When Eugal was properly bound and gagged, Fin pulled Brando off to the side and explained his idea. Brando's frown lessened with each passing word until, finally, he was nodding his head in agreement. They immediately started searching the house for supplies.

They gathered bread, dried fruit and meat, cider, wine, salt, herbs, frying pans, lanterns, and other items they would need on their journey forward. They also found blankets to bundle everything together for easier stowing. Fin added several more pies to their collection, all gathered near the desk.

"Eugal, we have decided that we are going to be merciful with you," Fin said, pulling off the man's gag and untying his ropes. "However, you have to figure out how to clear our names while we're gone and promise never to do it again."

"Yes, I will tell everyone the truth," Eugal said eagerly.

"I wouldn't do that," Brando warned the man. "You've lied so much already that you'll probably need to do some more lying to even start clearing things up."

"Sage advice," Eugal stated humbly. "I will consider how to clear your names in the most delicate way possible."

"I believe you," Fin said honestly before gesturing toward the gathered items. "I know it's late in the evening, but do you mind if we buy these items from you? I hope you don't mind too terribly."

"You can take them," Eugal brushed his hands upward. "They're yours."

Brando winced. "We just don't feel comfortable taking things from you after tying you up like that. It would ease my conscience to know we bought them at a fair price from you."

"By all means, you can have them all for one copper," Eugal gave a slimy smile.

"Let's negotiate each item individually; we have some coin," Fin suggested. "Can you make us some receipts and do this transaction over the table?"

"I will need my logbook, but I have everything else I need right here."

Eugal informed Fin where the logbook was, and Fin was happy to get it for him. Soon enough, Brando was holding up items, and Eugal was giving a price for each. In some cases, Brando was too surprised at the low cost and insisted on paying more. Fin walked into the closet and started browsing the man's wardrobe. Periodically, he would come out of the closet holding up a set of clothes and ask if he could purchase them. Eugal was more than happy to add the items to the growing list.

Finally, Eugal held the finished receipt up for Brando's inspection. Brando looked over it, and when he agreed, both men signed the receipt, and Brando produced a single gold and a single copper coin.

Brando gave the receipt to Fin, who scrutinized it.

"Now I want you to write a receipt for two slaves bought from someone named Jack and Barnes," Fin stated, holding their receipt in his hands. "Let it specify that it's for a woman and a child for the price of three gold."

Eugal's eyes went wide. "I can't do that! That would imply I was buying slaves!"

Fin procured a knife from their pile of items and handed it to Brando. "That's the point. I'm sure you can understand we would be apprehensive to trust you will keep your word. So, we need insurance. Hence, we have receipts for all these items. Now, you can't say these items were stolen. Who would believe robbers came into your house to pay for everything they took?"

Brando took the knife and held it to Eugal's throat. "A woman and child. Jack and Barnes."

Eugal scribbled out the receipt and slammed his quill on the desk.

"You need to sign it," Brando pushed the point of the knife into the man's neck.

Eugal signed, and Fin wrote 'Jack' and 'Barnes' at the bottom. He then lifted the paper and compared it to his own receipt. "Your signature isn't the same."

"Make another one," Brando smacked Eugal on the head with the side of the knife and then placed the tip back against his throat. "This time, two men."

The cycle went on and on. Eugal would make a receipt, Fin would sign it 'Jack' and 'Barnes' and then stow it away. Finally, they had him start a new series of receipts.

"Now I want you to sell these two slaves to someone named Goblin Chef," Fin shuffled through his stack of papers until he found the first one. "A woman and a child, but this time, we're going to sell them for more. What was that concept you taught me? A keystone? Since you bought them for three gold, you're going to sell them for six and turn a profit."

Eugal resigned himself to making the false receipts. He made one after the other, not even trying to convolute his signature. When they were all finished, Fin paired the pieces of paper in his hands and stowed them.

"Are we done now?" Eugal asked, defeated.

"Not quite," Brando smiled. "Now is when you hold up your end of the bargain. We have taken your advice to heart. I understand that sometimes we make mistakes, and I forgive you. Since our lives are priceless, you have promised a priceless gift and to swear loyalty from now until forever."

Eugal began talking, but Brando raised his hand. "Him first. We are two different people, after all."

Eugal faced Fin, inhaled, and swore his loyalty. "I swear loyalty to you from now until forever."

Fin noticed and pulled up his notification the moment it appeared.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

* Minion Quest Complete: Gain one minion. +1 Active Ability, +1 Level, +1 gold stat point, +1 basic stat point.

* Active Ability: Lesser Control Minion

Fin closed his notifications just as Eugal finished swearing his loyalty to Brando. "It looks like I already got my priceless gift."

"And what's that?" Brando asked.

"I don't exactly know yet; let's find out together," Fin activated Lesser Control Minion. "Eugal, dance a jig."

Eugal immediately started dancing, a frown growing ever prominent across his brow.

"What is this?" he asked, swinging his legs around, rocking his arms back and forth, and kicking in every direction.

"Whatever it is, it's entertaining," Fin smiled.

Brando wiped the knife he was holding on his pants and then cut into one of the pies. He pulled a piece out and ate, still watching Eugal.

"Having him dance is genius," Brando said with jealousy. "I wish I would have thought of that."

Fin asked for some pie, and they both ate in silence as they watched a very sad man do a very joyful dance.

Eugal began sweating and swearing. "Make it stop!" he shouted.

Fin reacted to the yelling like a physical blow. "Okay, stop dancing." He said, not wanting the shouts and stomps to attract any attention.

Eugal stopped dancing, put his hands on his knees, and bent over, fighting for breath.

"The pie is delicious. Do you make it yourself?" Brando asked, inspecting the rare jewel in the lamplight.

Eugal just nodded, unable to get the words out.

"For my priceless gift, I want a lifetime supply of pies," He took another bite and reveled in the flavor of it. It was sweet and sour, creamy and crunchy, and his hunger made it the most magical thing he had ever tasted. "An endless supply of pies. I want my oldest to inherit the wealth of pies if I decide to get married a third time and have children."

Eugal reluctantly walked over to his desk and wrote yet another receipt for an endless supply of pies. He signed it and wrote, 'Paid in full.' He begrudgingly handed the paper to Brando.

Fin busied himself with lighting their new lanterns and stacking everything on their new blankets. When everything was ready, he lifted the bundles and stowed them. Eugal looked astonished, but the two ignored him.

"It's been fun, Eugal. Don't forget to clear our names while we're gone," Brando said, gathering the rope together. "I'll tie him up now."

"Wait, if he's tied up and someone finds him like that, it might serve to prove his story," Fin considered. "Let me try something."

Fin took his lantern and opened the back door a crack. He then activated Lesser Minion Control and spoke, "Eugal, go to sleep and don't wake up until morning."

Eugal walked to his bed, lifted his sheets, and got in. Brando stared in disbelief as the man's breathing slowed until he was making a soft snore.

"I'll explain later," Fin whispered and motioned Brando onto the balcony.