Page 1 of 1000 of You
Chapter 1
Trade
“I hear your weapons are of thefinest craftsmanship.”
MuamKaislowly turned around to glare at the figure darkening his doorway. The shed wasunbearably hot, the furnace almost white. Sweat rolled down his bared skin insheets. For a moment he resented the interruption. When he was working on aproject, he blocked out the rest of the world in order to concentrate on whathe was doing. However, he would never turn down a potential client, especiallya new one. New customers had the potential of becoming repeat customers.
“I would like to think I do,” heresponded. “What kind of weapon are you interested in?”
“A sword.” The man remained in thedoorway. If he was trying to avoid the excessive heat,Muamcouldn’t blame him.
“Before I show a man a weapon, Ineed to know his name.” He kept his grip on his hammer and the partially-finisheddagger he was working on. In his line of business, it was always wise todistrust a man until proven differently.
“KolisRahn.”
Muameyedthe man’s clothes and tribal mark on his chest. “You areJamboris.Are you new to the village? I have never seen you before.”
“ToklaRahnis my brother. I am here to help celebrate hisupcoming marriage. I happened to mention that I was in need of a better sword,and he sent me to you.”
Muamnodded.ToklaRahnwas agood friend and patron. Now thatKolismentioned it,he could see the family resemblance.
“I have a couple of swords I canshow you.” He gestured forKolisto enter, and walkedover to a small stand where the weapons were displayed.
The man hefted one and made a few practice swings. “I likethe grip, but the balance is off.”
Muamfrowned. There was nothing wrong withthe sword’s balance. “What about the other one?”
Kolisreplaced the weapon and plucked theother one from the stand. Taking a stance, he made a few lunges, then twirledthe blade. “I like this one better.” He pointed to the first sword. “But I likethat grip better.”
“I can change the grip.”
Kolisgrinned. “Then you have a deal. Howlong will it take to change it?”
“I can have it ready for you later this afternoon.”
“Excellent. How much are we talking about?”
Muamquoted him a figure, deliberatelymaking it higher than he had planned. He expectedKolisto try and whittle down the price. To his surprise, the man agreed without haggling.
“I will return after a while with your payment.” Setting thesword back on the stand, the two men clasped arms in agreement, andKolisleft the stall.
Muamstood there and watched the man depart.His stomach clenched in hunger, but it would have to wait. He wanted to get thesword ready first, in case the man returned earlier than expected.
It didn’t take him as long as he thought it would to changeout the grip. When he was done, he went outside to the rear of the stall andpracticed hacking at the straw dummy. He had to admit that the change in thegrip did make the sword easier to handle. With it finished, he returned it tothe display and went to find himself something to eat.
It was nearly sunset whenKolisreturned for his weapon. The man tested the sword and approved the modification.“My brother gifted me with a new scabbard,”Kolisannounced. “This will fititnicely. You do superbwork,MuamKai.”
“Thank you. Now, for my payment.”
To his shock,Kolisstepped outsidemomentarily. He returned, dragging a woman by the arm, and shoved her in frontof him. The female fell on the ground and remained there, unmoving, with herhead bowed.Muamlooked toKolisfor an explanation.
“There. That is your payment,” the man stated.
“I do not deal in flesh,”Muamsternly retorted.
The man gave him a self-assured grin and chuckled. “Oh, youwill want to accept her in trade. She isOrshii.”
Muamstared at him in stunned silence for amoment. “There are noOrshiileft.”
