Vince Vaan part 14

Matthew looked them over and nodded. "My nephew says you owe him a debt. You can repay it here. How much do you owe him?"

Toque gave a modest amount. So modest, in fact, that Marie snorted. "You wish." She told him. She then gave a fair amount.

"Hrumph." Toque crossed his arms and looked away. Matt looked from one to the other. "Is what she says true?"

Toque slowly turned his head around. He sighed. "I suppose it was a bit more than I recollected."

"Fine, you can pay off the debt here. I'll give you half and save half for him."

"Hrmph! You expect me to pay all that back in such a fashion! It will take years! And how am I to live on half pay?"

"Would you rather he not pay your debts at all?"

That stopped Toque in his place. He said nothing.

"Now you milady." Matt turned to Marie. "If you are in need of work I can offer it to you."

Marie looked surprised. "What? Me? Oh no, I couldn't possibly."

Matt grinned, despite himself.

Vince Vaan part 13

Vince woke with a start. He was a day out from Terra Maw and already someone - or something - found him.

He didn't dare move. From his hiding place he looked to see just how many there were. To his astonished surprise there appeared to be only one. He was small and looked to be helpless. He lavishly went to work on Vince's food supply. Vince waited a moment to see if more were coming. When none did he made his move.

"AAAAHH-"

"Shut your mouth!" Vince whispered. Vince clasped his hand over the would-be food thief's mouth. In vain the little man talked non-stop through the hand though nothing intelligible came through.

"What?" Vince said, removing his hand.

"What I said was I didn't mean no harm! Honest! I was hungry! I haven't eaten for days! Well, at least it doesn't feel like I've eaten for days. Now that I think about it it might have been -"

"Quiet." Vince said sharply. The thief's rapid fire mouth took a rest. "What's your name?"

"Sarganno sir."

"Well then, Sarganno. You want to earn yourself some food?"

Slowly, dumbly he nodded.

"Good. Follow me."

Vince Vaan part 12

Vince headed out through the forest. His old weapon Kazai was strapped to his back. His mission was simple, as his uncle put it;

"Tea has become a luxury item these days Vince. I can make a killing with how much some of these nobles want to pay for it. The problem lies in the price - these overseas traders charge astronomical prices for the leaves. I need these plants to restore this place to what it once was. If you can get me a steady supply of these plants I'll pay you handsomely."

Vince was more than willing to help out a family member. The problem was in the details. Lands were free beyond the city limits but they were not protect by the law. Thus, they were known as the lawless lands; free to the taking, but woe to anyone who was powerless.

Vince was a fighter, he would make it work one way or another.

Vince Vaan part 11

"Step aside boys, let me show you how it's done."

Even Marie looked on in astonishment as the would-be marketeer showed off his fine chef mechanics.

"What-ho, hahaha. Look alive boys I got this one in the bag!"

Knives chopped, patties flipped and burner's raged. One might even think his regular profession WAS cooking.

Marie shook her head. He was born for this, or so it seemed.

---

Upstairs Matthew looked down on his nephew behind his desk. He threw him a map of the area.

"That's where I'd like you to begin."

Vince looked it over carefully. "By the water? Good. Will I be given help?"

Matt blew smoke into the air. "Sorry, but I can't afford it. Your on your own Vince."

Vince Vaan Part 10

Vince dismounted from the carriage. Terra Maw sprawled before him. In the hustle and bustle of the port town much escaped the notice of the local law. Thieves and most lower criminals, however, were usually found and caught. Bigger crooks... well, they were another story.

It was here that his uncle had made a decent living, an honest living for the most part. The recession had hit and his restaurant was in trouble. Thus the reason he called on family for help.

Toque Wilson and Marie Ollon dismounted behind him. It was time to get started. He nodded briefly before setting off.

Vince Vaan part 9

Vince could see that Toque had fallen asleep. Marie had laid her head down on his shoulder and was soon drifting off. He thought she had gone until she stirred.

"He's yours now you know."

Vince looked down on her. Some of her age showed, but not much. She looked from him to Toque again. "He's a dog but a loyal dog. He'll follow you where you need him to go."

Vince nodded slowly taking his eyes off her at a tangent.

"So you want to explain what kind of work your Uncle wants out of you?"

He turned to her again. He waited a moment before responding. "Uncle owns a restaurant. He needs a good farmer to get crops from."

"That's it, just farming?" She said surprised. Vince shook his head. "Where I'm going, nothing is easy..."

Vince Vaan part 8

The ride was taking longer than he imagined. Outside the dreary window the night showed it's first signs of rain. Antelope and dear came to and from, going on with nary a care in the world. Off in the distance a fish jumped in the lake. A flock of geese took off and flew south. Winter was coming.

