One thing that I used to love about large cities when I was a child were the marketplaces. I would walk around the streets and stalls and splurge whatever money I had. Even if I didn’t have any money, I would still go and enjoy seeing the colorful things that were on sale.
Buying fruit and sweets impulsively. Sometimes with friends, sometimes by myself.
Amidst my boring and idle childhood, that's what I remembered most vividly.
Nowadays though, you’re lucky if you can buy a loaf of bread without being swindled. Fruits and sweets have gone from being snacks to rare luxuries. Now, you have to spend a stupid amount of time and money to get something even as simple as salt.
“Twenty-four silver coins, that’s as low as it's gonna get.”
“As if. The quality and color’s so bad, you’d be lucky to get even seventeen.”
“Well lad, I must say I am feeling exceptionally lucky today.” The merchant shrugs and laughs. “If you don’t want to buy, then you don’t have to. No one’s forcing you.”
Scoffing, I turned away and kept on heading down the stone avenue. Up in the sky, the sun, like any other valuable, was hidden away and obscured by darkened clouds. Once again looking at the sparse number of stalls inhabiting the street, I sighed.
A long time ago, when I visited Venefica, my impression of this place was that it used to be quite the bustling shopping district. I had heard that the city wasn’t doing so well. But to disappear so quickly… it really was quite-
“Sad. Huh?”
A withered lady wrapped in a shawl and a cloak spoke as I passed in front of her.
“This street used to be so much busier.” She continued. “Now, well. You can see what it is now.”
Looking over her, I turned and said, “A tragedy, it seems. But if I may ask, who might you be?”
“Just another old lady trying to make a living by selling things that nobody wants.” She laughs, albeit self-derogatorily while flashing a ring on her right hand.
A plain and dull iron ring with a barely legible name scrawled on it. A widow’s ring. A ring commonly wore by those who’ve been forced to sell their wedding rings but still wish to have a memento in memory of their lover.
“I see... I truly am sorry for your loss.”
Without blinking she continued from her seat, “Child, how about buying a thing or two from me if you’re so sorry then? Help an old lady out.”
...How shameless. Shaking my head, I walked closer to her wooden stall.
“It really depends on what you’re selling though. I must admit I don’t have much to squander on unnecessary things.”
She picked up a cloth-covered box from the floor and placed it in front of her with a soft thud. After removing the cloth, she started fiddling around with what I assumed to be a lock. The box was rectangular in shape and made of oak. After she finished and popped open the lid, I looked at the items inside.
There wasn’t much. A colorful rock, an ebony comb, and a satchel of what smelled like herbs. A copper mirror, a thin journal, and a dagger made out of a black stone.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“What’s in here?” I asked, pointing at the small pouch.
The lady loosed the drawstring and tenderly opened it up, the scent from before growing even stronger. “Glad you asked, these are some genuine frostblossom leaves. Picked them myself a while back.”
"Oh?" It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen these kinds of leaves. Peering closer at the curled up leaves, I question. "How old exactly are these? If I remember correctly, they only last for a year so, no?"
Looking back up at the lady, I was met with a look that showed I had piqued her interest.
“If you don't store it properly then yes, they'll spoil after a year. If they're taken care of though, they'll retain their medicinal properties for three times that length. These ones are only a few months old though.” Glancing over me once again, she kept talking.
“You know, I used to own a small clinic as an herbalist. I was a pretty damn good one too. Then the witch appeared. Went from treating a dozen people a day down to a dozen a month.” She sighed regretfully. "Sixteen silvers."
I couldn’t tell if she was serious or if she was still trying to pull on heartstrings. Either way, I didn't really need medicine nor did I have the money for it.
“What’s in here then?” I say, this time pointing to the leatherbound book.
“This and that. Think of it as my personal journal of herbs I found and their uses. If you ever run out of food or get injured in the woods, I guarantee that it’ll help.” She quickly flipped through its yellowing pages. “So, how about it? Twenty-five silvers.”
That's… really expensive. Even if I had the money for something like that, I would much rather buy something more useful and practical.
I shake my head. “Sorry, but that’s not something I need. How about the blade?”
“This?” The lady held up the dagger by the tip between her fingers. “Not the sharpest knife you’ll find, but it’s lasted for a good ten years. If you take care of it, I reckon it’ll last at least another seven. Fifteen silvers.”
Lady, there’s no way that old thing’s worth more than ten silvers…
“Eight silvers,” I shoot back instantly, “It’s not even metal.”
“Kid, if I sold stuff at prices that low, I’d have starved to death by now. Thirteen and a half, that's the lowest I’ll go.”
Eventually, after haggling for a short while, I purchased it for twelve silvers and fifty coppers.
Perhaps since the lady knew it was a tad overpriced, she also gave me a worn leather sheath to go with it, claiming that she ‘had no use for it any longer.’ What a funny person. Still, I wish there were more people like her.
…
A few hours later, while I was finishing up buying the rest of the supplies that I needed, it started to rain. At first, it was just a light drizzle and then a sprinkle. Now though, it was an all-out downpour that soaked the hood and cloak I had put on over my head.
Originally I had wanted to leave and continue traveling after I finished shopping. Unfortunately, the weather today seemed to be rather uncooperative. So, I decided to stay once more at the inn I had slept in last night.
On the way back though, I happened across two people in the rain, arguing vehemently with each other. From across the street, I could already tell they were ready to start fighting. Of course, I wanted to avoid them as much as possible, but…
That’s the alleyway the inn’s located in…
So, being a sensible person, I tried doing what any other normal human would have done.
Walk right past them while pretending to be invisible and hope that they wouldn’t notice me because it’s raining and dark and I’m wearing a cloak.
Sometimes things are destined to go wrong, while other times things fail due to bad lack. I’m inclined to think the latter was the cause.
One of them, which I realized was a girl, turned around and ran up to me as I tried to walk past.
“Big brother! This man tried to molest me and now he won’t stop following! Please help!” She begged while wrapping her hands around my wrist.
I looked up and glanced at the man questioningly. He scowled, obviously displeased at the person that was now hiding behind me.
“Don’t try to pretend you didn’t do anything! You obviously knew that potion was a scam when you sold it!”
“I really didn’t! I even made it in front of you! You believe me, right sir?” She pleaded while trembling. "I really didn't do anything!"
... Oi. Whatever happened to you being molested? And besides, aren’t you getting way too close to a complete stranger? Hey. Hey!
Shaking off the girl’s hand that was trying to sneak into my cloak, I ran a few steps away before turning and yelling over the rain. “Don’t ask me! Go find a soldier or something!” I could already somewhat tell what had occurred between these two and had no wish to get involved.
But,
“Find me for what?” Unbeknownst to us, another figure had also turned into the alley at some point. With an insignia of dual torches on their chestplate and an iron helmet, the person took another step forward and questioned, “What seems to be happening here?”