Chapter 192
As Jay arrived at the main entrance's courtyard he was flagged down by a dapper looking Aiden who was standing next to the still parked Stringe family carriage. Aiden was dressed just as Jay was and his hair had been trimmed nicely.
“Jay you look great! How do I look?” Aiden asked with a wide excited smile.
Jay grinned, “You look great. Dark and dangerous.”
Aiden laughed.
“Where are the women?” Jay asked just as the carriage door swung open and a voice called out to him from inside.
“Waiting for the men! Let's go!” Norri said in a high pitched voice from the plush interior of the carriage.
Aiden sighed, “They've been a bit anxious to leave. Thank Goddess you're here now – in a minute or two I think they would have gone in search of you.”
Jay shrugged, “I went as fast as I could!”
The two men climbed in to the carriage and the driver hopped down to close the door behind them.
Jay rearranged his suit jacket as he took a seat next to a beaming M'redith.
The two women were both wearing bright white button up shirts, each with a few buttons undone at the top. The shirts looked silky soft. Over their shirts they wore what looked like suit coats but these had been cut and fashioned so that they were wide at the shoulders but then tapered down to their slimmer waists.
On the left front chest of each blazer glimmered a sewn on badge of Glimmerhide hide. Their group's standard stylized Glimmerhide head had been inscribed on to the material of each badge in black. They wore black pants just as the men did but, again, the fabric had been cut and fashioned differently.
Jay and Aiden's outfits were all severe angles and sharp lines. M'redith's and Norri's were shapely rather than sharp and displayed a more feminine look while at the same time not sacrificing the overall dark mood of the outfit. The women's shoes were different from the men's as well, and both women wore black high heeled shoes with thin black straps.
The women's hair had both been styled. M'redith was wearing her hair high and up off of her neck while Norri had merely had her hair trimmed to straighten it out a bit. They both wore a bit of makeup as well – a bit of dark eyeshadow, some red lipstick for M'redith and some pink lipstick for Norri, and a light application of perfumed dusting powder.
Their appearances were further improved by the wealth of jewelry they had been provided with. Shimmery silver diamond earrings were pinned to each of the women's ears. Fine silver chains led from each earring to a tiny silver cuff that attached to their upper ears.
M'redith wore a string of pearls around her neck while Norri wore a silver necklace with an opal pendant. M'redith also wore a spray of silver rings across both hands. Her pinky, middle finger, and thumb on each hand wore a thin silver ring. Attached to each ring was a fine silver chain, their links almost too small to see. The three chains on each hand then attached to a single rounded disc on the back of both hands. On the surface of each disc a stylized glimmerhide head had been etched in to it and then filled in with ruby dust. The lines of dust had then themselves been sealed using a clear epoxy like material.
They looked radiant and Jay was a bit surprised at the transformation.
“You two look incredible!” he said – but it was mostly directed at M'redith.
“Thanks!” Aiden said as he primped his hair melodramatically.
Jay sighed and M'redith winked at Jay as she leaned up against him.
Norri grinned happily. She was excited to be all dressed up and going out to a formal event. She'd never really had the opportunity to do so up until then and was looking forward to seeing what all the fuss was about.
The carriage smoothly rolled in to motion and Jay suddenly remembered something.
“I forgot to pick up some gold. There's a minimum purse of 20 gold isn't there?” Jay said in frustration. He hated forgetting things but he had been busy for days straight it felt like sometimes.
“I didn't bring any money...” Aiden said with a frown. He didn't have a ton of money and had thought that it'd be better to leave what little he had back in his room.
“Isn't the auction meant for royalty and mayors and so on? Would we even find something worth bidding on?” Norri pointed out.
M'redith smiled, “I'm sure it will be fine. When we get there just send a runner to First K'tharkle. I'm sure they could arrange to run you over 20 gold. Or even better, arrange for them to draw from your account directly.”
Jay looked serious for a moment, “But I thought you had to bring the money with you?”
M'redith shrugged and made a throw away gesture with one delicate looking hand. “You're a special case. I'm fairly sure that they will make an effort to accommodate you.”
Jay nodded but then stopped. “Ok. But why?”
Aiden was looking out the window at the passing food carts and restaurants but perked up at Jay's question.
M'redith straightened her suit jacket and then leaned back against Jay. “Why do they want to accommodate you? So that the next time you find a valuable item you'll arrange its auction through the Stringe house and not some other auction house.”
Aiden interjected, “There are plenty of competing auction houses to choose from. You don't have to bring your items and business to the Stringe house.”
She looked from Jay to Aiden who were still listening attentively. “They want your business. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a group that can consistently bring back treasure? Most groups only get one big haul in their life – we've had a few already and we're not even out of training.” M'redith explained.
“So what is the plan for tonight?” Norri asked.
