“Do you mean to say you don’t know to within a bushel how much grain that field will produce in a year like this?”
The man blushed and grinned. “Well, truth to tell, I can.”
“So can you all,” said the young man. “Here’s my offer: set us a price now, and you’ll be paid now. We’ll take delivery at harvest.”
The farmers looked amazed. “Get paid now?” asked one.
“Yes.”
Suddenly prices were being shouted so fast the rider couldn’t understand any. He said, “Enough!” and held up his hand. He dismounted, held out his reins for a farmer, then pulled some writing instruments from his saddlebags.
The first farmer set a price for a thousand bushels of wheat and the rider nodded. He countered and the dickering was on. When they were done, he wrote down names on the parchment he had taken from his saddlebags. Next to each agreed-upon price and amount he had them make their marks, and then began to count out pieces of gold.
As the rider left, the farmers could not believe their luck. While the price wasn’t the best possible, it was fair, and they had the money now.
As Dash rode north, he felt sore in his back and shoulders.
He had been to a dozen villages like this one over the last three days and knew that Duncan, Roo, and Luis were doing as he was. But he knew if he rode hard he could make the last village before Sarth just after sundown, which meant that after some dickering with the locals over wheat prices, he could pass along some messages to John Vinci for Roo, sleep a sound night in an inn, then return to Krondor in the morning.
He put heels to the flank of his mount and took her to a tired trot as the sun sank in the west.
As the week ended, four tired riders returned to Krondor and met at Roo’s warehouse. Dash grinned as he said, “If there’s a grain of wheat between here and Sarth we don’t own, it’s in some horse’s nosebag.”
Luis said, “The same for here to Land’s End.” Duncan said, “I don’t know if I bought all the wheat between here and the Vale route, but I spent all the gold you gave me.” He handed his cousin his list of farms and prices.
Roo said, “I did the same from here to the foothills.” He looked at the accounts and said, “lf this doesn’t work, we may want to reconsider joining the King’s Army.”
Dash said, “I have other options.” With a grin, he added, “I hope.”
Roo said, “I have to get home and change. I’m dining with Jacob Estherbrook tonight.”
Dash and Duncan exchanged glances. Duncan’s face turned unreadable, while Dash just continued to grin. Jason asked, “Do you think Sylvia will be there?”
Roo smiled. “I’m counting on it.”
Luis’s brow furrowed at that, but he said nothing.
Roo left the shop and hurried home. He found Karli in the sitting room, rocking the baby and singing a tune to her. Roo halted and walked quietly into the room, seeing that the baby was sleeping.
Karli whispered, “She’s been fussy.” Roo kissed his wife on the cheek. “Did your plan go well?”
“We’ll know within a week.”
“I would love to hear about it over supper. She should sleep awhile.”
Roo blushed. “In all the frenzy, I neglected to tell you I’m dining out tonight. I am sorry.”
Karli said, “You just got home.”
“I know, but it’s important. More business.”
Karli said, “Business, tonight?”
Roo’s exhaustion, his anxiety, and his impatience to see Sylvia Estherbrook again came together and caused him to speak more harshly than he had intended. “Yes! Business tonight! I’m having supper with one of the most important investors in the Kingdom!”
Abigail started awake and began to cry at her father’s loud voice. Karli’ s eyes flashed anger, but her voice was a controlled hiss as she said, “Shush. You’ve woken your daughter.”
Roo wave his hand. “I’m sorry. Deal with her. I’ve got to clean up and change.” Turning his back, he shouted, “Mary! I need a tub of hot water!”
His shout caused his daughter to cry even louder. Karli’s face was a mask of control, but her eyes never left her husband’s back as he vanished up the stairs to clean up for his dinner engagement.
Roo hurried, and despite having bathed he felt hot and sweaty under his new clothing. He paused before the gate to the Estherbrook house. He should have driven out in a hired carriage instead of riding out, he thought. Instead of showing up at the Estherbrook door calm and relaxed, he was nearly breathless.
He knocked and almost instantly the postern door in the gate opened and a groom stepped through. “Yes?”
“I am Rupert Avery. I’m to dine with Mr. Estherbrook,” answered Roo.