Trade Princess Senneca Swiftsilver stood by the bar in the cartel club, Badda-BOOM! with a drink in her hand. Her eyes stared off into the fog of cigar smoke and seemed oblivious to the noise and activity around her. Music played, rowdy sailors told dirty jokes and exchanged stories of the high seas, while the bartender worked furiously to keep the rum flowing and the patrons well lubricated.
Suddenly, Senneca snapped back to attention as the small frame of her trusted Cappo, Debrah, came walking in the doorway and made her way to her boss at the bar. “Glad ta see ya, Deb. Thanks for comin down on such short notice!”
“Of course, boss. What did ya need?” Deb replied. Senneca nodded towards the crowded lounge “Let’s talk in my office.” Deb nodded in reply and the two goblins made their way upstairs and took their seats at Senneca’s desk.
“Deb, as we’ve discussed previously, there may come a time when I get called away or worse, and I’ll need someone ta run tha cahtel in my place. Well, that day has finally come. Somethin’s come up that requiahs my personal attention, and I’m goin away, most likely for a long time. Therefore, effective immediately, I’m steppin away from tha Cahtel for tha forseeable future, and leavin you in charge of things in my absence.”
Debrah looked surprised for a moment, but regained her composure immediately and looked confidently at the Trade Princess “I understand. I won’t let ya down, boss! You can count on me!”
Senneca smiled at her Cappo and nodded. “I know I can, Deb. There’s a reason I picked ya. I have full confidence in your abilities, and I’m lookin forward ta seein what you’ve done with tha place when I get back. Here are the keys ta my- your office, and tha key to tha vault.”
Senneca slid a keyring across the table to her Cappo, who looked down at them “Oh, was I not supposed to have a key to the vault already?” Senneca grinned “I should’ve known. Anyway, I guess I’d bettah get out of your chair.”
Senneca stood up and walked from behind her desk into the center of the room. Brushing smooth the creases of her expensive business suit she took a final look around the office. So many memories here.
She could still remember her first day sitting behind that desk. So many plans and schemes hatched in this room, laughs and drinks with friends, millions of gold and so many lives ended or spared all with a wink and a handshake over that very desk. Now, she would leave it all behind, and a new goblin would take the torch and inherit her empire.
Debrah rose to her feet, and Senneca turned to face her. “You’re gonna do great, Deb. Watch your back. Make me proud. Most of all, make us all rich!”
Debrah nodded at her boss with a look of determination. “Stay safe out there boss. We’re gonna be bigger and better than ever when you get back, you’ll see!”
Senneca smiled at her Cappo “I know we will Deb. This ain’t goodbye. Just, see ya latah.” “Bye boss. Be careful out there.” The two goblins exchanged a brief hug and with that, Senneca walked out of the office and onto the balcony overlooking Booty Bay. She looked out over her empire she had worked so tirelessly and sacrificed so much to build.
Then, she turned and looked out to the ocean as the sun set on the glittering horizon in brilliant hues of pink and orange. She made her way down to the docks and boarded the ship that would carry her over that same horizon to her next adventure in far off unknown lands. The ship pulled away from the docks and glided silently into the twilight. The Trade Princess was gone.
Back at the office Debrah watched the ship sail off and disappear into the deepening darkness of the night. She looked around the room and made her way to the Boss’ chair. Hesitantly, she sat down, but as she settled in behind that desk where she had watched so many deals be made, alliances forged and broken, the reality set in. She smiled to herself and leaned back in her chair. There was a new boss in town!