Short Story "Desert Blood" Part 2

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May 2013

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May 27 - Memorial Day

[Daved Calderwood]

Daved watched the back of the merchant as he walked away with his guards, two weeks of negotiations down the drain...

“No sale again?”

Jareth approached Daved as he shook his head and said “no, but that doesn’t surprise me a bit. It’s not the prices that they complain so much about, it’s the transportation they seem most concerned with.” Jareth nodded and said “It is true, business is hard to make here because of all the thieves that lurk out in the desert. You cannot transport anything without a sizable force to protect the merchandise and that costs money to do.” Daved sighed at hearing that and said “let’s go inside, the day is becoming hotter and I am getting hungry.”

In truth Daved could have cared less if he sold anything or not. The ruse began in one of the grassland settlements, Tullen was just a settlement of the town of Laura, an offshoot if you will but it was the place that many a merchant stayed and traded their wares, only it was the kind of things that wouldn’t be looked on too favorably by the ones upholding whatever law there was. Daved found it easy to purchase two carts worth of illegal goods and make his way south, careful to not approach any cities that took a dim view of his activities. He sold what he could along the way if only to establish that yes he was a merchant. He could have just started all of this in Tor but he had the feeling that his mark would check his activities and would have become very suspicious that he spent money in Tor to get these goods to travel to Kath, so Daved bought everything in Tullen.

They sat down next to the small table and were served immediately by a girl, tea and some dried bread with figs. No exactly the most exciting of foods and frankly Daved was getting tired of Bazi tea and figs as the combination produced the most explosive shits later on. All part of the ruse and with every deal falling apart at least word was getting out that there was a man that was selling some interesting things. Daved could only hope that it would reach the ears of the man he sought. Daved looked at Jareth and said “gods what would I give for a slab of bosk with gravy, a loaf of bread and some ale to wash it all down.” Jareth chuckled and said “you don’t want to know what it costs for that out here, if it is even available.” Daved sighed and looked down at his plate when a voice said.

“It costs a lot but not impossible to get if you know the right people and I am one of those people.”

Daved and Jareth looked at the man that stood by the entrance with two guards that looked well muscled and well armed. The man smiled and asked “may I join you two?” Jareth and Daved looked at each other and then Daved looked back and with his hand indicated to the man to join them and said “please do. I am Daved and this is Jareth, my guide.” The man nodded once to his guards and approached the table. He sat down lightly and looked at the both of them for a moment before saying “I have heard there was a new arrival in town that had goods to sell, rather interesting and highly illegal goods, at least in the north. Problem is he is having some difficulties selling it off and establishing some trade agreements. I trust this is the right table and you are the man I am looking for.” Daved nodded and said “aye that would be the case; it seems my luck is not so good in Kath.” The man chuckled and said “luck is a gift from the gods, now whether we can turn it to good or bad is ultimately the choice of men.” Daved looked back and asked “and is my luck about to change for the better or worse?” The man chuckled and grabbed a date as he said “that it is something that neither the gods nor man can answer but I am afraid the heat has sapped some of my better manners. I am Corran, originally from the isles of Cos. I am the man you should have sought on the first day of your arrival. Daved leaned back with a slow smile and said “Corran, I am not a god but I do believe that my luck is about to change for the better.” That was how he met the man he was sent to kill.

[Shyla Timeless]

I read part one and held my breath waiting for the next wave of words to comment on the tale.  Seriously, you really know how to lure a reader in and keep them interested and excited to find out what happens next! 

Oh, and I laughed out loud when you revealed Daved's intestinal issues; I was wondering if maybe toxic fumes might be the method of choice for this particular kill.   

[Daved Calderwood]

I read part one and held my breath waiting for the next wave of words to comment on the tale.  Seriously, you really know how to lure a reader in and keep them interested and excited to find out what happens next! 

Oh, and I laughed out loud when you revealed Daved's intestinal issues; I was wondering if maybe toxic fumes might be the method of choice for this particular kill.   

I am glad that you are enjoying the story! Yeah I didn't want this hit to be a walk in the park for Daved so I made the food disagree with him. If my character could meet up with me in real life he wold probably punch me in the nose for making his life so miserable in the stories! This last part wasn't alot and I do apologize for that. I was writing another story for a competition and then a dozen other things heaped on top of that so I didn't get around to this. The next part that I am starting now should be more in volume since I am intrigued by this Corran character. IF he continues to hold my interest there can be a part four in this story.

[Shyla Timeless]

I read part one and held my breath waiting for the next wave of words to comment on the tale.  Seriously, you really know how to lure a reader in and keep them interested and excited to find out what happens next! 

Oh, and I laughed out loud when you revealed Daved's intestinal issues; I was wondering if maybe toxic fumes might be the method of choice for this particular kill.   

I am glad that you are enjoying the story! Yeah I didn't want this hit to be a walk in the park for Daved so I made the food disagree with him. If my character could meet up with me in real life he wold probably punch me in the nose for making his life so miserable in the stories! This last part wasn't alot and I do apologize for that. I was writing another story for a competition and then a dozen other things heaped on top of that so I didn't get around to this. The next part that I am starting now should be more in volume since I am intrigued by this Corran character. IF he continues to hold my interest there can be a part four in this story.

Excellent and I will keep an eye out for the next chapter!