RP:The Jade Wisp Fern Conspiracy
Summary: Jedidiah finds Callum after being directed towards the royal botanist thanks to Meri. The poor halfling seems to have a bit of a problem, but with that book of secrets, Cal manages to steer Jedidiah on the right course towards procuring the much coveted Jade Wisp Fern for Queen Josleen.
Red Ogre Inn, Larket
After asking questions around Kelay about the herbalist Callum, some suggestions lead Zedidiah to Larket. So it is that the next time Callum enters the common room of the Red Ogre Inn, he is informed that one Zedidiah Gawkroger has requested a moment of his time.
The halfling himself is sitting at a somewhat secluded table in the inn, picking at what was once surely a magnificent feast and continuing to order small pastries in an attempt to settle the nerves in his stomach. He brightens visibly when someone approaches, for a moment struggles to climb down from the high stool he sits upon, and then finally simply extends his hand while still seated, "Callum? I'm Zedidiah Gawkroger, of the Gawkroger Shipping Company. Tell me..." he looks about conspiratorially, "What do you know about the Jade Wisp Fern?"
Callum Erikk Rochester was a man of secrets. A lot of secrets. There was a lot of things he didn’t know too, and that was -also- a secret. The main thing he really didn’t know about was this ‘Jade Wisp Fern’ besides the fact that Josleen wanted it and if the Queen wanted it, then that meant it was incredibly rare and probably priceless. He was grateful that he was the one to just care for it and not actually import it. Little did he know that the person that was going to do that was seated across from him. “Hm. The Jade Wisp Fern? I know some things, aye, but I’m thinkin’ you should tell me what -you- know first.” Cal was Larket’s Royal Botanist now, so he could make demands like that, right? We’ll go with ‘yes’ for now.
Zedidiah helps himself to a cookie to wash down his donut. Then a sausage to wash down the cookie. Then another cookie. He thinks of his companion a moment later, extending the plate of cookies toward Callum as he puts his thoughts in order. "Well. I know they are difficult to care for, and only the finest masters of the botanary arts need attempt. I am in the process of acquiring one, and your name was mentioned as someone who might just have the requisite skill to keep it alive." His attempt at cool and collected mystique is probably undermined by his nervous chewing of another cookie. When did he even grab that?!
Cal tilted his head as he watched the halfling stuff his face, a few calm blinks given to the other male. “I’m not the Royal Botanist of Larket for no reason, Zedidiah. Of course I can take care of it. I think you’re underestimating Queen Josleen and the decisions she makes. You should be rather careful about that. I hear people are getting burned alive for opposing them.” Well, technically it was witches, but Cal liked being able to flex this tiny amount of power he had--which probably wasn’t all that much at all. “How did you manage to come across one, hm? She -did- mention that she found someone to import it for her.”
Zedidiah's eyes go wide and he tries to shove two cookies in his mouth at the same time, one in each hand. His mind starts screaming at him. Royal Botanist?!? He was just supposed to be a plant expert! He pushes through the cookie fiasco the only way he knows how, by eating them both. A sip of calming, soothing milk will make everything better. His voice rolls out in something approximating calm, "Ahhh, so you're -that- Callum. Forgive my mistake. So what sort of timeline are we looking at, when will you be ready to receive the fern? I wouldn't want to get it here too quickly, you understand. As for where I found one, let us simply say that a Gawkroger knows how to get what's needed." He taps his nose in what he hopes is a sly manner, while trying to figure out how he'll ever find a jade wisp fern .
“Well, that’d be up to the Queen, now wouldn’t it?” Thankfully for Zedidiah, he’d read -a little- about this ‘Jade Wisp Fern’ and found out just where it came from. “She’s in the process of getting her arborium built as we speak, so you might have to hurry.” Callum pauses for a moment then decides to help the poor guy out, “So. I don’t frequent Chartsend much, and you seem to be in a bit of a dire straits situation right now seein’ as how you don’t have one and might not get one anytime soon--and I’d just so love for the both of us to not get roasted on a spit--I’ll let you in on a little secret.” Oh, look at you, Zedidiah. You get one of Cal’s secrets! Granted, he was going to take that fern for himself, but, he’s feeling charitable. “One of the merchants that frequents Chartsend also comes over to Cenril and I heard just a few days ago that they were heading out to the place where the fern’s home is, and was gathering a bit for themselves. I’m thinkin’, if you manage to catch them before they sell ‘em off elsewhere, that you’ll have yourself that fern sooner than you expected.”
Zedidiah laughs quietly, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, "Well, I surely appreciate the information, but obviously as a respectable shipping magnate I have my own methods..." The halfling reaches for another cookie, then finally stops and let's out a deep sigh, turning back to Callum. "I just wanted to renew the Queen's dog food order. Chartsend you say?"
Cal squinted at Zedidiah, watching the very troubled merchant as he wiped the sweat away and denied himself that cookie. “Aye, I did say Chartsend. But, if you’ve got other means of getting that plant then I don’t think you’ll be needin’ to go there, right? I have total faith you’ll be able to handle this situation with the grace that the Queen expects of you.”
Zedidiah nods, tapping his fingers lightly on the tabletop, then nods again. "Of course, of course. In fact I don't see any need to trouble the Queen with any mention of our conversation today. So much on her shoulders already, isn't there? No need to bring up two new friends and loyal allies to the crown having a quick snack together." Zedidiah smiles the smile of a man who has decided to have hope despite there being no empirical evidence that anything will right. It is a smile of subdued desperation.
“Precisely. I think you’ll find that I’m quite adept at keeping secrets. You might want to let the Queen know that you’ve procured the plant and that it’ll be arriving very soon. I’m not sure whether or not she’ll want to be there when it reaches Lithrydel. If you’ve not already, that is.” The cool, calm, and collected Callum rose from his seat, giving the halflinga nod, “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other real soon. I’ll be ‘round here if you need me.” ‘Around here’ as in Larket, of course. With that said, he’d offer a wave and head off out the door to tend to his business for the day.