Hearing Bill's question, David replied immediately, without even a moment's hesitation.
"Our warehouse here is priced at one copper cent per square meter per day," he explained. "A house here is 100 square meters, which means the daily rent comes to 100 copper cents."
Bill paused for a moment, silently calculating the cost in his mind. Compared to King's Landing, this price wasn't unusually high or low, but this was Oros. He didn't know the city's economy in detail, but judging by the population in King's Landing and the number of merchants constantly arriving and departing, land prices there were far higher than here.
"Manager," Bill said carefully, "even in King's Landing, your price isn't considered low. Oros has developed well over the past two years, but surely there must be room for a little reduction."
Though he was unfamiliar with local pricing, Bill was experienced in negotiation. His knowledge of larger cities like King's Landing gave him the confidence to bargain.
David, the innkeeper, smiled somewhat awkwardly, sensing Bill's intent, and patiently explained.
"You may not know, guest, that although Oros was only recently established, the city has far fewer people and foreign merchants compared to King's Landing. But it's precisely because of this scarcity that there are very few warehouses. Most buildings are used as factories, shops, or residences. Only a handful are actually available for storage.
"Right now, the city is in a period of rapid growth. Foreign merchants bring goods to Oros constantly, and warehouse space is extremely limited. You're lucky. I've just finished building these warehouses and am planning to rent them out. I'm considering your request because you asked first. In just a few days, they could all be rented. After that, it won't be so easy to find space like this again."
Bill listened politely, though he wasn't certain whether David's explanation was true. That didn't bother him—he was used to such tactics from merchants and innkeepers everywhere. Without breaking his composure, he pressed on.
"I don't know if everything you've said is true, but I do know this: you can rent it to me right now, and start receiving rent every day. Why not give me a better price? That way, I save time searching, and you make money immediately. It's mutually beneficial."
As expected from someone who had traveled extensively, Bill's persuasive words were effective. David hesitated for a moment, then offered a compromise.
"Very well. How long do you intend to rent?" he asked carefully.
"If it's short-term, less than a month, I'll give you ten copper cents per day," David proposed. "If it's longer than a month, fifteen copper cents per day."
Bill listened, pleased with the offer, though he didn't immediately agree. The two haggled over the price for some time, weighing every argument and counter-argument. Finally, after lengthy negotiation, they agreed on a daily rental of eighty copper cents.
Bill handed David another silver deer as a deposit, and with the transaction complete, the two men returned to the hotel together. Both seemed satisfied.
Once back at the hotel, Bill instructed John to arrange for his goods at the dock to be transported to the new warehouse. The proximity of the warehouse was important to Bill; it allowed him to monitor his merchandise closely in case of emergencies.
John didn't waste any time. He hurried to the dock, where several workers were loading and unloading cargo. He paid them an additional transportation fee and directed them to carry all of Bill's goods to the warehouse. From morning until the sun began to dip toward the horizon, the workers labored steadily, moving crates, barrels, and sacks with care.
Bill, meanwhile, began counting the goods as they were brought in.
"One… two… three…" he murmured, methodically tallying each barrel.
John, having just settled the dockworkers' wages, returned to check on Bill.
"Master, all the goods have been delivered to the warehouse. Is there anything else you need?" John asked.
"Don't worry yet," Bill said. "I'm still counting… twenty… fifty… good. But make sure to inspect the warehouse carefully for hidden rooms or secret doors. We can't be careless—if someone has set traps, it could cause real trouble while we're moving items."
John nodded without hesitation and began a thorough search of the warehouse, inside and out. After confirming there were no hidden compartments or unusual spaces, he reported back to Bill.
"Master, I've searched everything carefully. There should be no problems. The warehouse is close enough to our accommodations that I'll check a few more times tonight. There shouldn't be any risk of theft."
Bill nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now that we've confirmed everything is secure, let's return to the hotel and rest. You can continue inspections a few times tonight just to make sure everything remains safe. I'll feel more at ease knowing that."