M'redith nodded and pointed across the cabin at her. “Great question. Have fun. Make friends. Don't promise anything to anyone. Don't offer any information on anyone but yourself, and even then try to keep that to a minimum. Sound good?”
Jay nodded. He'd try not to say or do anything too stupid. The other two nodded as well and things got quiet for a moment as everyone thought about the approaching event.
The carriage took a turn in to a courtyard and turned around so that it was facing towards the exit. The carriage lurched slightly as the driver got down and opened the double doors for the Glimmerhides.
Jay was closest to the exit and stepped out first. He offered M'redith his hand which she took and stepped down as well. Aiden and Norri followed along behind them and an attendant who whisked the group inside.
The attendant carried a fancy looking leather folder stuffed with various papers. He wore light gray pants and a brown vest over it. He walked quickly and the Glimmerhides were forced to increase their speed in order to keep up.
The attendant kept up a running commentary as he escorted them inside and explained the layout of the building to them as he took them on a quick tour. They passed numerous people as they walked and all were dressed impeccably. The women wore pastel colors and the men all wore shades of brown or gray. Jay's group stood out quite a bit in their inky black suit jackets.
The entrance of Jay's group drew a number of eyes but no one made a move to approach them. A sea of pastels and browns and grays surrounded their tiny island of blacks and whites.
The other women wore dresses in soft pinks or gentle greens. No one wore red. Similarly, no one wore black. Jay's group's appearance was darker than any other's and their outfits gave them a foreboding appearance completely at odds with their actual personalities. People watched them as the Glimmerhides were led through the building.
The auction house was built like a multilevel theater. There was an entry area where people would congregate to socialize before the auction as well as after. Two sets of double doors led from the entry area and in to the theater itself which was filled with a three sections of rows of wooden chairs, all of which faced the main stage.
The stage was a few feet off of the ground but was behind a drawn black stage curtain which made it impossible to see what might be behind it.
The entry area also had stairs which led up to the second level with private bidding areas. Nine private rooms were on the second level and each overlooked the main stage. There were three rooms on the left, right and rear sections. The front area was reserved for the main stage.
Stairs then led to the third level, but those stairs were off limits with Royal Guards posted who prevented their use. The third level was for very high ranking individuals who might visit. Such as the King.
Less illustrious VIPs would be assigned a room on the second floor.
The rooms were buzzing with conversations and Jay was momentarily struck by the number of less well off people who had come out to see the auction that night.
“Is everyone here to bid on the auction?” Jay finally asked due to the clear differences between the ways some of the attendees were dressed.
Their attendant shook his head, “Not at all. Anyone can watch the auction on the first level as long as there is space and they behave themselves. The big spenders like to have an audience! Those on the first floor will be that audience. Anyone on the second and third level however must be a bidder or a client.”
Jay's group was carefully escorted to room 8 on the second floor. Room 8 was on the right side of the auction house and was the middle room. The door opened smoothly and the attendant waved them inside. He then followed them in and shut the door quietly behind him.
The noise immediately quieted a bit as the door closed.
Jay gave the room a quick glance and liked what he saw. The room had five plush comfortable seats lined with dark reddish leather. Next to each chair was set a small low table the same height as the chair's arm rests. The chair-side tables had nothing but a box with a red button on it and a drink coaster.
The walls were tastefully covered with pale green wallpaper covered in white designs of various flowers. The wall across from the entrance however was a solid black rectangle, as if a television screen the size of the entire wall had been installed there. The surface was matte and did not reflect any light the way a tv screen would however.
A long table covered in a white tablecloth had been set up along the left wall complete with a selection of drinks and snacks. There was even a charcuterie board covered with meats and cheeses he had never eaten before. The board was lined with fresh green grapes. Cups of various dips dotted the board in places and was surrounded by rolled meats and cheeses.
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The attendant went over to the wall opposite the one they had entered through and pressed a button on a control panel inset in the wall to the far right. The wall it was on suddenly faded over the span of a few seconds until it was completely transparent.
Jay reached out and grabbed a chair as M'redith turned and smiled at him. The attendant smiled as well until he caught Jay looking at him. He quickly smoothed out his face and said, “The viewing wall can be a little disorienting at first but I assure you that you are safe and will not fall through it.” The attendant made a fist with one hand and lightly rapped on the transparent wall twice with. “Solid as a rock – magic!”
Jay nodded in thanks, “I think I'm good now – it just caught me by surprise is all.”
The attendant nodded and smiled. He knew exactly how disorienting it could be but enjoyed messing with the rich and well off. Seeing one afraid of falling through the transparent wall had brightened his day a bit.
Jay joined him at the panel and had him go over what each button did while Aiden explored the snacks. Norri had already picked out which chair she wanted and had sat down to ensure that no one else would take it. M'redith stood quietly and watched Jay and the attendant.
