Chapter Seven.
 

Xahar walked through the marketplace the next afternoon, stopping into an older office in a dingy part of town.  "Hello?" he called.  An older man came out of the back, giving him an odd look.  "We need more room at home."

"You wish an estate?"

"No, I need to stay in town.  I do too much work in town not to."

"You are?"

"Xahar the Great."  He shook his hand.  "We mostly need more stable room.  We now have four horses and a foal probably on the way.  No room for guest's horses now."

"You're that dancer?" he asked, staring at him.  "You always looked so much taller when you're dancing," he said dryly.  He shook his head.  "How big are you looking for?"

"Bigger stable space," he said dryly.  "At least six bedrooms.  A master suite for me if possible.   Do you know where I presently live?"  He shook his head.  "I live over on Courtesan's Street."

"Ah!"  He nodded.  He sat down behind his big book of available real estate, flipping through it. "There's the usual ones.  The one beside the mage's academy.  The one on the edge of the palace's grounds for a mistress.  The Talevon clan's house?" he asked, looking up at him.  "They were a circus clan."

"I'm aware of that but that house is fairly rundown.  We'd like to move shortly.  This is my price range," he noted, writing down a price.  "More if you can sell my current residence."

"Hmm, with the new coronation real estate is getting expensive at the moment."  He flipped back a few pages.  Then he shook his head.  "Outside the one at the Academy, they're all at least ten percent more than that price, sire."  He looked up at him.  "We could probably work out a financing deal of some sort with one of the money lenders."

Xahar smiled.  "Let me check on that first.  I may have more, but I do want some savings."  He left, heading down into the main market, where his favorite money changer was.  He had known him since they had been boys.  This boy's father had worked for his father.  He tapped on his stall's door before walking back there.  "I need a new house.  We need a bigger stable," he said in greeting.

His friend smiled and shook his hand.  "Go sleep with Squire Estevans.  He's thinking about selling."

Xahar gave him an odd look.  "I don't like him that much.  He sneers at me. Besides, I need a bigger stable and he doesn't even have one.  I need something with at least five stalls."

"In the city?"  Xahar nodded, sitting down after moving some folders out of a seat.  He carefully laid them on the desk.  "What's your safe worth this year?"

"I'm thinking about seventy thousand gold but I'm not totally sure.  I got to about twenty thousand and estimated.  My arms got tired."

"So would mine.  I'll come count for you for one percent of it."

Xahar gave him a long stare.  Then he tossed over a diamond he had found, making his friend drool.  "Done.   While you're at it, put around that I'm looking to move inside the city to somewhere a bit bigger.  I'm brining Cook and Elevan with me."  He stood up, hugging him again.   "I'm off to shop for a bit.  We need new scrolls again."  His friend chuckled.  "I know.  We need to trade some of them out."  He shrugged.  "Ballor would pout if I did that."  He smiled.  "Have a fun day.  I'll be home in about an hour?"  His friend nodded.  "Thank you."  He walked off, going to find something new to read.

The money lender/changer looked at the diamond, biting it to make sure it was real.  It was, and it was worth quite a lot.  Probably nearly the one percent he'd charge him.  He gathered up some things he'd need and packed a small bag.  Xahar would feed him dinner and let him have a room for the night if necessary.  He was like that and they were old friends.  He hurried up, only stopping to talk to a few people in the marketplace.  He leaned over to one.  "Xahar's back," he whispered.  She smiled. "He needs to move.  Wants more stable room.  I'm thinking he got another present."  She giggled and went to tell someone else.

By the time Xahar got to the scroll seller, he knew he was looking for a new house and a few were offered to him on a piece of paper with a smile and a wink.  "Thank you," he mouthed, looking at the scrolls.  "Ballor said we have nothing to read."

"Ballor needs to weed some of the ones you already have out and send them down here to trade.  You there have most of my stock up there," he teased.

