Page 23 of Bloody Business

She didn't enjoy cooking, but she was competent.Chef Gog’s biscuits were rich, but light and flaky.The man knew his way around a mixing bowl.She wondered if he ever made crepes.She was especially fond of the berry kind...

When Julep was finished and enjoying her tea, Artur said, “We should talk about security.”

Pulled from her daydreams, Julep blinked and gave him her full attention.This sounded serious.

“We're in a turf war with Zul Kan.The greedy worm wants to control all pharmaceutical sales in the city.It gets bloody from time to time, so you'll need an escort when you go into the city.”

Julep was confused.“Why?You sell yours, he sells his...isn't there enough for everybody?”

Artur smirked.“That's not how it works.He wants it all.”

“Is he poor?”She asked, struggling to understand this weird concept.

Artur laughed.“He's a rich man.Maybe richer than me.”

Stranger and stranger.She considered the matter, but still had no clue.“I don't get it,” she persisted, because it didn't make sense.“Why does he have to have it all?”

“Because he's a f...fur faced maggot,” Gal corrected herself after a stern look from her uncle.

“He wants it all,” Artur said gently.“It's not enough for him to dominate the market, he wants to control the whole city.It's greed.”

“I think I understand,” Julep said slowly.“But it's bizarre.”

His face softened.The kids exchanged significant glances.Uncle was a goner.

He noticed.Artur straightened and said briskly, “Just follow the safety protocols and it will be fine.”

“Very well,” she said agreeably.

??

He took her to the pharmacy that afternoon.The shops in that area were profitable and sported carved door posts and frames.Just one street over, the shops had only been able to afford paintings and plaster reliefs, and she'd been shocked by some of the services offered.

The mercenary guild wasn't too surprising, considering this was a goblin town.The bone setter and doctor next door made sense; no doubt the mercenaries gave them lots of business.

She wasn't sure what the chemist sold, but the poisoner made her stare.

“They sell poison out in the open?”she asked, astonished.“What if someone buys it and kills someone?”

He raised a brow.“What if someone has a giant monster down in the mines they need to kill?Poison is a lot safer.”

She didn't look convinced, so he added, “There are many ways to kill someone.If someone commits murder, they're punished.It's not difficult.”

She squirmed uncomfortably.Where she was from, everything was heavily regulated and taxed.This freedom felt weird.

“Come now, you think everyone would be safer if poison were locked away?”He chided.“Next you'll tell me you want to take knives away in case someone decides to go on a stabbing spree.Should we hide all the clubs and rocks, too?”

She looked away sheepishly.Goblin logic was hard to counter.

He gently tapped her under the chin.“Goblins would take your weapons away, and then kill everyone.We aren't good.No one really is.”

“You need weapons to defend yourself.Waiting for someone to save you is asking to die.”

She scowled.“What about me?I'm not a good fighter.”Like everybody else, she carried a small pocket knife.It was handy for cutting string and things, but she didn't intend to stab anyone with it.

“True.You should make friends with a goblin.”He winked.

She made a face at him.

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