FLHTH Session 17 - Campaign Story: Tándir

That Which Occured Upon Our Return to Folkestone's Landing

Onesday, Second Hand of Coldeven, EE239

Tándir of Great Harbor

Folkestone's Landing, Wirost

Trelbar's Curio Shop hadn't changed the slightest since I had last stepped off the street and through it's door. It was still crammed with an eclectic selection of odds and ends; weapons, a weathered and ancient looking suit of armor from Axsyn only knew where, a life sized wooden statue of a kobold chieftan carrying a spear, piles of clothing and general trade goods piled on table tops and filling shelves to overflowing. Anything and everything seemed represented in his small shop and I would lay even odds on any particular item having been stolen from its rightful owner. Trelbar was the most respected fence in Folkestone Landing, known for his incredible honesty in his business dealings, a quality that I respected deeply.

Trelbar himself had changed considerably, on the other hand. His bearded face was thinner, his belly, large enough for several men the last time I had seen him, was much more modest, even respectable. He still wore the same flashy attire typical of merchants in the Soul Market, but he looked a good deal more healthy and fit. I was impressed.

"Trelbar," I said as Saafiyah and I stepped through the doorway.

Trelbar seemed to leap from his stool behind his cluttered counter, throwing down a sheaf of papers. "Ah! Tándir of Great Harbor!" he effused as he moved around the end of the counter and approached. "My friend, is it truly you?"

I was taken aback. Always friendly but reserved, Trelbar none the less wrapped his arms around me without warning and pulled me close in a warm embrace.

Saafiyah watched on with interest at my side as I extricated myself from the shopkeep's grasp.

"I did not know if you would return from your travels," Trelbar said. "I am pleased that you have."

"Thank you," I said, straightening my linen tunic. "This is Saafiyah," I said, introducing my adopted daughter and apprentice to the fence. "You may remember her bringing you a statuette of Axsyn one time."

Trelbar frowned briefly as he took in the young girl at my side. "Yes, I do believe I recall such an incident. I also recall having to disappoint a very loyal and valued customer when I informed him the statuette was no long available. You caused me much trouble, young lady."

I rested a hand on Saafiyah's shoulder before she had a chance to respond. She remained silent, much, I'm sure, to her chagrin.

"You look well, Trelbar."

"Ah! Yes!" he exclaimed, taking a step back and spreading his arms, displaying his much less portly physique before leaning in close and whispering, "I acquired myself a pretty slave girl, my friend, and she is good for more than merely cleaning and cooking. You should look into buying one for yourself."

I felt Saafiyah tense beneath my hand on her shoulder at the mention of Trelbar's acquisition. I squeezed her shoulder, hoping that she would not have an outburst and insult my trading partner.

"I am pleased for you, Trelbar," I said, refusing to get caught up in such a conversation with Saafiyah present. "There is the matter of our business arrangement, which is the purpose of my visit today."

Trelbar frowned once again. "Of course, my friend." He moved back through the narrow aisles to take up his spot on the stool behind the counter. "Of course, the amount of coins we're talking about I do not keep on hand, but easily attainable."

I cocked my head to the side. "Just how much are we talking about, Trelbar?"

He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, lost in thought, before speaking again. "I would need to look at the ledger again to be sure, but less my twenty percent I would hazard a guess of around 60 dwarfs. Give or take."

The sum was staggering, equivalent to nearly six thousand gold Dragons. That was many lifetimes worth of labor for the average commoner.

"You will of course need to meet me at the bank. I cannot be responsible for carrying that kind of coin through the streets. Tomorrow, shall we say? In the afternoon? I will send Ceara to your apartment when I am able to met you there, if it is your apartment where you will be staying?"

"That would be fine, Trelbar," I answered.

"There is one other matter which I would like to discuss with you, my friend," he said quickly as I began to turn to leave. I stopped and turned to face him again. "A business proposition of sorts. Quite lucrative, perhaps, and one that might benefit from a man of your... skills."

Intrigued, I approached his counter and listened.