Chapter 5 – Visiting the Market
After a few minutes of travel from the Adventure Guild’s building Alger arrived at the market with his father. This market was the opposite side of the market from the produce appraiser earlier so they would have had to go this direction for them to return home, which is why they decided to stop by before they left. The part of the market they arrived at has different goods and many people here were simple peddlers and people looking to sell small things they have made or found while they went about their lives.
Alger’s eyes darted back and forth between the different stalls and blankets leaden with different knickknacks and baubles. There were some people with jewelry and others with small specially made tools. For a young man who hasn’t experienced a lot it was a new sensation to see the different items people can make.
“Alger, I need to get some stuff for the house and your mom asked for us to look for a new pan. I will give you some money and you can get whatever catches your eye. We will meet back at the entrance in about an hour.” Henry said to his son. “And if you run to any trouble, call for a guard. The yare every where in the market.”
Alger nodded seriously as he listened to his father. “I understand. Is there any thing you want me to keep an eye out for?” he asked as he took the small sack of coins his father handed him.
“Well, your mother’s birthday is coming up soon. You can find something that she will like. It’ll be easy for you because she will like anything you give her.” Henry answered while he faked a frowning face.
Alger laughed at the small joke. “Ok, I’ll put some thought into it and meet you back at the entrance.” He pocketed the small wallet and ran to the first set of stalls to see what they had in store. Henry smiled as he turned around and went towards the blacksmith section of the market.
Alger spent around 10 minutes browsing different stalls as he tried to find something that caught his interest. He wasn’t someone who was drawn to expensive things or even new things. Thus, he stayed away from the stalls that had such things because he couldn’t afford it anyways. He eventually found himself at a small section which an old man with greying hair set up with just a blanket and some aged items laid out on it. When his eye traced along the items Alger saw some interesting looking items and stopped to take a closer look. When the old man noticed this, he spoke up.
“Hello young man. You see anything you like?” He asked confidently.
Alger looked over the items on the blanket and noticed that they seemed to be some ancient looking items. Almost all of them were caked in dirt or rusted into oblivion, but that didn’t detract from their visual appeal in Alger’s eye. “Yes, you have some cool looking things I haven’t seen before.” He spoke.
“That is true, these items I picked up in a newly uncovered ruin that was found recently. These items might be interesting but that is all they are. They could be considered collector’s items at best. I’m just trying to make enough money to get home.” he said.
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After hearing that Alger looked at the items one by one to see what kind of items there were. He picked them up one by one and tried to think about what they could be. He seemed slightly disappointed at the items he was looking at as none of them really piqued is interest. While he was putting on item down a small rock sculpture looking item his hand brushed against a small circular object that was right next to it that he didn’t see before. He felt something tug at his mind when he saw that small object and he paused as he looked at it for a second. He picked up the small circular object and used his hand to brush off some of the dirt.
“Oh! Did that old pendant catch your eye? It’s not unique, but it has a little-known history passed down about the design. Well, more like a fable.” The old man said.
Alger looked closer at the pendant and noticed the design which had a sword and the picture of a dandelion crossing in the middle of a shield with small wings on the sides. “What kind of story is it?” Alger asked.
The old man cleared his throat as he began his tale. “Legend states that there was a kingdom in ancient times that shared a name with the world we live in. That place was called Faegarden and was the home of Fairies. Fairies were said to be able to go anywhere and everywhere they wanted despite the danger and were quite the protectors of the land. There were even said to be able to scare even the dragons out of their scales.” He recited mysteriously to Alger.
“It sounds like Hogwash to me but many civilizations both current and long gone have stories passed on about fairies. The design you see is like a charm that people used to inscribe on pendants to try to gain protection. Sometimes they even give them to loved ones who go on long journeys. This one I found along the side of the road on my way here from that ruin. The rain must have washed it out to there.” The old man finished.
Alger was not moved be the old man’s story as he didn’t buy into the old fables that were told, but he did like the idea of giving it to his mother for her birthday. He decided he was going to buy this pendant and clean it up a bit before he gave it to her. “Ill take this pendant how much for it?”
“Three copper, its not that valuable even as a collector item.” The old man stated.
Alger handed the old man the three copper and they shook hands to finalize the transaction before Alger left with the pendant. He put the pendant in his pocket and moved o not the next stalls where he found some scrap leather he was going to use to make a strap for the pendant after which he moved o not wait for his father at the entrance of the market.
Elsewhere in Brighton
Marybeth arrived at a gated garden which led down a path and eventually to the gates of the Brighton Academy of Martial and Magic Arts. The academy was a humongous school which housed many facilities and training areas for those who wish to use their fighting prowess for the kingdom of Freide. This was where she spent all her time learning about magic and alchemy and it is also where her Master has his research lab located.
When she arrived at the door of the school, she was approached by a couple of guards who were stationed there. “Welcome back Ms. Marybeth. How did your task go?” They asked cordially.
“It went about as you could expect. I came to see my Master, is he still on campus today?” She asked.
“We haven’t seen his leave for the day so he should still be here.” They said as they opened the Door for her.
She nodded slightly and gave her thanks as she entered the school land quickly made her way through the halls.