A few weeks have passed in the little village of Isonville. It was early in the morning when Monica and little Harold went for a walk to the local market. The path was a little dirt road about the size of one carts width. Imprinted with cart wheels tracks, horse hooves and footprints.

It took about 300 paces to get to the village. For half of the way, both sides of the road was covered with fields of golden wheat fields where the local farmers, including Boran, was still busy harventing. And for the other half of the way, the little dirt road was shrouded with the shadows of a thin tree line.

The village, although small, was filled with people. Since Isonville was located right next to the local trade city of Bridgewatch, merchants tend to set up shop here. The market place was even more crowded, more so noisy.

"Come and purchase our fresh batch of fish! Freshly arrived from Hamsville!" a merchant shouted.

"New table wares from Port Ordina available! Ceramic, Clay and Glass wares! Come and take a look!" shouted another. The stalls were filled with essential as well as exotic goods of all sorts.

"Hey there little fella, we've got some toys here for you. Mind to take a look?" a toy merchant asked little Harold while they passed by his stall. Little Harold looked up at his mother. Monica replied "I'll buy one later dear", she told the merchant "No thank you." and continued to walk. Little Harold, walking forward, glanced back at the toy stall. The merchant was now busy advertising to other passer-bys. And there, his eyes caught the attention of a certain toy. It was a wooden sword.

They kept walking untill they finally arrived at a small stall. It was where Monica always buys her supplies. The owner was an elderly woman. She was a small person, about 65 years old and her hair as white as the clouds.

"Oh, hello Monica" the lady greeted with a shaking-raspy voice.

"Hello Granny Kendri." Monica greete back.

"The usual?" granny Kendri asked.

"The usual." Monica nodded.

Granny Kendri took out her wares and placed them into Monica's basket. A bag of ground wheat, two cloves of cauliflower, a hand ful of garlic and ginger, three onions and four carrots.

Monica thanked Granny Kendri and handed her five coins.

"You're welcome Monica." Grannd Kendri replied.

"Safe travels back home." she bid farewell and waved goodbye.

On the way back, little Harold can't get his mind off the wooden sword that he saw earlier. He wanted it. "Mother, can you buy me a toy?" he asked.

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"I'll buy you one later." Monica replied.

Little Harold held his mother's hand with both of his and asked again. "Mother Please. Just this once."

Seeing little Harold's eyes, a small sigh came out of Monica's breath. Since Harold was a kid, he never asked for a toy before. It's only natural as a mother to buy toys for their children. Monica thought to herself.

" I might have some extra coins with me today." she replied.

Harold's face lit up immediately. "This way Mother!" he pulled his mother and ran back towards the toy stall.

Upon arriving, "Oh ho ho. Hello there little fella, what can I getcha?" the toy merchant asked. Little Harold, once again, looked up at his mother. He was replied with a nod. Cheerfully, little Harold pointed at the wooden sword and said " I'd like that wooden sword please."

"A Great Choice!!" the merchant joyfully exclaimed. He grabbed the toy and held it with both his hands.

"Hand made by the famius craftsmen, from the capital city of Deles itself, this particular sword is made with fine wood. The quality and durability is equal if not better than the look itself!" he proudly informed as he swings the sword left and right.

Little Harold was now on his feet from sheer excitement. "Mister, can i have a look at it please?" little Harold asked politely. The merchant was reluctant at first.

"My son would like to have a closer look at it, can he do so?" Monica stepped in. "O... Ofcourse." with a smile, the merchant slowly handed the toy sword to little Harold.

Harold held the sword. It felt right in his hand. As if it was always meant to be. The handle was engraved with various patterns. It also has an eagle with it's wings forming the hilt. The sword itself was finely polished.

"I want it." said little Harold.

"How much for this?" Monica asked.

"Since it is made from fine wood, it costs more than regular wood. And due to the distance in which it was......." the merchant went on.

With an unimpressed voice, Monica asked. "Ahem! How much is it?". In which theerchant replied "It will cost a total of only ten coins!".

Monica took the sword from little Harold and handed it back to the merchant. And without a word, she took little Harold's hand and walked off. Harold ,also puzzled, followed along with silence.

"No, No, Seven! Yes, Seven coins!" the merchant shouted. The mother-son duo didn't stop and went on their own way.

"Five coins! Just five...." the noise of the crowd overtook the shouts of the toy merchant.

As they continued, little Harold asked "Mother, why did we leave?" Just at that moment, the toy marchant came running from behind with the toy sword in hand.

"Huh.... Huh.... T.... Three... Three coins.." he was exhausted from running. Monica elegantly took the sword, handed him three coins, said "Thank you"and continued on their way.

On the walk back home, little Harold asked "How did you do it?" while swinging his brand new sword left and right.

"Do what?" Monica replied.

Little Harold look at Monica, held up the sword and said "How did you get it from ten coins down to three coins?"

With a slight smile and as jokingly voice, she replied "You'll know when you grow up."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" little Harold got confused. Monica laughed.

Little Harold got even more confused. And he also got shy getting laughed at. He pointed the wooden sword at her and ran after him. Monica, also teasing him more and more, ran away from him. And just like that, the two got back home.