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Hank wakes up.
Of all the usual results of a blow to the head, this one probably isn’t even in the top four. One minute a misunderstanding with a crowbar and a man called Hercules—in retrospect that should have been a warning sign—the next…something else.
This isn’t the Colt Arms Factory, and it isn’t even Hartford. He’s in the middle of a ravine he’s never seen before. Must be a practical joke by someone who’s about to be unemployed. He groans, pushes himself to his feet, and works his way up the nearest slope. On second thought, this is less of a practical joke and more of a dream. The half-clockwork dog would be decidedly impractical to fake, and the enormous bipedal beetle is far too well-dressed.
At the top there’s a fence, with signs facing the other side. No gate is in evidence, but the fence isn’t too much of an obstacle. From the other side, the signs can be read as saying variations on “beware of the magic.” Huh.
From atop the slope, there’s at least a clearly visible destination. A nearby city, it may not be any city that was nearby when he was last conscious, but it’s better than here. He heads toward it.
connecticut_yankee
"No, I have a wide variety of objects that no longer interest me as much as they did when they were new. What might tempt you?"
connecticut_yankee
"It would have to be something that does things, reliably, useful rather than merely interesting. The ideal case would be a tool that aids in making things if provided with designs and materials.
But considering how predictable magics aren't, it would require an astonishing amount of good fortune for such a thing to even exist."
But considering how predictable magics aren't, it would require an astonishing amount of good fortune for such a thing to even exist."
"I don't have anything quite like that," he agrees. "I do have a set of animated knitting needles which, depending on their - mood - will sometimes knit things to order?"
connecticut_yankee
"Afraid not; maybe if they worked in metal instead of yarn. I realize objects that do useful things predictably are rare; that's why I thought it more worthwhile to start from money rather than barter."
"They can actually knit wire, although only of a pretty fine gauge... I have an oil lamp that takes water instead of oil and will change the color of its flame reliably on command? A length of rope which, supplied with a drawing and some lint to eat, will tie itself into knots?"
connecticut_yankee
"Neither of those sounds like it would be useful in my enterprise, unfortunately."
"All right, money it is. The piece might be useful, but fifteen hundred seo is a bit much - it's not especially decorative, nor so obvious in its utility that it could make back the cost for me. Shall we say a thousand?"
connecticut_yankee
Hank pauses to do some calculations. Involving numbers. That he knows. Definitely.
"A thousand sounds close enough. I think we have a deal."
"A thousand sounds close enough. I think we have a deal."
"Excellent. Will you consider a note for the bank sufficient or would you prefer to hold the object until I can procure coins?"
connecticut_yankee
"I think I might need the coins, if it isn't too much of a burden on you."
The banking system could look like anything here. Slavers might accept bank notes and make change, or they might not. For that matter, the notes could be backed by gold, or anything else, or nothing at all, and who knows what that might mean.
The banking system could look like anything here. Slavers might accept bank notes and make change, or they might not. For that matter, the notes could be backed by gold, or anything else, or nothing at all, and who knows what that might mean.
connecticut_yankee
"Oh, I thought you meant you had either on hand and just needed to get them.
I have a transaction I'd need it for in an hour; if the note is quicker then form is less important."
I have a transaction I'd need it for in an hour; if the note is quicker then form is less important."
"I could also give you part of the amount as a note. I do have enough cash to give you six hundred now."
"It's no trouble."
In short order Hank has a heavy bag of gold coins and a writ for four hundred seo.
In short order Hank has a heavy bag of gold coins and a writ for four hundred seo.
namesthesky
Who has been held for him. Turns out the outfit will take his writ and give him change in a similar format, if he likes.
connecticut_yankee
Huh. Could have saved lugging the bag for twenty minutes. If that's typical, though, probably better to pay with coins so as to less visibly scream "I'm carrying several human beings' worth of cash" to anyone who looks.
They'll take his coins too. They take thirteen golds and give him a handful of silver back, and Ayabel's collar is unlocked and Hank gets a little sheaf of papers declaring her his property.
connecticut_yankee
Which he accepts with as much enthusiasm as he would if handed a large slug and informed that it's grotesquely impolite to drop it. He turns to Ayabel.
"Do I just hand these to you, or is there something more official so nobody thinks you stole them?"
"Do I just hand these to you, or is there something more official so nobody thinks you stole them?"