Marcus had been in a dozen small fortresses in his career with the Emperor's Legion, but none quite so strange as this one. The most startling thing about it was that a week ago he had seen half of it in ruins, and the other half hadn't existed. Inquisitor Diego had briefed him on what had happened, but gods and angels were above his pay grade. He was more interested in how the original half of this stout little fortress had been built.

Rolly had approached him and asked if he wanted a tour, which he had gladly accepted. He'd been curious about the 'barracks' as the workers had called the original building, and more curious when he saw that the building had doubled in size, with a new barracks next to the old. The connection between the two gave it the look of a gatehouse for a huge city.

Rolly had taken him inside and passed him off to Jorges, "This is the guy you really want to talk to."

After seeing both sides of the upper levels, Jorges was taking him downstairs to the workshops. Marcus was shaking his head in wonderment at the size of the stones that made up the first level and the underground levels. "I'll admit, I'm jealous of a lot of this. We have plans to rebuild and expand Rowan Keep over the next two years. But we just don't have the men and engineers to produce stones of this size."

Jorges patted the multi-ton slabs that made up the walls, "That's a shame. If you're going to do something, you might as well do it right the first time. Not many of the workers here could kill one-legged goblin, but we can cut and haul stone with the best of them.

“Plenty of stone in this area for sure. And good timber. I’d love a crack at designing a fortress for the Legion.

If it was up to me, I'd grab a couple dozen of the boys and we could run over to Rowan for a week or two and do the stone cutting for your foundations and help you get that going. Maybe drag Jon and Cham along to get you a couple of hundred large timbers as well. Ozzy would be handy too, for the really big stuff. Positioning some of the big, six-ton slabs is tricky. I could sneak away a couple of days a week after that to oversee some work. Good fun."

Marcus whistled, "I'm sorry to say we'll be using much smaller stones." He paused to look again at the size of the stones in the wall as they went down the broad stairs. "It does seem a waste of an opportunity with you so close. But I'm sure the Baron will be loath to loan out his workers when he has a city to build."

"Maybe, maybe not. Gadobhra isn't going to be built in a day, and he does have some obligations he owes to the Empire. Now might be a good time to suggest he help out, and maybe convince those tax fellows to chip a bit off his bill?" Jorges led the Centurion down to a large work room containing a machine under construction.

"Here's something new. I reworked the design to take into account flying critters. This ballista is mountable in a wagon, or a tower. It can pivot up or down by forty-five degrees, and has a 180-degree arc of fire. I don't have enough dark steel for all the components, so I'm just using it for the spear heads - give the shot a bit more penetrating power. Just imagine having a few of these on the walls as a big critter charges the gates or flies by."

Marcus ran his hand over the partially built war machine. He could indeed imagine what they could do. He also wanted them for the new towers he'd soon be building. "Well, I can see I need to increase my budget quite a bit and go beg the accountants. It takes years for the armory at the capital to supply war machines like this, and the cost is extravagant. How much?"

Jorges lit his pipe and thought a bit. "Well, that would be up to the Baron, but my recommendation would be that we beat the normal price by about half off, and you wouldn't have to pay any shipping from the capitol. But before you make up your mind, maybe we should take a look at a few other things.”

The workers who had been idly sitting around while Jorges talked pulled the tarps off a half dozen catapults, onagers, and ballista. "Again, just a suggestion, but you might want to go talk to that crew when they meet later. I'm sure you could use a dozen of these beasties, and the Baron would love to do his civic duty in providing them for a modest price, or maybe a discount on his taxes."

=*=

Suzette made sure the merchants all had a good breakfast before talking to them. Full of food and with hot tea in their mugs, the group was partially relaxed as she walked over. Not totally relaxed. Merchants would always be a bit nervous when they had goods sitting in wagons, and the gold for the deal seemed delayed.

"Everyone get enough to eat? Great. I know it's been tough just sitting here for a day. Time is very tight for the Baron with the arrival of visitors from the capitol. He asked me take care of you and get you fed."

A large man in a fur-trimmed coat spoke up, "The food is good, and the beer quite acceptable. But you know that time is money. We have done our part in bringing these goods to the Baron at a moment’s notice, but we hoped to be compensated much quicker." The others nodded.

Suzette smiled at him, making him wish he was even two decades younger, "Oh, I totally understand. I'm just a poor country girl though, I don't know much about these things. So, other Barons pay up immediately upon delivery? No invoicing or waiting around or 30 days to pay?"

A few of the merchants chuckled and one started to tell a story about the time Baron Clenchfist didn't feel like paying his troops. Others quieted him. "Well, some are difficult. But the good Barons pay quickly. They also get their orders much quicker. " Suzette heard the subtle emphasis on ‘good barons’.

Suzette paused, and put a finger to her chin as if thinking, "You know, there might be a way to compensate you immediately. I'm in charge of our dungeons and might just have a few magical items sitting around. If you don't mind taking those in exchange for your goods, maybe we can work something out."

At the mention of magical items, some of the merchants became much more attentive. Merchant Kallvek, who was wearing the extravagant fur coat, seemed to be the spokesman for the group. "That could be a possibility. But let us see these items before we go further. You have them here?"

Suzette pointed to stairs leading downward, "Yep, I have them set up for viewing in the basement just outside the dungeons. Let's go take a look."

The merchants became more than interested when they saw the items. Even a modest magical item could bring quite a few gold pieces and was a fair trade for a few barrels of apples - more than fair. A magical sword or shield was also easy to transport and could be sold to adventurers for much more than their invoices for goods.

The invoices each merchant presented became a sticking point. Some were reasonable with only a minor mark up for haggling purposes. A few were downright larcenous. Suzette had some idea of what the prices should be, but wasn't sure. Finally, she brought Betty down from the kitchen.