"I know, but it's boring when we're not working."  He looked at the addresses, then at him.  "Lord Cambry moved?"

"Died," he corrected patiently.  "Last week sometime. His funeral is later this week and his widow hates this city.  She wants to move back to the family estate.  Her sons might argue but I think it'll be up for sale soon."

"Xahar!" a guard shouted, coming over to hug him and pound him on the back.  "You're really back?"

"For the season," he agreed happily.  "Plus, I'm looking to move somewhere with a bigger stable."

"I heard about your stallion," he teased, pinching him on the arm.  "Naughty boy.  Your stallion bit our queen-to-be and made her violently ill.  They had to take her away last night.  She called off the wedding and left poor Prince Frederick to marry the mistress who stepped forward and admitted she was pregnant."  Xahar beamed at that.  "They even think it's a son."

"I'm more than happy for them.  Melodian?"

"Unfortunately not.  No, Thirin," he said smugly.  "Melodian said she didn't wish to marry him, even though she was flattered so many wanted her.  She didn't want that sort of stress.  She much preferred being the chosen mother and nanny."

Xahar shrugged.  "I tried.  Thirin is a good choice though.  Very strong and smart.  She always reminds me of Liset."

"True, plus she's a trained warrior as well," he promised.  "I was sent to bring you to the guard captain's office.  Something about the Tarmar wenches and their treatment of daughters?"  Xahar whispered in his ear, making him wince.  "Oooh.  That's a worse scandal than anyone in your family has caused.  You're sure?"

"She was the last time I knew.  I'll be back, Pettick."  He walked off, following him to the guard's office, and the priestesses were in there.  He looked at them and pointed at one.  "I'd say her, but that's only based on her nose and eyes."  He looked at the priestess.  "They're looking for Caras' daughter.  Her first child.  She's be about fifteen from what I hear.  Given when she moved to this city from the Dooestin order."

"Her," she agreed, pointing at the same one.  "How did you know?"

"I'm good that way.  We share an alchemist."

"For what?" the younger priestess asked, looking disgusted.

"My hair.  She gets other things but he takes care of my hair."  He shrugged and looked at the guard captain.  "Got any idea where I can move inside the city with a bigger stable?"

"The Talevon house?" he suggested.

"It's rundown and we need the room now.  My stallion knocked up Liset's mare."

The guard captain snickered at that, shaking his head.  "Lady Pegnis is leaving to live with her daughter.  She's out of favor here and her daughter is about to have her second child, a difficult pregnancy."

Xahar considered it.  "Close to the palace, but not *that* close.  Good neighborhood.  Big stables, she keeps six carriages.  Big house, more than enough room.  How much do you think she's asking?"

"I know she's asking about sixty thousand gold," he admitted.  "She's also one of your favorite patrons in town for the summer holidays."

"Point.  I'll stop up there before I go back.  Thank you."

"You're welcome.  We'd like you in a safer neighborhood as well.  It'll make it easier for Liset and Ballor to work."   He grinned at that.  "What did your stud do to Lady Caras?"

"She tried to stab him with a dagger.  He didn't even bite her that I know of.  I threw one of my hairpins into her shoulder from a window, but he didn't bite her."  Someone walked in and he bowed to Prince Frederick.  "My prince."

"You do what to my father?"

"Nothing, my prince.  Should I lay a hand on him it would be treason."

"Uh-huh."  He stared at him.  "My mother was most complimentary about your visit last night, Xahar.  Said she enjoyed it quite a lot."

"I am but a loyal subject," he said humbly, grinning at him.  "I would never touch your lady mother either.  Doing so would enrage your father and be double treason for she is also the mother of the prince in addition to being the queen.  I only chatted with them about matters that I should not pay attention to."

"I see.  Thank you.  Thirin said some very nice things about you and Melodian suggested I give you a hug and a good payment for this year's show."  He clapped him on the back.  "What are you doing today?"

