In this chapter we're finally getting somewhere with the story. It's nice to write something with a bit more substance at last, after so many pointless sex scenes. Wow, sure feels weird saying that on a site like this...
*****
It was time.
Today the bronze-skins would come to the mine to deliver supplies, and I would get to prove myself valuable in negotiating with them. Or, if things didn't work out, I would just make a fool out of myself and displease my mistress.
The last few days had gone by as usual, and Ebba had given me some more tips that had actually made things easier. How to behave, what not to do, even some blowjob tips. It felt weird talking about that, but I had been able to put it to good use.
And now I was sitting next to my mistress who was seated in her throne. We had been waiting for the bronze-skins for a while now, wanting to be well-prepared.
"Remember, don't look at me even once during their visit," I said to Bologal. "They can't suspect that you get advice from someone else."
I had told Bologal what to say, how to say it and how Shakim would likely react. In theory, it would seem like Bologal just had a lot of beginner's luck that would make Shakim think she was still as dull when it came to business, but her points would be undeniable. This way, Shakim wouldn't have to consider upping his game but simply tolerate that Bologal got a small, probably one-time advantage.
I had thought of the whole "price of silver changing" business, and on the other side of Bologal's throne was one of the most recent prisoners. It looked like my conversation with the king's men had paid off a little, which had pleased Bologal.
The prisoner had no idea about the current price of silver, but we only needed him to have been outside the cave when Shakim made his statement. I knew he had been lying, so we just needed a believable source to point it out. This man was the source. And he was more than happy to play along, knowing the fate of the other prisoners.
"If this doesn't work, you will be to blame, slave," Bologal warned.
I was well aware of this. In fact, it was because of it that I was currently fearing for my life. And I didn't feel better when I heard the marching from the tunnel leading to the entrance.
Shakim and his men entered the hall, the latter weighed down by the supplies they carried. They stopped before Bologal and placed their burdens on the ground.
"What a delight to meet you again, milady," Shakim said with a bow and pulled out a sheet of paper from his robes. "And as promised, here's a list of the current value for all sellable wares."
Before he could show it to Bologal, she spoke. Loudly.
"Put away that fake list, human! Writing on paper holds no value to orcs, and do you know why? Because writing can be by anyone. Voices can not. And I have a voice here calling you a liar."
She gestured to the prisoner who stepped forward.
"The orc is right," he said, sounding quite confident. He must be thinking he would be set free after this. Poor sucker.
"I came here only a few days ago, and silver hasn't lowered in price since then."
Bologal smirked and continued for him. "In fact, now that this mine is practically useless in the eyes of outsiders, us keeping almost all the silver to ourselves, shouldn't that make the price
increase
a little bit? I'm not stupid, I understand how supply and demand works."
Shakim seemed amused rather than surprised. "I would never dream of questioning your intelligence, fair lady. Though I still insist that you take a look at my list."
He gave the list to Bologal and she studied it with an unimpressed face.
"This could have been written by anyone," she said.
"Ah, but I ask you to notice the seal at the bottom. It belongs to the market's guild, it does."
"So how many times did you poke a guild member with a sword before he put the seal on it?"
Shakim knew that he wouldn't win this. There were too many excuses that Bologal could make, and he couldn't prove them all wrong. Though this was just a simple lie that Bologal was
meant
to see through. The hardest was yet to come.
"Well, I can see that you would rather listen to a lowlife saying what you want to hear than accept evidence, so very well. Ordinary price."
"What about that little thing I said about supply and demand? Surely if you can prove the price going down, you can also prove the price going up. Or would you prefer to only do so when it suits you?"
Bologal and Shakim continued for a long time. Occasionally I felt worried, but overall things appeared to be leaning in our favor. I seemed to have prepared Bologal well, and she always had a good response when Shakim brought something up.
Eventually he suffered defeat.
"Very well then, you may pay me a few percent less than usual. Provided I'll get those percents back when I come back proving that the price has
not
gone up."
"Make sure to get a more valid source than a piece of paper," Bologal said with a triumphant grin. "And while you're at it, get me the prices for all other items too. I wouldn't want to discover that I'm paying you too much for something."
"Yes, yes. Now I'd like to take next time's order." Shakim turned to face as many bandits as possible. "So, palers! What will it be? What can your friend Shakim get you to improve your miserable lives in this rathole?"
*****
When Shakim had made a list of supplies and gotten paid, clearly with less than he was counting on, he bowed to Bologal.
"If I didn't know better I'd be saying you're developing a nose for business," he said with his voice dripping with false admiration. "I better watch out, or else I might have to hand over these gloves to you."
Then he turned and left the cave with his men, not with the same happy bounce in his steps that he had when entering.
Bologal looked down at me and smiled. A pleased smile, but not a friendly one. "Looks like you'll be useful to me for more than just fucking, slave."
She then snapped her fingers, making two bandits grab the prisoner.
"Take him to the mine," she ordered.
"What? No!" the prisoner yelled. "You said you'd set me free if I did this! You bitch!"
"And give him a beating for his foul languange."
*****
Bologal closed the door to her room. Dinner would come soon, so I didn't understand what we were doing here. We should have been in the main hall right now.
"There, now we're alone," she said. "I didn't want the rest to see this."
For a moment I got scared. What could it be that she couldn't show the bandits? Was she going to kill me? No, that made no sense. Things had gone well, she had no reason to.
Bologal took a step closer, making me more aware of her height, and put a hand on my shoulder.
"You did well," she said, her other hand running through my hair. "Thank you."
She was smiling. And this time, it actually was a friendly smile.
I got a strange, warm feeling inside. Bologal was really being kind to me. I felt a need to respond, but I couldn't think of anything to say. So I just nodded and smiled back.
Bologal's smile widened a little. It was actually a quite pleasant sight, despite her big, pointy teeth and underbite. As long as it was sincere, I could look past those things.
"Come on, time for dinner."
We left her room and entered the main hall again. During dinner, Bologal acted as usual. Just as dominant, just as inconsiderate. Though after what had just happened, I couldn't help but think it was an act.
