A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 135: The Fruit of Struggle - Part 13

"Don't drag me into delusions," Beam said.

But Greeves just laughed, apparently impervious to the ridicule. "What, you don't like being called a hero? Then don't let people catch ya doing battle like you were before. A passionate display, that's what it was. C'mon, at least leave the table open for suggestion. You're getting to learn the importance of having options, aren't ya?

Even if you don't like me, even if you're still thinking I'm vile scum, are you really so powerful that you'll never have a use for me?"

Unable to think of a retort, Beam slowly agreed. "…Fine, I suppose."

But from the wide smile that immediately blossomed on Greeves' face, he wished he hadn't said anything, for his expression had lit up as though he'd finally managed to tempt an opponent into falling for his trap. "Excellent. Well, now that we're associates, I figure I better keep you in the loop – a little update from our friend Ferdinand – you were right."

Beam wrinkled his nose at being called Greeves' associate for the second time that day. "An update on what?"

"That scrap of Yarmdon flag you found? It was the real deal. Twenty miles east of here, a detachment of around three hundred men made it over the mountain. They've already burned a village to the ground. Since then, they've split up into groups of six, fifty men in each group, and they've all gone in different directions, causing havoc everywhere.

And as a result, Ferdinand is sending an army to be posted here until they're dealt with."

That caught Beam's attention. "An army? How many?"

"A hundred men, I'm told, all trained soldiers. Then a knight leading them as captain. Had his name written on the letter somewhere, but it was so bland that I've forgotten it," Greeves said.

"How's the village going to manage to support a hundred extra men? Do we have the supplies for that?" Beam asked.

Greeves grinned. "Ah, now you're worrying about a merchant's struggles? Don't worry lad, I'll make enough coin for us both. By that I mean, I'll be making loads for me, that I could share, but won't, 'cos yer not helping. I've got a few wagons of food and supplies all bought and paid for that I plan to sell to those city dwellers at city costs.

Ferdinand said they're meant to be bringing enough supplies for themselves – but y'know how soldiers go. They'll want something to spend their money on, so I've got two things for them."

"Mm," Beam said in thought. Greeves looked disappointed.

"You're not going to ask what the two things are? Food and whores!" He laughed, before clutching his nose. "Damn it, this still bloody kills, ruining my pretty face, ya little shit."

"Whores? I thought you just said you were done dealing in the lowly stuff?" Beam said.

Greeves seemed to take personal offence to that. "Whores aren't lowly! That's a noble profession, that is. An' none of my whores are slaves – they're all good decent women that have wandered into the profession because of how well it pays."

"Alright, I suppose…" Beam said.

"Still not convinced? Why not try one of em'? Mm? You saw Loriel earlier, didn't you? Fine woman, eh? There's many more like her.

They're all a few years older than you, but they'd be nice to you, they would. Maybe they'd take some of the poison out of you – stop you from punching merchants, mm?" Greeves said.

"I'll pass," Beam said gruffly.

"Hah! Hear that, Judas?" Greeves said gleefully. "The whores that you spend your hard-earned coin on – he just turned down a free go as though it was beneath him. Bit offensive, that, ain't it?"

"The boy's still young," Judas said. "In a few years, I'm sure he'll be paying visits. Besides, he got the girl, doesn't he?"

"He does?" Greeves said, widening his eyes in mock surprise. "I hadn't realized they were an item yet. No wonder he got so offended! My apologies, lad, my apologies."

Beam could tell that Greeves was merely making fun of him – unlike Judas, he was well aware that Nila and Beam weren't anything more than friends. "Is that all the news you have for me? I've things to do," he said, instead changing the subject.

"Heh, no fun," Greeves tutted. "Naw, that's it. Just that army coming in, Yarmdon raiders on the horizon, n' then we've got the Elder hanging around making threats through letters. But if you stay alert, I doubt any of that will bother you."

"Alright," Beam turned to go.

"Boy," Greeves stopped him before he went, growing serious once more. "Stay sharp, yeah?"

"I will," Beam said again with a frown, not understanding the need to say such a thing twice. And then he left, with Judas guiding him out.

"Seems like the boss proper likes you," Judas said as they went. "Never heard him talk about his past like that, not to anyone."

Beam glanced at him briefly. He didn't know how to feel about the whole affair. But the fact remained. He hadn't been strong enough in his morals to cut Greeves down where he stood. Perhaps there was even some truth in Greeves' words. All he knew was that he had to continue to grow, for the world would not be so kind as to wait until he was ready.

"I'll see you later then," Judas said, waving him off. Beam nodded.

Across the market square, Nila was waiting, just as she said she would be. She was sat on a barrel, finishing up the last of the lunch that her mother had given her. From how fast she was eating, Beam guessed she was starved.

She noticed Beam from a distance away and waved, her mouth full. She swallowed before calling out to him. "Beam!" She said. "How'd it go?"

"Mm," Beam felt the coins in his pocket. "I suppose it went okay."

"Yeah?" Nila said with a smile, before noticing something. She sniffed the air a few times, holding her nose upwards. "What's that smell? Like… Perfume?"

"Ah, yeah," Beam said awkwardly. "One of the people that works for Greeves."

Nila looked at him with narrowed eyes, before letting out a long "hmm…" The fact that she said nothing worried Beam even more, but since he didn't have the words to defend himself, he hurriedly changed the topic.