Ignatious Spendlove had rarely been as excited as he had been when the enormous merchant caravan had begun to set up a semi-permanent base less than a mile from his shop.
‘They have metaliths, darling. Metaliths!’ He had effused to his wife, as he squeezed into his best doublet. ‘That means they must have the backing, and therefore wealth, of a Free City!’
Shortly after, laden with his most valuable wares, he had headed off, hoping to make a name for himself as a seller of rare items. However, when he had mentioned to a pair of Freeguild Soldiers that he had dragonmetal to sell, they had all but arrested him. He had been escorted to an old, trundling cage-lift and shoved inside. After a short blast from a trumpet, the lift had begun to rise. Now, fifteen long, lurching minutes later, the lift came to rest at the flat top of the floating rock.
A bearded Freeguild soldier began to unlock the cage. ‘You’re selling dragonmetal.’ It wasn’t a question. ‘My boss wants to see you. Come with me.’
Ignatious suddenly perked up. An audience with the leader of these Freeguild soldiers was a best-case scenario. He passed through a cacophony of life as he was marched through the makeshift town atop the floating rock, the vibrant revelry reflecting his improving mood. He saw jugglers, jesters, cooks and gamblers, traders, hawkers, merchants and thieves all living cheek by jowl in a thriving town centre. The display of wealth and vitality encouraged him. He could do very well for himself here.
‘In you go.’ muttered the beard, as he opened a door to a large building made from a mish mash of salvaged lumber and adorned in freeguild heraldry. It was dark inside but Ignatious had given pitches in stranger places than a dark room, and strode confidently in.
‘Hello.’ croaked a deep voice. As the door closed behind him.
‘Greetings, my lord,' said Ignatious while performing an elaborate bow which he hoped his audience could see. He began his pitch without further ado, in case the leader had a short attention span.
‘My name is Ignatious Spendlove, a humble purveyor of curiosities from the length and breadth of Silverside. I presume that I am addressing the leader of this impressive cavalcade? Well, let me be the first to-’
‘You’re just getting straight to it aren’t you?’ laughed the voice.
Ignatious barely missed a beat.
‘An astute observation, my wise lord. And I am certain that your undeniable powers of perception will not fail you when it comes to ascertaining the value of my wares. I have come to sell you a wondrous ore named dragonmetal and I have acquired almost a three-weight of it!’
At that, a spark flashed and a lantern spluttered into life. Ignatious was so stunned by what he saw in the dim light that his well rehearsed speech faltered into nothing. A kruleboy was lounging in a campaign chair across from him, resplendent in all the finery of a freeguild berger.
‘You- you’re-’
‘I’m Ghalbakk,’ nodded the orruk, smiling at Ignatious’ discomfort, ‘And I’m in charge of this operation. Now let me see the metal.’
Ignatious recovered with impressive speed. ‘Of course, my lord. One moment.’
Ignatious pulled the lump out from his pack and unwrapped it from its silk handkerchief. There was a long silence while Ghalbakk inspected it in Ignatious’ shaking hands.
‘Well, son. I’m very interested.’ came the eventual response. Ignatious let out a breath he didn’t realise he had been holding, ‘The thing is, I’m not just interested in acquiring Dragonmetal. I’m interested in acquiring contacts too. Promising merchants such as yourself, who can turn a profit and know their way around the other side of the Bleed.’
Ghalbakk reached into a chest beside him. Ignatious leaned forwards, expecting gold. Instead Ghalbakk pulled out a pistol which he gently placed on the table.
‘It can be awfully dangerous to work alone in a place like this, Ignatious. Maybe you should consider joining my company. I’d hate for something bad to happen to you, or to that lovely home you have down by the water’ he rasped.
Ignatious’ blood ran cold. It was clear that he was not being given a choice. ‘It- It would be my pleasure, my lord.’
‘Good,’ the kruleboy smiled an awful, toothy smile. ‘The registration fee is a ten-weight of Dragonmetal. Don’t worry, I’ll take this off your hands, but it looks like you still owe me quite a bit.’
‘Yes, I, um, yes. I’ll get to work right away.’ stammered Ignatious
Still smiling, Ghalbakk rose and walked up to Ignatious, placing his hand on his shoulder ‘I know you will. Welcome to the family. I think you and I are going to get along very well indeed.’