Enra's Hauliers

Enra's Hauliers

By Joshua Vernson

ISBN: 9780463584200

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2020 © Joshua Vernson, Smashwords Edition, All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 1

Over the vast Kantigi Ocean, bold patchy grey clouds glide above, spreading the Sun's light as it steadily lifts off the horizon to bathe its powerful warm orange glow on the city of Atrasa. Slowly the city returns to life as the populous rouse from their cosy, colourfully plastered houses and prepare to begin the day's work in the densely packed seaside city.

In the huge harbour, wooden night drifters sail in to bring their large haul back to their assigned berths as dock workers rush out to moor the boats so they can offload, sort, and distribute the vast amount of fish caught by the long drift nets. Once the drifters are emptied, they leave the harbour and head to the quay so the crew can rest, allowing the multitude of trade ships anchored just outside of the harbour to enter and begin trading. The almost continual ebb and flow of trade ships is briefly broken when an alarm bell rings signalling for all ships to clear the way as a huge 64-cannon naval vessel is brought in for repairs after a recent skirmish with a number of Pirate ships trying to capitalise on the extreme wealth and frequency of goods that flow in and out of the world-famous trading city of Atrasa. Once the vessel passes, trade ships continue to flow as though they never stopped.

In the huge market square filling the majority of the centre of the city, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world crowd the streets to buy, sell, and browse the wide-variety of goods on display in the expensive stores ringing the edge and the hundreds of stalls within. Almost everything from every corner of the world passes through the market, making Atrasa one of the richest places in the World. Recently, to large sections of the city were demolished in order to accommodate wider roads leading to the market, but on busy days such as today, even these series of widened roads are packed.

In the north-eastern corner of the market square, haulage company owner, Enra, checks the lock box on the outer wall of her small store for shipment notices handed in throughout the night. She flicks through them all and, as her brutally high minimum standard demands, not a single error or delay. She enters her shop front; a single room 3 metres deep by 12 metres wide, with a solid counter doubling up as a money box, a long bench next to the wide window with various advertisements attached, and a door leading to a large 21 by 12 metre back room containing a number of carts sent in for maintenance.

She looks in the maintenance room for her Nephew, and is very angry to see he's not there. She shakes her head and moves over to the counter as her first employee, a feisty dwarf called Sairen enters – and she's angry. Enra looks with concern.

What's wrong, Sweetie?

Last night, some drunk arsehole jumped over me, so I punched him in the balls in mid-air. As if that wasn't bad enough, a guard only saw the aftermath and tried to arrest me for assault! she says angrily while hanging her coat up. She sighs, trying to calm. Luckily witnesses defended me and he was arrested instead.

Enra tries to hold back her smile. Oh, Sweetie. Don't let them get to you. she says, trying to console her.

I'll be sure to remind you of that next time something daily happens to you for 30 years. she snaps, quickly realising she shouldn't snap. Sorry. she heads to the back room to do inventory before the day starts.

A short time later, Enra's Nephew, a sinewy runt named Bestar, enters the shop. Enra is not happy.

You're late, and you got arrested last night! she growls, understandably annoyed.

It's not my fault. The guards discriminated against me because of my criminal background. They just see me and assume guilt. he pleads, to some sympathy.

Sairen comes back into the room. I thought I recognised that voice. That's the shit that jumped over me. she says with rage building, pointing angrily at Bestar.

Enra's eyes burn with pure destain as she has been nothing but let down since her Nephew arrived just yesterday evening and now feels duped. Bestar being something of a professional liar and smooth-talker, doesn't take long to turn this.

I harmlessly jumped over you and you violently hit me in the danglers and got me arrested for said harmless bit of fun. Now you aggressively approach me without provocation, turning my own kin against me. No matter which way this is viewed, I am the victim here. he says trying to reason.

I don't know much, but I sure know bullshit when I see it! Enra responds.

Don't be so hard on yourself, you know many things! he quips, manipulating her words.

If looks could kill, Enra has destroyed the world, rapidly making Bestar know the full extent of how much trouble he is in. He tries to make genuine amends.

I'm sorry, Aunty. I have an impulse problem, but that's not an excuse. I promise, I will work on it.

Enra, still enraged, walks past him and flips the open sign and then goes upstairs to her office above the maintenance room to calm down. Sairen is annoyed he's not packed and on the first cart back to his home town of Dortala. Bestar is being suffocated by the awkward silence, so he decides to break it.

I'm Bestar. What's your name? he offers his hand with a smile, trying to be friendly.

Sairen looks at his extended hand and stares at him, making it very clear she's not in a friendly mood. Bestar drops his hand and nods

Alright. he mumbles while nodding, getting the hint.

He looks around the room for something to do. He has been hired to be the replacement mechanic for the carts, but seeing as how much he has annoyed Enra, he's elected to stay away from her for a while. Just as boredom is setting in mere minutes later, the door opens, so Bestar sees an opportunity to make himself useful.

Greetings, esteemed Madam. Such a joy for you to bestow us with your presence. he says, trying to be as respectful as possible.

He takes the confused but strangely entertained woman by the hand and gently escorts her to the bench by the window.

You must be exhausted, so please have a seat. Might I know how to refer to you? he asks, really trying to make a good impression so he can get back into Enra's good books.

I'm Yani. she responds with a smile.

Yani! Such a beautiful name – a name fit for royalty! Would you like to see the pamphlets before making your decision on which service you require? Or perhaps, would you like some refreshments first? he asks, trying so hard to be friendly.

I already know what is in them because Enra employed me to write them, but milk would be nice. she says, not wanting to reject a free drink.

Bestar realises he's made a massive blunder, but not being one to yield to failure, he doubles-down.

That explains why they are so well written. Of course, simply provide me with but a few moments, and I shall retrieve your milk. he says before bowing.

As he leaves, he looks at Sairen's smug grin, but he maintains his smile, confidently hiding his utter embarrassment. Once out the door, he silently but angrily mutters 'fuck' under his breath.

Who was that guy? Yani asks, amused and confused.

Bestar, Enra's Nephew. Enra promised to take him on for a while so he can avoid prison. Sairen responds.

Criminal? Yani responds with shock. She looks at her arm where he held. I need a bath. she shudders, worried he may have contaminated her.

By midday, the busy market outside seems to have only gotten busier as the day progresses. Good news for Enra as the more people usually means more purchases, thus more need for transportation. She stands behind the counter finishing up some paperwork, when suddenly a rich noble enters. Immediately, she recognises him as Lord Popig as he has visited before.

"Greetings, Sir! How