Ray

"So, they're going for the big drop, are they?" Gordon said. "Are they planning to directly kill the Emperor, or just go public with their rebellion?" The excitement in his voice was palpable.

"I don't know, I doubt even Ma knows'' Ray said. "The rebels have been pretty quiet about their intentions. But the question is, what do we want to do?"

"I don't think we have an actual choice, Ray. " Marcus said. "The rebels are already powerful, if we join in now our support would count more than later when they've already revealed themselves to be powerful.

I am sure there will be no lack of people wanting to join them. Now, we can set our own conditions. But then we'll just be another group of people joining in."

"Not if we get powerful. And we'll have the recipe as our leverage." Rena asked.

"Are we sure that we can get so powerful without the rebellion's help? I have my doubts." Marcus said. "I am sure you have some too."

"I trust in our people." Rena insisted.

"I think they would want to take the safe road in this condition." Marcus said.

"Ok, let's not fight. But I agree with Marcus, we should join. The rebels are powerful, and more than that, joining would help our end goal. To take down the nobles." Ray said. "After all, that's what we're after, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." Marcus said. Rena turned to look at Gordon, likely hoping he wouldn't agree.

"What? I agree with them, ok? And besides, I am the fun guy that organizes parties, not the one that sits around deciding this serious stuff." Gordon said, looking proud. Ray shook his head, how'd they recruit this person again? Oh, right, they didn't, Gordon was the one that said it first.

"Ok, fine, but we're asking for something good." Rena said.

"And what about the Satyrs." Ray asked.

Rena gave him a judging look. "Yes, that too. I don't know how we're going to pull it off under the Xnarthan’s noses, but guess we are going to look for some Satyrs."

"I actually have an idea about that." Ray said. "I think we should send people to go to the Merchants district and sell potions. And while they're there, they can ask questions."

"What kind of questions?" Rena asked, looking curious as she tilted her back towards him.

"Just some normal ones like” What's going on in the Merchants district? Did you see the Xnarthan? Did someone go missing? I hear the Xnarthan have been kidnapping people." Ray said, thinking of examples.

"The effort would have a dual effect. Not only will it get people asking, it will reduce the current cloud of fear. The Xnarthan are sure to wonder what is going on." Ray said.

"And this means we don't have to tell anyone in our group, so any Xnarthan agents will think we're just making encouraging movements." Rena said.

"Yes, and they are sure to try and interfere." Marcus pointed out.

"I will be there to stop that. But it is good if they act, it will move them from a mysterious but powerful force to something that can be fought. The more resistance we put up, the better it is for us." Ray said.

"Hmm, we can sell food too. The Scholar's cookies are delicious." Gordon said. The cookies reminded Ray that he hadn't seen Norman in a while, where had the cookie stealing cat Fae run off to this time? Ray would just have to check back in after a while.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"So, are we in agreement? The thing needs to move fast." Ray said.

"No, we forgot what we're going to get." Rena said.

"Hmm, we get to harm the nobles. The recipe can be discussed later, but I am in full support of acting against the nobles now. The finding Satyr part is really just secondary here, the main thing is finding out who knows what and showing the Xnarthan that we haven't been intimated by them." Marcus said.

"Well, it looks like you kids have a nice plan. I can guarantee that you would get a good deal if you do so. I suggest you ask the rebellion to help train your people, I suspect it will prove useful" Ma said coming in. "And Ray, wear that vest you got from the Dean. The Xnarthan aren't as powerful as they want you to think, but they're still strong enough to kill all of you. I would like to reduce the chances of that."

"What vest would that be? Now I am curious, exactly what are you giving that the Dean wants so much?" Rena asked.

"I can't share that. The vest is just a protection artifact. Now, are we sure about the plan?" Ray asked.

"Yes." Marcus said. Rena just shrugged. Gordon was too busy munching on cookies. "Well, off to the market it is."

The morning market in Afrieal was a bustling place. Hundreds of deals happened here every day, starting from dawn to dusk, when shadier agents took over its environs. But today it was something else. The market didn't look that different on the surface, two long rows of stalls on either side of the road, followed by proper shops.

But if one looked closer, one would see that something was up. The stalls had small stands between them, occupied by young, eager faces. The people around them did not seem very comfortable by the presence of these young people, fidgeting whenever they got close, but they welcomed them nonetheless.

And then the next stage of the day began. The coming of customers. A trickle at first, and then a veritable flood of people rushed in, eager to get their hands on whatever item they wished for at the moment. But today, there was an ambush waiting for them.

The young faces emerged from their stands and approached the customers, waiving their potions as they shouted their deals. The customers dismissed them at first, presuming their wares were lacking. But that changed as they saw the potions on sale.

'Do you want a go at Alchemy yourself? Have one of these neutral mana potions and look at a bright future!" one shouted, showcasing his prize. The customers came like flees to an oil lamp, attracted by the many wares displayed there.

A potion to make your hair lush again, one to make your daughter prettier, all sorts of wares floated this marketplace, drawing people from the Nobles district to the Commoners' district. The young faces didn't just sell their wares, they made conversation too. A customer would come, eager to buy some form of potion, and find himself chatting with an eager student.

Ray looked on with satisfaction as the plan worked. Gordon in particular was a fine addition to the crew, he was the best among them at human interaction. Not to mention his natural tendency to start a conversation.

"Did you know that this potion is made from mushrooms?" Gordon asked a woman dressed heavily in silver. And buying the hair changer to boot. A potion to change your hair, in this case, to silver.

"No, I didn't know that." she said sharply, her unwillingness to converse clear.

"Oh, don't be like that, miss. I was just making conversation. Gordon said, acting the victim.

"I am sorry, I am just not in the mood right now." the woman said, not sounding apologetic at all.

"I do suggest you buy some more potions, these wear off in only three weeks. And with things the way they are, I don't think we'll be getting a batch of those mushrooms anytime soon." Gordon said.

"Why not? The potion was one of the more popular ones, last I checked. The dealers should be happy to transport ingredients. " The woman answered, now interested. The hook had caught a fish.

"I wish that was the way it worked, miss, but things just don't work that way. The mushrooms grow in Furton, it's one of the few villages still owned by the Order of Mage-Warriors. But after their recent stint of trouble, it doesn’t look like they'll be shipping anytime soon." Gordon said.

"Oh what nonsense.! I was just invited to a grand ball at their residence. The Order may have suffered, but they're not gone yet. The Emperor's disciple will be there, likely making speeches all day.

How could the Order not be able to deliver some mushrooms if they can host the Xnarthan? Don't be fooled by those commoner rumors, there isn't a lick of truth in them. Just make your potions Alchemist, the ingredients will be there." the woman said, falling for the trap.

The 'ignorant merchant trap'. An age-old technique, but it worked. Humans, and nobles in particular, loved to correct someone. The feeling of knowing that ‘you know better’ was addictive.

"As you say, miss." Gordon said, handing the woman the potion. The woman took it and walked off, feeling proud about correcting an ignorant merchant. And Ray got some very valuable information. A deal well done, he'd say.