Jorshin’s Proposal to Martohck

Jorshin’s continued conversation with Captain Martohck. Jorshin needs a favor, you see…

http://bit.ly/2lfTHKG

Category: Towns
Topic: Solhaven

Date: 02/20/2017 05:18 PM CST

From: GS4-WAKEFIELD

Subj: A Proposal Is Made

OOC Note: And so continues our little saga….

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For a moment, Jorshin was unable to say anything. He stood frozen, staring at the imposing figure of Captain Martohck Hightower that loomed before him, searching for a way to break the tension. Martohck had a dangerous air about him even here; dressed in camp clothes and reading reports in his tent. Jorshin knew only a scant few seconds had passed since the junior officer, Traves, had ducked back through the tent, but already he felt like momentum was beginning to slip away from him.

Fortunately, it was Martohck himself that broke the silence. Extending his hand towards Jorshin, the captain gave a nod of greeting. Jorshin reached out to shake his hand. When his palm made contact, it was as if that frozen moment, so pregnant with anxiety and doubt, shattered, allowing him to focus and concentrate again. Gesturing for Jorshin to have a seat in a flimsy looking wooden chair that folded for easier transportation, Martohck himself resumed his seated position behind his travel desk.

“Thank you for seeing me unannounced like this. I know you must be very busy with all the work related to Lady Kasendra’s efforts.”

“She definitely keeps me busy,” Martohck replied with a grin that conveyed his understatement. “Still, she really does most of the hard work. I just make sure everyone can do what they need to safely. I think recent events have shown that there’s no such thing as too much vigilance when it comes to guarding who, and what, we do here. Thank you, by the way, for all your continued efforts to assist our cause. You have truly been a valuable and welcome partner in our efforts. I know that you have spent a great deal of time, and I’m sure quite a bit of your own coin, to help us and the people of Talador.”

Jorshin kept his face smooth despite the feelings of nervousness that started to creep up inside of him again. He had been wracking his brain to figure out a smooth and natural way to bring Martohck around to the subject he wished to discuss, and here it had been handed to him on a platter.

“Thank you, sir, for your kind words. Regarding my role here with your operation,” Jorshin paused for a moment to carefully select his next words. “That’s actually why I came to see you today. I have some concerns…”

Martohck cut him off with a wave of his hand and barked a short laugh. “I know I gave the doom and gloom speech, but I assure you, trader, everything is fine here. Mureyk has been dealt with, and his men have scattered without their leader. Their hearts were never in it the way his was. I doubt we’ll have to worry about another organized effort to stop us from that particular lot.”

Jorshin nodded and gave a brief smile. He thought the man’s bravado refreshing, even if he found himself wondering how he showed such confidence if the reports he had heard regarding the way that particular threat had been dealt with were true. From Jorshin’s understanding, Martohck had been bested in single combat by this Mureyk and imprisoned with a number of his own men. Had it not been for the timely arrival of Lord Salnim and the captain of his guard, Gurbah, things may not have gone as well as they did.

“Yes I agree with you in that regard. I’m sure those men won’t bother us again. However, my concern is actually of a more personal nature. I’ve come to see you today in order to propose an arrangement between us.”

The captain’s eyebrows rose in surprise, and he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk.

“You’re worried about different groups of bandits? I thought you had your own contingent of guards to see your wagons arrived here safely. That man of yours, Kormack, he seems capable enough.”

With that they had come to the heart of the matter. Jorshin took a few deep breaths to calm himself before continuing. He had negotiated countless deals worth hundreds of thousands of silver in his life. He had seen fortunes pass back and forth across dingy tavern tables and polished ebony desks. He had dealt with the dirtiest wharf rats, and the most powerful merchant guilds, and almost always managed to come out on the good side of the deal. But this deal was the most important one he would ever strike in his life. He had to get it right.

“I would like to propose that I join your camp in an official capacity.” Jorshin began. Out of Martohck’s view, he began slowly tapping the tip of his forefinger against his thumb in order to meter himself, so as not to begin speaking too quickly and betray his nerves.

“Kormack has become more of a problem than an asset. You may not be aware, but I was sent north to aid you by my father. He is a powerful figure in the merchant’s guild in Allace, and saw this situation as an… opportunity.”

Martohck’s forehead furrowed slightly as he began to squint, doubt and suspicion clearly beginning to form. Jorshin continued quickly before Martochk could interrupt again.

“Your instincts are well founded. I was sent here by my father for the worst of reasons. He is a man driven more by his love for coin than by his desire to do what’s right. The problem I face is that I am not my father. I ignored his orders, and instead set out to help your efforts here to the best of my ability. I think my results have borne that out as proof. I get better prices on goods and supplies for your camp than any other trader you have in your informal alliance.” Martohck gave a noncommittal grunt and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his broad chest looking skeptical.

“I could do even more for you and the Lady Kasendra, but I need a favor……”

---

As Jorshin continued to explain, Martohck leaned forward in his chair once again. His countenance shifting from guarded and suspicious, to incredulous, and eventually to one full of concern and sympathy. By the time Jorshin had laid out the entire situation, sympathy had been replaced with outrage and anger.

“I’ll have to talk to Kasendra, Jorshin, but I am inclined to agree to your proposal. Neither of us can deny the great value having you around full time would bring to our efforts. Besides, this favor you request is something I think we would both have agreed to even if you were not offering yourself in servitude as payment. I agree it is too dangerous for you to return to town at this point. Kormack is even more of a snake than I suspected, and I’m sure he’s not stupid. I’ll make arrangements for you to stay at the camp here with us. You’ll be safer here than anywhere.”

Jorshin leaned back in his chair and let out a relieved sigh. It was done, or almost anyway. He had no doubt that Martohck would be able to convince Lady Kasendra that the quid pro quo being proposed was mutually beneficial. He slipped a hand into the pocket of his coat and slowly rubbed his thumb back and forth over the small river rock he kept there. The worry stone had been a gift he had been given just before heading north to Vornavis. A gift he had received from his son.