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Chapter 8: Merchandise

Chapter 8: Merchandise

"Should I reveal myself to them?" Lionel rummaged through his pockets.

"Crap," he said in surprise, not a single coin was left. He recalled spending most of his money on buying all the necessary supplies from Riddick.

"Just a few pounds of copper coins..."

He wanted to ask some questions and maybe haggle for some of the herbs he found along the way, but he hesitated. He didn't know if he could trust these merchants - or if they would take advantage of him because of his age.

Lionel held the copper coins in his hand and examined them. They were plain and unremarkable, with no symbols or inscriptions on them. He sighed and felt a little disappointed, as he had hoped to find something more valuable.

"This is certainly not enough to trade for a [Sunroot]," Lionel muttered. "According to the codex, [Sunroots] are rare and highly valued. I doubt they would accept these coins."

Lionel weighed his options carefully. He could try to approach the merchants and strike a deal, or he could continue his journey and hope to find a better opportunity to trade his herbs. As he thought about his plan, he searched through his pockets and suddenly remembered that his Uncle Ben had given him a rare coin before he set out on his journey. The coin was small, made of silver, and had the symbol of "Aeon" engraved on it, representing the birth of anima. The coin was said to bring good fortune and prosperity to those who carried it on their journey.

Lionel remembered the stories he had read in the old parchments back at home—tales of adventurers and merchants who had carried similar coins and returned with great fortune and success. Those stories had fueled his imagination, and he had spent countless hours pouring over them, dreaming of the grand adventures he would one day embark on.

As a tribute to those memories, Lionel flipped the coin into the air, recalling its storied history. It was said to have been crafted by an ancient civilization, long vanished, with its true origins and purpose lost to time. Some believed the coin had once been used as currency, while others thought it held a more mystical significance, perhaps playing a role in ancient rituals or ceremonies.

"No, I can't," Lionel berated himself. "There must be a reason why Uncle gave it to me."

Lionel silently emerged from the bushes, brushing off the remaining leaves and dirt from his clothes and adjusting them before trying to approach the group. Suddenly, he noticed a guard patrolling nearby with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He tried to walk past the guard, but the guard still caught him and called out.

"Hey, you there! What are you doing here?" The guard observed Lionel suspiciously.

Lionel froze as his heart drummed rapidly in his chest. He had been so focused on finding his own coin that he had forgotten to keep an eye out for the guards.

As the guard got closer, he paused for a second, looking at Lionel in surprise. "Just a kid?" he said, lowering his voice. "What are you doing out here?"

Lionel took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. He realized that he could use this to his advantage. "I was just exploring, sir," he replied, trying to sound innocent. "I got lost. And I was trying to find my way back."

The guard looked doubtful, but Lionel kept his eyes calm, hoping it could help him ease the situation. Just then, Harold came over, brushing the guard's questions aside.

"Ah, don't mind him," Harold said, winking and smiling warmly at Lionel. "He's just a curious kid, that's all. We were on our way back to town. He must have followed us without realizing."

The guard frowned and appeared skeptical. "Lost, huh? In these parts, it's easy to get lost and never be found again. You're lucky we found you."

Lionel tried to maintain his calm demeanor, convincing the guard that he was just an ordinary kid. "Yes, sir," he said, nodding. "I'll be more careful next time."

The guard looked at Harold once more, but nodded, deciding to walk away and continued his patrol.

Lionel breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the guard walk away. He was grateful for Harold's quick thinking as he was able to defuse the situation.

Harold looked at Lionel by the bushes, surprising Lionel with a bewildered expression. "Are you okay, kid?"

Lionel nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yeah, thanks. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Harold smiled reassuringly. "No problem. Need a hand?" He reached out his hand to the bushes where Lionel had been hiding.

"What were you doing over there anyway?"

Lionel hesitated, unsure if he should reveal his true purpose for coming here. As he studied Harold more closely, something clicked. He realized that this was the same man with whom he'd unknowingly pulled off a clever coin trick earlier. A wave of shock washed over him, quickly followed by a burst of glee—and a blush of embarrassment.

What were the odds? Lionel’s mind raced, torn between wanting to confess what had happened and keeping the incident to himself. He wasn't sure if Harold had recognized him or if he had even noticed the trick in the first place. A part of Lionel wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part was anxious—what if Harold was offended?

The more he thought about it, the more awkward the situation became. Should he just come clean, admit his part in the harmless ruse, and hope Harold took it lightly? Or should he keep his mouth shut and pretend nothing had happened?

But there's something that tells him, that Harold, who's currently standing before him, was already aware of the ringleader who pulled off the coin act.

Lionel’s heart beat a little faster as Harold stared his way, but the older man’s face remained neutral, revealing nothing.

"I was about to leave, but I decided to ask for some information. I also have some items I'd like to sell," Lionel said stiffly, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness as he showed Harold the small bag of herbs he’d gathered while wandering through the forest.

"Hmm?" Harold quirked an eyebrow at Lionel's sudden laughter, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the young boy. "Something amusing, lad?"

"Nothing," Lionel coughed, dismissing it with a mouthful of air sucked in his lungs. "It was just a cough, that's all."

