Hands of Fate - Survivors of Flight AA214

Chapter 47

Sophie

Day 44, Day 4 on the Road

Hardclaw, the stable master, was a stubborn badger. No amount of flirting or bartering could sway him from his demand for a First Mint gold coin, a coin worth nearly 100 Thirds, as a deposit for stabling our elk.

"This is some wonderful tea, Miss Lois," said Tidewisk, the young stablehand, his otter-like face gleaming with pleasure. "I'd love some honeycakes to go with it."

“Thank you! And how do you like the tea, Hardclaw?” I turned to the gruff badger, hoping to soften his resolve.

As it turned out, badgers were much harder to read than otters or mice. Hardclaw sipped cautiously, his eyes narrowing as if weighing every drop. “Aye, it’s fine, but it doesn’t change my terms,” he growled, putting his foot down. “I can do ye one Second per night for the lot, lass.”

One Second Mint was worth about ten Third Mints, so he was knocking five Thirds off the total price. Not bad, really. I watched my Currency Exchange skill take effect, boosted by my Merchant class.

“Miss Lois will get a contract so we can finalize the deal,” I instructed James, who stood ready to translate my words.

“Contract?” Hardclaw’s brow arched in surprise, not expecting such formality.

With a casual smile, I turned on my heel and strolled toward the elk’s saddlebag, but I slipped behind a cluster of nearby trees. There, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my Contract skill card.

When I tapped it, a piece of parchment materialized, hovering in the air before me. The parchment shimmered—unless signed within the hour, it would vanish. A magical blue quill appeared beside it, poised and ready for my signature.

Stabling Agreement

Date: Fira (May) 7, 611 IE

Provider of Service: Kronfeldt Ironhoof Stables

Agreement:

Services Provided: The Stable agrees to keep our three elk—Comet, Olive, and Rudolph—fed and in good condition, including feeding, brushing, and providing basic care.

Confidentiality: The Stable Master Hardclaw, stablehand Tidewisk, and any other employees of the Ironhoof Stable agree not to answer any questions regarding the elk’s owners.

Liability: The Stable Master is liable for the death of any elk due to negligence or willful misconduct and will replace any elk loss with a suitable mount.

Payment: I agree to pay the Stable Master, Hardclaw, one Second Mint per day for the stabling of three elk.

Deposit and Damages: I agree to forfeit my deposit of one First Mint if I fail to make payment or if any damages are caused by my elk to the stable.

End of Service: I will notify the stable at the end of the service term, at which point any outstanding fees will be paid to the Stable Master before withdrawing the elk.

Signatures:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Interesting. Our calendar day matches the one from our previous world, but the year is based on a different era. I would have to tell the others about this. My Contract card can act as a calendar.

A naughtier side of me considered how I might exploit the contract system, but I dismissed the thought immediately. My terms had to be fair and straightforward—no hidden clauses, no fine print, just a simple exchange, albeit with a slight edge in my favor. After all, if my contracts were too unreasonable, I couldn't be sure if the Void would enforce them. And if someone were desperate enough to wriggle out of a harsh contract, there was one surefire way to do so: a knife in my back.

I knew the minute I acquired fortune, there would be a target on my back—no need to give them any more ammo. But right now, I was just a small fry making a deal to stable my elk.

With that caution in mind, I returned to the stable, quill in hand, with the contract ready. In Hardclaw’s hands, the text transformed into void script, translating into his native tongue.

What struck me as strange was that when rendered in Lokan—the language plastered outside on the stable’s signs—it appeared in Latin script, as James pointed out. For me, many of the letters were recognizable, but others were either missing or replaced with odd symbols.

Hardclaw read the contract aloud for Tidewisk, who couldn’t decipher it himself, and then he signed with a flourish. I added my signature, feeling a twinge of loss as I handed over a First Mint coin and two Second Mints. The stable master accepted the coins. He took the reins as our elk were ushered into three empty stalls, tucked away from the other animals.

