The azure blue sea flickered golden in the rising sun. Hallathor stood on a white war-galley that was docked in the harbor of the White town district. He stared at the waves slowly rolling into the cove. Hallathor narrowed his eyes as a ship made his appearance on the horizon. As soon as the ship took shape as it sailed closer, he climbed down the stairs to the lower deck and ran off the boarding plank onto the white docks. Two other men armed with swords bearing only a light blue linen garment turned to him, they were loyal servants to his house. Hallathor beckoned to the two both of them”Follow me to new port, they are coming.”
They made their way to new port, the commercial harbor, in the early morning the dock was already filled with activity. Hallathor walked to the assigned dock with his two servants following closely. He waited as the merchant ship bearing no particular flag docked at the harbor. A skinny man with a rough beard and sneaky eyes walked down on the docks. After the dock administrator took care of the necessary formalities, the ship’s captain turned to Hallathor. He walked lightly and seemed to be examining his plated armor and sword and smirked as he knocked on his plated breastplate “Are ye expectin’ to fight a war later today lad?”. Hallathor did not seem to be in the mood for jokes, “Spare me your idle chatter, …do you have it?”. The captain turned his back and walked back to his ship “Dunno wha’ yer talkin’ about, lad”. Hallathor stood still and stared at the man with mild interest and spoke solemnly “ … Lord Fernmir will not be pleased to hear you turned your back to his son”. The captain froze and looked around, he stared at Hallathor a moment and then beckoned him to follow. Both servants stood guard making sure no one disturbed the trade negotiations.
The ship was old and sure had seen better days. Hallathor followed to the lowest deck of the ship, the smell of wood and tar filled his nose. Two rugged looking sailors followed him just to keep an eye on him. We stopped near a crate where the captain smirked while looking at Hallathor “Yer old lord has a fine taste ‘e has!”. One of the sailors took a metal bar and cracked open the crate. The sailor took out a long blue fabric that he lay on both arms “the finest elven silk ye ever set yer eye upon…”.Hallathor inspected the fabric, rubbing it between his fingers, and looked inside the crate “Empty it”.The captain frowned “I am sure there is no need ter…”. Hallathor raised his voice “Empty it!”. The captain looked displeased as one of the sailors removed silken cloth till the crate was half-empty and stopped “yer happy?”. Hallathor grew impatient and grabbed one of the sailors by his throat and snapped “ Empty the bloody crate!”. The sailor wurmed free and did as he was told. The bottom of the crate was filled with a much cheaper linen cloth with the same color as the expensive silk version.
Hallathor turned to the captain who was suppressing his nerves. “Do you take me for a fool captain?”. The captain did not answer and looked down “not sure how eh.. this had gotten there.. I eh..” . Hallathor looked at the crate, about two third was silken “Your treachery will cost you dearly, we will take the elven silk for the linen price”. The captain grew red with anger and gestured something to his sailors who drew blade a second later. Hallathor pushed the captain from his feet throwing him on the ground, he took his sword and faced the two sailors. One sailor attacked, Hallathor sidestepped and knocked the hilt of his blade against the back of his head as he ran past him. The second sailor followed soon and clashed blades with Hallathor. A few more sword clashes later the sailor was disarmed and yielded. The captain got back on his feet “Enough!”. Hallathor sheathed his sword again and looked at the captain “One third of the initial price, and my Lord Fernmir will not learn about your… mischief.” The captain struggled with the low price and eventually agreed. Hallathor walked back to the castle quarters while eating an apple followed by servants carrying a heavy crate.
