Chapter 2 - 7 A Flat Beer
"This beer is flat." Karlsgard gives him a strange look, as if to say 'Are you really dodging the question?'. Judging by Koenwin's refusal to look anywhere but the bubbles in his drink, he is.
Varanesians are a relatively simple race, sharing many attributes with their less-'evolved' kin. Unlike their more sophisticated succedents, this causes a natural tendency towards their instincts. Karlsgard is no exception. The reason he became a scavenger bound to the surface is likely attributed to it. Though, sometimes he reminds Koenwin a lot of an old friend. Almost scarily so.
"You've mentioned being a merchant before, right?" Karlsgard speaks up, dissolving the uncomfortable feeling. "I've heard you muttering about it here and there. What do you say? Why not do that, become a merchant I mean."
"I don't know how it functions. It sounds nice to just wander around, but I doubt I could make anything from it."
"What? Scared of change?" Karlsgard hits him on the chest from across the table. "The crew would help you out. We know what sells, it's part of our job. If we hold some of what we get we could forward it to you. Though... you might end up selling a few things the Dragoon Corps want to snatch up."
"Great... getting tied up with the Military." He's been on scavenging missions so he knows what gets dug up. The prospect of the Military digging around through any goods doesn't sound the greatest.
The Military, or more specifically, the 'Dragoon Corps' is the force established to repel any attacks - Be it Fōrdners or the rare uprising. While literally being thousands of feet suspended atop floating islands, the beasts of Terra Fōrdon are crafty creatures. It's not rare for a Fōrdner or two to magically get itself onto an Island and wreak havoc.
More commonly however, the Military has more business escorting scavengers to the surface and endless logistic work. In any case, if one of Terra Fōrdon's spawns does land on Ria Volute's islands a hard-fought battle is certain.
"I don't want any more business with the Dragoon Corps than necessary."
"Yeah yeah, it's not like they are going to come kill you for it. They might just offer a price and you have to accept. But no matter, the crew can just not slip you any stage things."
"How much...?" If the Military is offering a price for something then perhaps it is worth the risk of selling these items Karlsgard hints towards. "And to be clear, they won't be forcing me to enlist or anything, right?"
"Maybe. We don't really know, we let the middleman deal with selling them. But we get a lot on the rare occasion we find one. You know how it works, we get cut short, so if what we get in the end is massive, imagine what the Military shells out directly." Karslagrd finishes his drink, sliding it aside and leaning towards him.
"Besides, it wouldn't be an issue. Civilians are prohibited from possessing these types of things. So not only do the Dragoon Corps really want them, but in their eyes they are doing you a favour by buying it from you. Of course, they could just take it, but it serves as hush money... We suppose."
"Sounds... sketchy... They're weapons I'm guessing?"
"Something like that. I don't know what the Military finds in some old rusted swords from the surface, but I don't care either. I've overheard that the real reason the Dragoon Corps accompany scavengers is in the hopes of confiscating anything of this nature. Hell, I've even seen a Military crew snatch up a crappy ring."
Karlsgard leans back on his stool, staring at the apprehensive Koenwin. "If you want to be a merchant, I can get you the stock to sell. Of course, you don't need to have anything to do with the weapons. Sticking to interesting items from Terra Fōrdon will still get you a living. But, the offer is there."
"Look. With this, you won't need to risk your life anymore. Use the money for something fun. A man like you who's missed out on so much time should... should-" Karlsgard's speech slows, him shaking his head before continuing. "You understand. It's not my place to tell you what to do."
"Yeah, I understand." The point he makes is reasonable and makes Koenwin feel almost scared being reminded how many years have passed. "Tell me a bit more of what you know about being a merchant and whatnot."
"So you're going to take my offer? With or without the Military involved?"
"I'll decide that after you let me in on some more details. So don't go telling me I'll be executed for possessing these things..."
Karlsgard smirks, or at least the Varanesian equivalent. "I'd be happy to. But you were right... The beer was flat, I can't believe I drank it all."
The resemblance to Chlydial truly is there. Karlsgard's ability to sympathize so much like a human. These make it hard for Koenwin to remember the year he's in now.
