He chortled, “He could lower taxes if you and your counterparts would but do your simple duties and stop creating loopholes within the system. Every time a surplus is near, someone below manages to line his own pockets, and then it prevents him from giving back. You see? How can we run a cohesive society with such selfish creatures in our midst?” Not wavering in the man’s sudden proximity, he removed his foot, but then hopped into his barge. Looking utterly smug. “This barge would not be yours if not for the initial purchase, the charter, signed by my father of course, and then the monthly tax you pay to use the docks you lay it at. So in all fairness, what’s yours is mine.” He smiled, “Hope you don’t mind. I’m your travel companion for the day…” He handed the bargeman a roll of parchment outlining a subpoena for his rig, and that full cooperation was to be expected. Relaxing upon his seat he looked at Bard. “I am ready to depart.”
Bard considered himself an honest man. A patient man. A man capable of seeing past someone’s flaws and faults, and respect them for their efforts in doing what they could with the cards of life handed to them.
But then there was Destrian.
A few deep, necessary breaths, before he was even remotely capable of forcing his lips to curve upwards, “Delightful,” he said, both men entirely aware of the untrue nature of that single word. “Though I remain unsure of what it is you hope to uncover, Destrian. There is no evil plot underway to undercut your father. You are welcome to accompany me, but I will not be held responsible for the amount of boredom you will experience today.” Not saying more, he made ready for departure, his shoulders tense. Destrian might be bored; Bard would face a real struggle in remaining composed and unprovoked throughout the long day ahead.