CHAPTER 194: THE MERCHANT SIBLINGS [2]

Delphine adjusted the bag on her shoulders one last time. She caught Teryn’s eye across the crowded square. He gave the slightest nod.

Now.

She moved first. Wove through the crowd with the practiced ease.

Her modest merchant’s dress was clean, well-maintained, neither rich nor poor, helped her blend perfectly. Brown fabric with simple embroidery at the collar. Respectable. Trustworthy.

Exactly the image they needed.

Herald Vorn still stood at the wine merchant’s stall. He’d finished his tasting and was now haggling, though from his tone, it was more lecturing than negotiating.

"Pardon me, sir."

Delphine’s voice cut through his monologue. Polite but firm. The tone of someone with legitimate business.

Vorn turned. Irritation flickered across his fleshy face at the interruption.

Then his eyes tracked down her figure. Lingered there for a moment. Then his expression shifted to something more interested.

"Yes?" He straightened slightly. Adjusted his coat. "What can I do for a young lady such as yourself?"

Delphine’s smile never wavered.

"I apologize for interrupting your transaction." She gestured toward the wine merchant, who looked relieved at the interpretation. "But I was told you might be the man to speak with regarding official procurement orders."

Vorn’s chest puffed out immediately.

"Well, yes. I do handle certain acquisitions for the magistrate’s office." His rings caught the light as he gestured expansively. "Though such matters are typically arranged through formal channels—"

"Of course, of course." Delphine nodded eagerly. Reached into her coat. "That’s why I have the authorization documents right here. Direct from House Meridian."

She produced the folded parchment. The crimson wax seal visible even before she fully unfolded it.

Vorn’s eyes sharpened. House Meridian. One of the prominent noble families in the region.

"House Meridian?" His tone shifted. Became more deferential. "I wasn’t aware they had interests in Gramwell."

"Recent development." Delphine held out the document. "The young lord is establishing new trade routes. We’ve been authorized to secure local suppliers for the estate’s needs."

Vorn took the parchment. His fat fingers traced over the seal first, checking its authenticity.

He then unfolded it. Began reading. His lips moved slightly as he processed it.

While his attention was absorbed, Teryn materialized at Delphine’s elbow. As if he’d just arrived.

"Sister." His voice carried just the right mix of concern and professionalism. "Did you find him?"

"Yes." Delphine gestured toward Vorn without breaking character. "Master Vorn here was just reviewing our credentials."

Teryn gave a small bow.

"Master Vorn. Karl Ashford, at your service. My sister Mira and I represent House Meridian’s mercantile interests in this region."

The use of a false name came naturally.

Vorn looked up from the document. Studied the boy now too.

Sandy brown hair neatly combed. Clean clothes. A leather satchel across his body that looked professional.

"Ashford..." Vorn’s brow furrowed. "I’m not familiar with that name."

"We’re based out of Westmarch primarily." Teryn’s answer came smoothly. No hesitation. "House Meridian brought us on specifically for this expansion."

He smiled. Disarming. Genuine.

Vorn nodded slowly.

"And what exactly does House Meridian need?" He folded the document carefully. Handed it back to Delphine. "Gramwell isn’t exactly a major trade hub."

"Precisely why we’re here." Delphine tucked the papers away. "The lord wants to establish supply lines before the competition realizes the opportunity."

She gestured around the market square.

"Agricultural goods. Textiles. Metalwork. Nothing exotic, just quality basics at reasonable rates." Her eyes met his directly. "And we’re authorized to place substantial advance orders. With appropriate commissions for local officials who facilitate the arrangements, naturally."

There it was.

The hook.

Vorn’s expression shifted again.

"Commissions, you say?"

"It’s a standard practice." Teryn pulled a small ledger from his satchel. Flipped it open. "House Meridian understands that local expertise has value. Ten percent finder’s fee for verified suppliers who meet our quality standards."

He showed Vorn a page. Columns of numbers. Order quantities. Estimated values.

All fake, of course.

But beautifully, convincingly fake.

Vorn’s eyes tracked down the figures. His mind clearly doing the mathematics.

Ten percent of those numbers...

"And you need someone with local knowledge to make introductions." He said it slowly. Working through the opportunity.

"Exactly." Delphine’s smile widened. "We could stumble around the market for weeks. Or we could work with someone who already knows which merchants deliver quality and which cut corners."

"Someone respected." Teryn added.

The flattery landed perfectly.

Vorn straightened. Pulled at his coat again.

"Well. I do have extensive connections throughout Gramwell’s mercantile community. I suppose I could make some introductions. For House Meridian’s benefit, of course."

"Of course." Delphine and Teryn said in unison.

Their expressions perfectly earnest.

Vorn was already hooked. Already counting his imaginary commission.

Delphine let the silence hang for just a moment.

Then she adjusted the bag on her shoulder. The movement deliberate. Drew his attention to it.

"Actually, Master Vorn..." Her voice dropped slightly. More intimate. "Before we begin making those introductions, there’s a small matter we should discuss privately."

She glanced around the crowded market square. Vendors shouting. Customers haggling.

"Somewhere more... appropriate for business of this nature."

Vorn’s eyes flickered with interest. And caution.

"What kind of matter?"

Teryn stepped in smoothly. His tone reassuring. Professional.

"Nothing untoward, I assure you. Simply that requires certain formalities before we can officially engage local representatives." He tapped his satchel. "Contract documentation. Standard terms. The kind of thing that shouldn’t be discussed where competitors might overhear."

Vorn’s expression shifted. Understanding bloomed there.

"And..." Delphine’s smile turned slightly playful. She tilted her head. Let a strand of brown hair fall across her cheek.

"We may have acquired certain goods during our travels. Items that might interest someone with your... refined tastes."

Her eyes held his.

Vorn’s throat bobbed as he swallowed.

"I see." His voice came slightly rougher. "Well. Yes. Privacy would be appropriate."

He gestured vaguely toward a side street. "There’s a merchant’s office two blocks from here. We use it for sensitive negotiations."

"Perfect." Teryn’s smile remained pleasant. "Lead the way, Master Vorn."

Then they moved, Vorn walked ahead while the duo followed behind him.

Then they reached the office that was exactly as Vorn described. Small but respectable. A single room with a desk, several chairs, and walls thick enough to muffle street noise.

Vorn closed the door behind them.

"Now then." He turned. "What’s this about contracts?"