Goes for the big payoff

Brenan did his best to consider his options rationally, weighing the profits and the known dangers of the smuggling run against the supposed security but lesser earnings of the legitimate cargo, sitting still and silent as he did his best to ignore Ambrose as the unlikeable trader retained his false, syrupy smile. Still, no matter how hard he thought on it, Brenan always came back to the thought that he needed the extra money, now more than ever.

Try as he might, Brenan was unable to shake the suspicion that he and his crew might find themselves having been identified despite their attempts at deception and that that would lead to them being hunted by that red-headed sadist and the pompous Spider Bitch, in which case he wanted to have a healthy amount of money to share amongst his crew if it got to a point where they had to part ways and hide from the Veer agents. And the need for that trumped any misgivings he might have about a rendezvous with an unknown party or parties in the middle of nowhere and in the middle of the night.

That also meant that he needed to get out of Freeport as quickly as possible, not only for Sasha?s sake but for the good of his crew. And since a cargo ship leaving port without a cargo onboard was bound to be noticed, he needed something to store in its holds, while the presence of agents on the island meant both that he didn?t have time to wait for Davy to find him a cargo to carry nor any desire to get his old friend further involved in what was becoming an increasingly dangerous situation.

?You know, Brenan, there?s an old saying that Fortune favours the bold,? Ambrose?s annoying smirk showed no signs of disappearing, ?care to find out if it?s true??

?I might,? Brenan replied as flatly as he could while ignoring the voice of the experience that he?d accumulated over the years as it reminded him of the fact that Fortune had a nasty tendency of eventually abandoning the bold and having them mercilessly slaughtered as they tried their hands one act of misplaced bravado too many, ?but not without more information.?

?Such as?? Ambrose seemed a bit surprised at Brenan?s reply, acting almost as though he hadn?t expected him to be willing to risk his ship on its very first run and had decided to try his hand at being unpleasant to him.

?Where and when am I?m to make landfall, or is the rendezvous to take place out at sea??

?How am I to know that you won?t simply sail off to the nearest island and sell the whole cargo there?? Having managed to put himself in an unfortunate position, Ambrose was now making a feeble effort to get out of it by questioning Brenan?s honesty.

?Because I give you my word. And around here, that means something.? Brenan replied, taking a great deal of pleasure from being able to imply that the same wasn?t true for Ambrose.

?So you won?t offer me any collateral then?? Ambrose asked, revealing beyond doubt that the concept of honour was well beyond him and prompting Brenan to adopt a menacing expression as he leaned closer to the man, baring his gnashed teeth in a predatory sort of snarl as Ambrose?s two goons moved closer to the table.

?No.? Brenan was well aware of how Ambrose?s two guards were inching their way closer to the table, and duly prepared to crush the trader?s nose with a well-aimed blow in case the situation had turned violent.

?Ah,? Ambrose?s shady smile strongly suggested that the slimy merchant was now in full damage-control as he tried his best to get out of the situation without loosing face, ?I suppose I?ll just have to take your word for it then??

?Hah! Damn it Brenan I like you!? Ambrose suddenly erupted in a display of feigned that affection that made Brenan start to wonder if the man in front of him had any sort of proper human emotions at all, other than greed, ?You are a character! Enough I think to pull this off.?

?I?m glad you feel that way, Walter,? Brenan?s usage of Ambrose?s given name clearly upset the man, but he made no mention of it as he continued.

?Still, as much faith as I have in you, it still doesn?t make up for the fact that you?re untried and inexperienced, so I?ll have to insist on not paying you until after the goods are delivered.?

Listening to Ambrose, Brenan realized that even the way in which he was fidgeting with his pale, weak hands was adding to the disgust that he felt for him, with his bony, hair-covered knuckles not being likely to have ever been scraped or bruised in the making of an honest living.

?Though the pay once you return here with the cargo delivered, and I have every faith in that that is exactly what you will do, is really almost too generous,? Ambrose now placed both hands on the table and leaned in a little closer to Brenan in a failed attempt to fake sincerity, ?but then 500 pieces of Cryn silver is something that I?m sure that you?ll find useful.?

?500?? Brenan crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his chair, ?From what I hear, the standard pay for one of your smugglers is 1000 Cryn silver.?

?Ah, yes?? There was the briefest tremor in Ambrose?s off-putting smile, ?but then most of my captains are experienced men, people whom I know and have nothing but complete and utter faith in.?

?I?m sure you do, Walter. 900.?

?I?ll offer you 800 pieces of Cryn silver,? Ambrose replied, apparently betting that suddenly raising his offer to such an extent would make him seem generous and accommodating while he still saved 200 pieces of silver, which was a pretty tidy sum.