SWALLOWING A WHALE

John reclined on the wooden chair, propping his feet on the counter. As Master of the Trading Post, he allowed himself this privilege. It didn't matter since he managed the General Store alone for today. The rest of the clerks busied themselves over at the Trading Post collection bay, wrapping up the last-minute loads for winter.

This first week of winter had already dumped over a foot of snow on the village. According to the older villagers, this portent meant the approach of a terrible winter. In the comfort of his lodge, such trivial things mattered little to him. He pulled the heavy cloak across him, rubbing the ring on his finger.

"I hate the cold, but all this snow is good for business. I need to have one of those clerks run over to the Bai food hut. Nobody beats their piping hot soup. I hear this week they might be simmering the tendons from a Red Boar."

John muttered.

Since joining the ranks of a true trading merchant, his contacts had grown enormously. Through letters and correspondences, he interacted with weapon smiths, tailors, and general merchants. From the villages to the town of Karst, even up to the city of Limerock, John plied his trade with the resident tradesmen.

The number of special orders he had made under his name created a favorable impression in the eyes of his fellow traders and Artisans.

This year he splurged and bought a fine gold ring, set with a minute ruby gemstone. He habitually rubbed it every day, making sure to always display and flaunt it in the presence of the customers. The villagers gawked, while the visiting merchants treated him with respect and envious eyes.

More than a dozen times he had villagers and acquaintances trying to match him with daughters and even their wives in marriage. His character of treating everyone be it the beggar or merchant in a cordial manner turned him into the village's most esteemed bachelor.

Of course, John never parted with his money. He learned that a friendly miser who listened and nodded to the usual sad story enjoyed a favorable reputation than one who shooed those dregs away.

By now everyone in the village knew that the Trading Post Master had no money. Some even comforted the young man as he waited patiently for his imaginary convoy to return laden with riches. He proved to himself that not only the beggars could spin believable tales to invoke pity.

He was contemplating whether to purchase a small title from the Merchant's Guild. This would allow him to choose a surname to pass on to his later kin. A voice intruded into his thoughts, dispelling this sweet daydream.

"Hey, John."

"Oh, isn't it Ming. I haven't seen you for days. What do you need? I have an assortment of herbs and seeds that might interest you, but they are a tad bit expensive."

John drawled on seeing the newcomer who disturbed his thoughts.

The boy probably came to shop on his measly weekly allowance of ten coppers. The stubble bearded young man standing beside him though was a different story.

"A pleasant morning, Adventurer Chong. Did your little Boss send you for supplies again? Word from Jim yesterday is that you guys actually managed to kill a variant boar? I wonder what plans the little miss has for it?"

John said while rubbing his hands in anticipation. Unlike the boy, Chong represented a person of reputable standing. Not only did the little Boss sell quality goods at a reasonable price, but she also purchased herbs and hard to find potions in bulk. John knew as a fact that her allowance for the week hovered at one gold coin, backed with unlimited credit approval.

"Ahem, so sorry John, but Chong here is out today as my personal helper. We rode into town on our own horses, quite an experience I might add. As for business, I am here to represent your Boss."

Ming said casually, turning up his head at the Merchant. He waited on the effect. Sure enough, John sprang up and soon closed the door to the outlet. The guard outside had the instructions to direct the customers towards the shop near the south gate.

"So what does Young Master Chu need?"

"Ah, it's hot in here. Hold on a second. Chong, a little assistance here."

John watched as the man helped the boy remove his traveling robe. This robe seemed different from the normal ones, opening at the front like those used by merchants. He wondered if the boy had turned senile, because the store remained a little chilly, but then his eyes nearly popped out of its sockets. John's jaw dropped to the ground.

"Chu said its time to make use of your contacts. Before the roads become impassable, he wants you to increase the purchase of grain. He needs eight hundred sacks more than previously ordered. Delivered before the middle of winter. With this winter order, you can also cement your position within the Trading Post."

John tore his eyes away from the large crude gold ring, topped with an enormous ruby the size of a marble. Unconsciously, he clasped his hands, hiding away the pathetic ring he always admired.

"Eight hundred sacks more? Such a large amount would have to come from the granary in Limerock. What is he trying to do, grind the grain into flour?"

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"Don't worry about it, if you have to utilize the Trading Post resources for this venture, then do so. You can make a hefty commission both ways. He also said... Ah, let me just fix my clothes, yes that's better. When the caravan arrives, notify us immediately, our large warehouse is ready."

"Uh-huh. Do I use the money from our business for it?"

John asked in a daze while watching the large iron chain studded and glittering with large multicolored gems. The merchant in him focused on the task delegated, but the human nature locked and gawked at the treasures before him.

"No need my man. Chong, my bag! I will be paying for this service, double the purchase price if you have too."

Chong responded to the call, handing a small pouch over to Ming. The boy nonchalantly scattered the contents on the table, picking and sorting out three of the smallest gems. The rest, Chong diligently returned to the pouch, one by one.

"Take these, as the payment. Whatever remains, consider it as a bonus. That is all for today. Come, Chong, we ride. Sue said she will be roasting succulent boar meat for lunch and dinner today."

