The Thorn in My Shed-Chapter 25: The Fisherman

Marix sat in his office, at his desk. The days were going by almost painfully slow at this point and he was sure they’d hit a wall in their investigation into Eilownia.

He held up her wilted flower crown. The once vibrant flowers were completely brown and crunchy. Most had fallen or broken off and some were still crumbling in his hand.

Eilownia’s words just continued to repeat in his mind, "Just because it’s not perfect doesn’t mean it should be treated so horribly and thrown away like nothing!"

’Is this something that should be kept, or should it be thrown away? How do you decipher what has value and what doesn’t, Little Flower?’

He sighed and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger.

’Why has this girl gotten underneath my skin and into my head so much? What an irritation. Now it’s made a mess all over my desk.’

As Marix swept the dead flower debris off his desk with his arm and hand, three Intelligence Unit members entered his office.

"Sir." They greeted him in unison.

"Yes, what is it?" Marix inquired, placing the crown to the side.

The captain stepped forward and bowed.

"We’ve discovered someone from Vasis who has information on the coins. He said he recognized them. We brought him here for you to question him."

Marix nodded and sat up a bit straighter.

"Yes. Bring him in."

The man entered the room and quickly took off his large hat. He held it in his hands, squeezing it tight as he bowed to Marix.

Wirey gray hair covered his face and hung down his chin in a thick beard. Wrinkles framed his kind, sparkling green eyes, his skin sun kissed and weathered.

His shirt had white stains and his clothes had a few wet patches here and there. The scent of saltwater and fish was pungent in the air as soon as he stepped foot into the office. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Marix’s nose twitched for a moment but otherwise his face remained expressionless.

"Go on. Speak to the General about what you know."

The fisherman looked to them as if seeking permission for something and only stepped forward once they gave him a nod of approval.

"General, these gentlemen have told me that you are looking for some foreign coins."

He looked towards the three Intelligence Unit members that stood around him and motioned to them with his hand.

"Well I got some, I think. They’re incredibly similar anyways." He held onto his hat with both hands again and wrung it as he watched Marix’s response.

"Is that so? Show me these coins then. Let’s see them."

The fisherman reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the coins, handing it to Marix.

It was shiny and gold, practically brand new, octagonal in shape with no reeding. The profile on the face of the coin was similar in shape to those that Eilownia had as well.

One of the Intelligence Unit members then placed the coin Marix had entrusted to them on his desk for him to further compare.

Marix held them against each other – a perfect match in size.

Above the profile read the words "Norain 1084."

They were identical, except for one important detail.

"There is no jade leaf on yours."

Marix looked up at him expectantly, waiting for some sort of explanation or answer, but the fisherman just stared at him with a look of befuddlement.

"Jade leaf?"

Marix nodded and showed him the oxidized coin they confiscated from Eilownia.

"See this? Jade leaf. Yours doesn’t have it."

The man shrugged and shot him an awkward look.

"I-I’m sorry. I don’t know anything about that. I’ve never seen one look like that. All of mine and the ones I’ve seen look like the one you have there in your hands."

He pointed to the coin Marix was holding with a nod of his head.

Marix put the coins down and cocked his head to the side as he stared at them, the gears in his mind turning.

He rubbed his chin with his hands them exhaled sharply.

The man glanced at the unit members with a look that asked, ’Can I leave?’

They only shot one back that said, ’We don’t know. Give it a second.’

Marix’s gaze darted between the two coins over and over again, for what felt like an eternity to his company.

’Perhaps they are two different coins from neighboring kingdoms.....or maybe Whin’s are, as our mint said, commemoration coins...regardless, it seems I have a clue on my hands.’

He slammed his fist on the desk, causing everyone to jump at the sudden noise.

’Damnit. Why can’t I figure this out?’

Finally, Marix looked up to meet the fisherman’s eyes, who looked like he was about to jump out of his skin.

Marix had no idea just how intense his gaze was, but it was full of determination, frustration and irritation.

"What are the origin of these coins?"

Despite the look on his face, his voice was calm and collected.

The fisherman was caught off guard a bit by the unexpected tone.

"Oh um......far North of Vasis is an island that belongs to the Northern Continent. It’s called Norian. These coins came from them."

"Norain." Marix repeated as he grabbed the fisherman’s coin. His thumb drifted over the words ’Norain 1084’ as he did so.

"And how did you come to be with these coins? We don’t have any trade routes set up with the Northern Continent. You aren’t doing illegal dealings are you?"

The man gasped and held his hands up, waving them.

"No, General, no! Nothing like that! Norain is a powerhouse for rare goods and their island is rich in minerals that we can’t get here. They, well Norain I mean, they really hate those of us here in the South and don’t want much to do with us. At least in terms of trade deals."

"Yet you have their currency. Is this not a confession?"

The man’s eyes widened, practically bugging out of his head.

"No, General! I promise you! There is no illegal trade being done! We in Vasis follow the rules, we are a good people! This was not that kind of situation."

Marix nodded, "Go on then. Tell me."

The fisherman nodded as well and fidgeted with his hat some more.

"You see, recently, an invasive species had infested their waters. It was a big ol’ problem, General. It was killing off their prized fishing stock and ruining their reefs. They sought aid from us Vasis fisherman, and I think a few other Northern Continent islands, to help hunt them and clear up the problem."

Marix listened intently as the man told the story about how a few of their fisherman were selected to travel to Norain, himself included.

As Norain had not set up trade with the South, the fisherman were allowed to keep what they caught and were given a bit of Norain currency as a reward for their aid.

"Since they don’t have trade set up with us, foreigners are incapable of shopping there or getting our hands on any of their goods. Being given some of their currency and being able to go to their markets was a big blessing."

The man then laughed and gave Marix a wink. "I was able to buy my wife some beautiful new silks for her birthday. I don’t think I’ll ever get in trouble for coming home smelling like fish ever again."

"Right, of course. Any wife would be pleased to receive such a fantastical gift from her husband. Now, I wonder if your wife would be alright with you allowing me to keep this coin."

The fisherman’s jaw practically fell open as he scoffed.

"General! Do you have any idea how much one of these coins would sell amongst the people of Vasis? I’d be crazy to just give it to you!"

Marix stared at him, "Even if it’s for official military business of Viraaz?"

The fisherman pointed his finger and shook it, "Now, now General, I am not of Viraaz! I won’t allow you to bully me! Your military affairs have nothing to do with me and you can’t confiscate my belongings willy nilly! I’ll raise complaint, I will!"

As the fisherman protested, Marix snapped his fingers, signaling for a servant to come in. He paid no mind to what the fisherman was now ranting about, something about how Viraaz has nothing on Vasis and patriotism or something like that.

Marix whispered in their ear and sent them off with a flick of his wrist.

A few moments later, they returned with a large pouch.

Marix nodded his head toward the fisherman and held his hand up, signaling for the fisherman to stop.

"Will this payment do?"

The fisherman took the pouch from the servant and opened it up, his eyes widening and his face beaming.

"Please, General," He motioned towards the coin as he bowed, "Enjoy the coin."