Bribis’ POV

“You sure about this dad? We haven’t been too keen on taking contracts from the gods, even with Lodrano in service to one.” I asked, biting into an apple as we sat at the table.

“True, but this one is a bit different.” He said, pausing when he heard a knock at the door. “And that’ll be your brother. One moment.” I shook my head, biting into my apple again. Despite me running 90% of the company for years, Dad always had to have his little bit in to stir the pot. Of course, I wasn’t about to complain what with the lack of trade with the Elves. We weren’t in dire straits, but we also hadn’t lost any convoys. Sadly, I couldn’t say the same for some of our competitors. It might not have been business smart, but sometimes a little compassion is worth more than running a cutthroat business.

“Bribis!”

“Lodrano!” I said, pulling him into a hug. “Finally, someone who won’t mind explaining things to me. You know how Dad gets.”

“Still taking commissions and keeping you in the dark?” He chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’ll like this one. Though, maybe not. You’ll be sitting around as we clean up after that friend of yours.”

“Oh?” I asked, confused. “What friend could-“ I started, before it hit me. “Oh gods, what’s Sean done now?”

“Ha! Told you he would react like that!” Dad laughed, slapping me on the back. “Don’t worry boy, it’s a good thing!”

“It really is. Those two broke the curse on the city of Solaris. That freed up a city of souls to be reincarnated, not to mention freeing a portion of the gods’ powers that had been corrupted by the curse.” Lodrano explained. “They made a deal with the gods. Sean and Elendria own the city, and we are being allowed in to catalogue items. The deal was with Shalora, but she doesn’t have enough clergy free with the current state of affairs.”

“That explains it.” I nodded. “You get subcontracted out, forging bonds between the gods. Sean and Elendria get their rewards faster, and all the participating empires get an infusion of cash and items.”

“And you get to come with us, having close relations with Sean.” Lodrano said.

“Yeah, but that’s a lucky coincidence.” I argued back. “We also happen to live in the closest major trading hub, and are able to pick up adventurers to help protect us from Outpost. Right?”

“Well, that might have come up in the planning.” Lodrano said, looking only slightly ashamed. “We’ll be cutting through jungle and desert, so geomancers are going to be in high demand.”

“Right. Whatever, that’s fine.” I said, heading toward the door. “This does sound like a good contract, and helping out a friend is just a bonus. However, I want to look over the wording of the agreement between the gods and Sean. I’ll also be double checking the catalogues, especially of any magical items.”

“You think they would cheat?” Lodrano gasped.

“The gods? Of course not.” I answered. “But people are people, and we didn’t get to be a major trading firm by blindly trusting everyone. That’s why you wouldn’t have made a good head Lodrano. Too quick to see the good in everyone.”

“Bah, I just refuse to be a pessimist.” He said, waving off my concern only to be surprised by me coming over and giving him a hug.

“That’s why I’m proud to call you brother.” I said, smacking his back. “So I’ll trust you to spend the coin I earn the hard way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an excursion to plan. Nobody ever plans for deserts right, and I’m not about to use the bottomless jugs again. They are expensive, and all magic has a limit.”

“Have faith brother! We have clergy from all four gods!” Lodrano called after me, and I paused in the doorway for one final barb.

“Thanks for reminding me!” I called back, grinning. “That means I have to plan for four groups that rely on faith, not just one!” As the door closed to the laughter behind me, my mind was tumbling through numbers. The maximum number of wagons we had, how many people were going, magical requirements, tents, food, guard stones, combat specialists and any possible pets. At least we didn’t have to factor in cargo for the trek out, that was one major headache I was glad to leave behind.