Ming said. Chong helped him into the cloak, then the two bade John farewell.

John stood by the counter in a daze. The three ruby gemstones proved it not a dream. Thinking back to the large crude chain and bulbous ring, a mixture of emotions flooded his mind.

"What the hell, dammit! Since when did that pauper strike it rich?!"

***

"Did you see the look on John's face. Haha, this is payback for all the times he taunted me because my allowance got slashed."

Ming laughed while holding the reigns of the horse. He guided the animal into the new barn next to the eastern gate. The horse had galloped intermittently over the journey, as Ming practiced his riding. The thrill of riding high on a horse made up for the discomfort his legs and butt suffered in the aftermath.

Chong frowned at this idiots carelessness. Didn't he know the fortune they carried in that little bag? This brat had spent the night over the forge, melting gold to create an unsightly ring topped with a large gem. How fickle was this guys brain?

He voiced his concern when they led the horses to the recently finished stables.

"I know we had to deliver the message, but we took a brave chance carrying all those gems. Sakura said we were supposed to hand the pouch to Mr. Pick first so that he could give us three gems to bring. What if she finds out we brought the whole pouch?"

"Chong, Chong, stop worrying. By the time we hand over the pouch to Pick, nobody would know we first made the trip to the village. Besides its only one pouch, Sakura has loads of them. Mr. Pick is swamped in polishing gems, so he won't mind. This escapade will be our little secret."

Ming smiled, as he glanced at Chong. As an accomplice, Chong's mouth would remain sealed or they would face the wrath of the apocalypse together.

"Oh? What secret?"

A tuff of red disheveled hair, littered with straw popped up from among the bales of hay. A pair of sleepy green eyes gazed inquisitively at the two. Ming contorted his face knowing that this was his rival in flushing out secrets within the farm. This little girl had an uncanny knack for popping up unexpectedly. His face fell, on seeing Chong ready to spill his guts.

"What the heck are you doing in here? You hiding from Mrs. Thomas?"

He asked while trying to draw attention away from the previous conversation.

"Nope, I'm working. I'm having the horses grow accustomed to my scent, so they won't fear the wolves. So, Chong, you have something to share with me?"

Dyna replied, as she folded her arms on top of the stall and rested her chin on them.

Ming stared at the bright green eyes now devoid of sleepiness and raised his hands in protest.

"What the heck kinda job is that?"

***

Late at night on a large desk in the barn.

"Not good enough."

He threw the thin cylinder into the wastebasket for recycling. Reaching over Chu held another small construct, scrutinizing the wooden handle and the small iron nib.

"Sometimes I wonder where you find these ideas, Chu. The workers in the forge say Bon has forced them to make a smaller anvil and hammer since he feels the large one lacks precision. He has been mumbling and cursing every morning when the baskets return for recycling. Why can't you give him more of a hint?"

Amanda sat on the side, propping her foot upon the table while crunching some numbers on a parchment. They all wore pajamas since the building was well heated. The guards on duty during the night would stoke the firesides in the buildings to keep the inhabitants warm, while on patrol.

"It's not like I know everything, what I recall is based on what I have seen. See here, the space shouldn't be touching. I am sure this one wouldn't work either."

Chu pointed to the tip of the object, causing the girls to bump heads with him as they noticed the fault in the light from the lamp. Who knew he would have to reinvent the pen.

"I'm sure Bon will complete the task, once you explain the defects of these pro... prototypes? What about the ink?"

Sakura asked while supporting her head on her folded hands.

"Tye has agreed to show me how the ink is made in exchange for the free ingredients I will provide. I have convinced him to also make a small bottle of the ink used for an ancient talisman, while he's at it. Once we know the method and any means to improve on it, then we can send him home."

Chu said while dipping the crude pen into the normal ink bottle. He then used a ruler trying to draw a straight line across a thin sheet of paper. The black line began in a blot and drew a thin line before the nib tore through the paper. He dropped it in the wastebasket while reaching for another.

Using an ink pen require some amount of practice and skill.

"I don't know why you're being so secretive of such a small invention. Isn't it only used for writing on a book? Only nobles and scholars would purchase such an invention since the majority of commoners cannot read nor write."

Amanda said, with Sakura nodding her head in agreement.

Chu placed the next failure in the basket, before dropping two playful chops onto the nearby heads filled with lush bouncy hair.

"Not everything revolves around money. We cannot allow anyone to know about this invention, even when it becomes a success. This is critical for our own use. Besides, we already have enough money to act as your dowry Big Sis. I'm going to make sure you will be one of the richest wives in the entire Empire... Haha."

"You really have a vile mouth on you."

Amanda blushed as she scrambled his neck in a chokehold. Sakura shook her head at the two of them monkeying around. She cleared her throat before interrupting the playful scuffle.

"Ahem, good thing you only act like this when we're alone, otherwise what would the others think about your behaviors; children like you shouldn't be controlling our money. By the way Chu, Dyna came in tonight smirking more than normal, so I pried the secret out of her. You won't believe where our gems traveled today..."