Book 3 Chapter 5: Good Work Today
Vampa, who stood more than a foot taller than Dantes, nodded silently at his question. He was wearing an undershirt and trousers held up by suspenders , his thick black boots were well worn, and had a few drops of red along the heel that didn’t take a scholar to identify. It was the most dressed he’d ever seen him.
They started walking up the road, the two black hounds in tow. The crowd parted before them, with a number of men and women offering them respectful nods as they moved.
“I was surprised when Zak said you’d be the muscle for today. He said you need money?” asked Dantes.
Vampa nodded. “Have to buy something,” he said simply.
“Listen, you’ve done me more than a few good turns and Vera favors you. If you need some gold I’ll give it to you.”
He shook his head. “Don’t like loans. Don't trust them if they come from you.”
Dantes chuckled. “You shouldn’t, but I didn’t mean a loan. I’ll just give you the gold.”
He shook his head again. “Need to earn the money. It’s important.”
“Fair enough.” Dantes left it at that. The man was set, and there didn’t seem to be a lot of value in pushing him to take some gold for free. Even if he succeeded it would just make Vampa annoyed and Dantes’s pockets lighter. Not much of an upside for him.