“For nearly a thousand years, the God King ruled Khmer. As one of the worlds few remaining demigods, he lived a life of seclusion. Consolidating his power for the final push to divinity. The Usurper took his absence for weakness and launched a war for the throne.”

Chapter 28

“Alright, I’m impressed.” Wil grudgingly said to Quentin.

Khmer magical artifacts were rare in the Empire. Most of them dated from the time of the God King, almost 800 years ago.

They were in high demand in their own kingdom, and few ever made it to export. The only ones that Wil had seen were part of small collections owned by wealthy nobles. Collectors only interested in showing off the exotic items to their peers, rather than the items functionality.

Quentin smiled widely at the reluctant praise Wil offered. She was pleased that Wil recognized the accomplishment she had made by bringing the items to Auction.

“I must admit, so am I. It was quite the feat to obtain them. I had to redeem favors from many of my Father’s contacts for the opportunity.”

“I’m surprised that anyone was willing to sell. I’ve heard that most are passed down through a few families.” Wil said, popping a piece of cheese in his mouth.

“I found them in an estate sale, the family had run into bad luck over the years and had no choice but to sell in order to repay their debts. My contacts allowed me to place a private bid.”

“Lucky for you then” Wil said, his mouth full of cheese.

“Yes, it was.” Her face was a mix of smugness that he recognized how rare the items were, and disgust at his lack of manners.

“But I think you misplayed your hand. You should have waited until you passed through the capital. I know of several people who would be falling over themselves to add to their collections.”

“That is why you will never be a profitable merchant. You only see the coin in front of you.”

“I sell a few minor pieces here and let the news spread that I have more. By the time we arrive at the capital, they’ll be frothing at the mouth to purchase them.” Quentin had an evil grin on her face, her fist clenched at the thought of bleeding the nobility of the capital dry.

“You’ll also have people crawling out of the woodwork to rob you blind. We’ll have to watch every passerby for knives the whole journey.” Wil sighed, already regretting joining the caravan.

“That’s why I hired you! I have no doubt we’ll make it west, safe and sound. You might gain a few new scars but think of the stories you’ll have to share.”

Before Wil could retort, the first item was put up for sale. Quentin turned back towards the Auction. She wore a smirk on her lips, obviously deciding that she had just won their verbal spar.

The first item was a large painting, depicting the twin suns shining down on a large cathedral. Wil tuned out the description, it was some a pious noble or wealthy individual that had commissioned the Artwork. The bidding was tame, and it was sold for just over a hundred gold pieces.

Next was a vase, with symbols depicting wheat, barley and other grains, with wagons carrying goods and horses leading them.

Wil quickly grew bored of the auction after multiple pieces of furniture were put on the block, along with a large rug, woven in crimson and gold.

After a dozen or some mundane items were auctioned, the newest lot caught Wil’s interest. The stage contained cases of potions and elixirs. Each case being sold separately, with around eight total cases being carrier on stage.

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“This next lot comes to us from the Alchemist Dastin. Each case contains a sampling of his potions, containing four potions of healing, and two antidotes to poison.

Mr. Dastin guarantees that his potions will heal a variety of minor injuries within minutes, and his antidotes will counteract most common types of poison.” The auctioneer read from the seller’s written statement.

“We have verified the effects and agree with Mr. Dastin’s claims.” She finished, opening the bidding.

Wil perked up at the sight of the potions. With eight cases, he could pick one up quite cheaply. After being stuck underground and injured in the dark, he could see the value in having potions handy.

The first two cases went for a hundred gold coins each. Wil bid 75 for the third case as the opening bid and managed to secure it cheaply.

Pleased with himself, Wil waited while the potions were brought to him. He prepared the coins and placed them on the table beside him.

The case was delivered shortly after the bidding ended. An employee picked up the coins with a small bow, before leaving the room.

The small wooden case contained six bottles. Four were a light pinkish red color, while the remaining two were a dull brown color. The bottles were small, one easily fit in Wil’s hand while he examined them. He closed the case and placed it on the table beside him.

Quentin noticed that he gave a lot of importance to the potions, and she sent him a questioning look.

“If I’m going to be facing knives and arrows for the next few weeks, I thought it best to prepare” he said with a grin. “I’ll be sure to bill you for any I use while in your employ.”

“Be sure to share with Bell and the others as well if the need arises.” She said, ignoring his grin and looking back at the stage.

After the potions were sold, the next few items were rather mundane. A large clock from the western regions, bundles of silk from the south, and a large silver colored beast hide from the north.

“Now for the finale you have been waiting patiently for! We have two items from the Khmer Kingdom for you this evening.” The Auctioneer said, before stepping back and gesturing. Two employees brought a covered item on stage.

She walked towards the covered item in the center of the stage, before slowly removing the black cloth from the object. Wil heard loud gasps and whispers from the crowd as the first item was revealed.

It was a long, curved sword placed horizontally on a display stand. The stand itself was plain and black, to better emphasize the item.

The sword was long, around three feet from end to end, with a handle made of beast horn and a round hand guard. The blade started straight from the handle for a few inches, before curving into a long crescent shape.

It was clear that the weapon was old. The aged horn of the handle had faded to a dull yellow, with small cracks forming.

Despite its age, the sword had a haze around it, like heat coming off a fire or when a person stared into the distance on a hot summer’s day.

Wil knew that if he was standing next to the blade, he would smell a scent like ozone, the odor of magic in large concentrations. The haze was caused by the blade pulling in the ambient Mana to fuel its enchantments.

The blade was made of bronze with engravings of vines climbing its long, curved edge. The vines were done in gold, still vibrant and clean, despite its age.

“As you can see, this sword comes to us from the Khmer Kingdom. According to the seller, it is over twelve hundred years old. The blade was once owned by Lord Kamen, who used it to behead over thirty rival lords after the ‘War of the Usurper.’ It stayed in their family until recently, where it was purchased and brought to this Auction tonight.”

“Our expert’s assessment has confirmed its authenticity and we will begin the bidding at one thousand gold coins.”

“One thousand!” a male voice bellowed from the upper level.

“Two thousand!” a woman called out from the seating below.

Wil shook his head at the low bids, there was no way this blade would go for less than ten thousand. Quentin was frowning, disgruntled that they would offer so little.

“Five thousand.” A man’s voice sang out from a private booth. Wil could see that it was a well-dressed young man, with a beautiful woman seated next to him and a male servant standing behind his seat.

“Twelve thousand!” An older woman stood and shouted from another private room. Wil saw that she was dressed in fine silk and had long hair with streaks of grey.

The young man frowned at the offer but did not continue to bid. The sword went to the older woman, who looked quite pleased with the purchase.

Quentin was practically hopping in her seat next to him as the sword was removed carefully from stage and replaced with a large, covered object.

From Quentin’s actions, Wil assumed she had just made a fortune from the blade’s sale. Wil knew that the price of the sword was due to its history and exotic rarity, rather than the swords magical power. The age of the weapon had undoubtedly degraded the enchantments.

Focusing on the next object, the crowd settled as the Auctioneer gripped the black cloth, pulling it swiftly away from the item.