“To the east of Illyria lies Khmer, once the most powerful kingdom in the world. Ruled by an immortal Godking, his ascension to divinity led to its current state of decline.”

Chapter 27

The rest of the shopping trip passed uneventfully. Quentin visited half a dozen shops and market stalls, while Wil followed dutifully behind her. Rather than load herself and Wil down with goods, Quentin had the merchants deliver her purchases to the Inn.

The only highlight for Wil was when he found a stall selling meat skewers. Spicy beef and vegetables on wooden sticks. He devoured four of them, while Quentin shot a disgusted look at him as he offered her one.

Mercifully, the time of the Auction had come. Their carriage had arrived in the western district. The auction was being held in a large, graceful stone building. With large cathedral style windows, well-kept lawns and gardens, and numerous guards patrolling the grounds.

Wil stepped out of the carriage first, offering Quentin a hand down, which she accepted gracefully. They made their way to the front entrance, Quentin in the lead and Wil following behind. He was sporting a bored expression on his handsome face.

An employee of the Mercantile Association, dressed in a black robe with yellow along the sleeves and bottom hem, met them at the entrance. Wil noticed the man was wearing a symbol on a chain around his neck, a set of silver scales.

“Madam, do you have an invitation or proof of membership?” The man said, bowing slightly to Quentin.

She handed the man a signet ring and a folded letter that she had removed from her pouch. Wil saw the ring had the same silver scales as the man’s necklace.

The employee swiftly scanned the document, before handing it back with a small bow. “Welcome Madam Quentin, right this way.”

He led them inside, through a set of large double doors. The front foyer was spacious and filled with other employees in yellow and black, as well as groups of merchants, traders and the wealthy elite of East Haven.

Wil saw that works of art covered the walls, some portraits of men and women while others were of battles or beautiful scenery.

The foyer had two large open sets of doors that led to the stage and the main seating area of the auction. On either side of the foyer were sets of stairs, Wil assumed they led to the private booths and premium seating in the upper levels.

Ignoring the crowd, the employee led them up one of the staircases, into a long hallway with deep purple carpeting and tan colored walls. Doors were evenly spaced on the right-hand side, leading to the private balconies.

Walking down the hallway, he opened one of the doors and directed the pair inside. The room contained two plush chairs that overlooked the auction stage and seating below. A waist high railing partially blocking the people below and shielding them from prying eyes.

Along the back wall of the room was a long couch and a table with bottles of wine and ale, along with a platter of cheese and fruit.

Bowing to the pair, the employee left, closing the door behind him.

Wil made his way to the drink table, pouring himself a glass of wine. He looked to Quentin, who had sat in one of the chairs. Being polite, he carried the glass of wine to her, placing it on her side table. He returned to table to pour himself a glass before taking the chair next to her.

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“Thank you.” She said, picking up the glass and sipping the wine.

Wil made a hand waving gesture, indicating for her to forget his act of kindness. He drank his wine, looking down at the stage below. The auction house could seat around 500 below, with room for another fifty or so in the private balconies above.

“Are you interested in anything here? I didn’t see an item list. I thought they would pass them out when we arrived?” Wil said, looking at his companion.

Quentin shook her head. “Member’s only auctions like this are rather small in East Haven. The Association will allow items to be added right up until it begins. I’m not surprised they haven’t sent out a list.”

“Have you attended here before?” Wil relaxed into his chair, putting his boots up on the railing. Quentin frowned at his posture, to which he responded with a wide grin and a wink.

“I have. A few years ago I came here with my father.” She said, taking another sip of her wine.

“So, you and your father traveled this route before? I thought your family had a trade ship in Aachen? East Haven is awfully far to travel overland from Aachen.”

“Father would sail from Aachen to Lund, across the Azure Sea. Then he would travel overland through East Haven to Angkor.” She smiled, turning towards Wil.

“Angkor’s port is frozen half the year. Traveling in the winter with goods from Lund is extremely profitable, even if you do have to spend a good deal of time traveling.”

Wil stared at her, the only time he ever seen her smile was for profits. It was disarming. She looked pretty and sweet when she smiled, but he had learned quickly that she was ruthless where coin was concerned.

“Well, thank you for the advice! I’ll be sure to put it to good use if I ever become a Merchant.” Wil replied sarcastically. He frowned at the thought of traveling in caravans or ships his entire life.

“I doubt a Noble’s son would ever make a convincing trader.” She said, looking at Wil’s reaction through the corner of her eye as she took another sip of wine.

“Heaven Forefend! Although the look on my father’s face would almost be worth it.” Wil joked, standing up to pour himself another glass of wine.

He looked over at Quentin to see if she needed a refill and froze, as what he had said began to register.

“Very clever, Miss Merchant. You could have just asked, no need to trick the truth out of me. It’s not as if I’m hiding my identity.” Wil scowled at Quentin. He walked over to the back of the room and refilled his glass.

“I’m sorry Wil, I was only teasing.” She said, putting down her glass and standing up from her chair. She turned to Wil and walked towards him. “Although, you aren’t fooling anyone by hiding your heritage.” She said, laughing.

“I’m that obvious, am I?” Wil said, turning to look at her.

“Of course, you are!” She said, shrugging. “You’re educated and from the south by your accent. And judging by your affiliation with the Auxiliaries, you are probably not the House Heir.”

Will raised his eyebrows at her in surprise. “You’re good!”

She tapped a finger against her lips. “If I had to guess…I would say…Brookmoor?” She said, tilting her head at him.

Wil nearly dropped his glass and glared at her. “You’re cheating! There’s no way you could get my House name from observing me for two days!”

She started laughing at him, pointing her finger at him. “Of course not, you dolt! I saw your house symbol on your horse!”

“That blasted horse cloth, I should have burned it in Whitewater.” Wil cursed and made his way back to his seat, brushing past the laughing Quentin as he did so.

Wiping the water from her eyes caused by her laughter, she sat back down in her seat as well.

Grumbling about horses and merchants, Wil drank his wine and waited for the auction to start. Quentin, smiling occasionally at Wil’s antics, looked towards the stage and observed the activity below.

“The auction should be starting soon…Milord.” She said with a grin.

“I hope you lose.” Wil grumbled, slouching in his chair.

Down below, the other guests were making their way to their seats. The room filled quickly, it seemed that this auction would be well attended.

The stage, lit by large skylight windows above, was soon occupied by a beautiful woman. She was wearing a form fitting dress in black, with a yellow sash around her waist. Her long, dark hair was held back by a yellow headband.

“Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, to the East Haven Mercantile Association’s Auction!” The woman said, her words easily carried to everyone in the audience by the design and positioning of the stage.

The crowd politely clapped for the introduction. The woman waited until the applause finished before she continued.

“This month we have objects from all across the Empire, but the highlight of this evening is a selection of rare magical relics from the Khmer Kingdom!”

The crowd buzzed at her words. Wil turned towards Quentin, who was sitting with a smug look on her face.