Of course I get a chance to get to know the city better, by walking all the way across it, right off the bat. I should be careful what I wish for. Well, I guess it isn't the worst that can happen so I should be glad. And maybe I am. I'm a little curious too though, what this job will be about.

In all likelihood it won't be any kind of business or activity that the law abiding citizens of Riverrun would like to be associated with. Of that I'm pretty certain despite not knowing any details. I'm not working for a charity here after all. Well, not a charity in the most common sense anyway. Got to take some first, before I can give.

My destination is pretty much impossible to miss. There is only one water mill after all, at least as far as I can see. I have seen a windmill too, built onto one of the tower foundations of the city wall, but that is another thing altogether and not anywhere near the waterfront.

At least all the walking I'm doing is worth another level up of my [Streetwise] skill, as a divine whisper shorty lets me know.

[*Ding!* Your skill Streetwise has leveled up to level 4!]

I guess I have to be thankful for every small blessing.

The mill might be hard to miss. The man I'm supposed to meet on the other hand is a little harder to find. Especially as I can't look around exactly as I please. I don't want to appear too nosy. I'd rather not have to answer pointed questions, should the owner of the mill spot me.

The solution to this conundrum is rather obvious in hindsight. The man I'm supposed to meet in all likelihood doesn't want to draw anymore attention than me after all.

Instead of wasting time checking the direct surroundings of the mill, I roam a little further along the way leading there. Eventually I stumble across a man that might just be the mentioned Wiktor, dozing in the shadow of a tree by the wayside a little beyond the mill.

Or is he just pretending to be asleep? I nudge him with my foot and he shoots upright. Well, it seems he really was asleep. Not so much anymore now though.

“You wouldn't happen to be Wiktor?”

He blinks at me owlishly, yawns and gets up at long last.

“Who wants to know?”

Does he even know my name? I'll just have to trust Jerzy that he put some thought into this.

“I'm Viviona.”

He takes a moment to brush some grass and dirt off his clothes.

“Ah, I see. The new cutie.”

For the briefest of moments I just stare open mouthed.

“What?”

He just shrugs. He doesn't even make an attempt at an apology.

“What, what? It's the truth. If you happen to have a little time one of these nights I could show you around the town a little.”

No, he really isn't sorry in the slightest. Does he really not see anything wrong with his choice of words? Or is this actually just a honest offer to show me around town? Nothing less, nothing more?

I sigh and shake my head.

“Aren't we here for a job?”

He looks at me, feigning surprise.

“Oh! Now that you remind me. And here I was wondering why Jerzy would send me out here today of all days! And here I was hoping I might be able to nap a little more. I need my beauty sleep, you know?”

I roll my eyes, but play along anyway.

“Sure. If you plan to have a fun night at the town you need to get in a little sleep beforehand.”

He strikes a silly pose and flashes me a beaming smile.

“See! I just knew you would understand!”

By now I'm pretty sure that someone is watching us from the direction of the mill. We might be out of earshot, but we are most certainly not out of sight after all. Thus I decide to play along a little longer. At least my [Danger Sense] isn't tingling, thus it probably isn't too bad. I decide to act a little exasperated.

“Anyway, the job? We probably should get to it. I doubt Jerzy would be too enthusiastic if we return to town only to tell him that we forgot all about it over exchanging silly banter. So, what is it about? Is there anything I should know? Is it about the mill? Or are we just meeting here because it's a convenient landmark that is hard to miss?”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

He chuckles and nods in the direction of the path that leads further away from the town and the mill as well.

“Come, lets walk together for a little.”

He doesn't wait for an actual response and takes the lead instead. In the end I have no choice but to follow. After a while he speaks up again.

“You got it right. The mill is a convenient meeting point. Just about everyone knows what a mill is after all. And no, we won't bother the miller and her family. The lord wouldn't take kindly to that. He, or rather his advisers, let slide a lot, but if you mess with the towns food supply they'll crack down on you hard. And besides, she is a retired adventurer. Bother her only if you really want a good walloping, or a bath in the river. The last one who tried got dunked real good. Again and again.”

He lets out an amused chuckle.

“Ah, that was a sight.”

I can only roll my eyes.

“The way you say it makes me suspect that you might just try to set up some poor fools to get walloped and dunked for your own amusement.”

He looks back at me, pretending to be shocked.

“Oh no! I would never! And anyway, we are almost there. See that farmstead just ahead? That's our destination.”