"Talking to others about the possibility of moving inside the city and finding some new scrolls, plus going to visit my alchemist with what I've found in another world."

"You got captured by that sorcerer with the trunks again?"

"No, I paid him to send me back so I could get some new music and things for my hair," he said smugly.  "Ooh, tell your new lady wife that we've recently found a wonderful guard in training.  Her name is Pames and we left her with Ballor's cousin.  She was quite helpful with us skipping away from Kozur while we were at the horse bazaar, which is where she lives in her downtime."

The prince stared at him.  "She's that close?"  He nodded.  "Thank you for that warning.  I'll be careful when we go out to hunt.  We heard she might be coming this way to hit the upper countries."  He clapped him on the back again.  "Where did you hear was open?"

"The wonderful guard captain here said Lady Pegnis was about to move."

"That would be a great place for you," Frederick promised.  "If you need help, just ask."

"Oh, I had plans of hiring people to help me move, sire.  I'd never expect you to get that sweaty helping a mere artist do something so vulgar as switch houses."

Frederick gave him a look.  "It's a good thing you don't expect that.  I meant with Lady Pegnis."  He shook his head, walking out with a smile.  He came back a minute later and looked at the priestesses.  "You weren't kidding?" he demanded.  Xahar shook his head.  "Well!"  He sighed and looked at the young lady.  "Your true mother has been given a small estate outside the city for her permanent use, child.  If you wish you could join her there.  Tell her I said she is to take care of you since she is your mother."  He walked out, heading to the market to find his mistress something nice for stepping forward.  He really did like her.  She was a good second choice.

Xahar waved and strolled out, then jogged up to the nicer section of town, smiling at the guards at the lady's gates.  "Is she still in?  I wanted to talk to her about moving."

"You're moving with us?" one of the guards asked.

"No, I'm moving here in the city, dear.  I need more stable space and I heard she's leaving me all alone in this big city."

Lady Pegnis' assistant stuck her head out the doorway.  "Come in, Xahar.  She saw you."  He grinned and walked in, giving the assistant a hug.  "We'll miss you, you scamp."

"I'll miss you both. She's a very enthusiastic patron of mine.  Almost no one cheers me on like she does."  He walked into the study where the older woman, nearly finished with life, was waiting.  "Lady Pegnis," he said, kneeling in front of her.  "I heard you're leaving and my heart is sad."

She smiled as she stroked down some hairs sticking up.  "I know, my child.  I'll miss you as well.  Now, I hear you're moving?"

"I need more stable space.  My new stallion had a fling with Liset's mare when they first met," he said delicately, grimacing a bit.  "So we have an extra horse for her use plus a foal on the way," he said proudly.

"I heard about your stallion, naughty boy."  She leaned down to kiss his cheek, then allowed him to help her upright again.  "You wish to offer me something for my home?"

"I do," he admitted.  "I've always loved this place.  It's a great place to dance and the music sounds at home in your conservatory.  Plus it's beautiful, has great views, and can easily fit all the horses and my carriage once I get it fixed."

She considered it.  "What would you give me?"

"What would you have, my queen?"

She swatted him gently.  "I'm no queen, and you know it, Xahar.  I'm a Lady and nothing further. Do not flirt with me to drive down the price."

"Lady Pegnis, were you younger, I would gladly do anything you asked to soothe you and pay you back for all you've done for me.  You were the one who stood up for me during my father's next-to-last scandal."  She smiled at that.  "He really hit on the queen?  She's beautiful but not my father's usual taste."

"Yes, he did," she sighed, shaking her head.  "Quite boldly, said if she weren't the queen he would steal her away from whatever court she was in and take her to bed to have his way with her and pleasure her as only a man of your family can."  Xahar chuckled at that.  She stroked his cheek.  "Then asked if she wanted a demonstration."  She sighed and shook her head.  "Would that I were younger, I would test that assertion of your family's skills."