Once he had shown Jay how to work the wall he turned back to the others. “You'll be able to view the auction through the viewing wall. Using the side panel you can set the wall to one way only, completely transparent, or completely opaque. It is set to one way only right now,” the attendant pointed out.
“To bid merely press the red button on the low tables next to each seat. Do not press the button unless you wish to bid. You will be held financially responsible for any bids made from this room. At this time the buttons are disabled as you are the client and not a registered bidder for today's auction.” the attendant explained mostly to Jay as he was closest.
“If you would like to deposit a purse of 20 gold I can have the bidding buttons activated. The entire amount minus whatever winning bids you make today will be returned to you at the end of the auction.” The attendant paused at that point to give Jay a chance to answer.
M'redith spoke instead, “Will a bank draft do?”
The attendant shook his head, “A signed bank draft coupled with a credit check would suffice. Normally however actual gold is preferred. As a valued client we will of course make an exception for you today.”
Jay gave M'redith a look and turned back to the attendant who smiled and removed a bank draft and a writing implement from his thick leather folder and handed them to Jay.
Jay used one of the low side tables to fill in his name, his requested amount, 20 gold, and the intended destination – Stringe Auction House. He signed it and handed it back to the attendant along with the writing implement.
“Your seal sir?” the attendant asked.
M'redith smiled, “Normally you would fold it, put it in an envelope, and seal it with your wax and seal.”
Jay looked guilty. “I don't have one.”
“Of course sir,” the attendant responded as he smoothly took the filled out draft and sealed the envelope himself. Jay saw that the seal was for the Stringe Auction House, not the attendant personally.
The attendant nodded, “I'll see to it that this is taken care of for you – when the bidding buttons light up that will be your sign that they have been successfully activated. In the meantime you are free to enjoy the drinks and food. You are also free to visit the first floor but the top floor as well as all other rooms on this floor are off limits. Should you need anything I will be right outside of the door and will be happy to get you whatever you might require.”
The attendant smiled happily and gave them all a brief nod before he left the room and shut the door behind him.
Jay looked out through the transparent wall. He could see all the people in their wooden seats on the first floor below them. He could clearly make out the stage at the front of the room but it was mostly hid behind the curtain. He found that he could also see in to some of the other VIP rooms so long as their occupants had set their walls to fully transparent.
“Why would someone set their private bidding room to fully transparent?” Jay wondered aloud as he dropped himself in to one of the chairs.
M'redith plopped herself in to a chair next to him and waved her hand towards the other VIP rooms. “They want other people to see them bid. It's just a way of showing off a person's wealth. Some people enjoy the public spectacle of a bidding war. It isn't as much fun if you can't see who is bidding.” M'redith quietly explained as she wiggled her bottom to try and get comfortable in the leather chair.
Jay nodded. He tried to see up in to the third floor but all of the walls on that level had been set to either one way or opaque only. There would be little chance of seeing the King unless the wall settings were changed.
“Woo!” Norri exclaimed as all of the red buttons next to the chairs lit up at the same time, five in a row.
“PLEASE do not press any red buttons!” Jay exclaimed. “I can't handle being financially responsible!”
The others laughed and took their seats. Aiden had a plate almost overflowing with various meats and cheeses all dribbled in various dips and sauces. Norri was chewing on some crackers that looked like they had pepper on them – an odd combination Jay thought. M'redith wasn't eating and had stretched out in her chair.
The door behind them opened and the attendant entered carrying four champagne flutes on a matte black tray. He placed one on the side table next to each Glimmerhide before he held the tray under one arm and gave them all a cheerful looking smile. “May I get you anything else?”
Jay shook his head, “No, thank you!”
“Very well. I will be just outside should you need anything,” the attendant replied before he left and shut the door quietly behind him.
M'redith sipped at her wine before she sniffed it and took another sip. After a moment she swallowed and smiled. “Tasty.”
That was enough for the rest of her group and everyone took a sip of the champagne. It was bright, bubbly, and delicious.
There was a bit of a commotion below on the first floor as everyone began talking at once a bit louder than they had been. Jay noticed that all of the viewing walls on the third floor had suddenly been set to completely transparent. He could make out guards, servants, advisors, and there, on a chair larger than the others, was the King Himself.
He wore a suit. An Earth suit. His suit was cut just as Jay and the other Glimmerhides were and differed greatly from the clothing that everyone else wore. His suit jacket was an off black with deep violet vertical pin stripes. His pants were a similar color but with a single purple line that went from waist to the bottom of the pant leg along the outer sides of each pant leg.
On the left breast of his suit jacket was embossed his personal seal done up in purple and golden thread. He wore a thin crown of gold and diamond on his head. On his feet he wore a pair of black shoes with a mirror finish.
Jay had just finished inspecting the King when there was a knock at his door. Wasn't there an attendant out there already? Jay got up and was about to open the door when it opened on its own.
