Shiny Trinkets
In this land, Valnur, is the god of wealth and prosperity. I expect you to do anything in your power to get him on our side. This could be the first big step to something larger than the company.
-Chairman Pendrew.
-Chairman Pendrew.
The night brought with it the familiar sweet and salty smell of the ocean. Bellowing gusts of wind tumbled into the dazzeling lantern lit shores of the fertile lands of Numeria. The moon hung in the sky illuminating the dark waters into a pool of sparkling silver which tossed and turned restlessly. Over the waters one could hear for miles the signs of life which emanated from the city of Apesh, a city that seemed to never die down or sleep. As was the case in many Numerian cities trade and wealth was where the power was at and any step that could be taken to get ahead was done. So it seemed even in the later hours of the evening there was still a peddler to be found harassing the people of the streets to buy his wares. Yet this was exactly the environment that the East Empire liked to do business, the hustle and bustle of nearly free trade with all the commotion to hide any frowned upon substances within secret warehouses. The East Empire had been, like in many other civilized countries, established here for many years. Still it was merely a company among others and for some time the company from the Prometheus showed no interest in expanding its power in the region. Though a big name across the country for its exotic goods it was simply another place to buy goods. Yet its vast reserves of foreign made wealth made it an attractive and lucrative trading partner for many merchants not only in Numer but across the globe. Alas the company's intentions were to swiftly change that warm and breezy night, as what appeared to be a regular trade convoy pulled into the harbor laden with goods which would fetch a fair price at the market place.
The silvery water soon began to turn a light bronze as the light from the lanterns mixed with the sea. Apesh, was a busy port, many ships and sailors embarking on adventures or, like the convoy, dropping off goods. Three trade company fluyts made their way into the crowded harbor; East empire trade ships were magnificent in size and often attracted a lot of unwanted attention from pirates at sea. Here in the sanctuary of the harbor the only people that came to see the convoys were the children, their brown eyes swallowing the magnificent sight of large white sails and of foreign men. The company had been established sometime back in the history of Numer and had its own private offices in the city as well as several warehouses along the port. Still private docking was a hassle to try and retrieve but the company managed sometimes winning a spot other times, trade ships had to wait. These large vessels had decks lined with crates and wrapped goods, crew members going off the checklist to ensure nothing was stolen or missing. This also helped to guesstimate how much profit one ship of wares could go for allowing the company to change goods whenever possible for the best possible exchange margin. That night though several crew members found a strange chest which had not been labeled for market, the crewman ran his calloused covered hands over them with interest. The company was very careful about marking things yet these had none other than the company brand.
"Mr. Caloway, I hope you aren’t planning on taking company property are you?" A stern voice rang out behind him. It was the company agent Elis Pen. A tall slender figure whose charm never seemed to fail him in local taverns. His golden hued eyes seemed to look at the sailor with a doubt that he intended to do anything. The sailor saluted quickly nearly dropping the charts he held in his hands.
"Forgive me sir!" The sailor stammered. "I...I was checking to see if these crates had been misplaced or forgotten...sir."
Elis walked over, his silk gloves running smoothly over the wooden crates and finally to the cast iron pad lock which rattled softly. A small cool smile ran across his lips as he withdrew the key from his officers coat pocket and heard the satisfying click of the lock. With a quick swing the top of the crate flew back and a glow that caught the sailor’s eye also caught Elis's. Several golden statues lay covered in soft hay big. Each as long as a man's leg and as wide as a torso, each very intricately shaped and crafted by expert hands.
"These Mr. Caloway are going to the very powerful people of Numer." Elis removed his glove stuffing it in his pocket as he touched the face of one of the statues. “Each represents one of the Numerian deities, two of each for the Ensi and Isis. Along with one statue for every Lugalesh for their god of that city. Each hand crafted by the dwarves in the north...had to pay quite the pretty coin piece for these. The company has interest in this prosperous land and I am the physical hand of the company here." With that Elis closed the chest and locked it again tucking back the key.
Elis walked away from the sailor who was still smacking his lips at the treasures brought aboard the trade vessels. Elis continued into another room one with bared doors. As he entered pairs of eyes met his, elvish eyes. Luna elves sat quietly behind the barred doors, they were slaves. Numeria had a prospering slave trade and elves would hopefully fetch a good selling price among the rich for their longevity and simple beauty. Elis though continued past, the elves were well fed and kept, so he had no need to worry about them. Instead he made his way up the steps to the main deck. The ship had already docked along with the others and all hands where helping unload the precious wares off the vessel.
"Can’t wait to visit one of 'em Numerian brothels eh?" A sailor lugging a crate whistled to his companion who was ogling a Numerian woman passing by.
"Ya mate; these fine women need some companion ship." The other replied sending both into laughter. Elis shook his head but did not press the subject his job was to meet with local company agents at the docks. There they stood at the end of the gang plank waiting silently, four of them. As Elis approached each took of their hats and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Elis I presume? I am Oslo, one of the main officers of the Numerian division of the company." One agent asked politely.
"Indeed, Chairman Pendrew sends his regards." Elis spoke offering a firm handshake. "I assume the appointment with the Lugalesh of Apesh is in order?"
"Yes sir, though we will have to wait for tomorrow morning the Lugalesh sadly does not take guests so late at night. I have already prepared for your stay at one of the company owned inns within the city, high class of course." The man seemed to put emphasis on the last part with a slight wink. Elis understood what this meant but merely shook his head.
"Thank you gentlemen, now if you will excuse me I have some rest to catch up on." With that Elis stepped into a carriage closing the door behind him. The driver shook the reigns and with a snort the horses pulled off into the bustling city of Apesh. A small Numerian boy ran up alongside the carriage and Elis tossed out an Empire of Man gold piece with a soft smile.
