CHAPTER 195: THE MERCHANT SIBLINGS [3]

Teryn was already pulling documents from his satchel. Multiple sheets of parchment. Dense with text. Official-looking seals at the bottom of each page.

"Standard representation agreement." He laid them across the desk. Smoothed them flat. "Outlines your role as local liaison, commission structure, liability clauses, all the usual protections."

Vorn moved closer. Bent over the documents. His eyes tracked across the writing.

While Vorn was absorbed in reading, Delphine moved to stand beside him. Close. Her shoulder nearly brushing his.

"I know it’s tedious." Her voice came soft. Apologetic. "But House Meridian’s lawyers insist on thoroughness."

She leaned in slightly. Pointed at a particular clause moving closer to him. Close enough that Vorn could smell the light perfume she wore.

His focus wavered. Split between the document and her proximity.

"This section here..." She tapped the paper. "It confirms you’ll introduce us to verified suppliers. Nothing complicated."

"Mmm. Yes. I see."

Vorn’s attention was definitely not on the document anymore.

Teryn pulled out a quill and inkwell from his satchel. Set them on the desk.

"Just needs your signature at the bottom of each page." His tone remained businesslike. Nothing rushed. "Then we can move on to more interesting matters."

Vorn straightened. Cleared his throat. Tried to look professional despite the flush creeping up his neck.

"Of course."

He picked up the quill. Dipped it in ink.

His hand moved across the first document. Signature sprawling across the bottom line.

Then the second page. Third. Fourth.

Each stroke binding him to terms he hadn’t actually read.

The last signature completed, Teryn gathered the documents efficiently. Tucked them back into his satchel.

"Excellent." He smiled. "Now we’re official partners."

Delphine stepped back. Gave Vorn space to breathe again.

Then swung the canvas bag off her shoulder. Set it on the desk.

The contents shifted. Clinked softly.

Vorn’s eyes fixed on it immediately.

"Now..." Delphine’s fingers worked the bag’s ties. Loosened them. "As I mentioned, we’ve acquired certain items during our travels."

She pulled the opening wide.

Inside, there were glass bottles. Dozens of them. Each filled with amber liquid. Sealed with wax.

Labels affixed to each.

"Vintage wine from the Sorenth vineyards." Delphine pulled one bottle out carefully. Held it up to the light streaming through the window. "These are of exceptional quality."

The liquid caught the sunlight. Gleamed like liquid gold.

Vorn’s breath caught audibly.

"Sorenth..." His voice came reverent. Hungry. "Those vineyards rarely export. Their stock sells out within days of release."

"Exactly." Teryn’s smile widened. "We happened to be in the right place at the right time. Secured an entire case before the major merchants even knew it was available."

He leaned against the desk.

"House Meridian will take most of it, naturally. But we kept a few bottles for... personal opportunities."

Delphine set the bottle down gently. Let Vorn’s eyes track it.

"Given your obvious appreciation for quality wine..." She gestured toward him. Acknowledging his refined tastes. "We thought you might be interested in acquiring a bottle or two before we reach the estate."

"How much?" The words came out immediately.

Vorn then caught himself quickly. "I mean... what would you be asking?"

Teryn named a price. High. But not impossibly so for wine of that supposed quality.

And definitely more than the colored water and cheap alcohol they’d actually filled those bottles with.

Vorn’s hand went to his coin purse automatically.

"I’ll take three bottles."

"Excellent choice." Delphine smiled warmly. "We’ll wrap them carefully for transport."

As Teryn counted out Vorn’s coin, Delphine carefully selected three bottles from the bag.

Vorn watched each movement. Already imagining the prestige of serving such rare wine at his next gathering.

Already a mark who’d been thoroughly played.

The transaction then completed, Teryn pocketed the coins.

"Now then." His tone shifted back to business. "Shall we visit those suppliers? Get the real work started?"

Vorn nodded. Still slightly dazed from his purchase. From the whirlwind of contracts and opportunity and beautiful young merchant paying him attention.

"Yes. Yes, of course." He gathered himself. "I know several shops that would suit House Meridian’s needs perfectly."

"Wonderful." Delphine shouldered her now-lighter bag. "Lead the way, Master Vorn."

They emerged back into the market square. The noise and chaos washing over them again.

Vorn walked slightly ahead. Already pointing toward various stalls and shops.

"That textile merchant there. And the metalsmith three stalls down produces excellent work..."

Behind him, Delphine and Teryn exchanged the briefest glance.

They moved through the market district like professionals. Three more shops after the textile merchant. Each time, the same routine.

Vorn made the introduction. Puffed up with self-importance.

Teryn politely but firmly asked him to wait outside or stand aside.

Delphine and Teryn conducted their "evaluation" with the shop owners.

Each time they emerged, Vorn looked more pleased with himself. More convinced of his valuable contribution.

By the time they finished the fifth shop, the afternoon sun had shifted lower in the sky. Golden light painted the market square in warm hues.