Betty arrived with a tray of cookies, a large wooden spoon, and an attitude honed by years of haggling for ingredients.

"Don't you try to tell me this is your best flour. I can smell the weevils from here. This is what you had on hand to sell the Legion, or maybe the rejects. Don't make me go get the Centurion to confirm it. Suzette? Cut that figure down to about one quarter of what he's asking."

As things continued, many of the merchants gave their own opinions or made much lower offers themselves, promising delivery in a day. Three merchants flat out needed gold and refused the magic items. In an interesting twist, Kallvek bought them out and sent them on their way. "Idiots. Magic items are always in demand, flour and potatoes aren't. I think we should talk later. You have two dungeons now? I have access to a great deal of what you need."

The last merchant to come forward didn't have an invoice. Instead, he had two crockery pots with him, "Sorry to bother you ma'am. I know this wasn't on your list, but I have a wagon load of the finest picked whelks in seven counties. I’m willing to make you a very good deal on these delicacies."

Betty raised an eyebrow. Suzette was confused, "Whelks?"

Several of the merchants laughed, and Kallvek explained, "He is a snail seller. They had a bumper crop of crawlers down in the wetlands and prices dropped. They really are a delicacy in some areas. What varieties do you have with you?"

The small man introduced himself, "All the best! I'm Clement Vodspaller. The Vodspallers have honed the craft of growing and preserving whelks for 19 generations. I've got Greenbloats, Mottled Speedsters, Longchews, Tongue Burners and Crunchy Brownback Stompers. All are sealed in special bog-clay pots and last for years. Beloved of dwarves, bog dwellers, and those who can appreciate a fine escargot or a crunchy cuttlefish."

His sales pitch seemed to exhaust him. He sat down and looked at Suzette, "Please ma'am. I'm willing to cut you a good deal. It's been a long road and I have to be back to help out my pappy with the next harvest. He's a bit slower than the snails now and has trouble catching them."

Suzette needed a break, "Let me go ask the opinion of an expert. You said dwarves loves these? Sit tight and I'll be back in a minute." She took the crockery pot with her. Clement smiled hopefully, “By all means, ma'am. Here, take this one too. Both are free samples to show the Vodspaller quality."

Upstairs, Suzette headed to a back table where Ozzy's dwarven friend, Makken, was sitting. He was having a spirited conversation with Johannes. The tall man had mentioned that he would like to talk to the Baron, but was in no hurry. "Ah, our lovely host. I must say, I greatly enjoyed my room and my bed. Thank you so much for having me as your guest."

Suzette curtsied and smiled. If only everyone was so polite, "It was my pleasure. I'm so sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I have a snack here that one of the merchants brought. I'm unsure of the quality and wondered if you knew anything about them. He said they were a favorite of some of the dwarves he knew. They're uh…snails. Pickled snails."

Makken set down his pipe and grew interested. Johannes also leaned forward. The dwarf quickly undid the wire holding the crockery shut and flipped off the lid, "Only one way to find out. Let's take a little bite and see how these crawlers taste." Inside the crock were a half dozen extremely large snails. Makken grabbed one and bit into it. Vinegar and snail juice ran down his chin into his beard as he sat back with a contented smile on his lips.

Johannes sniffed the jar and asked politely, "May I?" Suzette pushed it over to him. "Be my guest." Johannes was a bit daintier in his eating, taking out a long, thin knife from his sleeve and spearing one. Nibbling at it he exclaimed, "Oh, my. These are delightful. A variety of Greenbloat, I believe. If you serve these here, my dear, you will certainly have me for a customer. I haven't had good snail in ages."

Makken finished the first and eyed the second crock. Suzette pushed it towards him. The crock was similar to the others, but had some writing on it. "79,000 Scoville? These need investigating." As soon as he popped off the top, he inhaled deeply, his cheeks turning bright red, "Oh, this is the good stuff. Tongue Burners, and nicely aged. He put a whole snail into his mouth and began chewing. Johannes followed his example, but then gasped, and drank his beer quickly. "Ah, that is...I... perhaps a large glass of milk please?"

Suzette was already moving. Her eyes were watering and she could barely breath. Other patrons were moving towards the front of the room. Seeing her distress, Ozzy took the milk jug and a glass and took it over to the table and to a thankful Johannes, "Ah, thanks my good man, I'm afraid my pallet needs some conditioning before I gain that level of resistance."

Makken pointed at the open crock of Tongue Burners. "Take one, boy, good training." Ozzy gingerly picked up one of the spiced snails, sniffed it, then popped it into his mouth. The taste was like the best escargot he'd ever had, with an underlaying flavor of habanero and licorice. It was all he could do though, to keep a straight face and not pour himself a glass of milk.

Suzette spoke from the doorway, "So what do you think?" Both Johannes and Makken gave a thumbs up. Suzette went down the stairs shaking her head.

"Alright merchant Vodspaller, I'll be taking your snails. Your invoice total puts your turn to choose as 7th out of 11. Merchant Kallvek? You have 1st, 4th, and 8th, and 11th choices. I encourage you all to inspect the items and make your selection, in order. I'm sure there will be no arguing and Ozzy won't have to come down here."

Thirty minutes later, the last of the merchants had made their choices, all happy to have been paid, and to have a chance at making an additional profit selling the items. Suzette had a long talk with Merchant Kallvek. He was quite happy to explore future deals, trading large amounts of foodstuffs for easy to transport magical items. They departed with the last of Suzette’s small stash from the dungeon and a few things donated by Fearless Leader.

Her job was done. She was one step closer to owning her tavern outright. She crossed her fingers, hoping Rolly and Ben could pull off their parts.