"Also," Lionel felt tensed, wondering how Harold knew where he was hiding. "You knew where I was hiding this whole time, you noticed me before the guard did. And the moment you reached out your hand to me, you already knew where I was."

Harold reacted and gave him a small, enigmatic smile. "Let's just say I have a nose for these things," he said, tapping the side of his nose.

Lionel's eyes shifted to Harold's hand, and he noticed that Harold was wearing a silver ring with a similar symbol to the coin on his backpack. He looked at Harold curiously, cautious as to what he meant, but before he could say anything, Harold's attention was caught by something else.

"Ah, I see you have something there," he said, gesturing to the small bag of herbs. "Those look interesting. Mind if I take a look?"

Lionel handed the bag over to him. Harold then checked the herbs carefully, sniffing them and rubbing them between his fingers. "These are some high-quality herbs," he said and nodded in approval. "I know someone who would be interested in buying these."

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He handed the bag back to Lionel. "As for the information you were looking for, what do you need to know?"

Lionel hesitated for a moment, but decided to take the risk. "I'm looking for a [Sunroot]," he said. "But I only have these copper coins to trade for it. Do you know anyone who might be willing to make a deal?"

Harold's expression became more serious. "A [Sunroot] is a rare and valuable herb. It's not something you can trade for a few copper coins."

Lionel's face fell. "I know," he said. "But I don't have anything else to offer."

He handed Lionel the pouch, which tinkled as he took it. Lionel opened the bag and saw it was full of silver and copper coins, including some precious stones.

As Lionel hefted the heavy pouch of coins and gems, his heart swelled with gratitude towards Harold. He had never expected such generosity from a stranger, let alone one who seemed so mischievous and gruff on the outside.

"Thank you, Harold!" Lionel said with heartfelt gratitude.

Harold smiled. "Don't thank me yet, kid," he said. "You still have a long way to go."

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimmer of silver glistening in Harold's pocket. It was a small coin with the symbol of "Aeon" etched into it, just like the one Lionel had received from his uncle.

"Is that...?" Lionel wanted to ask, but Harold quickly put the coin back in his pocket. The exchange between them had been so strange, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that Harold knew more than he was letting on.

Harold gave Lionel a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You’ve got your coins, and you’ve got your herbs," he said, leaning in with a knowing smirk. "Now, about that [Sunroot] you’re looking for—it's a rare find, but you might be in luck. Head west toward the Silvervale Glade. There’s a merchant there, a bit eccentric but trustworthy enough, who deals in rarities like that."

Lionel felt like Harold was hiding something from him, but he decided not to press the issue since he had already received so much from him.

"Be careful," Harold smiled with a glint in his eyes. "The roads aren’t safe, especially for someone carrying a pouch as full as yours." He winked and added, "And keep an eye on that coin your uncle gave you. It might come in handy sooner than you think."

Lionel couldn't help but glance at his own silver coin again, its mysterious symbol glinting in the fading light. There was something about it—something he hadn't yet discovered. He tucked the pouch of coins and gems carefully into his bag, feeling its weight against his side. He had never held so much wealth in his hands before, and he wasn't quite sure what to do with it.

Lionel took a deep breath and strolled into the market, determined to find the herb he was looking for, which brought him here in the first place. He had come too far to give up now, and he knew that with the help of Harold's coins and a bit of luck, he might even be able to find the rare [Sunroot] he was looking for.

While strolling through the crowded stalls, Lionel couldn't help but wonder about Harold and the strange ring he had been wearing. It was clearly important to him, but what did it mean? And why had he been so quick to hand over such a large sum of coins?

As Lionel made his way through the market, he noticed that the site was cradled at the slope of a hill, lodged in the plain ground, surrounded by a vast expanse of flat, open land that stretched as far as the eye could see. Countless colored stalls were set up on the flat ground, with each merchant displaying unique goods and wares. The vendors replenished their booth with assortments of commodities, shouting out their sales pitches and haggling with potential customers.

Lionel’s gaze wandered to the distant ridges, where waterfalls cascaded gracefully down rugged cliffs. Atop these cliffs stood ancient towers, remnants of a bygone era, their crumbling walls entwined with moss and creeping vines. The scene stirred a memory within him—he recognized this place. It was the same location he’d once studied while assisting his father with an experiment on a stage ore that reacted to a specific type of energy. The ore's latent power seemed to awaken when in contact with similar properties, especially metals, a discovery that had fascinated him at the time.

Below the shade of scattered trees, the market thrived. The leafy canopy offered a relaxing atmosphere free of the scorching sun, providing cool shelter for both merchants and customers. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, chatter, and the occasional tune from a wandering minstrel, exuding a festive aroma that pulsated through the market. The sweet-sour of grilled meats, and spiced vegetables, wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble with hunger.

He couldn't help but drool as he walked past the food vendors, his mouth watering at the view and the smell of exotic dishes being sold. HHe had been living off stale bread for days, and the thought of finally having a proper meal was almost too much to bear.

As he reached into his pocket, feeling the weight of his coin pouch, he hesitated, pondering if he should spend his money on something so frivolous. But then, the scent of the food hit him again, and he couldn't resist.

