“So you think you can make me those shields? I need them to be four feet by two feet wide with a thin slit to see out of, and I want them to weigh no more than 25 pounds. I’d also like for them to be bent like a shallow “W” with the edges just a inch or so tall.”

Liber starts scratching his head as he thinks about the logistics of my request, “Uhm, yea I think so. I’ll have to get back into blacksmithing first. When I started teaching at RGU I didn’t have time. So, you’ll give me enough money to get by on Rio Grande credits?”

“Yep, I’ll transfer 100 credits a week to you. I’ll also have a 200 pesos to get what you need to get the materials. Can you do it here at Nassau?”

“I can do the shields here, but those weapons you want… I’m gonna need chemicals and a casting kiln. And a heap more money for them.”

I hold his gaze for a moment to see what he’d do. I’m slightly worried he might run off with my money but, he was so excited when I told him I’d hire him it makes that seem baseless.

“Ok Liber, let’s start with the shields. They need to be done within the month. Then, the weapons will need to be done within seven months from now. There is something specific I need them for. I’ll need ammunition, a lot of it.”

“Oh, well I was thinking it might take me 4 months to finish, but double that for unseen complications. Yea, I should be able to accomplish that.”

“Good. By the way… keep track of what you buy and how much. Accountability and all that.” I give him a friendly smile, but I make sure to stare deeply until he nods in acknowledgment, “Now, I’m going to go see what my crew is up to.”

Notification Skill Level Rank Barter 6-->7 1

Jesus... Just how bad is my bartering? I guess that makes sense. I haven't ever really bartered with anyone. All my life it was just 'that price'. Well, plus tax of course.

About that time I hear some of the crew arguing.

“I’ll fucking tell you again mate. The new guy just made us some wealthy blokes. So, I don’t give two shits if he is green. He took the ship by himself right? Like any of us coulda made do with what he had!”

“Yea? Well fifteen fucking percent is too fucking much. He could start a bloody plantation with that, and it’s his first score. Nobody deserves to retire after their first score.”

I creep up behind the second crew member and clear my throat, “And just how you fucking know that was my first score eh?”

The guy freezes and turns around to see me showing of my friendliest smile.

“Oi, I meant no disrespect. I just meant…”

I place my hand on his shoulder while chuckling, “I’m just fucking with you man, here go buy us both some rum.”

I hand him one of my last coins as I hope that I get paid something tomorrow. He smiles and gets as much rum as he can and hands me one as he sits down. As I turn around I notice opinion of me has improved… thank fucking God. I look around to see who else is in here.

Zijde was is the back smoking a pipe talking to Bheki. The navigator Alfred was by the bar red in the face swaying from side to side. Billy was over in the corner by himself. The rest of the crew was spread out trying to find a girl to spend the night with.

The man from earlier walks up carrying another wooden cup, “Uhm, here you go mate. And sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just fancy the spot you’re in.”

I give him a warm smile as I take the cup, “If it makes you feel better, I’m not going anywhere. I need a lot more money to do what I have planned.”

I leave him speechless as I make my way over to Zijde and Bheki. I down about half of the rum and sigh as the burning turns into a dull warmth that helps me relax. The last few days have really wound me up and I need a few hours to offload.

I get close enough to hear Zijde as is talking to Bheki about future plans, “I’m thinking about taking a nice long break somewhere along the Brazilian coast during the storm season. We have plenty of cash, we should be able to live quite well. Oh,Utah! How are you my friend?”

The warm smile Zijde is sporting is a stark contrast to the scowl on Bheki’s face as they both turn to face me.

“I’m doing well, I’m glad to finally unwind after the last few days.”

Bheki actually nods in agreement, “Yes, the last few day have been unnervingly exciting. I wanted to blame you at first, but the captain has convinced me that it would be much worse without you. Just know I still don’t fully trust you.”

Zijde slams his palms down on the table, “Oh how I love progress in bringing my crew together! I believe that is cause for celebration!” Before moving on he motions us in close, “Just remember, three of us have business to take care of. I have someone watching the ‘grave’ we buried Duncan in. When they come to fetch us we will take care of said business. So, keep your faculties about you men.”

With that Zijde orders us all shots of rum. After the third or so shot I was feeling completely relaxed. Zijde and Bheki were loudly talking about the time the sank a British man o’ war in a harbor. That’s where they got several of their larger cannons at but not much else. So, since they were in such a good mood I decided to see if we were of the same mind on a certain subject.

“I have a question for you both. What do you both want to accomplish in your lives?”

Bheki looks gives me a very suspicious look while Zijde answers without missing a beat, “I want to own a plantation one day. But I want it done right, I want freeman to work my fields. Me being rich be damned. I want to carve a part of the world where people can be accepted. Hard work and universal respect is all I ask for.”

Bheki looks at me and says, “I want to be rich enough to walk into the farm that holds my family and buy their freedom. Not for the price that they ask for, but the price they are actually worth… and then burn the place to the ground. And of course taking my money back.”

After all these weeks beating my head against the wall, I have finally found two people to help build my goal.

I give them my best smile, “So, what do you say about carving a place out for ourselves… a country to be exact?”

The looks on their face tell me I at least have their attention. Which, I believe, is all I need.