Right then, about Yangus…
The ex-bandit fingered the purse at his belt nervously. Not that anyone would be stupid enough to steal from a man of his formidable stature and reputation, mind you. Walking into Red's hideout tended to make him forget all that stature and reputation. Even the ribald cheers of her fellow thieves didn't put a dent in Yangus' fear. He had a feeling he was proposing something stupid.
"Well, hello there," Red drawled from her rocking chair near the fire. "I'm gonna guess you was a winnah in that fight."
"Blimey, Red, it was a knock-down drag out fight! If any one of us wasn't there for the otha, we wouldn't have won against that bastard," Yangus said quickly. "Ya flail came in real handy. Um, I know it was a loaner, so I'm givin' it back to you ya all fair and square."
"Right. Thanks." The thief lord eyed her weapon with a practiced eye. Grunting in satisfaction, she stowed it on a shelf. "That all you came here for, Yangus?"
"I was thinkin' an' I know that ain't my strong point, but I was thinkin' about a propositionin' that I'd need help to pull off." Yangus looked up warily at her. "You want I should keep goin' or should I be off?"
Red settled back into her chair. "Keep goin', hatchet man."
"Right. Well, I was thinkin', with all the travelin' with the guv durin' our adventure, I got to look at the different towns. What some people need and some have too much of, right? So, why not try tradin' everywhere?"
The thief lord snorted. "Are you suggestin' I go straight? Are ya daft?"
Yangus scratched his nose nervously. "You got the ships and I got the memory in my brainbox. We could split it evenly. Think of it, Red! All the travel and goin' ta new places without worryin' about law enforcement no more."
"I only got so many people, Yangus. Tradin' company needs a lot of workers."
"Pickham's got people lookin' for work. Havin' all those thieves in one spot might be dicey for business, but who's gonna steal from US?"
Red chuckled. "Got a point. I'll think about it. Meanwhile, stick around. Me and the boys will have a round in ya honah. Ya can try winnin' them over with ya plan."
Yangus knew his plan would take back-breaking work. But after traveling the world and fighting the Lord of Darkness, he'd gladly accept it.
At this point in time, Yangus and Red are still putting their trading empire together, otherwise I'd write more.
Akagi reflected he'd have to rewrite these stories thoroughly. The trilling laughter of ladies-in-waiting made him gulp for what would happen in a little while.
But now, let me talk about my friend Angelo…