It was a two day journey from Gourd to Qnoss the second biggest town in the Lower States of Duchy, another day to Jidon the third great town, and two days to reach the border city of Kosa, the first largest city in the Middling States. Along the way there were some encounters, from several wild animals and obstacles that stood in their way, but nothing that Anthony could’t handle on his own. Having experienced hunting in these regions he was familiar with the habits of several various greater beasts in the region.

Whatever he killed, Master Gaia was quick to tell him about all the curative and medicinal properties of the various beasts they collected. The claws and teeth of the Brimstone Hound that were used as Earth Mage talismans, could be refined and processed in another manner. Their sulfur could be used for bleaching clothes, insecticides, antibacterials, lotions, and even a valuable soap that was made in the shop. In the same way every beast that Anthony hunted provided a different purpose than simple mage craft enhancement, but natural cures that were both effective and potent.

The Copper Sow’s spines could be used to make medicine to relieve joints, aches, pains and increase blood circulation and vitality. The Bronze Bird’s beak could increase energy and adrenaline production making it more potent than caffeine. The Marine Horse’s bones could be used to create an alleviator for the sinus, lung and respiratory system, as well help with bronchitis, colds, and hay-fever. With each cure there were also the hazardous parts that had to be approached with caution.

With the exception of the Marine Horses, which meat proved a valuable nourishment for plant and animal life, the other animals had to be handled with care of risk hazardous materials leaching into the earth changing the environments. The hounds' rotten meat could create fields of unstable and flammable flowers, the bronze bird's meat could spawn a poisonous algae, and the copper sow nourished could cause horrible rash and skin disease if not properly processed. For this reason Anthony knew it was every hunter’s duty not only to make good use of their corpses but that they went to the right handlers.

Even if a hunter could sell certain parts he was bound by the hunter’s guild to turn in the corpses before they went rotten instead of taking the valuable parts. It was practices like this that turned the first continent into a virtual cesspool of materials and what many believed caused the increase in demon populations. Although there was no proof either way, the steep fine they would pay for not claiming the bodies was a harsh incentive, no matter if they even got a few copper coins for their services.

By the time they reached Kosa they had much collateral gathered for their meeting in Iasera. There were 3 sets of brimstone teeth and 12 sets of claws, 7 pairs of copper tusk and 7 bushels of spines, 7 sets of bronze beaks and 7 pairs of talons, 7 locks of marine horsehair and 7 bundles of bones. As well as 24 collected stones from the hearts of the greater beasts made of earth, fire and water respectively. They were unrefined but depending on the amount of mineral inside them, they could be worth a lot of gold or break even at best.

Their carriage made a quick stop to a district in Kosa known for selling valuable minerals, including greater beast gems such as theirs. Zoe insisted that Selene accompany Anthony inside as she was known to negotiate in these matters better than anyone she knew. Anthony could feel the glare of the clients and workers at his rough leather work gear while Selene stood out in her finest appearance of nobleman or banker wearing a suit made of fine satin fabric and finely pressed sleeves and dress.

“Ah, how may I help you, madam.” The jewelry clerk greeted her with a smile.

“I’m here to appraise and sell some beast gems. Anthony, if you please?” She ordered him like a servant, but Anthony paid it no mind.

Anthony knew it was part of the plan that Selene had discussed, as an average hunter wouldn’t have been permitted unless accompanied by an upstanding patron like herself. He reached into his leather bag and poured the small gems onto a small silken matter on a glass table. The colors of crystal shimmering with traces of blue, yellow, and red shimmer like lights as bright as the store.

When he placed his hand over the jewels, three of four rings he was wearing began to glow brightly synchronizing with their light. This was a common test to confirm that they were indeed elemental stones, and not just imitations. Any 1st Circle mage could accomplish this if they how to embed inner force into a high quality ring or amulet.

“Ah yes, these are genuine, a bit of rough cuts but fine quality. Your man must have been hunting for a month to achieve this type of clarity.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Anthony smiled at this notion for this was barely a week's work for him since his senses and build were keener than the average hunter.