"I'm sorry, lad. I can't lower the price any further," the vendor said, snapping Lionel out of his thoughts.

Lionel sighed and reluctantly handed over a few coins for a skewer of roasted meat. Once he bit into the savory food, the flavors exploded in his mouth, and he closed his eyes in delight.

"This is amazing," he muttered, savoring the food with each bite.

"Enjoying your meal?" a voice asked, and Lionel turned to see a young woman smiling at him.

"It's delicious," Lionel replied, his mouth still full of food.

"It's our specialty," she said. "Would you like to try something else?"

Lionel hesitated for a moment, considering his limited funds. But the hunger in his belly won out, and he nodded eagerly.

"I'll take one of everything," he said, holding out his pouch of coins.

The woman laughed. "One of everything? That'll cost you a pretty penny."

Lionel chortled in response. "I know, but it's worth it."

As he savored each bite of the delicious food, he felt a twinge of regret and wondered how much of Harold's money he had already spent. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pouch, scaling the weight in his hand. He remembered how Riddick had emphasized the importance of keeping a keen eye on what to buy and how to spend money wisely.

He sighed and decided to walk around the market, browsing the different stalls and asking the merchants about the quality of the coins and the prices of various herbs. This time he couldn't afford any more money to be wasted and needed to make every penny count.

Glancing around, Lionel caught wind of a conversation between a merchant and a customer. The merchant carved a smile and replied to the customer, "Ah, you have a good eye, young sir. These herbs are of the finest quality, and they are sold at a reasonable price. For a copper coin, you can get a bundle of thyme or basil, and for silver coins, you can get a bundle of lavender or rosemary."

Lionel's interest was piqued. He approached the merchant's stall and asked if he could join the conversation.

"Of course, young man," the merchant said with a smile. "What can I help you with?"

"I was wondering about the standards of these coins," Lionel said, holding one of Harold's silver coins.

The merchant closely inspected the coin before commenting, "Ah, this is a fine piece," he remarked. "The silver content is high, and the markings are clear. You won't have any trouble spending this in any market."

After clearing up Lionel's doubts, the merchant relayed a word of caution, "However, please be careful with the copper coins. Some vendors may attempt to pass off counterfeit coins, so it's important to know how to distinguish the genuine ones."

Lionel nodded attentively, taking note of the warning. He took out his remaining herbs and showed them to the merchant, asking about their worth and how much he could expect to sell them for. The merchant gladly shared his knowledge with Lionel, explaining the differences between copper and silver coins and the factors that weigh their value. The merchant also provided valuable insights on fair prices for the remaining herbs and offered some tips on identifying counterfeit coins and how to haggle effectively.

He also learned that copper coins were the most common currency used by the people, while silver coins were used by merchants and wealthy individuals.

The minted coins were established as a policy to standardize currency and prevent counterfeiting. These minted coins were made of precious metals, such as gold or silver, and had a specific weight and purity guaranteed by a regime or a kingdom. This made it easier for people to trust the value of its currency and prevented merchants from cheating on their customers by using fake coins.

After thanking the merchant for his advice, he noticed a particular booth that caught his attention. The booth was well-stocked with various herbs and spices, all neatly arranged in small jars and containers. Lionel made his way over to the stall, staring at the sight and the smell of the scented herbs.

Suddenly, one of the vendors turned to him, surprised to see a young boy in such a place. One of them, a stout man with a bushy mustache, looked at Lionel suspiciously and asked, "What are you doing here, boy? This is no place for a child."

Lionel's eyes widened in surprise at the merchant's gruff tone. He shifted nervously on his feet, feeling a bit intimidated by the man's imposing figure and bushy mustache.

"I was looking for a specific herb," Lionel replied, straining his voice to sound more confident. "I've never seen so many different kinds before."

The merchant eyed Lionel for a moment longer, his expression still skeptical. But then he seemed to soften a bit, nodding in understanding.

"What kind of herbs are you looking for, kid." The merchant asked in a gruff voice.

Lionel took a deep breath, feeling a bit nervous with the merchant's gaze. But he straightened his shoulders and replied, "I'm interested in buying some magical herbs. I heard this stall has a good selection."

The merchant raised an eyebrow. "Magical herbs, huh? You're a bit young to be dabbling in that kind of thing. Aren't you?"

The merchant leaned forward slightly, studying Lionel's face intently. "You have the scent of someone who's been around with a higher level of anima," he said softly. "Someone who's been imbued by it."

"Interesting," the merchant said, leaning back slightly. "I smell a familiar scent from you."

"There is something about your aura," he continued, his voice low and mysterious. "It's not only a peculiar sight but also belongs to someone I have met before, someone I know as a regular customer," the merchant chuckled softly.

Lionel furrowed his brows, surprised at the merchant's words, "Someone you know as a regular customer? Who could that be?" he asked, intrigued.

The merchant smiled enigmatically. "Ah, now that's a secret, young one. A merchant never reveals his clients' identities. But rest assured, if you're looking for magical herbs, I have just what you need. Follow me," he said, motioning for Lionel to follow him deeper into the tent.