Pigs Get Fat

Pigs Get Fat

--cowritten by Krelle and Tai Jiang

=Prelude=

Under the cover of darkness, two men moved down the dock. The slender one was carrying in his arms what seemed to be a small body, wrapped in sheets. The heavier man labored under a large sack, slung over his back. At the end of the dock the two men put down their packages and the first man knelt and began to work. He uncoiled a long length of chain from the sack and wrapped it securely around the inert figure’s narrow waist and small torso, the pale skin of her still hand visible in the moonlight. The second man was near frantic, nervously keeping watch.

Finishing by pushing a padlock through the two tail ends of the chain and checking his work, the lean man looked up and nodded, “That’ll do. Now help me get her over the edge.”

As he and the other man pushed the heavily chained body over the side of the dock, Tai caught a glimpse of Krelle’s pale face and winced. The splash, though, was smaller than one might have expected.

=Chapter One=

“Come in and close the door behind you.”

The Southshore customs agent was a fat, balding man with a smattering of hair making a desperate last stand. He gave the merchant an oily smirk as he sat behind his desk, motioning for the dark-skinned man to have a seat. The agent, a lifelong civil servant by the name of Ruhfus Whitbarn, leaned back in his chair as the joints creaked under his bulk. He lit a cigarette, not offering one to the merchant, and inhaled deeply, pausing a moment for effect.

“You’re new here and there are certain facts you need to understand. You want to ship goods here, you need a dockage permit. I, as chief inspector, am the sole source of said dockage permits.”

Ruhfus paused, taking another drag. He licked his thin lips and a speck of wet tobacco stuck to the upper one. The smoke from the cigarette curled upward in the cramped office, adding to the hazy cloud already there. So far the man he was speaking to had not replied, maintaining a stony silence. Ruhfus tapped his cigarette, letting the ash fall to the floor as he considered the merchant.

“The cost of the dockage permit is 15 gold monthly. You will pay me 25 gold monthly. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Ruhfus said with a confident smirk. He’d been in this position a long time and this was his town, his dock. The man would pay. They all paid eventually …

Tai ran his tongue along the backs of his teeth, keeping his face a mask of neutrality. Tai was a reasonable man, and knew that a certain amount of graft was to be expected. But ten gold a month? Normally he’d lean hard on a pissant like this guy, but something wasn’t right. The agent was cocky, sure of himself. Treated this office and the docks like his fiefdom. No, he had to have someone backing him, someone with muscle. Tai couldn’t help but wonder who his partners were and what their cut of the squeeze was. He’d poked around a bit and had some ideas, but nothing solid yet.

Regardless, Tai thought, breaking the man’s knees might end up going down a very expensive road. Besides what was it he’d heard once about artists? A sculptor worked with the material he had. The artistry was not in creating the statue but instead finding the statue within the material … or something like that. And right now, Tai was looking across a paper-covered desk at an opportunity, a man who could be influenced.

The trick had been finding a way to be the one wielding that influence. Mur had been all for simply offing the man, but Tai had instead asked her to tail him, see what she could find out. Mur had grumbled, little patience for surveillance, but had agreed. It had paid off. It seemed Inspector Ruhfus Whitbarn indulged himself in the delights of the flesh, with an apparent preference for that flesh to belong to prepubescent girls – and he was none too gentle. A swine, Mur had called him. These days that likely wasn’t enough to hold over his head, but it was an opening, a weakness to be exploited.

With Ruhfus waiting, Tai finally smiled and nodded, “I understand completely, Inspector.” Now Tai leaned forward, seemingly eager to please, “Your dock, your rules. I’m a practical man and understand the costs of doing business.” Tai paused and grinned, “In fact, Inspector, I’m used to showing a bit of professional courtesy to men like you. I’d be honored if you’d accept my invitation to Booty Bay for the weekend to, uh, inspect our warehouse there as part of your official duties… all expenses paid, of course.”

