Siree's natural suspicion fades away as Zakhar talks of shared experiences. "My brother is always trying different ways to get it." she confesses to Zakhar. "Why once he even took it off the wall during a dinner and tried to walk out with it." she sniffs. "We don't have dinner together anymore." The rest of his words draw curiosity from her. "Murgen? My brother. He loves his work, it is his joy and obsession, and it is already bringing a lot of silver into the village.. I don't understand how we are losing out.. What do you mean?"

Murgen peers suspiciously at Sira. "I don't plan to change anything. People pay far more for something rare and unique." he looks doubtful. "But I have heard there can be trouble on the road. What are you proposing?"

Zakhar takes another sip of the warming drink, placing the mug to the table as he stands up and heads towards to where the painting sits. "It is a lovely piece. Though have you ever looked at the backings?" He looks back to Siree in his question, raising his hands to her. "I understand the want to keep a painting of a loved one. Though I offer to you that there's something more to this painting. Something that you can offer back to the town, and ensure that everyone has a chance to raise themselves. Nor just one person with a little trickle down to the rest."

Zakhar checks charm and manipulation at hard. Zakhar is successful.

"Sure, people pay far more for something rare and unique," Sira replies, agreeing with the man as she turns her gold-rimmed blue eyes on him. "However, look at the success of fabrics like honeysilk: They are still unique, and they still command a life's fortune for a single gown's worth of material. Laurent has ensured their people continued prosperity by expanding production. Further," The seamstress looks back at the vivid material, "Its ubiquity keeps the weavers and dyers safer." Her lips curl in a frown. "I was attacked by bandits on my way here. Several lives were lost in the resulting chaos of the assault. Having an established trade partner and secured routes will provide security for you and your fellow villagers. Let me help you."

Siree gasps in horror when Zakhar sugests they look at the back of the painting. Horror that fades into a spark of self-interested curiosity. "No" she puts a hand to her chest "I couldn't. It would be so terrible." Her eyes go to the painting with that same glint. .. "You will be terribly careful wont you?"

Murgen gives a little grunt. "I don't have access to a weaver letalone one who knows a unique technique like that." His next grunt is combined with a deep frown. "And what is this 'help' going to cost me?"

Sadly there is nothing special to be seen at the back of the painting, should Zakhar actually pull it down. Just the usual backing stuff.

As Zakhar pulls a small dagger from his belt, "I will be of the kindest and softest hand to this piece. The point is only to remove the backing." As he takes knife to the backing and pulls back carefully, there's a frown to his face which he tries to hide away. "Ah. Nothing of worth back here." Showing the painting off with the small papery back flapping where he's ripped it. Under his breath and then smiling towards Siree, "If it were a piece of mine, a recipe would have been printed to the back of canvas."

Sira's expression becomes more curious, a brow lifting as she leans just an inch closer to Murgan. "Isn't your dye process a 'unique technique,' Master Murgan?" There is the beginnings of a conspiratorial smile toying at her lips. "It depends, doesn't it, on if you keep your process a secret. If you share your technique, I could use my connections with the Silver Consortiun and Crafter's Guild to create a network of individuals pushing this out to market. I would, of course, ensure that agreements were in place so that you would receive compensation for the initial sharing of the process and a portion of sales resulting from it."

Sira checks intellect and haggling at daunting. Sira fails.

Sira checks charm and haggling at daunting. Sira is successful.

Siree leans over Zakhar's shoulder through much of the process. Unsurprised but dissapointed anyway "My grandpa was very traditional."

Murgen replies with a grumpy "You won't find color like mine anywhere else." but he listens to her proposal. "I have enough money already. This is about my name. My legacy."

At this point you have discovered that Murgen wants a painting which Siree owns. You know the painting is not special for any reason you can see. You also know that Murgen won't negotiate without having the pot sweetened somehow and that money, by itself, will not be enough.

"When you say he was very traditional." Zakhar starts as he pulls the torn edges of backing back and looks closely to the seams to see how to fix what he's done. "Do you mean that his colors were traditional to how inks were made? Or just he painted and set them as he found 'em?"