After signing the contract, it split into two blue cards, which we each took. It was strange that the stablemaster and stablehand didn't hesitate when the magical cards were offered. The two stablemen regarded the matter as if it were an ordinary fact of life.

“Only two coins? You’ll be only stabling for two nights, then?” Hardclaw remarked.

“We’ll settle the rest later if we stay longer," James translated for me, keeping the conversation light.

It would’ve been easy to pay in advance, but I figured two days was a prudent start. Having cash on hand is better than tying it up in a contract, and we needed every coin we could muster.

As we headed toward the town gates, Hardclaw asked, with mild interest, “Where did you buy that tea?”

Ah, good. We had him hooked.

I could see the gears turning in his mind, a flicker of intrigue sparking behind his cautious demeanor.

“Oh, it’s a specialty blend,” I replied, weaving my words with just the right amount of charm. “Only the best for my friends.”

“Friends, eh?” he mused, leaning against a stall, his badger nose twitching. “Might be worth a looking into, then.”

“The tea is harvested from the high mountains in our village. Each berry is aged and dried with care. We plan to sell some in town.” James gave his best sales pitch.

“Oh, I suppose I could check it out if I have some time later…” Hardclaw mused, and we bid him farewell.

With our elk settled, we made our way toward the main south gate. At the gate, two ratmen guards stopped us for the toll fee, which was one Third each. There was no negotiating with these hard-faced men. I instinctively pulled my hoodie—Herman’s rain jacket he’d loaned me—over my head, hoping they wouldn’t notice the human features behind my mask.

Somehow, James managed to convince the guards to overlook our masks, pretending to be outraged that they were violating our village’s honeymoon tradition of wearing them.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to pay a wagon fee, which was ten percent of the value of the suspected cargo, since my small portable wagon was viewed as just a trinket.

After gate fees and stabling, our total came to:

8 First mints

19 Second mints

30 Third mints

I didn’t like the fact that we were currently operating at a loss, but that would soon change, right?

From the main southern gates, one main road stretched down to the pier, where stout buildings, a mix of stone and weathered wood, clung to the shoreline. The road hugged the lake’s edge, winding toward the distant mountains, where carts full of ore rattled down, their wheels grinding over the cobblestones, bound for the smelters. Even from where we stood, the constant clanging of hammers against metal filled the air, accompanied by the acrid scent of smelting mixed with the fresh, briny odor of fish pulled from the lake’s depths.

It reeked something awful. Fish, rendering plants, and sewage.

To the right, the roads narrowed, but they were noticeably better maintained, winding uphill toward the brighter, cleaner parts of town. We could see the well-kept estates in the distance, bathed in sunlight, where the nobility undoubtedly lived, far from the din and grime of the industry near the piers.

We opted for the main road, drawn toward the lively boardwalks by the lake, where fishermen hawked their latest catch from wooden stalls. The wet markets, bustling with activity, lined the solid piers, their tables crowded with live animals—foxes, rabbits, and even bats—caged and waiting to be sold. The cries of merchants and the chatter of customers haggling blended into a steady hum.

Next to the stalls stood storefronts, with wooden facades and large glass windows, almost wild west in style, showcasing their wares. Orion’s gaze lingered on one in particular—a jewelry shop, its window filled with gleaming silverware and intricate pieces of jewelry, each one catching the light and reflecting it in dazzling patterns.

“Oooh,” I said, coming alongside Orion and resting my chin on his shoulder, causing him to flinch. “Buying me a gift, dearest?”

“I think you’re taking our cover story a little too seriously,” Orion murmured.

“You’re not taking it seriously enough. Aren’t newlyweds supposed to act close? We’re in danger if you don’t put more effort into our 'relationship', dearest~” I whispered in his ear. He blushed in response.

“I need to sell some rocks in here.” Orion reached into his pockets. “You’ve got the Barter skill. Can you get anything for these?”

I scrutinized the two stones, each with a gemstone the size of a marble glimmering within.

