"I bid,....I bid 125 thousand.""126." Jerry was getting nervous as the total increased.The auctioneer sighed.

"Sir, as was stated in the rules of the auction: After bidding breaches the level of 100 thousand or more, all bids must be increases of 5000 gold pieces over the last bid.

I don't wish to be here all day when you two start bidding a silver at a time.""Right, well, 130 thousand, then.""135!"

There was a pause.

Chuck from Raxxon held the high bid.

Both he and Jerry from Tesladyne were sweating, conferring with accountants, and trying to watch both of their opponents at the same time.

The Captain, for his part, seemed to be relaxed and enjoying himself.

He brought out a huge cigar and blew smoke rings that his parrot chased through the air and ate when it caught them.

His two attendants disposed of the empty beer steins and then brought fresh beverages and a snack tray.

"You boys look nervous, need a beer? On me, and feel free to grab some of the fried squid bits, very tasty."The auctioneer yelled out, "135 going once...."The Captain considered for a moment, "What do you girls think?"Daria was hoping very much that this man would stay close and buy that business.

Husbands with money were hard to find, and her dowry was meager, her five older sisters having plundered the family coffers first when they married.

A good-tipping customer like her father's new friend could make a difference in how soon they could afford a wedding.

"Father always says fortune favors the bold.""135 going twice..."Polina said quickly, "Go big or go back to your boat.""One hundred and fifty thousand gold coins!" The girls clapped, the auctioneer smiled, and everyone watching applauded.

Except Chuck and Jerry, who looked at each other in a panic."Sir, a small break to wet our throats and consider our options."The auctioneer didn't mind.

He suspected that each man would try to arrange additional funding in some manner.

He looked at the Captain, who nodded his head and smiled.

"15 minute break." He quickly walked to his carriage and once the door was shut, pulled out a scuffed crystal scrying device.

Slamming it twice on the side of the carriage to wake it up, he spoke softly.

"This is Auctioneer Arman Harriman in Wolfsburg.

I have a real estate auction that has passed 150 thousand gold and per regulations, need to verify certain funds held in escrow in the Gnomish Banking System.

The three bidders are: Jerry Osterman of the Tesladyne Corporation, Charles Ignatius Bowman of the Raxxon Corporation, and Captain Ozimandias Shipbreaker of the Auric Smokecutter, Splinter.

Please advise."He waited nervously for the reply, as the minutes ticked by.

"Sorry for the wait, Mr.

Harriman.

We show that The Raxxon Corporation Deposited 57,000 gold into escrow along with a verified letter of credit from Countess Blightworthy for up to 100,000 gold.

Interestingly, The Tessladyne Corporation deposited 64,000 into escrow and has a letter of credit from Countess Blightworthy for 98, 000 gold.

In both cases, the corporations pledged the building being bid on as collateral for their loans.""And the Captain?""The Captain is a Gold Account Holder of the Gnomish bank, with extensive lines of credit backed directly by the bank itself.

They wouldn't give us a total but seem confident he can't reach his limit.

Good luck! You've got three whales, hook the biggest and reel them in."Feeling more assured, the Auctioneer checked his watch and went back to his podium.The two human agents had swallowed their antagonism and closed ranks against the common enemy."He's not going to quit, and neither of us are going to get this.

I know you don't have much left.

We hired a Dwarven Miner with the Goldsniffer ability to sniff out what you brought into the auction house.""Neither do you, I can tell by that twitch in your eye.

You're tapped out, just like most of the poker games you tried to bluff in.

And for the record, I hate dealing with the fantasy shit where you never know what the hell someone can do.""You always were slow to catch on to the new sales techniques.

But level with me, I've got one bid left.

You?""Same.

Don't tell me you're suggesting we work together?""It's the only way.

We're both in territory where the bosses will hate losing but don't want to pay that much to win.

That warehouse is huge.

We could split it down the middle and each will have enough room to do business.

