The goblin crew that regularly ran the Salty Sailor Tavern under the watchful eye of the goblin named Skindle had spared no time hanging pink hearts on the walls and placing fragrant candles and roses on each table that almost overpowered the usual smell of sea salt and cigar smoke that filled the tavern. But as the saying went, love was in the air. The holiday had of course brought good business as far as the goblins were concerned. And Jaffar planned on doing the same with . How odd it was for him to be running a legitimate business, instead of being paid to keep secrets or pilfer valuables.
The last of the kegs went down beside three others that had been lined up in a row behind the shoddily built wooden bar within the Salty Sailor Tavern. “That’s the last of it. ” said Jaffar with a dusting of his hands.
”Beautiful!” said the normally morose goblin tavern owner. “The regulars can’t get enough of the stuff. Chocolate and booze, who’d of thought that?” He shook his head with a wide toothy grin that showed off more than a few gold teeth.
It was that tell-tale smile that reminded Jaffar that he had a few things of his own to take care of. “Say, Skindle, where can I find a good jeweler in town? I’m looking for a ring you’d climb over your mother to get. Something flashy, but...you know, nothing garish. Classy.”
Narrowing his eyes and pursing his lips the goblin was silent for a moment as though sizing Jaffar up. He broke the momentary silence with another flashy smirk. “Buying me a ring are ya? That’s a fair deal for the information.”
“It’s...for a special someone,” said Jaffar, suddenly very aware of how dirty his shoes were.
Skindle rolled his eyes, unable to stomach the rogue’s bashfulness. “Aww geez. I ain’t special? What’s it take to get a tokens of appreciation from the schmo who gets to run my tavern, my baby, my pride and joy, for one night a week.” he chewed on his lip thoughtfully before continuing. “A plate of beer basted ribs and I’ll tell you where to find a jeweler.”
Information always came at a price when dealing with Skindle. He’d have something from Jaff one way or another. “I suppose I could...make a few..” he began to reply.
“Good!” the goblin cut him off. “Jus’ remember Jaff. I’m the big shot around here.” It was a line that Jaffar had heard often from the goblin, as Skindle had at first been reluctant to make a deal with anyone if it meant they would have a piece of his pie. But the profits he gained every week from the little joint venture had kept him happy enough.
“Yes Mister Skindle,” the man replied without adding anything further. Time was money afterall, and Skindle didn’t care about anything else.
The goblin gave him directions to a fine jeweler who allegedly sold some “Top notch bling” as Skindle put it. Then ordered Jaff to get cooking those ribs.
*****
“Yeah! In yo face!” bellowed Alekxandar at the gathered crowd as he threw down his cards onto the table and reached out his hands to rake in the small pile of coins that had accumulated in the center. The other players seated around him, goblins and pirates alike, grumbled in disdain as the paladin gave a smug grin and took a rewarding puff from his cigar in his mouth.
“Alek! Quit while you're ahead.” said Jaffar as he approached the card game.
“Why should I?” Replied Alek with a leer. “I’m winning!”
“I need to talk with you for a moment.”
He gave a sigh. “Arright fiiine,” his armor clad friend replied and lifted himself out of the chair, then casually tossing a gold coin back onto the table and laughing with amusement as the remaining players scrambled and shoved each other in order to swipe it.
The headed outside onto the wooden where the crisp ocean air blew in from the vast bay.
“It’s about Ambrosine. I’m going to ask for her hand in marriage.” he said with a smile.
“‘Bout time! She’s a good lady, Jaff.” He slapped Jaff on the back and smiled broadly, a rare show of genuine emotion that wasn’t lust or greed. The paladin took a long puff of his cigar and motioned to hand it to his friend in celebration of the good news. Jaffar made a face and waved it off turning his head away from the previously used stogie. Alek shrugged and popped it back in his mouth, “Well, fine, be that way. More for me to enjoy,” he said clamping down on the end with his teeth and speaking from around it.
“And...I haven’t forgotten about an offer you made a long time ago.” Jaffar continued. “To perform the service of my wedding. I would appreciated it if you could oversee, err..officiate the service.”
The paladin stared at him with a dumbfounded expression that was a rare sight from the man who feared nothing and was quick to speak his mind...even when it was to embarrass Jaffar. The cigar almost fell from his open mouth before he quickly regained his compsure. “It won’t be flattering!” he said. “And she wouldn’t let me!”
“What? Of course she would. In fact she’d be delighted.” Jaffar said. Though he secretly wasn’t sure what Ambrosine would think of the idea.
“Fine then.” Alek said with a smirk and thrust a finger in his friends face. “But you asked for it, buddy!”
“Well..” the rogue said with a grin. “I’ll just have to get so drunk I won’t care what you say!” Of course, he had already planned to have a large reception.
“What kind of best friend would I be if I let you ruin your life sober?” The paladin chided, ribbing Jaffar with his elbow.
The two men shared a good laugh and with that, they each bumped their fists together.
“Now that that’s settled.” said Jaffar. “I just need the ring.” He was sure to find one in the town where plundered goods could be found on every corner.
They made their way through the maze of bridges and docks before finding the small shop was well hidden among homes that had been made from the planks of old ships. The owner was a well dressed goblin, which was a sure sign as to the quality of his merchandise. Love made people do crazy things after all, and Jaffar just happened to be one of those suckers.
“Yo! What do you need?” The shop owner inquired as the pair stepped further into the shop.
“A ring is what I need.” Replied Jaffar as his eyes wandered over the assortment of pretty jewels that were lying on tables.
“A ring eh? We got rings for fingers, ears, noses and uhh..well most body parts that you can stick a ring on. Right this way!”
They were quickly ushered over to a nearby table covered in fine cloth. Open sea shells had been laid on top and inside instead of pearls were rings of all shapes and sizes.
“I don’t really uh..” Jaffar muttered as he was shown ring after ring. Some well worn, and others with engraved with the names of their previous unlucky owners. He was about to reach for one with a plain silver band with a miniscule gem on it when Alek shouted out.
“Show him your best ones! No junk!”
The offended shopkeeper narrowed his brow at the paladin. But reached into his jacket and pulled out a tiny lockbox. A turn of a key revealed the prize inside, a fat sparkling diamond perched on a band of polished gold. It could have belonged to nobility, or even royalty, Jaffar thought as he stared in awe.
“Good! He’ll take it!” said Alek after giving the ring a casual glance.
“W-wait-what?” stammered Jaffar, “That’s going to cost me everything I’ve earned.”
“So? Earn it back.” his friend replied nonchalantly.
It was that simple and care free reason that made Jaffar smile.
“My father always said. “Score big or don’t even bother”” he said to Alek as he removed an extra sack of coins from inside his boot. How long ago had that been? He was a common thief growing up in Stormwind, then an unknown spy for SI:7, now he had turned into a tavernkeeper, farmer, and brewer all because of one wonderful lady. Rags to riches is what the goblins in town would say, and so Jaffar laid down his riches before the greedy goblin, all for the woman he loved.