"Would that you were younger, I'd gladly prove it," he promised with a grin. "I'd not want to hurt you however.  I have in the past and I'd not want to do it now."

"I understand. I heard about him.  Pity, he was a great artist and a good man.  Then again, I'm supposing getting you into a bed would ruin my heart even as a young woman."  She stroked his cheek.  "I have no need of the money, Xahar," she said gently.  "Name a price."

"That is upon you, my lady.  I am but yours to command in this area."

"Say ten thousand gold?"

"For this estate?  I'd readily pay triple," he said n awe.  "Are you sure?"

"I have no need of the money, my boy.  Ten thousand gold, you dance for me alone, doing the ones you won't do in public, and if my daughter so desires, you bed her to break her in."

He considered it. "My music is back at home."

"I know you can conjure the music at your will, Xahar.  I've seen you do so," she chided gently.  "Please?  Humor an old woman?"

"If it pleases you," he agreed, kissing her on the cheek.  "I'm not dressed or oiled."

"Nor do I care for either.  Come, wheel me into a comfortable room for you and we will do so.  My daughter is presently wandering around sighing in irritation at something."  He grinned and nodded, wheeling her chair into the room he loved the most to dance in.  He smiled at the daughter when they ran into her and she followed without a word being said.  He took off his shirt and shoes, getting comfortable within his body again so he could start off.  The ones he didn't show the others?  He could easily do that and make it something she would take to her grave in joy.  He started off slowly, building to a crescendo of pleasure and power, letting the music flow around him, through his mind and out his muscles.  He swore he could hear it outside of him but he knew he wasn't that strong magically.

***
 

Ballor looked up as his boss came in, holding up the large sack of gold.  "This goes where?"

"Lady Pegnis's house.  We're moving there," he said with a fond smile.  "I'll be in my room."  He headed up the stairs.

Liset gave him a long stare.  "Who was it?"

"Part of the deal for the house," he said gently.  "Her youngest daughter.  She pounces quite well," he said smugly, going to take a nap.  He really needed a nap.   Four hours of dancing plus another two with the daughter had worn him out.  He stripped down and laid down again, getting comfortable on his bed with a sigh of pleasure.

"It was part of the deal for the house?" the money changer said as he came out of a hidden room under the stairs.

"Apparently," Ballor said quietly.  He looked up at Liset.  "Let me ride up there."  She nodded, watching as he left. Ballor grabbed the horse he had saddled a few minutes earlier, taking the bag up to the estate house, smiling at the guards.  "Xahar bade me bring this to her."

"Will you guys need gate guards?"

"Probably one," he admitted.  "We're not sure yet and we'd probably try to hire someone in Cook's family."

"My brother needs a job.  I'll have him come up once you're settled in if you haven't found one yet.  Maybe two to split it?"

"Possibly.  It would keep someone from getting too tired."  He rode up to the front door, dismounting and walking over to knock, smiling at the smirking assistant.  "I take it he danced as part of the price?"

"And the youngest daughter was taught what the love of a man was," she said quietly, letting him inside.  "Is that all ten thousand? It looks rather small."

He winked.  "Mage bag.  Special precautions and all."  He handed it over, watching as she took it into the office to count it out in piles of hundreds.  The small gold coins fit fifty to her hand so it was easy enough to do.  "Is the daughter all right?"

"Just fine.  Taking a long, hot bath.  He made sure she would not get with child and that she enjoyed it greatly.  That was after four hours of dancing for my lady's pleasure," she added smugly.  "She went up to rest as well."

Ballor blushed.  "Then I'm glad we could bring them pleasure, Hilde.  When would be a good time for the turnover?"

"We're leaving in about a week.  I can arrange that with you and Liset if you'd like."  He nodded, smiling at her.  She impishly stole a kiss.  "I wish some for myself had been part of the deal, Ballor.  I've always admired your strength and your body.  Pity my husband can't be like you."

