As the morning unfolded, the soft patter of rain echoed through the streets, a soothing melody that Aerin welcomed. The rain, stained black by the remnants of ash, streamed down the rooftops, creating a peaceful ambiance that veiled the bustling city's true nature. Aerin's gaze lingered on the outside world from her window, finding solace in the gentle rhythm of the rain. There was a comforting familiarity to this weather, an inexplicable fondness that she held for it.

With a sigh Aerin stood up and made her way downstairs from her room to the small pub portion of the inn. The innkeep was a monster of a man. He lacked horns like most Draakin had, but he was Wyvern descended and had a large tail and could breathe fire, which is rare among the non-dragon descended.

The fact he was so intimidating and large made Aerin question why he was not sponsored to be a warrior by a clan.

As Aerin pulled up a seat at the bar, the man turned to her with a frown.

"Sorry missus, but I am not serving drinks to youngsters prior to the games tomorrow. I wouldn't want anyone to miss it with a hangover."

Aerin shook her head with a smile. "No, I was hoping you could tell me where the bazaar was. I was hoping to find some small trinkets to bring my parents back from the city.

"If that be the case. You will want to go to the six levels up from our own. That is where you will find the bazaar. Careful with scams miss it is not uncommon for merchants to prey on country folks from out of town." He gave a gentle warning as he washed a pint-sized mug in his large hands.

"Thank you for the warning." Aerin bowed and made her way out of the inn.

The Flamespire mountains, in spite of their name, was quite a wet climate. The ash fall and frequent lava flows from various mountains is what gave them both their namesake and their riches.

The Draakin could for the most part withstand the immense heat of lava and designed their homes and cities to naturally redirect the lava down tubs below the water canals going directly into moats and veins beneath the city.

It was this lava and ash that gave the Draakin immense trading power with other races. The fertile farmlands mixed with the precious metals spewed from the earth was a combo that made other peoples green with envy.

After walking for some time, Aerin came to the bazaar district. Whole one could find stores on all levels; it was this level which functioned as the hub for all residents of the city. Even with the light rain the bazaar was packed and covered in various tarps, making the rain nearly unnoticeable.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"Fire Grass root for sale!"

"Exotic perfumes from the far eastern kingdoms! Don't miss out on the latest trends!"

"Custom order weapons!"

Various merchants called out to passersby, particularly high-born, as their physical natures screamed wealth or at least strong backing.

Aerin found a small stand with various small jewels and colored stones fashioned into jewelry.

"How can I help you, young one?" An older Draakin with a long-well kept beard approached.

"I was looking for something for my mother. She loves green and was hoping to find a hair clip or necklace of some kind."

"A truly dutiful daughter! If only my grandchildren were as thoughtful." The man was clearly trying to break down her walls and flatter her.

Aerin eyes landed on a small green-white hairpin that ended in the shape of an odd elongated dragon.

The merchant saw her looking and quickly grabbed it from behind his glass shelf. "This is a stone called jade primarily found in the far east, something it isn't rare, but crafting it is a tedious process."

"How much for it?" Aerin asked as he examined it. The look would compliment her mother's dark reddish brown hair.

"For you young miss ten crowns." The merchant said as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Aerin froze for a moment before recomposing herself ten crowns was something she could afford, but it would eat nearly half the money she had left, and she still needed money for her return trip.

"I am sorry I cannot do more than four crowns." Aerin said, shaking her head handing the jade piece back to the man.

"Aye! Don't be so hasty. We can haggle! I can do seven crowns."

Aerin smiled inwardly; she knew she had him where she wanted with her next offer.

"How about six crowns, and you throw in that obsidian ring?" Aerin knew obsidian was not a precious stone, but her father was not a particularly picky man and would love to have a more inconspicuous item.

The merchant smiled, slightly defeated. He did not notice that Aerin had been looking at the ring from the start, not just the jade piece.

"Girl, if you ever need an apprenticeship, you have got one here! I will take that deal. Though you are forcing me to sell the ring at cost."

The old man quickly packed up the two pieces, carefully wrapping them and handing them to Aerin, who bowed and put them into her satchel.

Aerin had learned to haggle properly as a young girl from some of the merchants who passed by annually through her village. Most of them knew her parents, who bought their crops and sold them in various bazaars around the kingdom.

The city so far it was significantly better than she expected. Everything was going far better than she had expected.