Heathbrand's hand trembled as he reached for the empty goblet, knocking it over. He cursed under his breath as he righted it and poured the dark red liquid from the elegant carafe up to the brim. The pain from his old wound had been blinding tonight, and the fact that he had been obliged to walk all the way to the Inn and back had not helped.
He swallowed down a large mouthful and felt the warmth of the velvety vintage coursing through his limbs. It was days like these Heathbrand almost wished that half-monster had finished him back in Andrath. Yet, the scales seemed to balance in spite of it; business was good, better than he had ever hoped. People were hungry for the exotic eastern goods he had sold so far and clambering for more. He did not like dealing with the strange easterner, Yilgtig. It was not the fierceness that lurked under the man's oiled words, but the fact that Heathbrand could sense no limitations of honour in him though he seemed to hold to his own personal 'code'. The other he had met tonight had been far more comfortable companionship. He took another large mouthful and swallowed before moving carefully to a cushioned chair.
No one had ever thanked him before. Being a guard of the Watch came with more duties than thanks and being a cripple came with neither. It was good speaking with another Breelander, as well. Too many foreigners still...southerners, dwarves...worse. If this Belegander proved apt as a distributor, he might be worthy of a larger interest in this enterprise to rebuild Breeland. It remained to be seen how he would deal with the merchants who wished to sell these eastern goods. Heathbrand made mental note that he would write down the names for when he next saw the man. Leaning back in his chair, he sighed deeply. He was weary past imagining. No, it was good that another should share the load...better, even. A merchant needs agents in the same way a commander needs soldiers if he is to achieve his goals. We will see.....we will see....
