Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
Know your merchant
I cast my line, watching the lure and hook arc far out over the low waves. The metal glinted in the sun before disappearing below the surface. The beach was spectacular in the morning. The sun turned the water into a glittery mass, like diamonds.
I’d had peace and quiet for the last eight days.
During that time, I had swum these waters daily, and I had not seen a single calroid during my underwater explorations.
I was on the lookout for the creature that had seemed to stalk the Runams. If I saw one, I would let Maive know.
A twisted part of me hoped to see one so I’d have an excuse to go to the village and see her.
I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. A glutton for punishment, perhaps.
I felt a twitch on my line and tugged it just enough for the hook to set.
After nearly six weeks on Podnos-9, I could tell what type of fish was biting by the strength, weight, and movement of it.
I knew what kind of fish liked what bait, and when to catch them.
Different fish were active at different times of day.
Learning their preferences and habits appeased the hunter in me and also filled my belly. And my time.
I reeled in what I called a red small-tooth.
This one was too small to keep, but the larger ones were delicious roasted with some salt.
I plucked out the hook and tossed the fish back, watching it wriggle off into the deeper water.
Then, with a contented sigh, I sat on the sand and put down my pole.
Nestled in the silvery sand was my mug. I picked it up and took a sip of the hot, white beverage made from brewing crushed roasted seeds the Runams had sent home with me after the Tregen incident.
It tasted nutty and slightly sweet. The bread was long gone, but some of the more stable foods remained, like these seeds.
The Runams had even included brewing instructions, which was thoughtful.
There had also been some jams, a small packet of candies wrapped in waxed paper, and dried seaweed that rehydrated beautifully.
If I could continue to trade with them, I would have delicious meals and not burn out on fish.
Plus, I’d get to see Maive, and I would be seeing her soon enough at the Valrim Village Founding Festival, which was only a few days away now. There, I hoped to trade for more of these seeds. Whatever this beverage was, I loved it.
I glanced up at the sky, noted the time, and got up.
Not long ago, I’d have checked one of my plethora of instruments, which I’d used relentlessly, to see the time in six different zones and calibrations.
It was interesting how useless they’d become here.
Galactic Standard had been my standard for most of my life.
On Podnos-9, it was pointless, as this planet had its own day and night cycle and it did not align with GS.
Most spacefaring, migratory people regularly used both GS and the time system on whatever planet or moon they happened to be on.
But here, there was just the rise and set of the relatively small star that Podnos-9 spun around.
It was nice to not need more than that. To take off all the devices and just live in my skin.
I gathered my fishing equipment. The enjoyable portion of the day was done. It was time to prepare to meet the Durbok. It wasn’t a chore I was looking forward to, but it needed to be done.
The sun was at its highest in the sky as I stepped off my shuttle.
I’d parked less than a click from the precise coordinates Pasek had given me and would walk the short distance to whatever setup this merchant had.
I was on guard. As I looked around at the hillside the Durbok had chosen, I noted the thick, hearty foliage.
It was colder here, windier, and located near the edge of the habitable zone.
It must have taken the Runam villagers four hiks to walk here.
I couldn’t understand why he chose this spot.
It was very inconvenient for his customers.
I closed up the hatch of my shuttle and began walking toward the location using my handheld locator, which could also summon my shuttle if needed.
My shuttle had a stealth setting, but I didn’t use it.
The goal wasn’t to sneak up on the merchant, but to intimidate him a little.
Just enough to shut down any games. Any trader worth his salt was scanning the surroundings, so the Durbok should know I was there.
And to be on the cautious side, I made sure to arm myself.
Not just my knife this time, but a small blaster tucked in my boot and another on my hip, hidden beneath my long leather duster.
It had been a while since I was fully dressed for business.
This was the lightest armor I had—thick, dark drakbon hide, lined with alloy mesh threads.
It was either that or arrive in something resembling pajamas, because I had that or armor, and nothing in between.
I made a note to add some “normal” clothes to my shopping list. I needed something to wear when I visited the village.
My breath made white puffs as I maneuvered around thick, black-barked trees with tiny striated leaves. As I approached the location, I could hear voices and, surprisingly, music.
The woods gave way to a clearing. In the center was an old Cloudbreaker XE spaceship.
I let out a bark of laughter. These were iconic, old-school trader vessels and were made to act like mobile pop-up shops.
Their design—a sphere cut in half, flat side down—was unmistakable.
These ships could set down almost anywhere and be open for business instantly.
I’d not seen one in decades, but this one had been through some things.
What had once been a smooth white hull was gray-brown, with more than a few repaired blaster holes and plasma damage.
I raised my eyebrows, wondering what kind of predicaments the Durbok had gotten into over the years.
It sat there with its huge hatch thrown open.
From it I could hear omnopop music and see colorful interior lights designed to lure in shoppers.
I stepped inside to see a male Greblin look up from where he stood with Pasek and four other Runams. Of course, the Durbok was a Greblin. I’d never encountered one of their species that wasn’t a trader.
His gaze found me instantly, and he broke from the Runams and crossed the cluttered space to greet me.
Aside from an open area in the middle, the space was packed full of shelves, containers, and crates of goods.
And judging by the size of the ship itself, this was only a small fraction of his wares.
The Greblin spread his thick arms and smiled wide. “Ah! You must be Gilrox.” His hands closed on my upper arms. “I am the Durbok. Welcome to my humble emporium of goods.”
I gazed down at him and grunted. Both “humble” and “emporium” were gross misrepresentations.
Short tufts of fuzzy yellow hair sprouted over his large head. Big, blunt teeth were on full display as he smiled, and small, watery eyes evaluated every single thing his gaze fell on. His leathery skin was pale blue and heavily creased. This Greblin had been a trader for a long time.
My lack of greeting didn’t deter him. “I am always glad to see a new customer, but I must say, my new friend, the Durbok does not allow weapons in his place of establishment. You will have to—”
“You can fleck off,” I said mildly.
The Durbok laughed and clapped my shoulders. Again. “Of course, of course they can stay this time, but next time, please—there’s no need for weapons in the Durbok’s Grand Emporium.”
I raised a brow. “Grand Emporium? I thought it was humble?”
The Durbok winked. “Very grand, for these parts. Humble for others you have seen, my battle-weary friend.” He swept a hand toward his cluttered showroom. “Take your time, look around. I’m sure you will find everything you’re looking for here, friend.”
“Do you accept galactic credits?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said, smiling wider. “Your credits are good here, mercenary.”
I did not bother to mention the retired part. Best to let him draw his own conclusions.
Pasek parted from his Runam companions and approached me, clearly considering me a friend as he clapped me on the back. “Glad to see you here,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.” He leaned in close, as if to share a secret. “And remember—something purple.”
I gave him a nod and he drifted back to the others, who were completing their business with the Durbok.
Two of the Runams each carried a small crate filled with bottles containing a silvery liquid.
They handed them over to the merchant, who accepted them with a practiced smile.
I browsed nearby, but my ears were sharp enough to catch the Durbok telling the men how much credit the delivery had earned at his store.
It looked as though the Runam villagers had already chosen what they wanted.
They gathered their purchases and loaded them into packs they carried on their backs.
I felt a pang about the long journey they would have to take home, but refrained from offering them a ride.
I needed time to speak with the Durbok alone.