vest hung open, due to several missing buttons, which added to his untidy appearance. The man looked up at the crowd yelling, “It will work. You'll see. When it does, it will change the world!” The crowd laughed again, some of them kicking parts as they walked away. As the crowd dispersed, Alaric walked up to the man and bent down to help him pick up the pieces of whatever it was he had tried to make. The man looked at Alaric a bit skeptical as to what his intentions were, but decided he'd prefer the help at that moment and finished picking up the pieces.
“Thank you young man, I am Jedidiah Leeford. Friends call me Jed. What made you decide to help me?”
“Well, I'm new to town. I just thought how terrible it'd be if I were treated the same way. I'm a merchant and just took over my father's business. I'm a bit new to it all. That's how I make my living, and I assume this is how you do or would like to, right?”
“You're very perceptive for a young man. What's your name?”
“Alaric Wyverstone.”
“Well, Mr. Wyverstone, it is a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps, when we both get more established, we can do some business together.”
“Perhaps. What is it that you're making?” Jed grinned, then fumbled around in a canvas bag and pulled out a rolled up piece of paper. “I'm glad you asked, take a look.” Alaric looked at the paper. It was a blue print. He wasn't quite sure what it was. But, it had a lever on it and there were all sorts of springs and small parts inside. Alaric asked, “What is it?” Jed laughed, “It's a mechanism I hope to attach to a barrel and stock. The idea would be a rifle that could fire many rounds before reloading. All you would have to do is pull the lever and it would eject the cartridge, loading the next one at the same time.” Alaric looked confused for a moment. “I had heard that people had invented a cartridge made of brass that would hold the primer, powder, and bullet all in one, but I didn't think it had been around very long.”
“Oh, it hasn't! But I want to put it to use in a way no one else has yet.”
“One more question, it seems to have a lot of parts. Wouldn't that be less reliable in wartime, with extended use and dirt and such?”
“Quite right, I don't intend on selling it to militaries. They probably wouldn't accept it anyway. No, I'm looking at a civilian market. For example, merchants go through hostile places all the time. Wouldn't it be beneficial to have a firearm that could fire off multiple rounds and keep a thief at bay?” Alaric thought for a moment with the image of the Kudranian cavalry chasing his family. They used a shotgun partly because it had two shots rather than one. Having a rifle like this would have surely helped. At least, it felt like it would have. Alaric then nodded, “It would be. I look forward to you being able to finish it. When you get it working, I think I might buy one.” Jed beamed, as he took the paper back from Alaric, shoving it back into the bag. He then picked up his hat and nodded to Alaric, “Good luck with your business young man, I'll hold you to your word. I expect to make at least one sale now.” Jed chuckled and walked off into the night.
Alaric watched Jed go and then checked his watch. He had been out for almost two hours and had spent a good portion of that time talking to that man. Alaric sighed and decided he was just going to have to spend more time than he had intended. He was worried about what sorts of people he might run into, but knew that he had to find his brother. Walking at a quickened pace, Alaric strolled down the streets hoping to see Charlie. Some lights already started to be turned out. Other buildings were very much awake with noise. Alaric followed the voices and found a tavern. Men and women, mostly drunk, were stumbling around outside and in. He decided that he would go inside and see if he could find his brother in there. After all, it was a public place where people were, and it was also still open. It was possible Charlie had decided to get a room here instead of sleeping in the wagon. It would be very much like him.
Alaric walked through the door and just barely avoided getting knocked over by a stumbling drunk. There was one table that didn't have anyone sitting at it, so he chose to go there and try to scan the room from his seat. As Alaric sat down, a woman, wearing some rather revealing clothing, walked up to him. “Hello sugar, can I get you anything?” Alaric was about to shake his head when he decided to ask the woman if she had seen Charlie. “Actually, I was wondering if a boy had come in here at all the past couple of days. Looks sort of like me, but shorter and a few years younger.” The woman thought for a minute, going through all of the faces she must see on a daily basis. “No, can't say that I have. If you have a place I can call on you, I'll let you know if I see him.” Alaric sighed, then smiled at the woman, “I have a wagon in the city center. I'm a merchant. I don't plan on going anywhere for a few days at least.”
“I'll let you know then. See ya later darlin.” The woman walked off into the crowded room, flirting with men as she went. Alaric continued watching the people, but didn't see anyone that was even close to his age, let alone younger. Just before he was going to give up and go back to Emilia, a couple of men walked over to his table. “Hey kid, git. We want this table.” They sat down, Alaric didn't move right away. He was a bit irritated at their rudeness. “You deaf boy? I said git!” The man growled through the stub of his cigar at Alaric. “I'm going. Didn't know you were in such a hurry.”
“I ain't got all night. Of course we're in a hurry.” Alaric got up and started to walk away. The men immediately started talking when they saw him finally get up. “That boy complains way too much. He'll never sell for a good price.”
“Shut it Earl, I'm thinkin.”
“We should just kill the brat and be done with it.”
“I said shut it Earl. Hey kid, I thought I told you to get lost.” He had noticed Alaric hadn't walked very far and was looking at them. “How much did you hear?” Alaric turned and walked back to the table taking a seat. “Enough. So, you have someone you're trying to sell? I didn't know slavery was legal here.” Earl reached for his gun, but the other man put his hand on Earl's shoulder. “Technically, it isn't, but most people don't care here. They're too wrapped up in their inventions or businesses. In fact some buy to help them with those very things.”
“I see, so a merchant, such as myself, might be able to make a discreet deal then?”
“You, a merchant? Ha, that's rich. You're a bit young, ain't you?”
“I might be, but that doesn't change the fact that I inherited the business. How much are you hoping to get for this person?” Alaric wasn't sure it was actually his brother, but he had to take the chance. The fact that the person they were talking about complained a lot, made Alaric think his chances were high. “Well I have a reputation you know, so I can't really charge a whole lot for him. How about, ten silver dollars?”
“Ten?! From what you just said, I don't know if I'd pay more than six.”
“Oh come on, we've gotta make somethin. How 'bout eight?”
“Seven, that's the highest I'll go. Although I want to see him before we seal the deal. I want to make sure he's worth it.”
“Never thought I'd sell someone to a bra-a... um... young gentleman like you, but I'll agree. Come on, I'll take you to see him.” The three of them stood up and walked out of the tavern. The woman that had spoken to Alaric originally caught him by the arm and whispered in his ear, “Careful, they're bad news.” Alaric smiled at her and gave her a wink, before continuing out with the men. The men led Alaric down a couple of streets going away from businesses and into an area filled with warehouses. They went down one small side street and stopped in front of a warehouse that seemed to have not been in use for some time, but upon closer inspection it was locked up fairly tight. The men unlocked the door and ushered Alaric inside before shutting the door again. Earl stood guard at the door, while the other man led Alaric through the warehouse. There were several people here, most looked like refugees from Estad.
“He's just down here. See anyone else you might be interested in? Lots of choices since Estad got invaded.” Alaric shook his head and they continued on. Alaric noticed that there were several armed men lurking along the walls of the building. This was a large operation. The man in front of Alaric stopped in front