I say we each put in 80k and bid 160k on the property.""I don't think that will do it.""It will if we convince him of an alternate way to profit.

Look at him.

He's a friggin Pirate! He'll take a bribe if it's in gold.

They love gold.""Everyone loves gold! But it's worth a try.

Let's see if he'll take a quick profit.

Write something out quick and dirty.""Was doing that for the last five minutes.

Read it, sign, and take a copy."Smiling, the two men accepted the Captain's invitation to have a beer.

Both humans felt better after the cold beer hit their bellies.

Chuck tried to ask as casually as he could, "So, what are your plans for that building, if successful in your bids, Captain? Thinking of renting it out? My corporation might be interested."The large man chuckled.

"Oh, no plans at all.

I don't intend to buy it and use it.""What the hell!?! You're just bidding us up! We could drop it on you and you're out 150 thousand gold!""No worries lads.

I could decide just to let it sit and go up in value.

They aren't making any more land these days.

Well, except when Fyre and Rock get feisty.

Do you think land is expensive here? You should try finding some in the Smoke.

But there are corporations swimming around looking for a tasty morsel in the cities.

Most didn't know about this sneaky little auction you set up, but I like to listen to the winds when I'm in port.

You never know what secrets they'll put in your ears.

I can buy that building for 150 sacks of coins and flip it to someone else, making a nice profit for a little work and the fun of drinking beer with two beautiful young ladies.""No one has that kind of money yet." The Captain took a long pull of his beer and winked.

"I may know a couple.

Half of being a pirate is finding the loot, and the other half is selling it.

If you don't think the Brotherhood has made connections with every corporation in the world, you're sadly mistaken.""Bullshit, you're bluffing." Jerry didn't believe for a second that some make-believe pirate had corporate connections."Ask Colonel Carruthers, Dr.

Barklight, or Count Veelo.

And if you want their 'otherworld names' I can give you those too, but I'm sure you don't want your boss's names bantered about on the winds.

Who knows who is listening?"Jerry looked confused and Charlie went white but rallied.

"Look, let's say that's all true.

But if you make a profit, the tax guys will come after you, and they'll want their yearly taxes if you hold the property too long.

It's a money loser until you unload it.

Work with us and you can make an instant, tax-free chunk of profit, in gold.""Well, the winds can indeed change, and I do like gold.

So maybe you boys could make a small gift to me, and I suddenly get quiet.

Those auction rules are woefully silent on small things like this.

Fast and loose, just the way I like to play""We'll give you ten thousand."The Pirate scoffed.

"I can flip that charred building for 10% without trying.

Maybe to one of your bosses tomorrow.""Fine, 15k it is." Jerry held out his hand.

Ozzy ignored it."25k or quit drinking my beer."Chuck countered, "20k, that's a fair compromise."The auctioneer was walking out of his carriage.

The Pirate scowled, "Insinuation a pirate would accept a 'Fair Compromise' is fighting words! And insulting me with a low offer? Piss on your 'Fair Compromise!' The price just went up to 30k.

And you best think quick lads, otherwise the price might go up again, or the auctioneer will ask you for bids."The two looked at each other.

"Agreed." "Yes."The Pirate smiled at them.

"Nice doing business with you.

I want my 30k in gold, now.

If you don't have it, then I want you to swear an Oath to Hermes, promising that you will pay me at the earliest convenience." He spit on his hands and held them out.

They each shook a hand and repeated the simple oath that the Pirate recited to them.

Both corporate employees were slightly unsettled to see that the game system responded to their oath.

Hermes, God of Commerce, War, and All Things Cool, has heard your Oath!Captain Ozimandias Shipbreaker has had too much beer and reconsidered his purchase of a building that isn't even on an island!The Tesladyne Corporation and Raxxon Corporation will 'gift' the Captain with 15,000 gold each, tokens of the esteem in which they hold him and his profession.

Vouchers from the Gnomish Bank of Wolfsburg have been submitted for payment.

So let it be written.

So let it be done!