Relics

[Canen Darkflight]

The morning had promised ideal weather conditions: calm winds, moderate temperatures rising throughout the day and a spread of clear blue sky that ran off to the eastern rim of the fabled Bazaar district, where the craftsmanship of the talented merchants who lived and traded here lived on, manifest, in their creations. Canen would never forget that beautiful sky as he peered through the small log and mortar window of the porch of the old armoury, sheltering him from the sunlight as he searched for his latest wares.

He cast his mind racing back to the past. How from the moment he had trodden on the cobblestone streets of Lyridia Port, the Khaian had been taken in the glamour and hype of the Lornius Coporation Challenge, now a distant memory for him but still a warm one nonetheless. Now, two years on, he was ready to throw himself back into the fray once more, to any tournament that would crop up. Canen had missed the Gisela but knew privately perhaps it hadn’t been his time anyway. He had other things on his mind.

Such memories had their proper time and place, and Canen’s personal trials were the furthest flung thing at the back of his mind as he sat silently in the armoury, a tankard of almost translucent, lukewarm drinking water clenched loosely in his right hand. A small note that had been sealed with a somewhat mysterious black and red wax seal lay unfolded on a table made of lashed stumps, the sloping italic handwriting containing the order for his latest brainchild. He watched as the merchant on the other side of the counter snapped it up, and peeled it open. Canen explained his intentions.

“Dehlar Shield, one that can lash to the arm. Say about a metre in height and seventy five centimetres across, something wieldable. How much? Also, how much for a Mythril and a Titanium one as well?”

[AdventWings]

Down to business, I guess.

The merchant scrutinized the note as the customer sat waiting, trying to make sense of what was written on the piece of paper.

"Dehlar shield with straps for the arms, sir?" The merchant looked up from the note, mentally flipping through the pages of his memories and prices for the ware. "For a tower shield, it would cost you 510 gold pieces, 400 for a heater shield and 250 for a buckler. I'm not entirely sure which kind of shield you want, so you will need to give me some more details on that."

There could only be so many kinds the merchant could think of, but at least these were some of the ones he had in stock. By any luck, one of them would be what the dark-hair man wanted.

[Canen Darkflight]

Canen responded to the highlight of his mistake quickly, laughing nervously. He felt a little foolish. These were some of the finest merchants Althanas had to offer, but they were not seers, nor did the majority of them have psychic prowess.

"My apologies, I should have elaborated. I'm looking for a Dehlar buckler. It should be easy to wield, and i'd prefer it if the leather straps for the handle could be adjusted to lash onto my forearm. This is to be used to protect me against close strikes and really the objective is to be able to move it around quickly. Can you do that for me?"

Canen peered into the merchants trained eyes and placed a canvas purse of gold onto the table.

"Also, if possible, I would like some silver runes engraved into the design, which I would prefer to be a dark navy blue. Specifically, Memoritia Vi Harus. Just a culture thing."

[AdventWings]

((Whoops! I gave you the incorrect prices. I've changed the prices for each shield types for your reference now. :p))

"Aye, yes sir. One Dehlar buckler, it is." Jeffrey looked up the item in his stockroom and noted it down. " The Engraving, though, would cost you another twenty to include."

However, as the merchant was noting down the words to the rune, his mind tripped over an important figure which prompted him to turn to his customer. Considered rude by merchants themselves, Jeffrey still thought it would be better to open his mouth and dispel all doubts than to keep silent and ignorant be.

"One quick question, sir." The young merchant asked, placing a blank piece of parchment on the counter with a quill pen in his hand. "Would you like the engraved runes be colored in silver or navy blue? Or did you want the runes to be engraved with silver-based finish, dyed into navy blue? I'm terribly sorry to have to ask you this, but there is such a significance. Also..."

Pushing the parchment towards his dark-hair customer, the merchant voiced his thoughts once more.

"I'm not certain what the words you requested are. Would you be willing to write them out for me, sir?"

[Canen Darkflight]

Canen picked up the pen and parchment in front of him, and scribbled down his request. He couldn't help but notice the merchants attention to even the finest detail, the sign of a good trader. Perfectionists were often the best manufacturers of such items.

