Seven #4
"Vikoria the Bountiful and my god, Feliogustus, are…
I guess you could say, friends. I also find myself particularly fond of her and her people.
I've helped them in the past, and they've helped me.
I'm also somewhat fond of Gomerty and his people.
If you're interested in setting something up out there, I'll have a bit of a chat with them, as well, to see that they understand what's going on, and maybe you can come to a few mutually beneficial business arrangements, as well. "
"And if I go too far, you'll come back and box my ears, right?" Khortz said with a chuckle.
I shrugged. "I don't think you will. Yeah, the city's nice and all that, but how much growth are you going to see here over the next decade?
I'm sure business is good, but Mulberry?
We both know sooner or later, probably sooner, Vikoria's farmers out there are going to start thinking that while one cannery is good, two would be better.
You'd have an opportunity to perhaps become a partner in the next one, or start building more warehouses, or shipping facilities. "
"You think they'd deal with us?"
"Well, maybe if you moved your families out there and became a part of the community, built a church or two? Farmers are a lot more rough-and-tumble than most city folk, and there are orcs who follow Vikoria, so they're not gonna look down their noses at you."
"So will I get set up with one of your daughters, too?" Khortz asked with a laugh.
I did the 'eyes and ears' thing before responding.
"Understand, that happened because Dani converted to my god, and Bazz was quite surprised at what she had to say about Feliogustus. He wanted to know more, so I brought out a priestess, and, well, she has a thing for a big, strong man."
"Still, your daughter?"
I shrugged. "I warned him, but well, he went off like a lamb to the slaughter," I said with a grin.
"So what does a Junturan god want with orcs?"
"Feliogustus likes bars, smugglers, and people who know how to kick ass and have a good time.
I mean, catfolk and orcs tend to end up in the same category when the other races look at us.
So why not? I will warn you, though, if you want to follow him, any catfolk slaves need to go on contract and be free to leave if that's what they want. "
"Thankfully, all the girls in my bordello are on contract. Slavery is frowned on here."
"So, interested?"
"In Mulberry? Yeah, I am. First, however, I need to reach out to a few people and learn a few things.
I don't process horse, but I know a few who do, as I've got something of a smuggling concern going on.
Part of why Makill and I are doing business.
You're right about there being a lot of upside in this, and I suspect your thoughts on the future of Mulberry are good ones.
I could go in there, tie myself up as a valuable member of the community, and then when the big money starts looking around, I'll be too important to brush aside or ignore. "
Khortz smiled then. "I think I'd like that."
"What time should I come back tomorrow?"
"Four. I should have my answers by then, and we can discuss it further. Can I have one of my guys drop you wherever you're staying?"
"Sure, it's at Vikoria's temple over on Sunrise."
"You're staying at one of her temples?"
I nodded. "They offered it to me because I'm trying to help her people."
"This isn't the first time you've helped them, is it?"
"Nope, and I doubt it will be the last."
"Oh, one last thing, while I would undoubtedly appreciate getting to know one of your daughters, after having known Dani, I'd be a lot more interested if you know of any elven women with that same kick-ass attitude who also happen to like big men."
I chuckled at that. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out."
Two days later, I was back in Mulberry. I'd been able to pay someone to fly me out on a small cargo skiff. Khortz had agreed that it looked like a profitable enterprise and that setting up in the town now, before anyone else, was a good idea.
"So, when are you leaving?" Lillis asked as we lay in bed together the first night back.
"Khortz will be out in a couple of days.
He wants to sit down with the farmers and shopkeepers, go over everything with them, discuss the future, and make a few business deals.
I'll be here for all that, just in case mediation needs to be done, to make sure everyone understands what they're agreeing to, and that everyone's at least content, if not happy, with what they're agreeing to. "
"And then on to Rossiya?"
"Yup."
"Will I ever see you again, Will?"
Rolling over, I smiled at her and put my hand on her abdomen. "I think that's a safe bet, though I don't know how soon, or how often, that will be."
Lillis blushed. "So you figured out I'm pregnant with your child?"
I gave her a kiss. "I know what happens if you have intercourse with a priestess of Vikoria."
"So you knew I was going to get pregnant?"
"Yes," I said and kissed her again.
"And you're okay with that?"
"Very," I said, following it up with another kiss, then rolling her onto her back as I crawled on top of her.
"Why?"
"Because I like you, I like Vikoria, I like having children, and I know you'll be a good mom."
She blushed.
"Just remember one thing."
"And what would that be?"
"I'll be more than happy to do this again when I visit. So be warned!" I said, smiling down at her.
"Oh, trust me, if you visit, you'll definitely be leaving me with yet another child to remember you by!"