"Then call it 'Murgan's Orangesilk,'" Sira replies, her tone a bit snappy as she's peeved at not being able to use coin to get her way. "You've changed your story, haven't you? It was buy what yoy have for a firm price when I first arrived, and now it's about your name, as if expanding the supply isn't apt to make your name legendary." Suddenly she looks around, realizing Zakhar isn't with her. "Where did I lose the old man?" With a sigh, she fixes Murgan with a Business Look. "I'll be returning, I need to find him." Then, she heads back out to the village to see if he's about.

Siree blinks at the question. "I meant he was old fashioned and wanted everything to stay just as it always was."

Murgrn just grunts a goodbye, clearly glad that the merchant has finally left him to get back to his work.

Zakhar takes a deep breath in as he looks to Siree. "Nothing will ever stay the same as it always was. I've children, grand children, and great children which had said they wish it was the way it was. But it is never in the means that one might wish it to be. There's always a problem, always a means to which makes it worse." He stops and looks outside where the mule was struggling with the young (to him) man. "Much as the mule is outside. If you want the beast to move, you can't push and shove. You need to offer something which they want. Then they will follow and pull all that you wish." He looks back to Siree. "I've seen enough towns. Like this one be taken to complete ruin because of a single family that one had the goods, another had the secrets. To share, to promise those goods out to the Compact. Only to be destroyed by another that is far too greedy..." He trails off and looks fully to Siree. "Do you fully trust your kin to include all of this town, of your family?"

"Old man!" Sira calls out once she's exited the workshop. It's not especially helpful as there are certainly several old men in the village. "Zakhar?" She amends, looking for him.

Siree sighs a little at Zakhar's words and question. "That mule won't work." she wrinkles her nose "And most of the people who live here are terrible. Kirtis won't even refund the price of that mule! As if its my fault he bred it wrong." A little girl runs into the room then with a sniffly nose and a muddied dress. "Oh darling" Siree's nature turns syruppy as she goes over to the little girl. "Please excuse me messere Zakhar." Tea is over. Time for the two of them to get together, talk, and plan.

Zakhar is reaching to his satchel covered with bones as the little girl runs into the room, though to be left as quickly as he is his hand leave the satchel to nod towards Siree. "Thank you for the tea and time missus." He lets himself out and looks towards the mule, within his hand is a bit of carrot and turnip. Waving it at the mule as the man there looks tired.

Zakhar checks intellect and ride at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Sira can find Zakhar in the yard of the largest house in the village looking at a mule.

The youth handling the mule clearly doesn't know what he is doing because the creature is clearly partially lame on its right foreleg and simply doesn't want to stand on it. The youth just wants to get his work done and keeps obliviously trying to pull the 'defective' animal into the job. The mule, like many of its breed, is to smart to have it.

Sira heads for Zakhar when she sees him, her voice carrying some of the way before she closes the distance. "That stubborn old man seems to think he needs to secure a legacy, which I offered him a means to do, but he's not listening to me. Maybe he'll listen to you. Would you come and tell him exactly what I told him so that we can-" She pulls up short when she sees the mule. "What are you doing?"

Zakhar is left to stare at the /Youth/ as he looks to the mule, stepping over to pet at the animal's mane and feed it the carrots and turnips. Looking at the animal's leg then catching Sira's words. "Oh. Thought I lost you completely." As he looks to the kid, "Bandage this leg, let the animal rest. I hear differently and you and I are gonna have some tea."

"I can't." Declares the youth. "If I don't finish the work for messere Siree then she'll not pay me and my mamma, and sister, are both sick. I made the load lighter" he adds in his defense. "But I can't do it if Morry here doesn't work and Kirtis wont give us another mule." He pulls on the mules halter until the animal sullenly starts moving again. "So I'm sorry Messere but unless you can fix his leg right now. I can't help."

Sira's nose wrinkles as she takes in the situation. "Wait, is that mule injured? Are you forcing a hurt animal to hurt itself more?" She stares at the young man. "How much is a mule? Ten silver?"

"More than I got" Mutters the youth as he keeps trying to work around you both.

