“Ten gold crowns!” A mage yelled out, the first one to raise a price for Sonder.

“That’s the spirit!” Vell said, “How about fifteen? Or even twenty?”

“This is ridiculous. Why should we believe that this creature is tame? It could be a trick!" Another mage yelled out.

“Are you doubting the words of the Dread Mage?” Vell lifted his hands to address everyone. “Have I ever not kept my word? Do any of you remember a time when the Dread Mage didn’t fulfill his side of the bargain? What else do you need except my word?”

The mage was quiet.

“That’s what I thought. Now let’s go back to the issue at hand. I give you my word; such an opportunity does not come along very often.”

A few other mages stepped closer, and due to the great interest of the surrounding mages, the members of the lodge had to lower the barriers they created.

Sonder was hoovering passively next to Vell, who was taking bids all around, and he called to his audience, “Hear now. It is not just this wonderful creature I sell but also the knowledge of how to procure one yourself. Imagine what you can do with ten or even a hundred of them under your control. All the tricks I used, the ingredients needed, and the methods to my madness. Everything you need. Ten gold crowns are not enough, not nearly enough!” He empathised.

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“A hundred silver dragons!” One mage yelled but was instantly shut down by another make yelling. “Fifty metal marks!”

Which were worth about double the price of a silver dragon.

More and more bids came, and sacks and pouches of coins were thrust towards Vell, who waited until a better offer came, and more than once things other than money were offered.

Rare jewels, scrolls, and books—even a year’s worth of alchemical ingredients.

They would be intriguing offers if Vell didn’t have enough of all that already.

Money or anything that would increase his wealth wasn’t something he wanted, no. He would never sell Sonder for anything so... banal.

Not that he would sell her for anything else. Well, there were a few things, but none of these mages could offer him that.

The sea of bidders parted as a sallow and ancient-looking man stepped closer to the stage.

He held his yellowish hand up high and called, “One bronze tau.”

And the other bidders calmed down as they knew their offers wouldn’t even scratch the worth of the single large coin the man held up high.

Vell confirmed and pointed at him, “Sold! to the mage of the Irath.”