Page 86 of Wanted: Rogues and Bards

Normally, people who had nowhere else to go were the ones who chose to live here. Those with too many bounties on their heads or who had reached the very bottom of the barrel chose to eke out a living here. It wasn’t a place meant for sustained living. There were limited trees and plants. Few edible things grew here, and everything had to be shipped in.

Which was why the teak wood would be much more expensive here. Rain had been right to request some bargaining, as the price would be outrageous. They had no real choice in the matter. There was too much ocean to cross to get to the mainland that wouldn’t offer them trouble.

Fenric knew where to go. He led them through the narrow streets, but never so quickly that he outpaced his companions. Fenric was very much the protective type, and it was on display now. He kept an eye on both Lirion and Maxie at all times, and if someone else got too close, he’d shift to block their access. A time or two, his arm would snake out, bringing Lirion in closer or maneuvering him subtly away from some danger, all while tossing dark looks at the fools insane enough to leer at Lirion.

Never in his life had he been protected like this. People didn’t think to safeguard him. He wasn’t important to most after the sex was over. This experience was wholly unique, and if they hadn’t been in such a crowded, dangerous place, Lirion might have dragged him away to reward him for being so kindhearted. Sadly, he’d have to wait until later tonight, but the reward was going to happen.

Finally, they arrived at the back side of the island. Lirion could see why Rain had sent two more people along to help, as that was a good distance to walk while balancing wood on your shoulder.

The yard was very well stocked. There was firewood for sale in one chained-off pen—no mistake, even that would be stolen if not locked down—and stacks and stacks of wood under roofs with open walls. Different types and lengths were available, and the freshly cut wood smelled heavenly.

A large man with a rotund build and balding dark hair gave them a once-over before his mouth split into a wide grin. He threw out his hands and boomed, “Welcome! Welcome! We’re having our big summer blowout sale! New deliveries of goods arriving every day. You need wood? We got wood! All the wood you could ever need! Teak! Oak! Cypress! Maple! You like bamboo? We got stacks of fresh bamboo straight from Haugesand bamboo forests. Perfect for what you need.”

“Teak wood,” Fenric responded without missing a beat. “Ten footers, a dozen boards.”

“Ship?” the salesman inquired, his smile not wavering one bit.

“Yes.”

“All right, come pick your boards.” He turned, leading them deeper into the yard.

Mischief seized Lirion, and he leaned in closer to Maxie’s ear. “Puppy, I think you should bargain with the man for our wood.”

Maxie blinked up at him, uncertainty seeping into his expression. “Me?”

“You’ll do splendid. Just do what I taught you last night.”

Fenric leaned in, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Why? What did you teach him?”

Lirion had no intention of answering his question. He chivvied them along, following the man. “Fenric, did you say we needed a dozen? I thought it would only take four more boards, since we had wood on board?”

“It’s also to replace the wood we’re using,” Fenric answered. His look of distrust did not go away. “Might as well get it all in one lump. We can’t guarantee the rest of the trip will be smooth sailing, and there are few ports we can stop at until we reach farther north.”

“An excellent point.”

The yard owner turned and gestured to a large stack. “Teak.”

Fenric started sorting through the wide planks, setting a few of them aside. Lirion had no clue what made wood good or bad, so he left the rogue to it. Instead, he caught Maxie’s eye and gave a chin jerk toward the man. “Go on, start bargaining.”

Maxie swallowed hard, nodded gamely, and approached him. “Um, sir?”

First step, start with a little flattery.

The man gave him a hard look, a complete shift from the warm welcome he’d given to Fenric, but then it was clear he’d decided Fenric was the one making the decisions and carrying the money. “What?”

Don’t let him rattle you, Maxie.

“We need to talk about the price, of course, but can I say first that I love this color on you? The green does amazing things for your complexion.”

Oh, good job, that was sincerely delivered. Lirion’s advice to Maxie about compliments was to choose something that sounded sincere, first of all. If the person wasn’t outrageously beautiful or handsome, it was best to find something about them you genuinely appreciated. It still made the person feel good and wasn’t insulting, like a fake compliment would be.

It worked with stunning effect as the man visibly thawed. “Well. Thank you. It’s my favorite color.”

“Do wear it often, then,” Maxie encouraged. “You wear it well.”

“Ha! Flattery won’t get you anywhere on the price, young man.” Still, he smiled, body language looser than before. “All right, you’re taking twelve boards. At fifty gold a board, the total will be six hundred gold⁠—”

Lirion’s tongue almost herniated right down his throat. Six hundred gold?!