Zakhar pulls back at the reins and nudges the animal as he stares at the youth with s squint that few have lived through to see the smile on the other side. Trying his best to not to growl as he stares at the boy, "What is the work?" He then shifts to look to Sira, "Between the two of us, we can feed you and your family, and make sure that Siree and hers, minus the fool down the road have there's" He looks back to the youth, "What is your name?"

Sira rolls her eyes at the young man and rummages in her belt bag. She produces 20 silver and holds it out to him. "I will be extremely upset if Zakhar becomes embroiled in some village nonsense right now, go get another mule."

"Solmon" says the youth as he looks between them both. "You're offering me a job? Does it come with a cottage cos I gotta have a cottage for my mom and sister. I can't just leave." he stares at Sira's hand and the money "More than that." he haunches his shoulders a bit "But it wont be no good. Master Kirtis wont sell to Siree and he knows I work for her." He looks hopefully at the two of them. "Kirtis might sell one to you though. Its just Siree he hates."

Zakhar keeps his tug of war on the reins to allow the mule some relief, while also playing with the small knife known as the thumbhusker. "Look Solmon. I have ten thousand silver if you stop right now. Another ten if you tell me who Kirtis is, and a final ten. Possibly more than you might see in a year? You can correct me if I'm wrong. For you to tell me what you'd rather be doing."

"Are you kidding me?" Sira looks from Solmon to the coin in her hand to Solmon to Zakhar. "Why is this village like this? Who is Siree?" She glances back toward the workshop. "Solmon, do you know Murgan's dye secret? I'll match Zakhar's offer if you can get it."

Solmon just gawps at Zakhar. Blinking for a solid two minutes before his mouth shuts and he says "Kirtis is a farmer that lives just up the lane. He's nice but Siree is, well, she." he clears his throat a little embarassed. "Siree said she wont pay for another mule until he compensates her for this one." he pats the mule and the mule nudges him back. "I've been making poultices for Morry." he promises Zakhar "But I" He blinks again at Sira. "I.. I don't know it. I wish I did but maybe if you do him a favor he'll be more willing to deal? Murgen's not so bad. I wish I worked for him and not Siree." he umms. "What odd about our village?"

Zakhar nods slowly to Solmon as he looks to the mule and pats along the stretch of nose and head. "Go talk with the caravan. Tell them that Zakhar sent you. You'll get your full pay. All of it." He looks to Sira for a moment in loss of words then back to the kid, "Just don't be weird about Trihy nor the cock and all will be good." His gaze slips back to Sira, "Siree is a piece of work. She means well, though its a family feud over a painting that is nothing more than who loved dear ol' dad more that the other. The whole house could mysterious implode to flames and if the painting wasn't saved then it would be the end of the world for them." There's a glint in his eye as if he might be the one starting the fire. "No more poultices for Morry. Let good old Morry rest. The poultices only work if there's rest. Siree? I'll deal with her. Now. Kirtis. Which way?"

Sira looks at Zakhar. "Murgan wants the painting then?" She gives Solmon a look, like 'shoo, you have your orders.' "What's so special about the painting?"

Zakhar shrugs, "Less there's something sentimental in the artwork. I don't know. Nothing on the back of the painting. Least from what I could see."

Solmon nods at Sira. "He wants that painting painful bad and Siree won't give it to him because he wants it. She's like that." He points Zakhar down the lane. "He lives down there. You'll know it." He pats the mule's head "Bye old boy." and then hurries off towards the caravan.

Kirtis' place is indeed obvious, in part thanks to the mares with foals at foot visible out from the road. Kirtis is out in the yard and gives you both a friendly greeting when you walk on in. "G'Afternoon." he says "How can I help you both?"
..And if all you want to do is buy a mule, without mentioning Siree at all, the business will go so smoothly that we don't need to discuss it. Heck, by the standards you are used to, the mule he offers is an absolute bargain.

Sira buys a mule. The less she has to talk to these villagers, the better. Zakhar has to handle it back to the boy, though.