Tai could see Ruhfus hesitating, so he pushed forward, “And what would a weekend trip be without female companionship? I am sure something can be arranged …”

Ruhfus’ eyes lit up as his face morphed into a fraternal leer, “Well, I suppose I should get a sense of your operation.”

Tai nodded, a simple merchant who was just happy to grease the wheels. Ruhfus quirked his lips, hesitating, before asking, “About female companionship - I’m a picky man, Jiang. A connoisseur actually… My preference is for the grapes that are just barely ripe, maybe even a bit green… Untouched. Do you understand?”

Tai feigned a look of sudden realization, as if he hadn’t known. “I see … well, that's not an uncommon preference. Booty Bay is an exotic place and I’m sure we can find a companion to suit you.”

Ruhfus nodded eagerly and the two finalized the arrangements.

=Chapter Two=

Mariah gently drew the comb through the girl's raven hair, patiently working in the soft wax that would hold it in place. So young, she thought a bit regretfully, drawing the hair up and back, plaiting it into a french braid. It's for the best though. What else could she be doing?

Mariah did not speak as she worked since the mute girl would not be able to answer. She fastened the end of the braid in an intricate clasp that looked like small spring flowers and moved around the chair to examine her work from the front. She nodded, satisfied. Putting her hair up had clearly been the best idea - it brought out the girl's delicate features. Her high cheekbones and small nose made her look almost elfin

Such a pity she lost her sight, Mariah thought with a small sigh.

She had been told that a fever had robbed the girl of speech and sight when she was just a baby, leaving her eyes very sensitive to the light. The woman's heart had gone out to the poor thing - she'd lost one of her own children to the jungle fever when he was just a little lad - and she never questioned the need to keep the girl's eyes covered or closed.

Now that the girl's mother had passed away, she'd have to earn a living. This was one thing she could do.

The woman nodded, pleased with the effect, and moved in to finish her makeup. The girl smelt of lavender and the sweet smell of mint was on her breath as Mariah applied pink lip-dye.

"You'll do just fine, dear," she said softly, and gave the girl a little kiss on the forehead.

The girl gave her a shy little smile and held out her hand. Mariah gave her the strip of soft blue material that would keep the painful light from her eyes. She helped her to fasten it neatly behind her head then held the girl's hand as she stood up. The silk dress rustled softly as she moved.

She looks like a mystic. Or a faerie, Mariah thought as she led the girl back into the shoppe's waiting room

They were met with a low, appreciative whistle. Mariah grinned, flashing her dimples at the tall dark-skinned man who had brought the girl in this morning. He stood slowly, his face clearly registering how impressed he was. Mariah was secretly pleased to see that he even looked a bit shocked at the transformation

"You are a true artist, madam, to have made such a beautiful creation out of our little Clover," he said with admiration, taking Mariah's hand and bowing over it.

A little thrill went through her as his lips brushed her skin "Oh, it was nothing at all, Sir, really. She's a beautiful girl," Mariah managed

He gave her a roguish smile, his dark eyes flashing. "It must be that some of your own beauty rubbed off on her," he said softly. He took several shiny coins from a pouch on his belt and laid them quietly on the counter, a bit more than the agreed price.

"You're too kind, sir," she said, feeling the blush in her cheeks. She cursed herself for acting like a milkmaid. "She really is quite striking though. She'll be gorgeous when she's older."

Mariah was staring at the man's eyes and noticed the quick flicker of something - regret, perhaps? - as she spoke. He broke in to a wide grin though, and bowed again, and she wondered if she had just imagined it.

"Ah, but the important thing, Madam, is that she is gorgeous today! Come along, Clover," he said then, taking the girl's hand Mariah held the door for them with a "Good day, then, Sir."

She watched them go, looking like a father and daughter on a morning stroll. It was only after she closed the door that she stopped and swore. She had forgotten to ask the handsome man for his name!