If it was time and space away from Ryk that Einin needed, she wasn't going to get it very soon. As she sped away, Ryk followed close behind. The clerk was counting out her coins when Ryk overheard something.
"We lost a lot of money because this pig broke his odds," some of the race organizers were standing around Bacon is Delicious, talking about the animals second place finish.
"Ten people bet on him placing, TEN! We're out a thousand gold. We need to make some back."
"What are the odds he'll do it again. People will bet on him more now and lose."
"And if he does miraculously win? He's not sure fire, we have to give good odds on him to draw bets. He wins and we're finished."
"Well you know we can always sell him to a butcher."
Ryk had heard enough, killing the pig because it did too well? That was ridiculous. Most of the time he wouldn't care about some animal, but pigs were smart, and Einin had bet on that very pig. He walked over to the fence near the race officials.
"Hey there," he called to the men. They paused in their conversation to look over at him. "You're gonna sell that pig? How much?"
"How much?" a fat man parroted, clearly annoyed, "we're gonna sell him to a butcher, not some spoiled noble."
Ryk Handelaar, was known for brash behavior. So when he jumped the fence, trotted through the mud, drew his sword and placed it to the mans throat, he was not afraid of the rumors that would follow. A sour grin spread across his face as the man's associates backed away slowly. Bacon is Delicious, sensing the tension ran off squealing.
"I am Ryk Handelaar, the wealthiest merchant in Arca," Ryk explained to the man, in a very calm voice, "I am not noble, and not spoiled." He pressed his short sword harder into the mans neck drawing a trickle of blood, "I was born poor and have worked hard to be as filthy rich as I am." He withdrew the blade and placed it back in its sheath. Then he reached in his vest and pulled out a sheaf. He wrote a note on it with a stick of coal and shoved it into the man's hand.
"That mark will get you five hundred gold coins upon delivery of Bacon is Delicious to my estate," he looked into the man's eyes, a very serious expression on his face. "If you fail to deliver my pig to me, I will not be pleased. You will regret crossing me." Ryk walked back through the mud to the fence and hopped over. He reached for the primper, and used it quickly, returning his clothes to their former splendor.