Cerebus #18: The merchant of Fluroc

Having captured the outpost of Fluroc, Cerebus begins searching the residents’ libraries for information on Palnu. He and Gudre hope that this will give them information that will aid them in their conquest of the city. While discussing this with Graus, Cerebus also learns how Gudre convinced the T’Gitans that Stromm (Gudre’s extremely strong, but mute son) is a “Thunter Gott”.

Meanwhile, Lord Julius informs Lord Gorce — as only Lord Julius can — that Gorce has been chosen to raise and army. Lord Gorce is not exactly thrilled to hear this. And, of course, Lord Julius has no expectations that Gorce can actually defeat the T’Gitans. Lord Gorce, though, tells his aid that he will raise the army, defeat the T’Gitans, and rally Palnu’s merchants to overthrow Julius.

Back in Fluroc, Cerebus has managed to find “a passage in one book” that may aid them in their attack on Palnu, “if it isn’t out of date.” We don’t find out what the passage says as a merchant caravan arrives at Fluroc’s gates. Cerebus is the only one that speaks their language and he quickly comes up with a plan.

Cerebus convinces the merchants that a plague has swept through the city — a plague which causes terrible puncture wounds to appear in the victims’ vital organs.

A merchant and a few guards do enter the city to bargain for their goods. Cerebus soon tricks the merchant into believing he has the plague and that he, Cerebus, has the only flask of “cure” available. The merchant begs Cerebus for the flask, eventually offering everything he has for the cure. Cerebus “reluctantly” accepts the offer. The issue ends with Cerebus regaling the T’Gitans with tales of his victory.

One thing I like about this issue is that it really shows just how clever Cerebus is.. As the only one in the city to speak the merchant’s language — while none of the merchants spoke the T’Gitan language — Cerebus was able to balance both parties without too much effort. As Gudre was the only one Cerebus told of his plan to fool the merchants, Cerebus had to convince the T’Gitans that his actions were for their benefit. And it was his plan, after all, to convince the merchants that all of the bodies lining the streets were the result of a plague, even though they were clearly the result of battle.

I particularly liked how Cerebus was able to convince the merchant that he was infected. Cerebus blotted a little blood on his finger and then pressed it against the merchant’s neck, asking if he’d cut himself shaving. The merchant’s first thought, not surprisingly, is that it’s the plague. Cerebus assures him that it’s not…unless he’s displaying other symptoms such as an increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, and excessive sweating. Naturally the merchant has all these “symptoms” and as he tries to convince Cerebus to give him the cure, Cerebus refuses until the merchant has offered him everything he has.

When Cerebus describes his victory over the merchant to the T’Gitans, he describes himself as simply threatening the merchant into giving up his wares. As he’s doing so, he begins to doubt the mental capacity of the T’Gitans and wonders if there’s room for another “Gott of Thunter” among them.