"Were you not married, I would take you up on that, but I can't be the one to disappoint any husband," he said gently.  "It's not the man I am."

"I know.  Which makes it a further pity."  She stole another kiss, then gave him a hug.  "Make sure Xahar eats well tonight.  He'll need it.  He burned off quite a lot of energy dancing for them.  Four hours, I've never seen him lost in the music for so long," she said gently, blushing a bit.  "I was watching and I didn't know the human body could move like that. It was like he was fighting with a demon who wanted to control him and make him their slave but he won and beat it, then went back to his lady love."

"I know that series.  It's very personal to him."  He moaned as he leaned in and stole a kiss. "I should not," he reminded himself, backing a few steps away.  "I'm sorry."

"I'm not," she assured him.  "Were I not married, you'd be nailed to this carpet by now.  I'd use soft leather straps to hold you down and nail those to the floor."  He blushed and she giggled. "It's all here.  I'll get with you and Liset tomorrow to arrange the change over."  He nodded, bowing and kissing her hand before leaving.  She sat down with a sigh, watching him leave through the windows.  Once he was out of sight, she gathered the money, recounting it as she put it back, and went to hand it to her lady.  "He sent Ballor with the money, my lady," she said quietly from the doorway.

"That is yours and the other's severance pay, dear.  Split it up by worth to me."  She nodded. "Add in extra for my maid, she's been with me nearly since I got married."  She yawned.  "How long?"

"I told them a week, my lady.  Should I fetch your healer?"

"No, child, I feel energized by earlier.  Like he bled off energy and I absorbed it.  I feel much stronger.  Start with a hundred for the newest ones, that's three month's salary for them plus another ten as an additional bonus.  Easier counting that way.  Take whatever's left for yourself.  Then divorce your spouse before he can take it all from you. I loathe the one your mother chose for you, dear.  Find someone better."

"Yes, my lady," she said with a small smile.  "I would have Ballor but he's too honorable."

"Plus he travels a lot," she agreed.   "Not there to help with the children you'll want someday.  Go.  Play.  A week is fine."  Her assistant bowed and left, closing the door gently.  She smiled.  That had been invigorating.  She rang the small sliver bell next to her bed, summoning her boy to her.  Her favorite boy and her favorite toy to play with.  "Pleasure me," she ordered when he walked in.

"Yes, my lady," he agreed, getting down to pleasure her as he had watched Xahar pleasure her daughter.  That was a man he could learn some tips from.

***
 

Ballor walked back into the house, still blushing.  Liset smiled and gave him a hug.  "You could do a lot worse than that one," she said gently, patting him on the chest.  "She's a wonderful woman and about to leave her spouse if I'm any judge.  All she needed was some money of her own.  Which she'll have as severance."

"It still won't be right.  She can't get rid of him just by kicking him out of the house. She'll still be married."

"Depending on her faith, there may be a way around that.  A few of them have allowed people to get unmarried, so it would be like they never married before."  She grinned and pinched him.  "You only have that look on your face when you've found a woman you could stay with, Ballor.  If she thrills you, then I won't mind and neither would Xahar.  She might mind you having to travel, but otherwise you're a good match.  Besides, she could work for him.  She could handle the money stuff."  She looked over as the money changer came back out of the hidden room.  "Taking another break?"

"I ran out of bags," he admitted.  "I'm counting and tagging the bags by number and amount of what's in it.  He's got a lot of uncashed out stuff in there.  There's a whole bag of jewelry so far."  He walked out to his small cart, bringing back in some more bags.  Then he disappeared to carry more in, going back to his counting. "Tell him he underestimated.  I've already gone past his estimate without the jewelry."

"He still wanted to have some saved after we moved," Ballor called after him.

