Eastward Dragons Read Free Page A

inviting us to your offices on this most profitable morning.”
    The office of Lord Biho Erdenech was located on the third level of the Guild Council building in the central market of Tal Albahi, only a ten minute walk from the western wall of the royal castle. The eastern wall of the office was dominated by three large windows of clear glass, imported at great expense from the glassworks of the Brightflower Desert, which opened onto a wide balcony from which the heights of the royal palace could be seen. The proximity of the two centers of power was a fitting reminder of the “trader” aspect of the Trader Commonwealth’s name. Directly opposite the doors, centered on the northern wall of the chamber, Lord Erdenech lounged in a padded, high-backed chair behind his wide mahogany desk. Across from him sat Oppen Ralva, vice-counselor of the Translators Guild, a man known to both of the trade lords for his meticulous work in translating business documents.
    “Welcome!” Biho boomed, spreading his arms wide above his head and becoming with both for the men to come closer. He was a large man, in every sense of the word. Even seated, he towered over everyone else in the room and his broad shoulders carried enough gravity that his wide paunch nearly disappeared in comparison. “Please, Master Havil, pull up a chair and join us. Xi-Ranta, please bring a chair for Master Jorem. I fear I have neglected to make appropriate preparations for our esteemed colleague.”
    Jarom bowed his head in acknowledgement of the apparent courtesy and smoothly swallowed the implied insult.
    Havil bent slightly at the waist and nodded to Lord Erdenech and Counselor Ralva in turn. He was surprised to find the translator already in the room, and apparently well into his discussion with Lord Erdenech. It implied that the man, who would normally have taken a supporting position in any expedition, would instead be serving as his equal or better.
    “Master A’Mar, I was pleased to learn that you would be representing the Victuals Guild on our expedition,” Oppen said, rising from his seat and proffering his palm in greeting. “I have long admired the dignity of your dealings with the wine merchants of North Thalm .”
    “They wanted only to be treated as purveyors of a product, rather than drunken lushes, Master Ralva. Any trader worth his salt would have done as well as I,” Havil replied, pressing his palm atop that of his colleague in acknowledgement of the greeting.
    As Havil stepped back and settled into the chair beside Oppen, Biho laughed and said, “Do not be modest, Havil. Your predecessor in negotiations with the Thalman lords was so woefully incompetent that we very nearly ran out of wine here in the capital by the time you succeeded in renegotiating the trade agreement.”
    “As I said, any trader worth his salt.”
    Biho laughed and bent forward to lean his forearms atop his wide desk, which was for once clear of the mountains of pulp paper and parchment that generally crowded it.
    “And please do not take my greeting of Master A’Mar before you as a slight, Master DyZhokar. Indeed, your legend for fiscal acumen is so great among the guild masters that I was shocked to hear that you would be journeying with us, rather than sending an under master,” Oppen said, turning away from the others and extending his palm to Jarom.  
    “None taken, Vice-Counselor Biho. As I was explaining to our colleague before the doors were opened to us, I am growing old and the longing for travel has once more stirred within me. In all honesty, I do not…” Jarom stopped speaking and nodded a thanks to Ranta as she pushed a customized chair up behind him. He climbed the three narrow steps built into the front of the chair and settled back atop the cushion, which creaked with his weight, but held firm. He adjusted his robes and scarves, then continued, “As I was saying, I would not be surprised if I do not return from this expedition.”
    “Why