It turns out that despite being able to see the farmstead and the surrounding clearing along the river easily we still take a while to get there. I take the time to look around a little. Despite my best try I can't even begin to figure out what they are growing here. I'm not very familiar with farming after all. The only thing that I'm moderately sure of is, that it is neither corn nor rice.

“What are they growing here? And didn't you say that messing with the town's food supply is a way to invite swift retribution by the local lord?”

He lets out an amused laugh.

“You pay attention. I can see why Jerzy likes you. Yes, I did say that. They are growing barely here. They aren't selling it though. Not any more. Instead they decided to distill strong spirits from it. And while having those is nice, they aren't nearly essential enough to the survival of the town to get the lord involved.”

I have a feeling that [Gather Information] improves another little bit as he keeps explaining.

“The town's guild of brewers and distillers on the other hand take exception. They don't like it when the farmers move in on their turf.”

He pauses to chuckle. This time it isn't exactly a pleasant sound though.

“The middlemen never take kindly to anyone attempting to cut them out. Even less so this time around, as the spirits they distill here are pretty good. Possibly better than anything the masters in town can produce. Maybe because the water is better out here. I mean, we are barely an hour from the town, but it really makes a difference.”

He pauses to point at the surrounding woods.

“They can sell at a lower price too, as they still have plenty of wood here. Wood you need to keep the stills running. The brewers and distillers in town have to import theirs and it costs them.”

I ponder the information he presented, as we keep walking in silence for a little longer.

“It still sounds like an issue the brewers and distillers should take to the lord. Isn't this a classic trade dispute. Why do we get involved instead?”

Now he laughs out loud.

“Oh, they did take it up to the lord, or at least his advisers. The thing is, they don't want to upset the farmers. Those are all hard working free men and women after all. Men and women with the right to bear arms. And of course they provide just about all the food the city needs too.”

I let out a groan, as realization dawns upon me.

“The lord's advisers want this settled, but they don't want to settle it themselves. They want an independent third party. Someone who will work for a moderate fee. Someone who won't make a fuss. And most importantly, someone they can lay the blame at, if things go sour?”

He nods along with my words.

“Yes to all of that. Very astute! It really is a pleasure working with you!”

By now our approach has been noticed. A small group of people are gathering along the path leading to the clustered together farmhouses. Several of these people are obviously armed and not with improvised weapons or farming implements either. There are, of course, swords, but I can see halberds too. Some light armor as well and at least one crossbow. It seems these people are well aware of their situation and expecting trouble.

As we draw close a slightly older man steps ahead of the others. He too is armed and armored, but at least his sword is still sheathed. His disposition towards us is no better than any of the others though, that much becomes obvious as he calls out to us.

“Fuck off!”

Well, that is rather clear and to the point. Very little room for misunderstandings. Wiktor doesn't let the harsh greeting discourage him though. He spreads his arms in amenable gesture.

“Is that any way to greet people coming to do business?”

My gaze shifts to one of the youngsters at the back of the elder farmer, as I feel an identification skill wash over me. My brows furrow slightly, as my mood darkens. I decide not to speak up and make a fuss though. At least it wasn't the same unpleasant skill the gate guard used.

The elder in turn doesn't really buy into Wiktor's response to his heartfelt greeting.

“Oh shut up! You piece of pond scum! You aren't business, you are trouble!”

I can't help but snicker now.

Wiktor turns, an up played look of fake betrayal on his face.

“What?”

I just shrug. And mimic a figure of speech he used earlier.

“What, what? Aren't you going to praise him for his astute observation?”

He acts as if I just mortally wounded him.

“Oh woe is me! The apprentice drives a dagger into my back the moment I turn it! Oh, they grow up so fast these days!”

I can't help but laugh, although I try not to laugh too long and hard. The armed farmers seem to relax a little too. Was this his intention from the beginning? It is hard to tell. As long as it works it is a welcome change though.

Wiktor turns to address the farmers directly again.

“Well, you aren't exactly wrong. At least in some regards. I'm really here to do some business though.”

The old mans bushy brows furrow, but at least he seems willing to listen.

“This still is about the brewers and distillers from the city making a fuss, isn't it? I can't quite see what kind of business I might be able to do with you that would resolve our issues.”

Wiktor looks around briefly, then he gestures towards the farmhouses.

“Why don't we head inside, so I can explain our proposal without anyone listening in? Maybe have a drink or two too while we are at it?”

There are some murmurs rising from the group of armed farmers, but the old man shuts them up with a single gesture.

“Fine. Lets have a drink together. We don't want anyone to say that we aren't hospitable folk after all.”