<31 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+> [Theo and Julia] Theo and Julia were excited; Julia spoke first. "So we can actually use some of the gold that we have?"

Borgan nodded, "Yes, I will even buy anything that you wish to sell and then sell it at the Market."

Theo's eyebrows shot up. "Explain how that works. How do we know what a fair price is, and how are we to ensure that you are giving us a fair price?"

"Excellent questions!" Borgan said, first pulling out a small black box of strange crystal. "As I am on contract from the System itself, I can, of course, invoke the System. I, Borgan, swear on the System that my listing prices for buying and selling will be within five percent of the System value and that I will do no ill will to any who trade in good faith with me."

A thrum of power confirmed what he had said. He continued speaking, "Next, I have a token of representation that assures any and all who bear the token will deal in good faith, staked on the honor and name of the Vel-Thurn Trade Family. And the last assurance that I can offer you is that there are many merchants in the Markets of Hesgeth; any one of them would slit my throat for dishonest dealings as my actions would bring potential losses to their future business should you ever visit."

"Those are some good assurances," Theo said, more focused on the System oath than anything.

Julia nodded, "So please if you would tell us of Hesgeth, we would appreciate it."

Borgan nodded, "Of course, Lady Sorrin, Hesgeth was originally a planet that had no natural life or any way to exist on it. It is said that someone made a pact with the System, and in exchange, Hesgeth was given atmosphere and wildlife and designated as the center for all trade and commerce in the System. At least as far as we know. Now, whether or not this is true is a different story altogether. The System does make travel to and from Hesgeth much easier and cheaper than other places, but it does take some effort. Due to the reduced cost, and ease of travel, Hesgeth has one of the highest populations in the System, at roughly twenty billion permanent residents. Of those, thirteen billion are engaged in trade or commerce of some variety, with a vast majority of the rest being children and those who specialize in the movement of goods only."

Theo let out a low whistle. "Wow, twenty billion. We had eight billion, nine?"

"Something like that," Julia said, "so when you said that we can buy anything our hearts desire, you meant it."

"I did," Borgan said, then raised a hand. "I do not deal in slaves. There are those who do, and the System does not seem to care that they do, but most worlds have a rather negative view of slavers, slaves, and most anyone who has direct ties to them."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Good." Theo and Julia said in unison.

"It is good to know that I should not need to deal with slavery here." Borgan said, and when Theo took a breath, he waved his hand again, "I know there are always exceptions to the rules. You need not worry that the ill actions of a few fools will influence me or my business. Now then, what do you want, what do you have, and what deals are you trying to make."

"That is an excellent question," Julia said.

"I have one more question," Theo said, "Can you deliver things?"

Borgan nodded, "I can, though if it is to be delivered to another planet, it will cost more."

"Understandable." Theo said, "Now, as to what we have that you might want. That is a difficult question."

"We have a lot of stuff that we have not had a chance to identify." Julia said, "So, can we have a moment to discuss, and then we will go from there?"

Borgan nodded, "Of course, please take the time that you need; I have four more appointments to get to and will be coming back here once more before I depart in the next couple of days."

Theo and Julia stepped away, and Ordus stepped up to speak to Borgan.

"So what do you think?" Julia asked.

"I think that today we buy, and then as soon as he leaves, we sit down and figure out what all we actually have," Theo said.

"I think that is a good idea, so what do we want to buy, and what do we want to do about the message from the president?" Julia asked, "I think that we should ask Borgan to take the Access Crystal for the retreat to the president."

Theo nodded, "I think that is a good idea. That would let us have a way to get some communication to other people and maybe even move some goods to and from."

Julia nodded, "Alright, and then what should we try and buy? Should we pool our money or just buy what we want?"

"Well, is there anything that we want to purchase together?" Theo asked.

"I mean, a nice bed would not be bad, and maybe some other clothing," Julia said.

"I think that we should also get Ordus a bed and Kreldar." Theo said, "That way, once we get some rooms built, we can all have nice beds."

"Would you want beds as a whole, or do you want to buy nice mattresses, and we can build a frame?" Julia asked.

"Let's see what is available and then come to a conclusion," Theo said, and they walked back to Borgan.

"Ah, Lord and Lady Sorrin, have you decided what you are looking for?"

"Yes, we have," Theo said. Then he and Julia started negotiating.

Almost an hour later, they concluded their business. Borgan smiled, "So then that is final, for one thousand sheets of paper, three feather mattresses, two sets of clothes for each of you and for your two retainers, a delivery to an individual at one of the stops that I have to make, and a few bits and bobs for each of you, the total comes to twenty-three gold, seventy-one silver, and nineteen copper."

Theo and Julia each handed over eleven gold, eighty-five silver, and fifty-nine copper, with Theo making up the one copper difference. Ordus helped Borgan move everything they had purchased to the Thronehold, and then Borgan nodded, taking the Access Crystal and letter that Julia had written on one of the pieces of paper.

"Very well, I shall be back in a day or two, and I shall hope to trade with you again soon," Borgan said, turning and strolling back up the drawbridge-like ramp, and his ship began to lift off, floating higher into the sky.

"Welp," Theo said, looking at Julia, "I think it's loot goblin time."

Julia smiled.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.