"I'm not even a tenth done yet and he underestimated," he called back.  "That's not counting jewelry or foreign coins.  Just the local ones."  He shut the door so he could get back to work.  The local coins had a standard weight so he was weighing them out by thousand gold coin lots.  "I don't know who started the rumor that he spends most of what he makes, but they're very wrong," he said, looking at the pile he still had to do.  It was less than a tenth done.  Xahar had a very bad head for figures, just like his father.  He sat down to fill more bags and toss them back in the safe, marking down on his scroll how many that was.  He got up when he ran out the next time, going to send a message back to his apprentice to send more bags up.  By then it was dark and he was barely half done.  He found everyone in the kitchen, bringing out his scroll to show it off.  "Half."

"You're only half done? I thought I only had the belly of that safe full, not the throat."  He looked at the tally sheet.  "What's this?"

"I've been weighing out thousand coin lots and bagging them for you," he said patiently.  "I've pulled everything out of the bottom of the safe, Xahar, and I'm only half done.  I need more bags."  He patted him on the back.  "There's not something holding up the throat, right?"  He nodded slowly.  "How?"

"When the door's open, there's a sliding door that closes so no one will get buried in there," he said quietly, looking at the sheet again.  He started to count up the five-groups, stopping after a hundred.  "I've got to do something about that."

"Yes, you do," Liset said with a fond smirk.  "I'm expecting a really nice naming and solstice present this year, boss."

"Me too," Ballor agreed.  "We're moving in about a week."

"Does this new house have a safe?" the moneychanger asked.  Ballor shrugged but Xahar shook his head.  "You're sure?"  He nodded.  "Then you'll have to make one, Xahar.  You'll need one.  You'll also need to the tell the city guards that you're going to need some extra security to help move this stuff in the middle of the night.  There's no way the three of you can move this alone.  Even putting it into bigger bags with clothes and things won't keep it from being stolen.  You've got too much to hide."  He went to send that message with one of the kids up the street.  A simple 'send me a case of bags' was more than explanation enough. It was only about twenty minutes later when his apprentice rode up with a burlap sack of bags, earning a nod.  "You done for the night?"

"Nearly.  I did the tally for the day," he offered, handing it over.  "I left the jewels alone.  I didn't know how much that diamond was worth or anything.  Oh, the captain of the guards wants to talk to all the money changers tomorrow for the monthly meeting.  He's going to be busy next week with the coronation."

"Thank you."

Xahar stuck his head out the door.  "Can you ask the Guard Captain nicely to come see me tonight?"  The young man nodded.  "Thanks, kid."  He tossed a silver coin at him and took the bags inside to look at his wealth.  He never counted it, just stuck it down the opening.  He looked up at the flap, then sighed, going to find a good way to get them out of there without creating a mess.  He found a tube in the corner with a big open spot.  He had often wondered what that was for.  He maneuvered it into place, then pulled the lever, wincing as more things fell out into the jingling piles.  "Ooh, dirt," he groaned.  He moved to get out of the way of the tinkling, expanding pile, watching as the last few pieces fell out.  He shook his head as he walked around it, leaving that in place.  He knew there was another lever for higher up, and he went to pull that.  It released and only a small shower came out, making him happier.  He hadn't known he was so close to filling that thing.  Liset walked in and looked at the pile, then walked out moaning and shaking her head.  "It's not my fault I'm popular," he called after her.  His old friend came back.  "I emptied the tube."

"Thank you.  I can see that," he sighed.  "I should charge you more."

"I'll bring you dinner?" he offered with a shy grin.

"Yes, you will."  Xahar handed him the sack of bags and went to get something for him, bringing him in a large plate and a small wineskin of his own.  "Thank you, Xahar.  I'll be done by tomorrow.  The guard captain should be up soon."  He nodded, going to wait on the stairs for him.  The money changer sighed and got back to work, weighing out the bags and loading the new bags to toss back into the safe.

Xahar bounced up to get the door when someone knocked, waving the guard inside.  "I asked for the captain."

"He knows why too, and he said I can run this detail.  How bad is your safe?"

