"That's all a good reputation does for you. Saintly? Pshaw! I'd much rather the rigor of a devil, would suit me better! I swear, I'll plant my fist into the next brazen fool that mistakes my occupation for philanthropy! The nerve!"

The two repaired to Lorel's office, and now the "saintly" broker sat at his Darkwood desk, one leg crossed on top of another, allowing Zane the honor of enduring a brisk tongue lashing.

The dapperly dressed Lorel Dorn, sporting a silken, cuffed jacket of dark turquoise and hose of the same, had the features of a man that betrayed nothing. A perfect poker face and dark-green eyes, honed in his years of service to the wharf and constituency of rowdy seamen, vulturous noblemen, and sly merchants, was quite sharp as his nose and chin were. Though shortly cropped, curled charcoal sprung forth from his scalp, glossy in the light that poured from the office windows behind Lorel's desk.

"Well? You've come all this way from the slums. What would you have me do, Gull?"

"I do have a name, remember? Not a minute ago, you spoke it."

"Nonsense! What do you take me for? The tavern swine across the way? A Gull is a Gull. If you were to see a dog, would you not call it a dog?"

"There is no argument there, that I'll grant you..."

"But really, what possesses you to continue the profession? Where is the profit?"

"I prefer to work alone, you see."

"Really now? I suppose you haven't the talent for anything else. Still, it's a waste, your knowledge of the sea is deep compared to some."

"Working with those fresh to the sea-business is fulfilling, I see no waste."

"Whatever suits your fancy, Gull."

The lender's fingers strummed against his desk, "Banter aside, what do you want from me?"

Zane inhaled deeply as he considered his words. Then, once he was sure of himself, he began, "I came to withdraw one of the favors you owe me."

Lorel's eyebrows raised, "Oh?"

"Recently, my father passed. The inheritance he left behind included an oddity shop..."

The fingers continued to strum against the darkwood desk, and after a short pause, they halted. "My condolences for your loss."

Zane nodded, then continued, "I haven't the capital to properly fund its operation. Here is where my proposition begins: as collateral, I offer the plot of land it rests on, and the building itself. In return, I request the capital for its operation for a year."

"And how much will this venture entail?"

"Three thousand Herels."

Lorel's eyes widened, "Are you planning to found a new company? What sort of shop requires three thousand merely to lay idle on a plot of land for a year? Out of the question entirely!"

"Lend me your ear for one moment more, I haven't revealed its location! Do you have any maps of the Thessolian capitol?"

"This better not be some confounded excuse to waste my time... Einese! Fetch the Thessolian Empire's surveys!"

Thirty minutes later, the clerk from before entered, carrying several rolls of tightly bound parchment, "These are the surveys from two decades ago, Master Lorel." She announced, offering a small curtsy before taking her leave.

"Where is it then?"

"It resides in the inner ring of the Empire's capitol of Pirsk."

The lender's eyes widened even further than before, to the point of bulging, "By the gods, your father must have been an aristocrat!" He shuffled through the surveys until he found the one in question, "Indeed, this is an enviable plot. Not many could afford a location this close to the palace."

"Even I am unsure as to how he managed, but no, he wasn't wealthy, nor was he anyone of noble birth that I'm aware of."

Lorel stroked his chin thoughtfully as he studied the survey, "Regardless, the property alone... in the inner ring where even the royal family's entourage passes through..." He then looked to Zane with a rather serious expression, "What baffles me is why you would go to such lengths. Surely auctioning or selling the property outright would bring enough capital to begin a new business anywhere on the continent?"

"It's for a personal reason."

"Hmph."

"Were you, perhaps, trying to persuade me to sell it? Perhaps, to you?"

"Never you mind, Gull. Now, about the particulars for this venture..."

"You're willing to accept?"

"Compared to a certain group of feckless dreamers, your proposal is a needed respite. Why would I not accept, when a profit is to be had? Not only that, I don't betray favors owed to a man who does well by me!"

After an hour, a plan began to form between the Gull and the Saintly Broker consisting of three points of interest. First, as offered by the client, a certain sum of capital was to be lent, in exchange for collateral in the form of property, highly alluring property at that. Second, the venture would not begin until after the coming Spring. Summer was quickly waning, and Autumn was soon to come. As the trip to the Empire would take several months to complete, the coming Winter would thwart any plans of an early departure, leaving them no choice but to postpone until warmer weather returned. Lastly, as insurance against possible failure, certain members of Lorel's men would be sent, per annum, to ensure the shop's integrity, and that Lorel's investment wasn't lost to misuse or malfeasance.

Later that evening, their business now concluded, Zane returned home, somewhat frazzled from their lengthy discussion. He sat on a stool close to a newborn in its wooden crib, Milina stood alongside him. They both watched the child's sleepy kicks as it slept.

Zane smiled, "She looks like she's having her own little adventure already."

"Just like a certain reckless merchant I know."

"She takes after you more than I..." Zane began to retort, "her eyes, I mean."

As dusk quickly turned to night, the two watched over the new soul.

"Is there anyone you wish to see?" Zane asked quietly.

"No... not anymore."

"Anywhere you want to go?"

"Only wherever you go."

"It's a long trip, and an even longer one back."

"I'm prepared."

Zane looked at his wife. Her eyes were unmoving from the future they created together, sleeping fitfully in a dream only the youngest would know. That future gave her strength; a strength that not too long ago she hadn't much of, in a time where life seemed so far away, and death came with a welcoming embrace. It made him happy to see that she had something to live for. Something to keep her in this mortal coil with him. That she wouldn't disappear one day from his life.

"Then we'll leave in the Spring. In the meantime, I'll arrange for a carriage and escorts ahead of time. No doubt the guild will be overburdened by then, as it always is."