“Still, they are unrefined and it seems you have mostly water gems and only a few fire gems.” He put down the stones he was admiring. “After refining, processing, not to mention hiring mages to forge them in the right manner, I'll be out more than the cost of paying them. How about I just take them off your hands for about a hundred gold.”

“Oh my, I’m afraid that’s much less than I had in mind.” Selene put on her best innocent face.

“What can I tell ya, we’re not the Empire who gets their choice of demon quality gems.”

“If that’s true then why is your merchandise price way above fifteen percent value, the average cost of demon stone?” The jeweler looked shocked as if the glass in his case had shattered all at once from her cold icy stare. “Last I checked the current market price of Bone Gems was one gold per purity, but they’re marked as the same price of an Orchialcum. Your Orchialcum gems might as well be priced as Star Gems which we all know is the rarest of metals and practically impossible to be found naturally. So, I’m thinking you might be purposely hiking your prices since this is the first shop outside the Lower States. It’s probably great for the hayseeds who make their way fresh out of the Slums and lower housings, but I don’t think you realize that there’s always the occasional outsider here coming from higher standing.”

She brushed her long hair aside to reveal a hidden pin with a crest upon her right shoulder. It was the mark of sun and moon facing with an “M” stamped at the center, a familiar crest practically everyone was familiar with. The mark of Menander was infamous, and its mark was practically branded on every shop in the middling states. This and his outstanding knowledge of gem markets, was enough to convince him that she worked for the Menander Banks in some fashion. Rather than risk reprisal, the jeweler quickly changed his tune.

“You know perhaps I was a bit hasty in my initial assessment.” He picked up a gem without even looking at it through loupe. “I mean this fine example of Orchialcum has got to be at least eight or nine percent purity, and you have eight of them. Maybe you can part with say two....” She stared with her cold and fierce eyes before he could finish. “...No make that three hundred for the whole lot. What do you say?”

“Throw in an elemental sampling set and it's a deal, good sir.” She returned to her appearance of a happy and carefree customer.

Anthony watched in amazement as she managed to get the gold and small box containing a sample of the four elemental gems into her possession. Anthony carried the gold and the box sampler, opening it before they left to check its contents. There they were lined in a square, the size of pebbles but marked as the lowest of 1 percent clarity; Fortacillium the Bone Gem, Xiangorite the Water Gem, Mythirl the Silver Gem, Orchialcum the Fire gem. The quality of these stones as whole was at least worth 100 gold, combined with the price of the other gems it was practically an even break. As they gathered what they could and headed back to the carriage, Selene let out a sign of deep relief.

“By the Kings, that was exhausting.” Selene practically tore off the pin from her shirt.

“I think that went pretty well, selling these directly to the jewelers instead of the Guild made it worth the trip alone.” Anthony smiled. “Although if it wasn’t for your knowledge of current markets other great beast metals, I doubt I would have been able to bargain.”

“I hate to admit it but my family’s name actually came in handy for once. I can’t even use it in the lower states.”

“Is it unrecognized?”

“It’s notorious actually.” Selene sighed. “The Menander’s are also known as Enders to the common folk. They’re the biggest banking firm in the Duchy, with close ties to the King and Empire. When they come it’s usually to foreclose and strip every last penny through what some call questionable business practices.”

“Are they involved in the black market trades?”

“Even worse, they’re practically a big mover in the indentured trades, lending out money to the meek and desperate, uneducated to what they’re really putting on the line. People think they’re pawning their family heirlooms, but end up losing their lands, and sometimes their freedom, forcing them into the slums.”

“Surely there are other places to go? Even the Empire has housing for those who contribute to society.”

“Involuntary servitude is still slavery, it all depends on who you wish to serve.” She looked at the wagon that was almost nearly remembering her family motto. “All debts come full circle, as surely as the sun and the moon.”

“What was that?” Anthony barely heard her say.

“Never mind, the day’s out, and we still have one last stop before we head to the bank.” When they reached the back of the carriage, Master Zoe was sitting down, resting glad to see them both.

“Ah-ha, you sold the Gems, but more importantly you got the gem sampling set.” Anthony gently handed her the box.

“I understand these are normally used to test stones, but why would we need them since I’m the one who’s hunting them.”

“Trust me kid, I have an idea that these will come in handy.” With that said they continued to their next stop.