In front of him stood not their attendant but instead a fully armed and armored Kingdom Guard. He wore a complicated looking purple and gold colored rank device and Jay became instantly wary.
“Patron Jay. Glimmerhides. Your presence has been requested by the King. This way,” the guard stated and pointed towards the stairs that led to the third floor. A guard still stood his post in front of it.
Aiden and Norri both looked at M'redith to see what they should do. M'redith stood up with a worried look and went to the door before she glanced back over her shoulder at them. “The King wants to see us. You two coming?”
Aiden and Norri both popped out of their leather seats and followed her out of the room and over to the stairs.
The Kingdom Guard spoke with the guard who stood post at the stairs for a brief moment before the way was cleared for them to proceed. As they walked up the stairs the guard below them took up his post once again and moved to block any access to the stairway.
The Kingdom Guard gave them instructions as they walked upstairs, his armor clanking loudly as they went. “Make no move to approach the King unless instructed to do so. Do not use any Class Abilities or any magical items during your audience. Do not attempt to hand the King anything. Should you need to give the King an item at His request you will instead hand it to an attendant who will do so for you. Failure to follow these instructions may result in violent intervention. When your audience is concluded I will return you to your room. Do you understand?”
They all nodded and said “yes” with varying levels of excitement.
Then they were on the third level and were whisked through two security checkpoints. They were scanned with some sort of device but what the device was checking for Jay had no idea. As they moved through each checkpoint Jay realized that he and his friends were completely visible to those on the two levels below – and they were all watching.
The King and Jay's group were dressed alike in a very unique fashion and it had drawn the interest of...well, everybody.
So it was that almost the entirety of those attending the auction that night saw Jay, M'redith, Aiden, and Norri escorted in to the presence of the King. M'redith, Aiden, and Norri each went down to one knee but before Jay could do so he heard the King whisper to him loudly.
“Don't you dare,” the King hissed at Jay with a crooked smile.
Jay smiled and nodded his head rather than kneel. The King smiled in response and clapped once. “Rise! It is good to see you again friends.”
Jay's friends all rose as the guards in the room all looked at Jay darkly and watched his movements for anything that might require their intervention.
“So Jay! Tell me! Do you like the suit?” Fair said to Jay with a wide smile while M'redith, Norri, and Aiden wondered what they had gotten themselves in to.
Down below the others couldn't hear any of the conversation. All they saw was a group of four suit clad adults approach the King, who was dressed in a suit as well. It was a bit of a show and it could have been easily kept private just by setting the viewing walls to opaque. They hadn't been set opaque however – someone had deliberately set them to transparent ahead of the Glimmerhides' audience with the King.
Jay grinned, “Looking good Fair! I'll admit it – you surprised me. You're the first person in Eden I've met who has ever even heard of Earth.”
Fair suddenly looked serious and shook his head, “Not here, Jay,” he said to him quietly and Jay nodded just as M'redith nodded approvingly. Then the King spoke loud enough for everyone to hear him once again, “I just wanted to get a look at all of you to see what Topher and Perry's work looks like on someone else. I must say the female versions came out wonderfully – I had wondered what the final product might look like.”
M'redith looked at Jay in horror at the way he spoke to the King. Norri and Aiden just looked worried.
The King smiled at M'redith, “Oh relax. I'm not going to hurt him.”
M'redith blushed scarlet red and Jay tried to hide his smile.
The King kindly said nothing of her embarrassment and even looked away from her to give her time to get it under control.
“Thank you, for the suits and, well, everything,” Aiden said with a half bowed head.
The King smiled warmly, “It's ok Aiden, you can raise your head during a private audience.”
M'redith's eyes flicked over to the transparent viewing walls and wondered at how private their audience actually was. It was practically the only thing anyone was watching at that point.
“Thank you,” Jay said, “for all of us. The outfits you gave us are wonderful.”
“The jewelry isn't half bad either!” the King pointed out with a hand motion towards M'redith.
Jay laughed lightly. “Thank you for all of it.”
The King nodded, “I won't keep you any longer, I just wanted to see how my gift had worked out. You all look great! Go! Have fun bidding and selling and maybe we will all have time to talk more afterwards?”
Jay nodded, “Of course,”
The King clapped his hands once, “Excellent! Until after the auction then. Go with my blessing.”
The Kingdom Guard suddenly appeared at Jay's elbow and Jay could practically feel his desire to physically pick Jay up and remove him from the King's presence. Jay carefully gave him no reason to do as he and his friends were escorted back out and down the stairs to the second level. They were handed off to an attendant who led them back to their room.
Back inside they all plopped down in their comfortable leather chairs. M'redith turned to glare at Jay.
“What was that about?” she demanded.
That was when Jay remembered that he hadn't told his group about the King's letter or the fact that the King claimed to know about Earth. He had just a little explaining to do.