"Much worse than I thought," he admitted, going to show him the remaining pile and the bags already filled. The guard moaned at the sight of that gold and jewels.  "Lady Pegnis doesn't have a safe in her house."

"She's got a space under a floor I'm sure," he offered.  Xahar gave a pointed look at all the bags and he nodded.  "Point.  So, what did you need?"

"How do I fix this?"

"Get the blacksmith to put a safe door in one of the pantry rooms," the moneychanger told him patiently.  "With a spot for shoving more things in there. You can easily turn one of those into a makeshift safe until you can get a real one built.  Make sure you put a flap on the door as well," he said with a glance back.  "We'll have to move this quietly."

"So I can tell.  It's too much to hide?"

"I don't think they have enough boxes and bags going together to hide all these."  He handed him the current tally sheet.  "Where's the old one?"  Xahar handed it over.  He took the new one and transferred it over, then went back to work.  "Thank you.  I'll help if you need me to, Xahar.  This is going to be delicate."

"In the middle of the wedding," the guard decided.  "Everyone who'd think of stealing things would be there.  Including you, Xahar.  We'll move it for you and set it up.  It'll cost you about ten gold apiece for each guard."  Xahar handed over a bag with a dry look.  "Fine," he agreed, smiling at him. "Want me to hire my brother to come pack you and move you as well?"   He nodded.  "I thought you might, that's why the captain sent me.  He figured I could work with my brother.  How long?"

"A week."

"Get the blacksmith working on your door tonight, Xahar.  Go visit him at home.  It's too delicate to talk about in the shop."  He nodded, heading out.  The moneychanger looked up at him.  "One trip in a covered wagon?"

"We'll make it look like one of the loads with the movers.  Everyone knows he's got valuable stuff so it won't look too odd for him to hire any guards not on duty that day."  He left, going to tell his boss how bad it was, and then go talk to his brother. He needed the money anyway.  His sister-in-law was having another daughter. He walked into their shared house and slammed the door.  "Good news, family.  Xahar is moving in about a week and needs muscle."

His brother stuck his head out of the kitchen.  "Really?  How many days?"

"Probably about three.  They haven't even packed yet," he said dryly.  "They've also got a whole library full of scrolls."  He headed that way, taking off his armor to hang it up properly.  He had hidden most of that bag in the captain's desk and had separated out three hundred for his brother.  "Here.  You're going to have guards for most of the loads as well."

"I heard he's got a safe."

"Yes, and it's going to be together.  We're handling that one, you're handling everything else," he said firmly.

"Fine," he agreed happily, looking inside the bag.  "How much?"

"Three hundred.  If it takes more than three days, we've got extra."

"Sure.   Lady Pegnis hired a bunch of us already to move her but I've got most of a crew who can still use the work.  I'll call 'em tomorrow.  We're moving him the day after Lady Pegnis moves?"

"During the wedding," he agreed.  "Which means you'll have to be conscious of the route."

"That's even better.  Back ways are safer."  He tucked the bag into his pocket.  "Anything huge?"

"Some furniture.  His current house is this size."

"Ah.  That's fine then.  Shouldn't be any problem in the least. I'll go look tomorrow."  He handed over the bowl of potatoes.  "Here, must have been a long meeting."

"Captain says I'm in charge of moving his safe.  He figured it'd be a bit in there."

"Wonderful news!" he congratulated, clapping him on the arm.  "Good job!"

"Thanks," he said happily.   "We're putting some work Brosct's way too."  He dug out dinner, eating heartily.  He had missed lunch due to the people who wanted to pounce Xahar and beg him to take their houses.

***
 

Xahar tapped on the blacksmith's door, giving him a pitiful look.  "My new place doesn't have a safe."

"Ooooh," he winced, letting him in.  "I'm doing a lot of things in the next week, Xahar."

"The money changer I have counting things suggested a safe door to be put in, one with an opening to slide more stuff into.  Maybe for a pantry or something like that."

