Chapter 42: Opportunists

Chapter 42: Opportunists Later, the seven Goatfolk ordered four more family meal sets. They ate until their bellies were full, stretched tight and content. Griz leaned back in his seat, picking at his teeth with a satisfied sigh. "Ohhh," he groaned, a sound of pure bliss. "I’ve never had that much good food in my life, let alone all at once. My stomach feels like it’s going to burst, but in a good way." The rich, savory taste of the burgers still lingered on his tongue. Borin nodded slowly, rubbing his own full stomach. "I feel the same. That was truly satisfying. It’s rare to feel this full and happy after a meal, especially one so affordable." Brum, always practical, suggested, "Shall we buy more and pack them on our way back to Stonehorn? They’d make excellent road provisions." "Yeah, I guess that’s better," Borin said, already imagining another one of those juicy burgers. The idea of having those delicious burgers for the long journey was very tempting, a luxury they rarely afforded themselves. Griz sighed, a different kind of sigh this time, one of concern. "Hmm, that’s not a bad idea for us, but we also need to bring some to Master Bjorn. If he finds out we spent too much on food, especially on something so ’unnecessary’ in his eyes, we’d be in deep trouble. He’s very strict about expenses. He only cares about profit. We need to show him what we found here and why we’re actually here, not just that we indulged in good food." One Goatfolk muttered under his breath, "Ahhh... shit, that’s another cut to my pay. Goodbye, salary, before I even see it." The others looked just as glum, their faces falling from their earlier contentment. The thought of Master Bjorn’s tight purse strings and sharp tongue was enough to dampen any joy. They worked hard for meager wages, and any extra expense was usually deducted from their pay. Griz saw their faces. He sighed again, then straightened up, his expression hardening with resolve. "Don’t worry," he said, his voice firm. "I’ll convince Master Bjorn. We found a very big opportunity here. It’s much larger than the rumors said. This isn’t just about a few figurines or some good food. This place is a goldmine, a whole new market just waiting to be tapped." Another Goatfolk’s eyes lit up, hope replacing the gloom. "Oohhh... thank you, brother Griz! You’re the best!" Brum nodded quickly, grateful, his earlier worries fading. Griz looked at them, his expression serious now, his gaze sweeping over each of his companions. "Look on the bright side," he said. "We’re actually gaining something big here. Something that could make us all rich, if we play our cards right. This is a chance to secure our future. So we need to be fast. Others might be here anytime soon. We can’t afford to waste a single moment." The thought of other traders, especially the sly Foxkins, spurred them to attention. The Foxkins were known for their cunning and speed in sniffing out new opportunities, often swooping in to steal deals right from under the Goatfolk’s noses. The others started to listen intently, their earlier fatigue forgotten. Griz leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly, emphasizing the importance of his words. "We need to secure a deal with them before anyone else does. Those sly Foxkins will try to steal a deal from us again, just like they did with the Salt Flats trade last season. We’re not gonna let them do that. Not this time." He remembered past deals lost, the anger and frustration fueling his resolve. This time, they would be prepared. Borin, sensing the shift in Griz’s mood, asked, "So what’s the plan? How do we make sure we get this deal?" Griz pointed at Borin, Brum, and Skall. "You three, check out the shop that sells weapons and armor. Find out how much they can make, what materials they use – is it just iron and steel, or do they have other metals? What are their best items? Get prices for everything. Look for details on their production capacity, how quickly they can fulfill large orders, and any unique features of their craftsmanship." He then pointed at the other three Goatfolk: Cluma, Darek, and Flin. "You three, check out the wooden products. The art, the furniture, the games, the toys. We need to know how much they can produce for each item, and analyze which items would sell best in our markets. Check their quality too, every carving, every joint. We still need to be careful about everything; we can’t just jump in blindly." He looked at them all, his gaze firm. "Meanwhile, I’m going to come up with a comprehensive plan to maximize this whole situation. I’ll figure out the best approach for negotiations, what leverage we have, and how to present this opportunity to Master Bjorn. So, you have exactly 30 minutes. Regroup back here in the canteen and tell me what you found, every detail. Then I can start a deal with the manager, okay? We need solid numbers and clear potential." They nodded, understanding the urgency and the weight of the task. Their full bellies were forgotten for a moment, replaced by the thrill of potential profit and the challenge ahead. They stood up, their movements purposeful, and split up, talking to each other, already coming up with their own strategies for tackling their assigned tasks. The quiet hum of the Necro Market now sounded like the sweet music of commerce.