Annan found Zoe Picard at the front of the seaport, directing sailors as they unloaded cargo.
"Hello, Champion Sorcerer! Have you bought a ship and gotten ready to leave?" Zoe Picard spoke at a startling pace.
"I found a better ship. How about selling it to me?" Annan pointed toward a five-masted sailing ship in the distance.
"Hmm... You want the Inneson... That's a fine ship too. It'll cost you... 5,000 gold coins." Zoe Picard stroked his goatee and named an exorbitant price.
"3,500 gold coins. Paying twice as much for a ship isn't worth it, and you lied to me earlier."
"I don't know what you mean, Mr. Champion. How could you say that about one of your devoted fans—"
"Then tell me: did Jack and Rose kill the Ratfolk with swords or a Magic Wand?"
"Uh... Swords, of course."
"Wrong. Only Rose killed one Ratfolk, and she used an Axe." Annan stared coldly at the crooked ship dealer.
"All right... 3,500 gold coins. You can sail her away..."
The ship dealer clutched his forehead in anguish. That left him with a mere 300 gold coins in profit... but the buyer had caught him out.
Annan gleefully produced four chests of money and let Zoe Picard count it.
Annan spotted the assistant returning and winked at her.
"Why did you..."
While Zoe Picard counted the money, Annan lowered his voice. "You were helping me... I couldn't let you bear the consequences for me. What's your name?"
"Kiara..."
"Thank you, Kiara."
"The Inneson is yours! Or whatever your name is!" Making money always put people in a good mood. Zoe Picard took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. "But there's one thing I didn't lie about. My daughter really is your fan."
Silent, Kiara returned to Shack Row.
"Damn