"Now, where did get those?" I asked, flashing a greedy grin. "You’ve been holding out on me, husband~"

"A friend," Orion said flatly, no further explanation offered.

Just then, the sharp “chack-chack” of a bird caught my attention. A dark blue corvid the size of an owl had landed atop the shop's sign, ruffling its feathers in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, James—playing the part of a wide-eyed tourist disguised as a mouse man—was questioning one of the market sellers, fascinated by the live animals on display. When I called him over, he cheerfully excused himself, and the three of us sauntered into the luxury goods shop.

Inside, a hulking boar-man in dark leather armor stood like a sentinel by the door. His eyes narrowed, grip tightening on his glaive as soon as he noticed our foreign appearance and our masks. Behind the glass counters, a small, shrew-faced man in a black silk bowl hat peered at a diamond through a lens, his sharp nose twitching with excitement until he got a good look at us. His enthusiasm quickly soured.

"Welcome to Fizzynose’s Gem and Treasures Emporium," the shrew said, his thin smile doing little to hide the skepticism in his eyes. He glanced nervously at the boar who stood guard as if we were about to pull something.

“And a splendid day to you, kind sir,” James replied, sweeping into an exaggerated bow. “I am James, and these two are nobles from a far-off land known as New York. They've brought some rather unique gems to sell, and they expect a fair price, naturally.”

James handed over Orion’s two stones, and Fizzynose immediately pulled out his magnifying glass. He examined the first—a clear gem nestled in black granite—and nodded like it was nothing special. Then, he looked at the second, a larger pink gem, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise before he quickly masked his reaction with a quiet cough.

“Hmm... decent enough common stones,” Fizzynose said, pretending to be bored. “I’ll offer you two Seconds for the first, and... one First for the second.” He returned the stones like they were a bother.

“That seems—” James started, but I cut him off.

“We’re done here. This guy’s an idiot,” I muttered in Lokan, throwing in just enough disdain to sell it.

I spun on my heel, pretending to storm out, but Fizzynose, predictably, panicked. "Wait, wait! My sincerest apologies. I might have rushed my evaluation. Please, good sir, let me take another look."

Feigning patience, I let James hand over the stones again. Fizzynose made a big show of re-examining them, nodding like a sage. His whiskers twitched with nerves.

"Upon closer inspection," he said, “I can offer three Seconds for the first... and perhaps two Firsts for the second.”

This time, when he handed the stones back, there was a bit more hesitation in his fingers.

I wandered the shop, ignoring his second pathetic offer. My eyes landed on a stunning blue diamond, perched on black velvet under glass. "How much for that?"

Fizzynose twitched, clearly not expecting my interest in purchasing rather than selling. "That? Well… I suppose I could let it go for three Firsts."

"Done," I said, already reaching for my coin purse.

The shrew almost jumped out of his skin. "No—wait. It’s not three Firsts. I misspoke," he stammered, wiping sweat from his brow. “It’s... five Firsts. My sincerest apologies for the confusion.”

James stepped in with a smirk. “This diamond is smaller than the one we’re selling. Pink diamonds are much rarer, and in my opinion, far more exquisite. You, sir, are trying to cheat us.”

At James’s accusation, the shrew wiped his brow with a handkerchief.

“You must understand, those gems aren’t processed or cut yet. That costs money. Plus, they’ll sit on my shelf until I find a buyer. I need to make a profit too,” Fizzynose explained frantically.

“Five Seconds for the first gem, 50 Seconds, and 100 Thirds for the second,” I countered, hoping my skill Currency Exchange would help. It’s easier to deal in smaller denominations, and I could always convert up later if needed.

“That’s highway robbery! I’ll barely make any profit,” Fizzynose protested. “Three Seconds for the first, 35 Seconds, and 90 Thirds for the second.”

“Four Seconds for the first, 40 Seconds, and 100 Thirds for the second. Final offer.” I crossed my arms, sensing I could squeeze more out of him, but deciding to go for information instead. “And you will provide us with information as well.”