Why on this side of the dream would Zakhar ever learn not to mention another that might be the cause of pain in their relationship... As the old man walks up to Kirtis he's left to push forwards, not directly at Kirtis, though enough that it appears as if he might have reason to stab the man. "Why would you sell a mule that is literally on a leg that would kill it?"

Kirtis just asks "Huh?"

"Zakhar..." Sira shakes her head at the old man. "Can't we just... Not?" She looks at Kirtis. "Don't mind him. Losing his sense in his age. Just the mule. So I can stop being here."

"Oh" Kirtis pulls a face. "She has three mules when she needs six and everytime those mules get tired, or sick, or slow, she's back here yelling and shouting, telling me how its coz my mules are badly bred. I've swapped em out before but everytime she just does the same damn thing." he takes the reins of the mule that he was just about to sell Sira. No longer willing to deal. "So I aint doin business with her no more. Not now theres caravans coming through. Not until she wants enough for the work she's got them doing. And she apologises." he looks to Sira with displeasure all over his face. "I aint selling this one if its going to her."

Zakhar looks to Sira as if she's ruining his fun. He easily slept through the whole way here, there's got to be something for him to just completely muck up. Then left with a sigh, as she plays the age card. Turning back to Kirtis with a grin as he listens to the man go off on the woman that he shared tea with. A small shake of his head, then running hand through the snow-white hairs. "It won't go to her, /directly./ It will if she lets a certain painting go from her house. Or there's things like accidents that happen. However a small town and new folks, people get uppity about who did what. And for me to keep this long rein of mine to age. It would just be easier if you name a price and we're on about it." He stares at Kirtis now, "Less you have insight to the dyes that the dyer uses?"

Kirtis opens with "Not unless you take six and get me that apology. I aint selling them just so she can overwork them like that."

Sira's cheeks turn red. They were already pink from the cold. /This village./ "You want an apology, Murgan wants a painting, and what's this Siree want?"

Zakhar checks perception and haggling at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar sighs as everything seems to pull itself together. A nod to Kirtis as he looks to Sira. "This one won't be getting this apology. Though the woman wants her mules, which she'll no doubt be coming back about as soon as we leave. Thus I think to not be telling here where the mules came from. Tell her they are one of a kind. She mistreats them and the gods themselves are coming for her." He looks back to Kirtis with a small smirk, "That fair to you and your lot?"

"Sure works for me." Kirtis tells Zakhar. "Let her think you pulled them out of your caravan out of the kindness of your heart. Just make sure she takes them all. Don't let her argue that she doesn't need six. Woman's as miserly as they come." he goes over to a paddock and brings out a few more mules. "Would have preferred she have more than this but at least now she wont be overloading my poor mules." the reins are handed over. "And bring the lame one back if you will. Don't trust her not to work it anyway."

Next, you just have to persuade Siree to trade these mules for the painting. Handily you have Solmon to tell you all about her business before you start. (She really did need the extra mules. She's just so stingy she didn't want to feed them.)

With the mules secured, Sira begins to trudge back toward this Siree person's house. She looks at Zakhar, confused. "And how do you expect to get the painting?"

Zakhar is left with a stare forwards. "Might have to steal it."

"Okay." Sira can handle that, so long as she knows that's the potential plan. "And what is the angle /before/ stealing it?"

He's left to stare at Sira with a squint and one eye opened. "How do you feel about being a famous art dealer?" He continues upon the walk back making sure the mules follow along, plenty of turnips to pull them forwards.

Sira doesn't miss a step, but she also gives Zakhar a VERY strange look. "You know what? We can try it. Today is just that kind of a weird day, I guess I'll try anything to get this business done."

Back to Siree's home and orchards where they find that an insufficient number of mules is the least of the business parts problems. The man who's working looks to be about seventy and theres clear neglect all over, despite the fact he's trying. "Mules!" the man exclaims. "What a relief. We're really behind." Reality hits him a few moments later as doubt creases his face. "These are for Siree?"

Siree comes out a little later with a furrowed brow. "What is going on?"

