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Chapter 4 Advice

When I finally left Mialibao’s room I had just a few minutes to find
the red-haired woman. I entered the dining room of the inn and looked
around. I stood in the doorway looking over the room when a young isle
woman approached. I looked down at her with a smile to tell her I
didn’t need her services at the moment when I recognized her. It was
Mistress Nalita’s murderous bodyguard. I swallowed apprehensively.

“Please follow, Master Erlic. Mistress awaits you in a private dining
room.” She spoke in her native tongue, and apparently had no doubt that
I would understand her. What I didn’t understand was why I did
understand her. Paul had not been that good a teacher.  But I followed
obediently.

We entered a small room with a low table and two sets of cushions on
the floor. Mistress Nalita was seated on cushions already, and her
other bodyguard stood against the opposite wall. “Be seated, Master
Erlic, please.’ The redheaded beauty instructed. “Your supper will be
here shortly. Unfortunately, my stomach is somewhat upset, so I won’t
be joining you to eat, but I will have some medicated wine while we
talk. This is fine with you, yes?”

I got the distinct impression that not many people contradicted this
woman, and wisely chose not be in the minority. “Of course, M’Lady,”
was my courteous reply. “My apologies though. You seem to know a great
deal about me, but I don’t even know your name.”

The woman looked at me for a moment, then a brilliant smile lit up her
face. “Master Erlic, you are polite. You can’t lie worth a damn, but
you are polite.” Alright, I admit. I was shocked to hear this woman
curse, even mildly. “ You may call me Mistress Nalita, or Mistress. And
if this interview goes well, I might allow you to call me by other
names. But that is of no matter at the moment.” Just then there was a
tap at the door, and the bodyguard that had escorted me opened the
door. The innkeeper entered, bearing a large platter of covered bowls
that he placed in the center of the table before bowing his way out
again. I was very surprised when Nalita uncovered the dishes herself,
and told me what each one was. “Rice, it’s sticky, you roll it into
small balls like this.” She demonstrated with two of the wooden dowels
that lay on the platter. “Then you can dip in this sauce or that one,”
she pointed to two small cups of liquid “but this one is quite piquant.
These are fish, raw or steamed” she tapped the bowls for emphasis, “and
some vegetables. Please enjoy while we talk. I’ll try not to interrupt
your meal too badly.” I nodded, and eventually got the hang of the two
dowels.

“Tell me, Erlic, son of Gustaf, how did you come to the Isles?” I
noticed she had dropped the honorific on that one.

I swallowed a mouthful of the raw fish. It was actually pretty good.
“My father was a smith, and a very good one. Eventually, he built a
reputation that attracted strangers to buy his goods. I began visiting
with the merchants, and listening to their tales. Suddenly, smithing
lost its appeal, and travel became the dream.
I left about seven summers ago. Then, about a year ago, one of the
partners that employed me received word about the isles. I had been
saving wages and some of the money from minor trading I’d been doing,
and demanded they make me a partner in this venture. And since none of
the others had a great deal of faith in its success, I found myself
majority partner.” I rolled up some rice and dipped it in the hotter
sauce, then took a sip of something called tea. “When we arrived, we
found some merchant’s the Chelae’s Master had done business with
before.” I didn’t say anything about being able to sense their moods
and intentions.

“We made a nice profit, and Paul, the Chelae’s master, brought me here
to celebrate.” Here I did grin. “He tried to get me drunk on saki. Then
he passed out. And that was when Mialibao came by.”

“Mialibao? Oh, your little whore. Is that her name? Odd, I’d never
known her name. I know several of the others.”

“Anyway, we went to her chamber and she” here I blushed “Undressed me.
Then she proceeded to rub me all over.” I looked at Nalita. “I’d never
felt anything like this. When she was done, I was almost drowsy.”
Nalita nodded her understanding. “And then, well, she did something
very strange.” I could feel the heat on my face from my embarrassment.

“Tell me.” I was going to refuse, until I met Nalita’s eyes.  Then I
told her the entire story. Her eyes seemed to twinkle with delight as I
described my first oral encounter. “I know you are embarrassed, Erlic.
But let me explain something to you. What you describe is something
many women could never dream of. But I guarantee if you enjoyed what
you were doing and would do it again, you will never lack for willing
partners. I can also see why you care about your little whore. I’m glad
I rescued her for you.” She stopped and lifted her goblet. It appeared
to be silver with a design that I couldn’t see clearly, and the
contents seemed to stain her lips momentarily.

 “But now to business. I need a partner. I need you. I have four ships.
Each one has a capacity double your ship. I am going to load these
ships with whatever you advise. You will deliver these ships to your
homeland. You will then use the profits to refill all five ships for a
return trip. I also require you to find a man you can trust, to be your
proctor. When you come back, I want you to lead my enterprises in the
isles. I’m sorry, that will curtail your travels between here and home,
but you’ll find many other fascinating places on this side of the
water. I don’t think you will be bored. And most likely, you’ll find
yourself wealthy beyond your wildest dreams of avarice. Does my offer
interest you?”

I nodded, but then something began to niggle at my mind. “I don’t know
how to ask this, so I’m going to be blunt. Today, you killed a man.
Well, technically, she killed him.” I nodded toward the girl that had
led me to this private room. “But she did it at your word. And then you
said something about marking him so his friends would know you did it.
Why aren’t you worried about retribution? Who are you?”

I admit, I was scared of the answer. But she simply looked at me and
nodded her head. “Basically, I am the Mistress of the Docks. Nothing
goes on, comes in or leaves this city without my knowledge. Every rogue
and scoundrel knows that my will is law. Every captain does business at
my leave. Your friend Paul knows of me. He doesn’t know who I am, but
he knows my name. If someone went to him and said ‘Mistress Nalita
requires the use of your ship’, he’d load my cargo while you slept.
Occasionally, someone will defy me, or a new captain refuses to honor
me. Those who defy me are found like Dalon. Captains that give me
trouble find other ports more to their liking. And in Dalon’s case, the
word also spread that you, Erlic, have my favor. Did you notice when I
put my arm around you, or did you have other things on your mind?”

I thought back to that moment, and realized I had indeed noticed her
arm around me, and was surprised at how much I’d found myself enjoying
the sensation. But I nodded.

“Well, so did every other patron in the tavern at the time. Even your
little whore noticed. You probably wondered why she was being
subservient, didn’t you? I can tell by your eyes. But the word went
out. And the word is:  “Nalita watches over Erlic. Ignore this at your
peril.’ Now, go back to your little whore. Show her how much you
enjoyed what she taught you. Watch her reactions. Perhaps I will have
you come and show me your skill when you return from home.”

 At the time, I thought she was teasing me.
