John walked into the Trading post receiving station located outside the south gate of the village.

"Good morning Master John."

"Good day Master John."

"Hello Master John, you look wonderful."

Amidst the greetings and welcomes, he simply acknowledged the ones showering the praises with a simple nod. He raised his head and beamed in pride as he strutted into the inspection bay like a proud peacock.

At the end of winter, Griz left along with the convoy from the Trading post. The roads were not yet free from snow when the letter arrived by a messenger from the city of Dame. John shivered on witnessing the seal from the headquarters of this powerful merchant company.

Griz had been appointed as the new Head for the Trading post in the town of Karst. The previous Master had retired and would offer his guidance to the youngest Head ever promoted. His appointment was already in effect, so he had to hasten to undertake his new role.

Master Griz first decision was to let John hold the role of Assistant Manager for the vacant position in the village. When he familiarized himself with the new position he would make a final decision.

Griz had mentored the clerk for nearly three years. John had his faults but he was a competent person. At the moment this had been his only choice, so he made sure that the new Manager understood his responsibilities.

John was aware of what Griz meant. If he could prove to his former manager that he could make a high profit in the village, then it would only serve to increase his chances at becoming permanent.

In clerical work and in inspection activities, John was just as good as any other manager. His main fault lay in the fact that he lacked the charisma and the skill in dealing with people.

"This one is not up to par. Dock a few silvers of the cost."

"That one's fur is torn in at least five different places, and it has a long sword slash on the back. The reason our price is so high is that we buy fur. We are not a butcher shop, take those torn pelts elsewhere."

John looked at his assistant and the weary hunter standing at the counter. It was clear that the hunter had gone to great lengths to capture this wolf. He was still sporting injuries from the battle last night. The Trapper who had brought in the other wolf was standing beside them.

The new trading postmaster was unconcerned about what toils and tales this man went through. His business was above all to make money.

"Ulf, two silvers for this wolf. As for the former, four silvers is more than enough. Next time you should know what to do."

John glanced at the wounded hunter who could only reluctantly collect the payment. The other trapper only bowed his head and received the money. He had escaped the troubles of winter by keeping his daughter safely hidden inside the house.

Who knew that this man had already set his eyes on her. Because of his refusal to give in to the demands, it had come to this. Soon summer would arrive and competition for game would become scarce.

If he wanted to avoid the dangers and risk of hunting deeper within the forest, then his only alternative would be to comply with the new manager demands. Earning a few more silvers before the next winter was a far better alternative to starving. Protecting the virtue of his daughter could not feed hungry stomachs at the end of the day.

"I understand Manager John. Thank you for your kindness and gratitude. Please look forward to my gift later tonight."

John smiled at the now broken man.

"Ulf, pay this man one extra silver for his continued patronage."

The Manager left the inspection dock and went into the side shop to take a little rest, he had to conserve all his energy for tonight. This would be the first of many nights of perks weasel out from these villagers.

"Well, well it seems the young Master of the Trading Post has decided to grace us with his true colors!"

Came a voice dripping with sarcasm.

John awoke from his dreams in a stupor. With Griz departure there was nobody in this village who would dare disturb his slumber.

"Who the hell do you think you are, making noise in MY place? Guard..."

In the midst of his railings, John's eyes finally landed on the culprit.

His jaw dropped, eyes began to bulge and the rest of his curses were forcefully stuffed back into his throat. Under a fit of incessant coughing that arrived partly due to this reflex but mostly due to fear, he stumbled onto his feet.

Hastily adjusting his clothes and putting on the air of a subservient clerk, he welcomed his visitors.

"Young mister Chu, what pleasure do I have to serve you today."

After a chat with this young horror, John did not dare to lay his hands on any of the village girls again. He was hence reborn as a new man.

***

John officially became the new Master of the Trading Post in Spring. It was in this month that he began to have constant dealings with the little devil. Not even the visiting merchants could make the man so wary as this kid that habitually strolled into the shops in a casual manner.

He soon understood why Griz always treated the kid differently. In Spring the boy came and ordered a batch of supplies from the shop. He then went on to purchase a horse and wagon outright at the same time.

Those sales were like a monthly bonus to the Spring ledger. The newly promoted merchant could tell that dealing with the boy could only bring endless benefits.

Soon he was coaxed by the boy into forming his own merchant company.

"All those merchants are registered, even Griz. Why ain't you a merchant?"

Using the money saved during his time as a clerk, he registered and soon flaunted his own certified merchant scroll.

"Hmm, not bad. All you need now is your own caravan. Too bad you can't go any place since your tied to the Trading Post."

John racked his brains until Kim returned to purchase goods in the village. The two men bonded perfectly due to behavioral similarities. Both were unscrupulous and known advantage takers, both would never deal in a loss, and both would die before yielding a single copper.

He introduced Chu to Kim one day and was shocked that the boy already knew the merchant. After a healthy conversation between them Chu left the two after leaving John with a few words.

"I see you got a distributor, now all you need is a dedicated supplier and you're in business."

The man racked his brains for a few weeks until he realized that which was staring him in the face. He finally understood the subtle meaning behind their conversations. The boy had led him on a leash from the very start.

He braced Chu the next time he saw him waltz into the shop.

"Fine, what are you selling and what's the cut?"

"Meet me tonight in at my village home. Bring Mr Kim, you're not as dumb as you look."

The boy answered.

That night three merchants huddled around a small kitchen table. They ignored the strange glances the other inhabitants gave them from time to time.

A small kid, a young man and an older geezer plotted and argued about goods, distribution and sales.

In the end they decided to share an equal cut in the business they conducted among the three. Any other trade on the side would belong to the relevant party.

Master John soon understood the power of having capable partners.

Chu provided them with an endless stream of firewood, lumber and most important pelts. It was these processed pelts and hides that would make the profits in those far off cities.

Merchant Kim made two trips before the end of summer. His usual run would be twice for the year. Only last winter he had tried to return to make an extra trip but was caught up in the winter drama.

Now the boy gave him a golden opportunity to expand his caravan routes since a steady supply stream suddenly gushed forth.

John was ecstatic on the amount of profits that came without affecting that of the Trading Post. This was money that was partly his very own. He moved one step closer to his goal as a successful merchant.

At the end of Autumn the boy dropped off a full load of lumber, firewood and pelts. Kim had to request aid from his family to transport the entire goods. Most amazing were the presents of cloaks that were near impossible to obtain even in the major cities. These gifts were provided by the youngest member of their organization.

Over the year John had understood that this little enterprise was going to rapidly develop into a full-blown money-making wagon. Master John became more absorbed in his work and began treating others with a little more respect.

'Why the heck was I trying to act like a bigot in this rural village when I am eventually going to have a city under by beck and call'

If he didn't see the future that Chu was pointing him towards, he would be a fool indeed.

*****