Chapter 235 — Before He Stays

Ren returned to the receiving table to find the north-bound goods waiting where he had left them.

Six sealed packets stood together in one tray. The remaining four waited separately for inspection. A carrier held out his receiving board while one of Ren's workers checked the bindings on the first load.

Soren looked up from the far end of the table.

“The carrier was beginning to wonder whether you'd forgotten him.”

“He hasn't been waiting long.”

“No. I told him you'd return.”

Ren took up the marking tool beside the receiving sheets. The six packets matched the carrier's record. He checked their seals and marked the board before returning it to the waiting man.

The carrier thanked him and collected the six approved packets. The other four remained on the table until their separate inspection.

Soren watched Ren put down the tool.

“You've had a pleasant morning.”

“Nia came to see me.”

“I saw her arrive.”

“She asked me to marry her.”

Soren stared, then came around the table and clasped Ren's shoulder.

“And you accepted?”

“Yes.”

Soren laughed and drew him into a brief embrace.

“I'm glad, Ren. You've wanted this for a long time.”

Ren returned the embrace before Soren stepped away.

“I have.”

“Does Shen know?”

“Nia intended to tell him and Kael. I'll see them both this afternoon.”

“Then we'd better finish before the next carriers arrive.”

Ren reached for the route board.

“That's what I wanted to discuss.”

They began with the disputed supplier account.

Soren placed the original loading record beside the receiving count. Three small bundles appeared on the supplier's record but had never been entered at the shelter. The goods had passed through another carrier's hands, leaving neither side able to establish where the difference occurred.

“I've requested the loading witness's marks,” Soren said. “The supplier agreed to leave the difference open until we compare them.”

“Pay the portion we can confirm. There's no reason to hold the rest of his payment.”

“I've separated it already.”

Soren slid the revised record toward him. Ren checked the figures and approved the undisputed amount.

“If the witness's marks still don't agree, I'll speak to the supplier on my next eastern run.”

Soren noted that beside the open account.

They moved to the journeys already arranged. Ren's next eastern trip would proceed as promised. Several sellers expected him personally, and the carriers had been preparing for the journey since before his return to Hearthfang.

The shorter receiving visits were different. Soren already supervised the workers involved, and the sellers knew him. Ren had attended some meetings simply because he was nearby.

“Can you take the next two receiving visits?” Ren asked.

“I can. I'll need the price limit for the second.”

Ren showed him the agreement.

“You can approve anything within those terms. If the seller wants something different, send word before accepting.”

Soren studied the marked section.

“He'll probably ask for more.”

“He's free to ask. You know what we can afford.”

A worker approached with a question about the next day's carrier assignments. Soren checked the drivers against the route board and gave him an answer. Ren listened without interrupting.

When the worker left, Soren looked at him.

“You usually have something to add when the carriers ask about their routes.”

“You had the information.”

“I did.”

Soren kept one hand on the board as Ren reached for another sheet.

“I'd rather you let me finish those conversations when the arrangements are mine to manage.”

Ren considered him.

“I've become used to being available whenever someone wants an answer.”

“That's useful when there's a real problem. Less useful when you've already given me the authority to handle it.”

Ren nodded.

“Then I'll leave the receiving visits with you.”

“And I'll call for you when I need you.”

They continued until the instructions were settled. The eastern journey retained its carriers, Soren could manage the shorter visits, and the disputed supplier account remained open pending the witness's record.

A worker brought two bowls of grain and meat from the shelter's cooking area. Ren moved the sheets aside so they could eat.

“I'll explain the receiving assignments before the afternoon loads leave,” Soren said. “The workers need to know which questions come to me.”

“I'll return before the next journey. We can check anything that remains open.”

After eating, Ren helped gather the records. Soren took the approved sheets and laid the outstanding account on top of his own work pile.

When Ren rose, Soren caught his arm briefly.

“Give Nia my congratulations.”

“I will.”

Ren opened his travel bag on the bench beside the storage passage.

He had brought enough clothing for a short stay and the eastern journey afterward. His route equipment had its own place in the shelter, including the coverings and containers used by the carriers.

The bag had traveled with him for years. Its leather strap had been repaired twice, and the stitching around one fastening had begun to wear through again.

He examined the worn stitches, then folded his spare tunic and placed it inside.

Usually, when a visit to Hearthfang ended, he collected the bag and left with it. He knew how much it held and which pieces of clothing could be rolled tightly without creasing.

This morning Nia had sat beside him in the courtyard and asked him to become her husband.

Ren ran his fingers over the repaired leather. He closed the bag, then checked that the fastening still held under the weight of his clothes.

“Are you preparing to travel?”

He looked up. Shen stood near the storage entrance with a small wrapped medicine packet in one hand.

“Not until the next eastern run.”

Shen came closer.

“Nia visited the care station this morning.”

“Then she's told you?”

“She told me you accepted.”

Ren smiled.

“I did.”

“I'm glad.”

Ren had known Shen for years. They had shared meals after market visits, discussed unfamiliar herbs, and spent evenings talking long after the other merchants had gone to sleep. Ren had never felt obliged to maintain his merchant's easy charm around him.

“I had a difficult time answering her,” Ren said.

“You?”

“She was sitting beside me, telling me she wanted to marry me. I thought I'd know what to say.”

“And what did you say?”

“I asked her to let me look at her for a moment.”