Vince looked on with stoic bliss.

Vince Vaan part 7

"Here you go boss. He's agreed to take us on the cheap."

Vince turned to Marie. "Are you coming as well?"

Marie shrugged. "I suppose."

Vince turned to the driver. "She's coming with us."

"That'll be extra."

Vince handed him a set amount. The driver quietly accepted it gratefully. All three got on board and they were off at a brisk pace.

Marie was curious. "Say, what was in the letter that your uncle sent you?"

"He needs something. A different kind of labor..."

Vince Vaan Part 6

Vince stepped outside and confronted the small crowd silently. "We know Vince is in there." They said. "We want him. He owes us."

"How much?" Vince said. This jolted the crowd and for a moment they were silent.

Toque waited nervously. Marie rolled her eyes at him. "What kind of man are you?"

"A smart one." He replied. "Investors do not like their money being taken from them. I think I'll escape out the back."

Before he ever could Vince came back through the door. Toque looked out the window to the departing crowd. "I owe you a great deal young one. Want can I do for you?"

Vince glanced his way. He then said calmly "Let's go."

Marie was shocked. "You'd pay his debts for him?" Vince would only look at her. He carried on. Marie was impressed. He wasn't nearly the brigand Toque was.

Vince Vaan part 5

Toque was beside himself. "That's all you got for your home? Pish tish. I could have gotten you far more."

"It'll do nicely for what I plan to use it for."

Marie wasn't sure of any of this but something about him, there was something...

She rose from his former table "I'm going with you."

He stopped and stared a moment "That is, if you'll have me."

"Certainly, if your willing to come. Toque?"

"But of course me lad... I'm not very well liked here."

Marie snorted, "You can say that again."

"Toque Wilson, we know your there. Come out now!"

Vince Vaan part 4

Vince pored over the letter. It was from his distant family. He knew what he must do.

"I ain't what I used to be. That run sure took it out of me." Toque commented.

"You can say that again." Marie said, looking down at Toque's gut.

Vince materialized out of a side room.

Toque slammed his fist down on the table. "I must say I thank you boy. You've shown me more hospitality than anyone I've ever seen."

"Not that it's any of our business but what's in the letter?" Marie nodded at it.

"It's from my family... I must go." Was all he said

Toque nodded several times. "So your related to old Tarvish? Shoulda known, you got his build.

"All right lad I'll come with you. I need to collect after all."

"This a long visit I take it?" Marie asked.

"It is. I'm selling my home."

Vince Vaan part 3

"Work stacking duties complete. Anything else you need ma'am?"

She giggled a little but shook her head. She passed the five copper coins due him. "Give the innkeeper my regards." He said before taking off.

He was tall, about as tall an any other man worth his grain. He might have been confused for an orc had his skin been green. His arms held the same strength as any of the bigger men. His sleek black hair went behind him, short as ever. He was unshaven but still garnered a few looks from the ladies - and he knew it.

"See you all tomorrow." He gestured to the waitresses. He gave a last longing look at the brew on the wall and knew it was just one more year.

The walk home went uneventful. He passed by a few people he knew but was tired enough that he didn't bother to stop and chat. As he walked in the front door where he lived he didn't realize two pairs of eyes were viewing him.

"That must be him." Toques said.

"You sure, that big feller?" Marie said

"He matches the description." Toque said. "Let's hope he doesn't get in too late."

Vince Vaan part 2

"He's over there!"

"After him!"

Toque held his breath at the side of the road. Above him he could hear the thundering of footsteps as a veritable mountain of men, and more gathering to the debtor collection, "gained" on him. He exhaled as all of them turned down the wrong path and ran headlong to collect. Toque turned to watch them go. He nearly jumped out of his skin as a hand came down on his shoulder.

"Toque Wilson, my God, I thought I'd never seen your face around here again."

She was sleek, slender. She had a form most women craved. An oval shaped face matched almond eyes and the dark brown shoulder-length hair marked her. Toque gazed on a familiar face but knew the deadliness behind it.

"Marie Ollon, so good to make your acquaintance milady." He took her hand and kissed it. "Time hasn't withered you at all."

"Spare me the pleasentries Toque. If you came back here I know for a fact that it's something big. You have more creditors in this town than hairs on your head."

"Ah, very true, very true. But, I owe others more, and I must pay my debts one way or another.

"Do you know of a Vaan? A Vince Vaan?"

"Hmm, can't say that I do."

Toque pulled a letter out of his pocket. "With this I pay off a great debt so I agreed. I must find this Vince before nightfall."