A Deal for Rupert

“Mr. Wainwright. My name is Rupert Castwell. Pleased to meet you sir.”

“Well met Rupert. I’ve heard of you and your friends. I hope you are enjoying the hospitality of Storyside.”

“Yes sir. I am. In particular I’ve enjoyed sampling your ale and mead at the Purple Griffon.”

“Ah, kind of you to say. There was a day when towns far and wide new of our drink.”

“That’s what I’ve heard Mr. Wainwright and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“You can call me Sam, boy, no need for formality. Go ahead I’m listening.”

“Well, Sam, I’ve been selected to join in with this group; the friends you mentioned. We have a job to do and if we are lucky enough to be successful it could open up things for lots of businesses here in Storyside.”

“A Job you say? What kind of job?”

“We plan to go into the swamp. Find the king’s lost specter and ring and while we are at it kill off the witch and remove the curse of the swamp.”

A smile crosses Sam’s face, “Well son, I’m afraid you ain’t the only ones that have come and gone with that idea in their head. Can’t say as I recall any of em’ making their way back out of that swamp. You seem like a nice enough lad, I’d recommend you head back home and make a nice life fer yourself and leave things be.”

“I thought you might be skeptical sir. Most folks have been since we started. They got good reason to be too but just the same I have a proposal for you.” Rupert sets a bag of 100 gold on a nearby barrel. “I’d like to invest this gold in your brewery. You use it to start preparing for increased production and if you haven’t received word from me in three months’ time, you can keep what you don’t use.”

Sam raises an eyebrow and scratches is chin in thought. “Hmm, well now, that’s a fine offer but you should know there ain’t no way I can pay back that kind of gold. We haven’t turned a profit in years.”

“Sam, you use the gold wisely to prepare. I’ll send more gold when I can and you and I can be partners. I’ll supply the capital and help remove the curse. You make the mead and the ale and figure out how to distribute it once the roads are open. If I fail and get killed, you keep the remaining gold. What do you say?”

“Rupert. I think you’re a damn fool, but you got yourself a deal.”

“Great! Oh and one more thing Sam. One of my friends is going to claim the King’s throne once we take the scepter and the ring. We are going to need to rally folks to his side and make friends with anyone we can. Most folks like a good ale or mug of mead and I’d like to make sure we put together one hell of a festival. Everyone will need to make sure they know it’s being put on by the new king and his council. You think on it and as we get closer, I’ll be in touch.”

Chuckling, Sam pats Rupert on the shoulder while sliding the bag of gold into his pocket. “Okay, okay Rupert. I wish you well, I really do. May the gods watch over you and should you make it out alive and remove the curse, we shall toast you and your new king don’t you worry.”