"The shield itself should be dyed navy blue, and the runes engraved with a silver lined finish afterwards please, so they stand out. The words are Khaian, a language long since lost on this continent."

Canen looked up at the merchant, brushing his thick hair back with a quick swipe. He enjoyed the service he was experiencing...not all merchants were helpful.

"It means By my brothers, I stand without fear. It's a tribute to both my ancestors and my principles. Twenty extra is fine and but a small cost for this fitting personal monument."

[AdventWings]

"Ah, yes. I see."

Jeffrey took the note and scrutinized the intricate lettering the customer demanded. Hearing that the shield was to be dyed as well, the merchant glanced up from the note to respond.

"Dying the shield navy blue is going to cost you extra, sir. But let's see if the details are as you see fit." Jeffrey stated, his hand hovering over the parchment to write down more notes on the order. Attention to details was what kept this store from running out of customers.

"So, here is what you've asked for so far. A Dehlar buckler... Priced at two-fifty gold pieces. Twenty pieces for the dye and the engraving will do, which brings the total price to 270 gold pieces. Also, because of the craftsmanship involved, I believe it should be completed by the afternoon of three days from now."

Quality craftsmanship required time and money to make it worth while. But above all, no amount of money could lessen the value of time itself.

"If that is fine with you, I will require one hundred pieces as down payment."

Nor is lax business outlook a substitute for idle time.

[Canen Darkflight]

"That's fine. I expected a wait, after all i'd rather not be wielding anything forged without due care and attention. Two hundred and seventy it is." Canen tacked on to the merchant's statements. He emptied the required amount of gold into an envelope, sealed it with a lick and passed it across the table.

He was smiling now, both inside and out. This was a small opportunity to learn a new fighting style, shield and sword, something which would give him expansion from his previously dull hack-and-slash style of swordplay. Now, he had options. Well, in three days, anyway.

[AdventWings]

((Ugh. Head hurt. But thread... Must finish.))

Three days went by in a flash as the merchant resumed his usual trading at the store. He barely noticed that time had passed before a young boy entered his shop, a large item shrouded in thick canvas balancing in his arms.

"Deliv'ry to Mr. Jeffrey, sir." The errand boy piped up from behind the large roundish item, his face sweaty with a light touch of red powder all over his face. Taking the item from him, Jeffrey then realized it was not make-up when the boy tiredly wiped them off, streaking his white shirt with red blotches of dust. "Fifteen pieces for the serive, sah."

The merchant placed the item on the counter and pulled off the cover first, instead of merely handing the due payment to the boy. Seeing the navy-blue Dehlar shield engraved with silver characters, he then pulled out a handful of coins and placed them in the runner's hands.

"Fifteen for the handiwork." He said, closing the boy's tiny hand with his own huge one. "And five for you."

"Thank'y sah!" The boy's emerald eyes lit up before rushing out the door, his words of gratitude barely heard from his lips. Jeffrey merely looked on with a chuckle and returned to his place, ready to deliver his customer's ware.

[Canen Darkflight]

((Apologies for the frankly shit post here but i've had an hours sleep and I want to die.))

Canen had been waiting three tantilising days for his new toy, and as he strolled briskly into the store he had chosen to undertake the task of creating his Dehlar Shield, his eyes peeled themselves to the counter, and the item within the merchant's grasp.

Beautiful.

"It seems, good sir, your word is worth your weight in gold. Here is your payment..."

Canen slapped the gold onto the wooden top, and lashed the shield around his left arm when prompted to collect it from the counter. It was a very pleasing piece of gear indeed...

[AdventWings]

"Thank you for using our services, sir." Jeffrey nodded with a smile, watching quietly as the man walked out the door. The brief period of respite was soon broken by the appearance of more customers, signaling a day of good sales.

Well, can't complain about a job that puts food on the table.

((Transaction Complete.

Canen Darkflight loses 270 GP and recieves his custom-designed Dehlar buckler. He also receives 100 EXP for good IC interactions.))