Cutting a Deal (Coalinga Gem Mines, Charon)

[Roebak As'karri]

TS: 23rd of Spring 510 A.V.

Roebak, or Roe as he was sometimes called, arrived at the mines a little after mid-day. He had gone through his exercises and then started the long hike from his small home in Rivenfall out to the Mines on the plains above the city.

He was careful while he went to be sure not to run amock of dangerous creatures, and took the shortest route possible to his destination. Now he was here, and he didn't know who to talk to. He knew the mines were owned by one of his own race, Chaldric Chivan, over saw the mines, but he doubted that he would find him hear.

His eyes searched for the blues skin common to his people, perhaps there was a supervisor that could help him. His own skin was a deep red, an oddity for his race, but there was much about him that was odd.

I would fit in better... echoed through his mind, his twin was taunting him again, We have lived here how long? And you barely know your neihboors names... And soon we will be expected to mate. What will you do then?

He suppressed the thoughts and the soul that conjured them, he already knew these things. They worried at him constantly, the last especially, and his counterpart used them to upset him. Always devious, Nameless tried to gain the upper hand constantly. Roe was diligent though, and it was rare that he lost control.

Roe returned to his searching for a supervisor, hopefully he could find someone soon, then he could return back to the city and continue his plans.

[Charon]

The mines were more lively during spring. The temperatures warmed the ambient air above the deep shafts where cool, frigid air hibernated and nipped at anybody who attempted to brave its dangerous atmosphere. Work during those colder months slowed and even stopped as often snow piled up in such massive amounts that the mines could not even be distinguished from any other landscape on the fringes of the Sea of Grass. The sun had served to melt the last remnants of snow away weeks ago and rains found the mines once again.

Approaching the Coalinga Mines, the first descriptors of its location where the few tents scattered close to the surface mines. These were the first to be worked when the icy temperatures rose as the arctic air still lingered in the deeper sections of the underground shafts. Near the surface mines was a crew of four Akalak. Three were younger and Roe could see them chiseling away at various places in the pits, or veins, that were roughly a man and a half deep. The fourth Akalak stood above them studying the currently worked vein and was writing notes on a dusty piece of parchment with a furrowed brow. None of them heard or saw Roe approach as they were engulfed in their work. None of the dangerous creatures would be around at midday, of course, but their weapons were in the pits with them and under the closest tent--the Sea of Grass was never a sure bet when it came to safety.

[Roebak As'karri]

Roe approached the Akalak at the top of the pit, but cleared his throat while still an acceptable distance away, so that he would not startle him into any foolish actions. Once he had his attention he said, "My name is Roebak, and I am looking for the man in charge of operations here. Would that be you sir?"

Roe was confident that this person could help him, even if he was not the operations director himself. He patiently waited for an answer, an expression of expectant calm on his features. For now, the voice in his head let things lie, dominance over it having been securely established for the time being.

[Charon]

The Akalak standing over the veins where the others were working in preparation for some task that seemed imminent did not hear Roeback at first. He was caught up in his plans and observing the preparations being made down below him, sweat seemed to be pouring from his face though the early spring day seemed quite temperate if not simply cool. The second time the red-skinned man cleared his throat from behind him, the Akalak he addressed dropped his hands quickly to his sides, papers in hand, as he turned to face the interruption. His eyes immediately widened then slightly squinted as he took in the image of the man standing before him. It was a rare sight, a red Akalak, but by the gods there was one before him now.

Hesitating before replying, the man finally said, "I'm supervising right now, yes. Do you need something?" He did not want to risk sounding rude or impatient due to the fact that he had no idea who this man was or what he was doing here. On the other hand, he did have a schedule of tasks needing to be accomplished before the sun settled itself over the city scape to the west. Looking Roebak over subtly before he responded, the Akalak placed one hand on his hip while he waited.

[Roebak As'karri]

He did not have to wait long at all. Roebak was now pushing himself morally forward, his courage quickly wilting. He said in his clipped accent, "I wish to have a purchase contract with the mines. Or rather, someone with access to the mines, and with authority to sell the gems and metals there of."

He was nervous, and outwardly he was containing it well, anyone who didn't know him, and that was most everyone, would only see a strange accent and rare skin tone. They might not even suspect that he was a local because of those two things. What might give that away however, was the Lakan on his belt.

[Charon]

The current supervisor nodded. Though the man who approached and asked for him looked odd and sounded odd, his inquiry was not out of place. Many people desired access to the mines or a means to grasp their hands on the results of the hard work done at Coalinga. While most of those who desired the precious, pure gems mined here attempted to take the resources by force, there were a few who actually tried more appropriate and perhaps even legal methods. Those who decided they could out-man or out-smart the workers on the mines rarely got away with what they came for and often left with less than they desired or even needed to live on. On the other hand, those who tried more accepted means to the beautiful resources produced here had a better chance of getting what they wanted.

Replying to the rare-colored Akalak, the supervisor explained, "The Coalinga Gem Mines are, like just about everything else around here, owned and controlled by the city of Riverfall and the Council of Elders. If you would like to inquire about some sort of contract to purchase gems mined directly, you will need to speak with them." The Akalak then added, "It may seem a daunting task at first, but be assured that the Council are keenly aware of what is best for the city and its inhabitants." Apparently ending the conversation, the mine supervisor gave a brief and not insincere smile before turning back to the papers he was studying before and the workers he was tasked to oversee.