"Ah! Siree. I found a lovely art dealer that came with us. You two should talk. That piece you have is worth more than you might think." Zakhar then looks over to the old man with a small wink to him. "These mules are a gift from me to yours. If that means to be lead under control of Siree, then that is what it means. Though, I saw the state of the orchard. I have these to spare. Can I trust that they will be treated fairly?"

"Of course" Siree has a gleam of avarice in her eyes when she takes in the mules and Sira. "We would never hurt our animals. How kind of you." She gestures for Sira to come on inside. "You must have heard about my grandfathers art. Please come on inside."

"Goodwoman," Sira greets Siree with a polite bow of her head. She studies the other woman for a moment before giving a nod. She recognizes that gleam. "After you."

Sira checks charm and haggling at normal. Sira is successful.

Siree shows off the painting to Sira and explains that normally she would never dream of selling such a treasured possession but after giving me such a genuine gift how could she possibly refuse? Even so the price she gives is outlandish for such average art and Sira can only get it down to very overpriced. Oh well, its not like you want it for its value as art.

Sira checks composure at normal. Sira is successful.

"Mm, mhm," Sira nods along to what Siree is saying. "It really us such a /fine/ piece," She explains, "It would be a shame to hide it away from the world. Imagine, your grandfather's name could become famous in the capital." When Siree names her price, the seamstress blinks once once. The final resting price is "fair, Goodwonan, you are a master dealmaker." Sira swallows and secures the art.

And so Sira becomes the proud owner of Grandpa's last painting.

Sira carries it outside and says to Zakhar, softly, "When no one is looking, we head to the workshop."

Murgen is not happy to see Sira again. "Look." he starts "I told you that I was not interested in negotiating. You've got your fabrics.." his words fade off as he notices the painting. "Whats this?"

Sira looks down at the painting, attempting to look innocent. "Oh, this? Just something I heard you wanted." When she looks back up, there is a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Are tou interested in negotiating?"

Zakhar looks to the painting then to Murgan as he looks over to Sira while she holds the painting. "It's exactly what you might want. Siree won't be coming after it either."

Murgen stares at her for a bit before grumbling. "Fine. Lets go talk. You said you wanted an exclusive deal with the silver consortium right?" he looks at Zakhar "I wouldnt be so sure about that. How did you.. No. Wait. I dont want to know."

"You just have to not tell her it's here. Gloat to yourself." Sira shrugs, handling the painting a bit more carefully. Her smile now is a more genuine thing. "Yes. Let's talk. This is my... Grandfather, Zakhar."

Zakhar shoots a look to Sira as he nods slowly and sets over to take a look at the fabrics as they hang to dry from being dyed. "These are fine pieces..." He watches Sira for a moment to make sure that the deal is to be set in place as he looks back to the fabrics. "A fine color too. How is it different from the orange shine that Fireweave gives?"

Murgen goes on to explain how the orangey-yellow of pyreweave and his own oranges come from completely different sources and have a different lustre that creates a different illusion. He does muse that its almost a shame it doesn't look the same though. A fake pyreweave would surely have a strong market. After chatting for a while. Less prickly now some of the suspicion has faded away, Murgen stops talking about colours and looks directly to Sira. "So what is it you are offering?"

"People would immediately know if there were counterfeit pyreweave as it wouldn't be warm to the touch," Sira notes. Then, looking back to the painting, she gives the terms of her offer, "I will ensure the Silver Consortium's Silverguards accompany caravans carrying your silk and in return, we get 25% of the sales cost. Additionally, you share the dye process so that I can establish additional dyehouses, and you will get 25% of those sales."

Sira checks charm and haggling at hard. Sira marginally fails.

Murgan immediately shakes his head "Too much." counter offers are given and then countered and so on and so forth until finally he offers to give the Silver Consortium rights to trade his product, giving them 25 percent of the costs, but he wants to run all these other dyehouses himself. As a member of the Silver Consortium himself of course.

Sira quirks a brow. She gives Murgan a long, silent look as she mulls over the long-term effects of such a deal. Finally, she holds the painting out to him. "Take it before I change my mind."

Murgen accepts the painting and sets it carefully aside before coming back to shake Sira's hands. "I look forward to many years of business together Sira."