A Great Gift

Chu delivered the last of his pelts to the Trading Post.

This time the Trading Post did not buy it, but the new Master was acting as an intermediary between him and another merchant.

Ever since he netted a huge profit last winter, Merchant Kim was very considerate whenever he interacted with Chu. He had been introduced to this boy by Griz after they had made a small fortune.

Chu used his influence on John to make him create his own little Merchant company.

"If Griz can have one, then why can't the youngest Master of a Trading Post Branch also startup his own side business?"

With a prideful and ambitious person like John, it did not take him long to set up his own rights as a merchant. Although he was confined to the village without a convoy of his own, he still waved that certificate showing he was registered by the Merchant's Guild.

After returning from his late winter trip, Merchant Kim had hooked up with both John and Chu. John was the middleman and served as Chu's registered dealer. Merchant Kim was the one who had a well established convoy and transport network.

It was between the three of them that Chu presently conducted his main business. All his supplies from Griz passed through the wagons of the Trading Post. The well processed pelts and a huge influx of lumber during the autumn season were shipped and sold by Merchant Kim.

This last delivery before winter was also the last trip for the year by Merchant Kim. He would be returning next spring. According to him, the storage buildings were filled in his home city of Haven. Next year would bring another huge profit distribution to the three of them.

Before he left, John brought Chu to the Lodge to collect the package he had long ordered. Chu opened the box and removed a well made robe lined inside with soft fur. The outside was made with thick brown cloth treated with oils and wax to make it slightly waterproof.

These cloaks would seem ordinary to anyone, but that internal lining and neat workmanship would make it among the most expensive in even the cities.

"Chu, give me another one please! Kim only loosened his mouth when we drank last night, I only found out how amazing this was yesterday."

Kim looked at the pitiful face John was making and snorted.

"Master Chu I am not as thick faced as some people to want such an item for free. Please sell me another, I would really like to gift my wife one when I return home."

Chu could only shake his head to the two grown men who were pleading. It had to be known that these two were the most unscrupulous beings around. Neither would bow to any pressure that would cut into their profits.

"I am truly sorry my friends. These cloaks already have owners. I cannot part with not even one. I must also say they are very important to our future business transactions. Remember our profits always depend on our supply line."

It was only after that statement that the two were quelled. They would never interfere with this gold mine. Chu chatted with them before he had Ming and the others carry the chests into the wagon.

He reminded John about the new employees staying in his village home and to keep an eye on them. After bidding Merchant Kim a safe journey home he left the village.

On their way back Ming couldn't help asking about what was so special about those cloaks. Even Mr Thomas was piqued about why the two merchants would even stoop to begging for another one.

Chu had Mr Thomas stop the wagon on the road. In the late autumn evening, the wind was already chilly.

He rummaged through the chests until he found two cloaks with sizes for Mr Thomas and Ming. The cloaks were long enough to reach just past the top of their boots. They also had large fur-lined hoods.

"Put them on."

Hearing what Chu said the two removed their old patched cloaks and draped themselves with the new ones.

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Almost immediately the cold vanished as they began warming up.

"Wow! No wonder John wanted another. These cloaks are amazing!"

Ming announced in comfort.

Mr Thomas nodded in agreement.

"Its warm in autumn, I believe it would be even warm during the height of a snow storm. It is slightly heavier than the other cloaks though, is it because its thicker?"

He said.

Chu laughed in reply.

"Heh, these cloaks are made using waterproof cloth but that is not the real secret. The fur lining is made completely with that of wild foxes. They are the softest and best in trapping heat. That alone makes those cloaks worth its weight in gold."

Mr Thomas thought before asking a question.

"True, the furs of such foxes are scarce and a rare commodity even in the cities, but I feel there is something more to this."

"Sharp as always Elder, Yes your right, the secret is the layer between the cloth and fur. Stitched hidden from view includes a layer of supple leather made from the pelt of the wild boar we killed.

No only is this cloak a superb winter warmer, it can also help reduce damage from arrows and crossbolts shot from a distance. Merchant Kim even said it was able to fend of a weak dagger strike from an ordinary person."

Chu boasted unashamed. The cloaks gifted to the Merchants contained pieces of the Red Boar leather sewn to protect the vitals. Five cloaks fashioned completely from the leather, offering even more protection.

'Amazing'

Was all that could pass through Mr Thomas's mind. He trembled as he decided to ask another question but Chu stopped him.

"Don't worry, besides the five cloaks I had Merchant Kim use his sources to make five more cloaks from normal boar leather. They are lighter and best for the ladies, Merchant Kim included those as a gift."

Mr Thomas sighed in appreciation. Such cloaks would mean an extra life in any ambush attacks. Whether from bandits or even the goblins they may encounter, his family always came first.

Now that his family had expanded, he worried about those support staff at home. This was because his immediate family were part of that group. Chu's consideration showed him that the boy had already thought about everyone.

He admitted the boy owned the rights to the title of the boss of their group.

Well made fur coats were a luxury in the cities, hence he only imagined the amount of trouble Chu went through to secure them.

This was even more so when he saw how the cloak for Mrs Thomas was decorated with embroidery and gems. Such a cloak would turn the heads of even those high standing nobles and clans. That smile on his wife's face as she tried out the cloak was priceless.

***

Clod soon had his revenge on Ming for abandoning him in the tavern incident.

Ming had picked up quite a few bad habits during his month-long stint in the slums. During that time he spent his nights hanging out in the Tavern chatting with adventurers, guards and the usual drunkards. One night he tried convincing Clod to peep through the boards in their room to the girls room above.

Next morning when they all gathered at the breakfast table, Clod promptly sold him out before casually finishing his meal and heading out. He left Ming to the fate of the murderous stares emanating from the girls.

Mrs Thomas tried to blow it off as the mark of a growing healthy young man.

Chu and Mr Thomas excused themselves and slunk out. Both individuals being smart enough to avoid getting involved.

That evening during training, there was a full turnout of the female community.

Ming ended up beaten senseless under these hostile gazes by Lucy.

Mr Thomas leaned on one side of the stable fence looking on in pity with a straw dangling out of his mouth. Nearby Doug and the others were holding the fence as they watched on in awe. Ming was already a terror to them, now this girl who seem to predict his every move and rain down undefendable blows was even more frightening.

"Strong ain't she?"

Mr Thomas spoke airily.

"Uhuh"

"Yea, so strong."

"Amazing!"

"Pretty isn't she?"

Mr Thomas continued.

"Yea."

"Like a gem."

"Strong and pretty."

Mr Thomas spat the straw from his mouth.

"Last time down south a trapper set his eyes on my little girl. So I nailed that sucker to a tree in the forest for wolf food. Don't ever get any ideas on my girls okay?"

The little white lie produced its desired effect.

Doug and the others cringed under the blood lust seeping out from the old man.

'What the heck is wrong with this old man? His sons are already so terrible, now his daughter is like a genius fighter. Not to mention his younger girl is a bandit boss.'

'Who the hell would be stupid or crazy enough to interfere with your mad family?'

Mr Thomas had enough worldly experience to read their terrified faces.

"After work wait at your shack for me in the evening. From tomorrow I'll give you guys some training. That way you wont get killed so easily when you make your way in the world."

The old man tossed them a bone and rambled of.

That night a lot of people went to bed very contented. The large quilts now spread on the upper rooms like rugs to nip any further indecent thoughts in the bud.

Doug and the others had renewed dreams of living an adventuring lifestyle. Mr Thomas was pampered by his wife for such an exquisite gift.

Only the occasional whimpering from below spoke of one individual in pain and suffering...