Shen smiled.

“I think she would have understood.”

“She did.”

Ren lifted the bag's strap.

“I need to repair this before the next journey.”

Shen placed the wrapped packet on a clean, empty shelf by the storage entrance, then examined the attached fastening. He tilted the strap toward the light to see the worn stitches.

“The leather is still sound. The binding has worn through where it bends.”

“I've repaired it twice.”

“I can see both places.”

Shen pointed to the holes pulling against the edge.

“If you sew through those again, the leather may split. Put the new stitches farther in.”

“I was considering another strip to reinforce it.”

“That would help, provided it still bends freely.”

Ren lowered the strap.

“I'll repair it before I pack.”

Shen washed his hands at the nearby basin before retrieving the wrapped medicine.

“Kael is home. He finished the western inspection earlier than expected.”

“Then I'll come with you.”

Ren lifted his bag onto his shoulder and followed Shen out.

The upper passages were warm in the afternoon sun.

Two workers carried trimmed wood toward a repair room. Near a storage alcove, a woman directed her husbands as they moved a heavy basket. She stopped them before they raised it to the upper shelf and had one man remove several bundles first.

Shen greeted her as they passed.

At the next turn, a female asked whether Sera had finished a medicine preparation.

“The last portion was being measured when I left,” Shen answered. “You can ask at the care station after the next bell.”

She thanked him and continued downhill.

Ren waited beside the wall, adjusting the strap on his shoulder.

When Shen rejoined him, Ren glanced toward the packet.

“Is there a problem with the preparation?”

“Not necessarily. Sera noticed a difference in texture. I brought a sample to compare with an earlier batch before we decide whether it matters.”

They continued uphill.

At Kael's residence, a patrol male stood near the entrance reporting on the upper drainage channel. Kael asked whether the repaired section had held during the latest water run, then instructed the patrol to inspect it again after the next rain.

The male acknowledged the order and left.

Kael turned toward them.

“Your receiving work is finished?”

“For today.”

Kael stepped aside to admit them.

Nia was at the kitchen counter. She turned at their voices and came toward Ren with a smile.

“You're here.”

He lowered his bag beside the entry bench before she reached him. She slipped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him. Ren held her at the waist until she drew back.

“How did everything go?”

“Soren has the receiving assignments. I'll still make the eastern journey I promised.”

“Good.”

Nia touched his cheek, then moved aside to let Shen pass into the rear storage passage. Shen placed his wrapped medicine packet on the medicine shelf and returned to the main chamber.

Ren approached Kael's table. A worn length of binding cord lay beside a work basket.

“I wanted to speak with you about the journey.”

Kael set down the cord.

“When do you expect to leave?”

“Once the carriers confirm the crossing. They may arrive sooner if the southern road stays dry.”

“Tell me the route before you go. The eastern patrol markers have changed since your last journey.”

“I will.”

“If something delays your return, make sure the shelter can pass word along the patrol route.”

“Soren will know where to send it. I'll give him the current patrol information before I leave.”

Kael nodded.

“That will do.”

Ren took the seat opposite him. Nia brought water from the kitchen, then sat beside Ren with her knee touching his beneath the table.

Kael picked up the damaged cord. The binding had worn thin where it rubbed against the stone supporting an upper cover frame.

Ren examined it when Kael passed it over.

“We see that on cart frames. You can protect the contact point, but it still needs checking after heavy use.”

“The crew replaced it this morning,” Kael said. “I'll have them inspect the others.”

Ren returned the cord. Kael put it with the discarded materials.

Nia leaned against Ren's shoulder. He rested an arm around her.

“Are you staying for supper?” she asked.

“Yes. I brought what I need for tonight.”

“Shen has already started the meat. I'll help him finish.”

She rose and went to the kitchen, where Shen had begun rinsing greens. Ren remained with Kael for a little while, listening as he described which upper route would remain closed to carts until the drainage repairs were checked again.

By evening, the household was preparing supper.

Kael put away the work basket and washed his hands. Shen finished the meat and greens while Nia carried dishes to the table. Ren brought the bowls and water when she asked.

They ate together.

Shen kept his seasoning mild, and Kael added redneedle to his portion. Ren asked about the greens from the lower garden, which Shen said had grown quickly after the recent warm weather.

Kael mentioned the afternoon's patrol report. Ren answered a question about the eastern meeting ground, then listened as Nia told Shen about a household gathering someone was trying to arrange around several families' work schedules.

When the meal was finished, Kael carried the heavier pot to the washing area. Nia gathered the bowls, and Ren washed the utensils while she dried them. Shen put away the remaining food.

Nia folded the drying cloth and looked toward Ren's bag, still beside the entry bench.

“Did you bring enough clothing for tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Come sit with me.”

Ren followed her into the main chamber.

Kael was seated near the table when Shen returned from storage with the medicine packet and an older preparation. Shen laid both wrapped samples on a cleared section of the table and opened them to compare their dried surfaces.

Kael leaned forward as Shen pointed out the difference.

Ren sat beside Nia, who drew his arm around her shoulders. He watched Shen examine the samples before asking whether the texture would affect the medicine's preparation.

“I don't know yet,” Shen said. “I want to compare them under the same conditions before deciding.”

Nia rested her cheek against Ren's shoulder. He turned his hand beneath hers and threaded their fingers together as Shen continued explaining the comparison.