Capítulo 9: Haggling
"We are owed fifty gold coins plus 10 more as interest" Scarface replied.
William frowned as soon as he heard the reply, as this some was quite substantial even for someone like himself who is the son of the city lord.
It's not like he did not have the money. The problem was that it would consume quite a substantial amount of his savings that the "old" William had put aside.
"Do you have any proof of this loan? Any physical trace would do but preferably a contract with his signature on it would be best" asked William.
"Yes we do, our boss never does a business transaction without making a contract for it" replied Scarface.
"Yeah right, as if he would sign his own death sentence by leaving traces of his under-the-table deals. This guy is either dumb or he thinks I am".
William thought to himself as he considered his options and if it's still worth it to lose so much money just to gain a potential pawn that may or may not be useful later on.
After some consideration, he made up his mind and went with his plan.
"Hmmm how about this, we both know he will never be able to pay you your money back any time soon, no matter how much you beat him up. Right now, he is just a financial burden to your boss, but I can make you an offer that can get you some of your losses back right here, right now". William said.
Scarface was very suspicious of this guy's behavior which did not add up, from his nonchalant behavior about this whole situation to the direction he was taking their conversation to.
yet he was still intrigued so he answered "What do you have in mind?".
"It's simple really, I would like to buy the contract and have it transferred to me, becoming the new dept holder for this young merchant right there, for the right price of course" William made his offer with a slight smile on his face trying to portray as much confidence as he could.
Scarface contemplated the offer for some time, he was not all brawl and no brain as his vicious appearance may lead some people to think.
He knew that this little merchant here would not be able to pay them back even if they beat him a thousand times over, in fact, the more badly they hurt him the less likely he would ever be able to pay such a sum.
Since his injuries would prevent him from earning money unless he was given another loan to start his business all over again, which was something their boss was definitely not willing to do.
At most, they hoped that they could squeeze as much as they could from him to cut as many losses as they can or find some way to employ him under their organization until he paid his due; Though that would take a long time.
" Do you even have that much money lying around?" questioned Scarface.
William smiled at the question before he replied "don't worry I have some savings that I can use".
After some time Scarface decided to give it a shot and see if he can get their boss's money back. "All right I will drop the interest, for fifty gold coins the contact is yours".
" You have got to be joking my friend, you would be lucky to even get a tenth of your "investment" back even after a couple of months, I can offer you fifteen gold coins and he is no longer your problem" William counter-offered.
"Don't joke around with me, he is still young and can work to pay his debt eventfully, forty gold coins is a good offer, don't push it" Scarface counter offered as well as he glared murderously at William.
"Come on man, I am just trying to help you here, I am taking such a big load off your backs, as well as cutting your losses, twenty gold coins. It's a steal if you ask me, an honest man's bid" Replayed William.
Scarface was now fuming with anger; it was obvious to him that this guy was trying to milk them dry for every penny.
"Are you trying to rob us or what? Look, this merchant is pretty talented, we did look into his business plan and we found it to be sound, he was going to make quite the profits from this trip if his shipment hasn't encountered bandits and was lost, thirty gold coins take it or leave it".
"All right, all right you've convinced me" replied William looking like he gave up on bargaining any further.
Scarface sighed internally thinking that the deal was not too bad, they at least cut their losses and will get some cashback from this whole ordeal.
"Though I still think that Twenty five gold coins are a generous sum so it will be my final offer, come on drinks are on me" William smiled sheepishly as he tried to push his luck and bargain one last time.
Scarface was furious; he could barely contain his anger at this point and was just about to blow up in William's face when at this very moment Edmund picked the wrong timing to voice his displeasure.
"How can you be talking about me as if I was a cheap prostitute about to be sold for the highest bidder? Slavery is outlawed in the kingdom, you know that right?"
This was the drop that broke the dam that was Scarface's self-control, giving way to the raging flood that was his anger and Edmund was the perfect target for all of it.
"Shut your mouth, who told you to speak? Who asked for your opinion? If you want to be treated as a person, then don't waste other people's money you sorry excuse of a merchant".
Scarface kicked Edmund a few times, who screamed and immediately curled himself into a ball for protection while asking for mercy.
After reliving some of his rage on Edmund, Scarface felt like he had had enough of this merchant. "Fine you can have him for twenty-five gold coins, just take him out of my sight." Scarface turned around a told one of his men to go fetch the contract.
William did the same, he exited the alley and mentioned to one of his guards to come out for his hiding place and told him to go back to the castle to fetch his money, while the rest stayed nearby to guard him from afar in case there was an emergency.
Soon, the exchange was made; the debtors received their money and William his new "asset".
Scarface and his men left as soon as they took their money, shortly after only William and Edmund were left in the alley looking at each other.
Edmund looked at William with caution and fear for what the future may hold for him, while William was all smiles trying to assess how could he best use this new "purchase" of his in implementing his plans going forward.
" I see from the contract that your name is Edmund right? Well my friend how about we go to a nicer place than this dump, fill our stomachs with food and ale, yet most importantly talk a little about …. Business."
William said that last part with a very wide and slightly evil grin that sent shivers down Edmund's spine.
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