Fizzynose sighed and exited through an iron door, unlocking it with one of his many keys. It slammed shut behind him as the boar guard remained on high alert.

When Fizzynose returned with two pouches, he counted out the coins on the exchange table, and we handed over the stones. Before he could take them, I stopped him.

“Information,” I demanded.

Fizzynose’s face twisted with annoyance. “What?”

"I need to know your most esteemed client and directions to the finest establishment in town..." James translated, his eyes widening as he continued, "... the highest-end bordello."

When Fizzynose didn’t understand the English word for "bordello," James had to resort to awkward pantomimes, thrusting his hips and making kissy faces, much to my amusement.

“The Silk Lotus is the best-known bordello for cleanliness and service. I’ve never been myself,” Fizzynose lied, “but I hear it serves wealthy clientele. As for my most valuable client… my customers value privacy, as I’m sure you would appreciate that fact.”

Well, it was worth a shot.

If Fizzynose hadn’t given me more information, I could always find the town’s elite through the bordello.

Orion pocketed the 44 Seconds and 100 Thirds from the transaction and left the shop, with us following.

“Hey!” I shouted after him as he walked off with the money.

Outside, Orion filled a small leather bag with pebbles he picked up from the ground.

“What’s that for?” James asked.

“Decoy,” Orion said, tying the fake coin purse to his belt while hiding the real one deep inside his apron near his chest. “You guys should be wary of pickpockets.”

“Don’t I get a commission for sealing that deal?” I asked Orion, pouting with my hands on my hips.

He handed me one Second, then gave James another Second. “Don’t spend it all in one place, you two.”

I held out my hand, and Orion added one more Second and 10 Thirds to both me and James.

“We should split it three ways,” James half-heartedly suggested.

“They’re my gems,” Orion said, finality in his tone.

“It’s fine. We’ll make some coin of our own,” I said, pocketing the small stack Orion handed me.

The money and inventory we’d earned so far belonged to the village. But the cash we’d just made from the gem? That was ours to keep. There were plenty of ways to make money in this town without dipping into Thornhill’s coffers. I had a sneaking suspicion Orion was eyeing the food district to pad his purse. I’d have to bring it up with Bianca later, though I wasn’t exactly thrilled about paying taxes on our hard-earned coin.

Our group wandered the back alley of the storefronts to withdraw items from my portable wagon and discuss our plans. Wanting to just breathe a little easier, we took our masks and started dressing in finer clothing for the town. Secluded and shut off, this would be our meeting place and place where I could unload my cart.

“Why the curiosity about the bordello?” Orion raised a brow, giving me a sly look. “If you’re thinking of selling your body, I’ve recently come into some funds…”

I rolled my eyes. “Not even close. I’m not about to stoop that low. I’d make a pretty pathetic merchant if I had to resort to selling my body. High-end bordellos attract high-end clients. Perfect place to peddle our goods.”

“You two enjoy yourselves, then. I’m off to the food district. Gotta make my living as a cook,” Orion picked up his mask, some supplies, and his copper wok, which he strapped to his back.

Wanting to rattle him a little, I leaned in close and whispered, “If you want my body, Orion, you don’t need any coin. Just be a man and join me in bed at the inn tonight.”

His face flushed instantly, and he stumbled mid-step. I laughed, savoring the effect.

“Find us a decent inn,” I suggested as we split off—Orion heading to the food district, while James and I made our way toward the wealthier part of town. “And don’t forget—you’re footing the bill for our stay. Don’t think I’ll let you weasel out of my commission.”

“Meet back here by sunset!” James hollered after Orion as he disappeared down the alley.

Collapsing my portable wagon, James and I headed uphill, passing the sleek granite buildings. The one we stopped at stood out with its smooth walls, iron-grilled arched windows, and a large, ornately carved wooden door with a giant flowering lotus marking the keystone.