"That I can do easily enough.  I've got a few of those handy for some carts and the money changers," he admitted, leading him back to the kitchen.  "Dear, this is Xahar," he introduced.  "He's moving in a few days."

"About a week.  I'm taking over Lady Pegnis's house," he said proudly. "I paid her today."

"So we heard," the wife said, giving him a fond smile.  "How was the daughter?"

"Quite sweet," he said with a small blush.  "She's always been one of my favorite patrons, ma'am."

"Good.  She's a sweet lady.  Now, what did you need my mate to make you?"

"A safe," he said grimly.  "For right now, a safe door.  My safe is more full than I thought."

"I always thought you spent most of what you make."

Xahar shook his head, grinning a bit. "The only big things I buy are salaries, food for the horses and us, scrolls, and the stuff for my hair.  Which is why Toren's still counting in my hidden room."

"Still?" the wife asked.  "No wonder you need a safe."

Xahar nodded, looking at the blacksmith.  "I had to trip the tube's second lever."  He winced at that.  "So I'm going to need a good safe eventually plus something figured out temporarily."

"That pantry door idea isn't bad.  We can seal the doorway with metal sheets and add a small door about two-thirds of the way up.  That'll give you some room on top hopefully. How many bags so far?"  Xahar leaned over to whisper in his ear.  "So you'll need another safe like you have now?"

"He's doing it by weight at the moment.  I'll need more furniture but not that much."

"Why don't you buy an estate and bury it out there?" the wife suggested.

"I'd still need space here in town.  There's been plenty of times where I have two shows in the same day," he admitted.  "Sometimes even three but I don't like to do that if I can help it.  It's unprofessional.  My last one always suffers from my lack of energy.  An estate out of town would be nice, but I'd still have to be in town most of the summer and winter."  He shrugged.  "When I retire I might, but not right now.  Right now, I need a safe."

"I can do the pantry door easily enough on the day she moves out," Broct said patiently.  "A real safe would take a few weeks, especially at that size.  Unless you wanted a smaller one so you could empty it sooner and figure out how much you have sooner."

"That would also be handy in case someone came to rob you.  You could claim that was the only safe and the other a prisoner cell," the wife offered. "We used to have one of those out on our farm."

"I kinda like that idea," Xahar admitted, kissing her on the cheek.  "Thank you, dear.  You're sure you can, Broct, what with the wedding?"

"Yeah, that's stuff I already have.  I'd only have to install it.  I could do that in a few hours the day you start moving. I didn't figure you'd be moving the money during the daytime."

"No, not if I can help it," he admitted.  "Thank you.  Let me know how much."  He gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, kissing his wife on the cheek as well before leaving them to their suppers.

"Well, that's very nice of him," the wife admitted. "He doesn't usually come to you for things.  Usually it's the other blacksmith in town."

"His warmare had fussy feet, very gentle.  I'm not sure his stallion wouldn't need something similar."  He ate a bite of his dinner.  "This will be a nice commission piece."

"Does that mean we can visit my mother's family for a week this fall?"

"Possibly," he sighed. "It's a long trip.  We barely get there when we have to turn around and leave again."  He considered it.  "I'll send you for two weeks and if I have the time, I'll try to join you.  That means you'll get about five days there.  You can go right before the harvest festivals so you'll be up there for them.  There'll be caravans and merchants heading that way.  I'll put you in with one of them.  All right?"

"I'd rather you come."

"It takes three and a half days to get there.  I can't afford to take two weeks off.  I might not get to recover the business I'd lose."

"I understand," she sighed.  "If you can arrange it, I'd like that."  He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.  "Thank you, dear."

"You're welcome.  This commission will be more than enough to pay your fare that way."  He smiled.  "Even if I have to do an unusual safe, it'll still be good enough."  He patted her on the hand.  "You're a good wife."

"Thanks, dear.  There's cake for dessert."  She got up to get him a piece.  He was very good to her.
 

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