Vorn stood waiting outside the last establishment. A satisfied smile plastered across his fleshy face.

Teryn emerged first. He gave Vorn a respectful bow.

"Master Vorn, we can’t thank you enough." His voice carried sincere gratitude. "Your introductions have been invaluable."

Delphine followed. Her smile bright and warm as she approached.

Without warning, she grabbed Vorn’s arm. Leaned in close.

Her hand came to rest on his belly. Familiar. Intimate.

"Thank you so much, sir." Her eyes looked up at him through her lashes. "You’ve made our work here so much easier."

Vorn’s face flushed immediately.

"I—well—" He stammered. His composure cracking under her proximity and touch. "It’s fine. No need to thank me. I’m just doing my job."

His voice came higher than normal.

"Still." Delphine squeezed his arm gently. "We truly appreciate it."

Her hand slid away from his belly as she pulled back. The movement smooth. Natural.

Seemingly innocent.

But her fingers had already found the coin purse at his belt. Had already substituted it with the lighter one they’d prepared earlier, similar enough in weight and shape that he wouldn’t notice immediately.

The real purse disappeared into her coat in the same fluid motion.

"We’ll be in touch once we review everything." Teryn added. Already taking a step back.

"Yes, yes. Of course." Vorn was still recovering. Still feeling the ghost of Delphine’s hand on his stomach.

"Good day, Master Vorn." Delphine gave him one last smile.

Then she and Teryn turned. Walked away into the crowd.

Three blocks away, after turning enough corners to ensure they weren’t followed, their expressions shifted.

The professional masks dropped.

Smug satisfaction bloomed across both their faces.

"Did you see his face?" Delphine’s voice bubbled with barely contained laughter. "When I grabbed his arm?"

"Thought he was going to have an attack." Teryn grinned. "Couldn’t even form words."

"Made switching the purse almost too easy."

She pulled it out. Felt its weight. It was heavy.

They turned down a narrower street. Away from the main thoroughfares and reached a modest storefront.

Weathered wood. Small windows. A door that had seen better days but held firm on its hinges.

Delphine pulled out the key and opened the door.

They slipped inside. Closed and locked the door behind them.

The space was larger than it appeared from outside. High ceiling. Good ventilation from windows at the back.

Half workshop, half storage. Half living space when needed.

Delphine immediately shrugged off her coat. Hung it on a peg.

Started unpinning her hair from its neat arrangement.

"How many samples did we actually take?"

"Four fabric. Two metalwork pieces. That ceramic set from the third shop." Teryn was already moving toward where they’d stashed the goods. "And the glassware from the last one."

The "samples" sat in a corner. Wrapped carefully.

Delphine’s brown hair fell loose around her shoulders. She grabbed a different dress from a trunk.

Changed quickly while Teryn turned his attention to the samples.

When she emerged from behind, she looked completely different. Just another working-class girl. Nothing memorable.

Teryn had done the same. His merchant clothes replaced with a plain shirt and vest. His hair mussed differently.

They moved to the workbench where the samples waited.

"Fabric first." Delphine pulled out shears. Thread. Dyes.

They worked in practiced synchronization. No wasted movements.

Turning identifiable goods into generic merchandise that could have come from anywhere.

Finally, Delphine set down her tools. Stretched her arms overhead.

"That’s the last one."

Teryn examined the modified goods with a critical eye.

"Good. No one will trace these now."

They’d sell them tomorrow. Maybe the day after. At the different part of the market, or another town.

"Let’s get the stall set up." Delphine was already moving. Gathering display materials.

They had a small space directly in front of their building. Just enough for a modest merchant’s stall.

Nothing fancy. But legitimate-looking.

They carried tables out. Arranged the goods with care.

Teryn stepped back. Surveyed their work with a critical eye.

Then his entire demeanor shifted.

"Fresh goods! Quality merchandise from across the region!"

His voice rang out. Clear and inviting. Carrying across the street.

"Fabrics that’ll last you years! Metalwork that won’t bend or break!"

A woman passing by slowed. Glanced at the stall.

Teryn caught the look immediately.

"Madam! Please, take a look." His hand gestured welcomingly. "Best prices you’ll find in Gramwell. I guarantee it."

The woman hesitated. Then approached.

Delphine moved smoothly to assist.

More people drifted past. Teryn kept up his patter.

And slowly, few people gathered at their stall.

But Teryn kept pattering.

Then he saw a young man moving through the crowd wearing a black cloak. Had sharp features. Crimson eyes that seemed to take in everything.

Something about him caught Teryn’s attention.

The way he moved. The quality of that cloak despite its simple appearance. The subtle confidence in his bearing.

Money.

That was Teryn’s first thought.

The young man was passing by their stall. Not quite looking.

Teryn moved immediately.

Stepped slightly into the young man’s path.

His smile warm. Inviting.

"Hey there my friend. Wanna check out, we have the finest materials in the entire market." His tone was conversational. "I’m not just saying that because it’s my stall. Though of course I would say that."