Read Online The Free Trader of Warren Deep (Free Trader Series Book 1) by Craig Martelle - Free Book Online Page A

wary.
    ‘G. What are you getting from this guy?’ The ‘cat didn’t answer right away. Braden opened the mindlink carefully. G-War must have let him in. He saw clearly through the ‘cat’s eyes. He was watching a female cat with great interest. ‘G. G!’
    ‘I don’t think I like its new ability to talk. It interrupts important thoughts.’
    ‘I’ll leave you alone if you can get something from this guy. I don’t trust him and I don’t know why.’ He looked up at the Blacksmith and nodded his head as he continued his examination of the cart.
    ‘He is thinking of murder. It darkens him. Not us. Make the trade.’ G-War cut the mindlink with a nearly audible snap.
    Braden was pleased that he had sensed something amiss.
    “What are you willing to trade for the cart, repaired as you described and two casks?” Braden opened. The dance had begun.
    When it was over, the Blacksmith and Woodworker were standing together, pleased with the deal. Braden had gone deep into his purse because he started to like the big man and his partner. He wanted him to be happy and maybe avoid the dark path he was considering going down.
    “Thank you kind gentlemen! I look forward to coming back, soon after midday, to pick up my cart and my casks.” He handed over half of the gold and silver agreed to, with the rest to be exchanged upon final delivery. They all shook hands, then both the Woodworker and the Blacksmith started taking measurements to complete their part of the bargain.
    Braden watched for a few heartbeats, then put his hand on the Blacksmith’s  shoulder. Their eyes met. “Don’t do it. You’ll be different if someone dies. It’s not worth it.” The big man looked at him oddly, gave him a single nod of his head, and went back to work.
    Braden felt the dark cloud lift.

 
    20 - Saffrimander
     
    At midday, Braden was standing tall in the market square. There were more standing around than before, but not anywhere near as many as he hoped. As a Free Trader, he committed to starting the auction at midday. He was obligated to live up to his commitment.
    Without saying a word, he pulled a vial of saffrimander from his belt pouch and held it high. He let everyone take in the sight.
    “Saffrimander! You all know what it is. Magical! Mystical! The rarest and most exotic spice in Warren Deep! Who will make the first offer?” He bellowed over the small crowd. The bidding was started by another trader.
    “Ten pieces of gold,” a bearded man shouted hopefully.
    “Twenty.”
    “Thirty.”
    “Five platinum!” A newcomer offered. It was the equivalent of fifty gold pieces or five hundred pieces of silver. It was still a low price for Saffrimander. Far below what Braden traded to get it.
    He would take a loss! But there was no loss. He was no longer a trader. He was a nomad, a searcher. Anything he received was an investment toward crossing the Great Desert. An investment in the biggest trade ever. Braden smiled as the price climbed agonizingly slowly. He would always be a trader.
    “Ten platinum and that’s my final offer!” Another newcomer chimed in, this man was older and wore fine clothes. Braden didn’t care what this man’s final offer was. He only cared what THE final offer was. But the older man must have been someone as everyone deferred once he spoke. There were no more bids. Braden read the body language of the assembled people and determined to play to the man’s ego.
    “This is the lowest price I’ve seen in all my turns. My compliments to you sir on your deal. Ten platinum it is!” Braden jumped down. He handed the vial to the man, who turned to go without paying.
    “I’m sorry. Ten platinum, please.” Braden reached to stop the man from leaving, but was himself stopped by another man he hadn’t noticed. This man pulled a small purse from his belt and dropped it into Braden’s hand.
    “And that’s the end of it,” he said as he too turned and walked off. Usually, the buyer counted the money