course, which is why a town this size can limit its supply in case of fire… It is rare for the Empire to export, but…”
      “You’re not elfblooded.”
      The old man smiled, “Ours is a human Guild. We’ve no need of elfbloods. We’ve our secrets, but magery is not actively needed.”
      George smiled. “That’s good to know. Are there many Guild Halls such as this one in the Empire?”
      “The largest Guild Halls are normally not found in the major cities, but we do much trade with the Imperial Legion and units of the City Guardsmen.”
      Nodding, George said, “So the making of saltpeter is secret and you’re able to make a good living.”
      The Master’s eyes were wide, he gestured to his assistant, who barred the door as Se’and turned. Raven bristled and growled.
      George leaned forward, “It wasn’t always called goon power, you know – but if you goons like it better this way.”
      Several burly Guilders came out of the back room.
      :Actually, I think goons better describes them, George,: Staff said through their rapport.
      “Je – Jeo,” Se’and muttered, “what have you placed us into this time?”
      With a smile, George tightened his grip on his staff. “Would you like to improve the formula a bit? No charge. But, as a man of science, I’m interested in seeing what techniques you’ve mastered.”
      The old man’s eyes widened. “Sci… you’re no merchant!”
    George shrugged, “Of course, I am, but I’m also rather knowledgeable in certain areas.”
    The