Chapter 492: But Can You Fight?

Thrilled with their good luck and looking forward to potentially huge profits in the future, Veem and Notveem held a high level strategy session to plan out their next moves. They didn't get far. Their thoughts were still muddled from the night before, and everything was far to bright. Veem suggested they practice lurking in darkness and practicing patience, a popular childhood game, and Notveem seconded the motion. The front flap of their stall was unrolled and the 'Closed' sign put out. They moved to the back of their stall, quietly practicing patience, and certainly not taking a nap.

Far sooner than they liked, they found that someone was disturbing their nap by dismantling the tent covering of their stall. Coming awake and realizing that someone was breaking into their stall made both Mantis very angry, and they prepared to lash out at the thieves. The first sight of who was flipping back the covering made them drop their foreclaws and change threatening frowns into wary smiles. Somehow they had run afoul of a group of heavily armored dwarven Engineers, and as they watched, all of their remaining stand was carefully and politely folded up and stowed in their large wagon. There was plenty of room, because the huge collection of oddities that Cazact packed around had been moved to a metal trailer being pulled by one of the ingenious mechanical bears that they had glimpsed around the city. To their surprise, Cazact was overseeing the loading, and looking far healthier than they had seen him in years. The dark circles around his eyes were gone, and he was barely twitching. They hadn't even known that he could be un-twitchy and sit still as he was demonstrating now.

Seeing them awake, Cazact leaped to the ground from the cockpit of the bear and walked over to them. "Greetings Veem and Notveem, my two highly-intelligent and diligent assistant caravan masters. I see that you've already sold off the stock you brought from Blothmazdan. Well done! You have exceeded expectations and I now promote you to full caravan masters and since I will not be traveling as I used to for some time, the caravan and it's trade routes are now yours. Consider this a bonus for your years of hard work. You are an inspiration to other intelligent cave mantis, and if I ever meet more of your race, I won't hesitate to say so. Needless to say, you don't need my collection of strange oddities taking up valuable space in your wagons. I am taking them from the caravan and will be storing them elsewhere.."

The two Mantis looked at each other. It seemed to good to be true, which made them suspicious, but both of them were young and ambitious and had always expected to succeed. Any caution they might have had gave way, replaced by jubilation and they straightened their hats and ties. "Thank you, Ex-Caravan Master Cazact. May you thrive and prosper. Should you ever have need of our services, don't hesitate to ask. And be assured we will extend to you a one time promotional discount of 20% savings on all services as our way of saying thank you."

They shook hands all around. Cazact looked at the two of them. "I am sure you don't need my advice."

The two mantis turned and looked at each other. Veem said, "Of course not", while at the same time, Notveem said, "We would welcome your words of wisdom."

Cazact turned to Notveem while Veem glared and pretended neither of them existed while listening closely.

"I'm sure you have things planned out for your large customers, but do not neglect even the least profit along the way. The small amounts you make while traveling keep your costs down and satisfy customers along your route. Unsatisfied customers give an opening for the next caravan to come along. Make a list of the lesser areas and cheaply purchase goods they need. Make short stops, never more than a rest period, and remain vigilant. If other merchants wish to travel with you, charge a fee. You are the expert caravan masters, after all. But a larger caravan is always safer. Likewise, charge travelers going to Blothmazdan. It attracts them as moths to a flame. Each merchant must provide one guard per wagon and travelers must agree to fight. Anyone going to Bloth is dangerous in some way. Now, good luck, Veem and Notveem. I look forward to your exciting tales when you return."

Cazact turned and walked away. Notveem said, "Sound advice, which I will cherish. It makes me wiser. Come, brother, let us look through his old notes." The notes, and everything else they owned were packed into their three wagons, more neatly than they had ever managed. Cazact's books were easy to find and they selected the one that dealt with the long road between the City of the Myconids and the Great City of Blothmazdan. With no where else to go, they went back to the place of fine beverages and food with its gnomish proprietor. The establishment was quite packed, with the usual two myconians per table playing a game, but now with several others observing, standing in mulch to the sides.

The gnome hurried over to them, "Ah, returning customers, I've got a special table for the two of you right here in the corner using one of our special 'Barrel Top' tables. The latest thing in home furnishings. I'll bring your order soon and two beverages."

Veem was curious, "What has changed that your business has tripled?"

The gnome looked at the crowd, then at the Mantis, "Well, not much of a secret. Had an orc come to town with a new and exciting brand of mulch. All sorts of old brands mixed together with expensive extracts and a barrel of fresh snail glands. The Myconians love the taste and she's making a killing on it. Between that and someone teaching the shrooms how to play Parcheesi, it's going to be a non-stop mulch party for the next week. Let me run and get you those beers."

Notveem said, "One wonders..."

Veem sighed, "Let us focus on the future and getting our little caravan to Bloth. We leave soon, and leave any regrets behind us."

Notveem nodded. "That will take at least three large portions of fermented malt beverage. My regrets right now are quite large."

After two hours of fine food and beverages, they were eager to purchase new goods for the trip, and leave the next morning. They were surprised to see more people waiting for them. Several wagons were in line behind their wagons, guards lounged around drinking and playing checkers, and several strange people wished to book passage to Bloth.

Veem was ecstatic, "Word has gotten around of our plans and our expertise as caravan masters."

For the next few hours they haggled with the other merchants, drew up contracts, and interviewed travelers. Their time for sleep came and went, and soon it was time to leave. As the caravan started to move, a human in a long robe ran up and greeted them. "Going to Bloth? What luck! I was going to walk, but would much rather travel with a group. How much is passage to Blothmazdan?"

Veem looked at the short, skinny human. he had a small pack, large goggles on his face, and a decrepit looking staff in his hands. There was absolutely nothing special about him. "You wish to see the wonders of Bloth? The cost is fifty gold each way, additional for food, sightseeing tours, and bodyguards."

The human nodded and looked at his thin pouch. "Well, I'm only going one way, will forage for my own food, don't need a bodyguard, or sightseeing." He handed Notveem fifty gold without haggling, which the mantis approved of.

Veem still had questions, "Can you fight? You must either pay for a bodyguard, or agree to fight if the caravan is attacked."

"Fight? Oh, sure. It isn't what I like to do, but if I'm pushed into a corner, of course I'll fight."

Veem rolled his eyes and advanced on the human, "Really? And what would you do if a terrifying cave mantis was stalking you and got so close that he could snap your head off?" He kept advancing, lifting his foreclaws into strike position.

Notveem was watching closely, hoping he didn't have to give a refund to a frightened human. He saw the human extend his staff and tap one of Veem's foreclaws. Lightning raced through Veem's body for an instant, lighting him up brightly in brilliant shades of blue. The mantis collapsed to the ground.

"Well, like I said, I'm not much of a fighter, but I'd toss a small Storm Surge spell at them to convince them to retreat."

Notveem helped his brother up from the ground. "We are thrilled to make your acquaintance and think you will be a valuable member of our caravan. I am Notveem and this poor fellow is Veem. If it is not impolite, I would ask how to address you."

The human smiled. "I am a traveling Sage. You may address me as Sage Babbage, or in emergencies and relaxed groupings as Milo. I look forward to a thrilling adventure."