After meticulously locking the warehouse door, Bill and John headed back to the hotel. They had just reached the stairway when David called out to them.
"My dear guests, dinner is ready in the kitchen. Would you like to eat now?"
Bill touched his belly and laughed lightly. "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have realized how hungry I was. Now that you've said it, I do feel hungry. What's on the menu today?"
David's face brightened as he responded. "It's a coincidence you ask, guest. Today, the chef bought fresh seafood from the local fishery. We've prepared seafood risotto, grilled sausages, pickled salted fish, and a boiled fish soup."
"That sounds wonderful," Bill said, "but we'd like to eat in our room. Could you send a bit of everything up?"
"Of course, guest," David replied. "I'll have someone bring it to you shortly. Please go back and rest while we prepare it."
Bill and John made their way to their room quietly, preferring to keep a low profile in this unfamiliar city. While the dining hall was convenient, it was frequented by many people, and Bill didn't want to attract attention, especially with the wealth he now controlled.
Not long after, a knock echoed on the door:
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Bill called out, cautious yet aware of who it might be. "Who's there?"
"Guest, it's me, here to serve your meal," came David's voice.
Bill confirmed it was safe and asked John to open the door. David entered first, followed by a servant carrying trays laden with dishes.
They carefully arranged the plates on a small table by the window, then lifted it into the center of the room to set up a makeshift dining area.
"Guest, we've done the best we can with the conditions available. Please enjoy your meal. We'll return to clear the dishes when you are finished," David said politely.
Bill nodded in appreciation, taking a moment to admire the effort David and his staff had made to accommodate them. The room, though simple, had become comfortable and private. It was the kind of arrangement that allowed Bill to rest after the day's long labor while keeping a careful eye on his merchandise.
He motioned to John to sit, and together they began enjoying the meal. The seafood risotto smelled rich and savory, with the aroma of fresh herbs and oceanic flavor mingling perfectly. The sausages were perfectly grilled, slightly crisp on the outside yet juicy within. The pickled fish offered a sharp, tangy contrast, while the boiled fish soup was warm and comforting, easing the fatigue that had built up over the day.
Bill took a deep breath, savoring the food. "John, this is excellent. We should thank the chef properly later. Even in King's Landing, meals like this aren't always so well-prepared."
John smiled, quietly content with the calm rhythm of the evening. After such a busy day, he appreciated the simple pleasure of good food and safety.
As they ate, Bill allowed himself a rare moment to relax. Tomorrow would bring new challenges—more goods to move, more deals to make—but for now, the warehouse was secure, the goods were counted, and the hotel was welcoming. Everything was in place.
David, noticing their contentment, quietly retreated after setting the dishes. The clatter of trays faded, leaving only the soft light of the room, the aroma of the meal, and the sense of security that Bill had meticulously arranged.
For Bill, today had been a small victory: a warehouse secured, goods accounted for, and a safe resting place established in the city of Oros. It was a foundation on which he could build his business further—a foundation secured not just with money, but with careful planning, negotiation, and foresight.
Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair, surveying the warehouse receipt in his hand and the carefully arranged stacks of goods in the room. The day had been long, but productive. The future looked promising, and Bill felt a renewed sense of purpose.
John, observing his master's calm demeanor, realized that every step Bill took was deliberate and methodical. It wasn't just about wealth; it was about control, planning, and ensuring that every potential risk was accounted for.
As the sun set completely beyond the city walls, the two men finished their meal, leaving only the scent of grilled fish and herbs lingering in the quiet room. Outside, the city of Oros buzzed with life—merchants, workers, and travelers all moving through its streets. Inside, however, there was peace. For tonight, Bill and John were ready to rest, with the certainty that their new warehouse and its contents were safe, secure, and within easy reach.
The day had ended successfully, but tomorrow would surely bring new challenges. For now, however, the work was done, and Bill allowed himself the rare luxury of contentment.
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