Chapter 66: Fateful Encounters

Buddy, I’m completely happy to speak, however I run a enterprise. Are you right here to talk, or to purchase? Time is cash, as they are saying.

Did Riyan ship me right here figuring out the princess could be arriving quickly? Understanding the person, it was a definite risk.

As a lot as Vir needed all the small print relating to the princess procession, he was right here to promote, in spite of everything. The fuzzy bearded mans lips would solely develop looser after theyd performed the transaction, so he pressured himself to be affected person.

Vir ignored the person. How a lot for these iron daggers over there? he requested, pointing to the again wall.

100 twenty-five coppers, the person replied.

I see. In truth, Im not right here to purchase. I want to promote some daggers. 5 of them.

The mans perspective modified instantly. Might I see them?

Vir set the rusty weapons on the wood countertop, and the mans expression advised him this battle could be a troublesome one.

Are these weapons? Or is that this a pile of rust? These belong in a dump, not on my counter.

Sure, theyre rusty, Vir admitted. However rust might be eliminated. Look previous the floor. These blades are iron, sure. However the high quality is nice. See for your self!

Vir knew that each one bargaining began with a kernel of reality, and he spoke no lies. The iron was first rate. Simply that itd been rusted past perception.

Scrub off the rust, take the blade to a whetstone, and youll promote these for a killing.

A killing, is it? the person replied. Even new daggers would solely fetch seventy coppers. With the labor Id need to put into these to promote them, Id barely break even, even if you happen to gave them to me!

Didnt you simply say these daggers on the wall have been 100 twenty-five? Appears to me youre low balling.

Vir knew that was falsethe service provider priced his objects anticipating to be haggled down. Seventy was doubtless the precise market worth, however Vir may use that as a bargaining chip.

W-well, costs are negotiable, you see?

Uh, huh. Sounds to me like youre making an attempt to rip-off me, ser, Vir coolly replied.

Look. I can provide you 5 coppers every. Twenty-five whole.

Vir sighed. I do know the going charge for sharpening and restore work. Perhaps issues are dearer right here in Daha, however it cant value over forty coppers a blade. Sick be beneficiant and say you promote these daggers at 100 every, as an alternative of a hundred-twenty-five. You possibly can purchase these off of me for 50 and youd nonetheless flip a revenue. However look, I dont want to haggle. Sick do forty apiece, and no decrease.

You make some good factors, however Im sorry, labor is dearer right here than you guessed. Probably the most I can do is twenty.

How about thirty, and I unfold the phrase concerning the effective store you have got right here? Im buddies with Paramof Params Pawn Peculiarities. I do know he can do thirty.

Fantastic, effective. Thirty it’s, the person stated. Hed clearly had sufficient of haggling over such a small denomination. The person doubtless dealt in dozens of silvers a day.

Vir nodded. An additional silver and fifty coppers in his pocket would go a protracted technique to ease his cash points for the following two or three days.

As he waited for the shopkeeper to stow the daggers and produce his cash, his eyes got here to relaxation on the handful of orbs that sat underneath the counter. One was white, and of the identical dimension because the one Tanya had left for him again within the woods. The damaged one.

Whats this orb right here? he requested. How a lot does it go for?

Ah! An Asiyan C Grade Heal Pores and skin spell. In good situation, too. Minimal utilization. This one has loads of life left in it.

So orbs may put on out? That was new to him.

Sorry, come once more? Asien? Vir requested.

Asiyan. Crafted by the well-known Altani thaumaturge Asiya, the shopkeeper stated, giving Vir a judging look. They’re fairly widespread right here, within the capital. Good high quality. No main idiosyncrasies. Straightforward sufficient prana profile for even newly minted Mejai Sorcars to deal with.

Proper, Vir stated. And? How a lot for one?

My worth is ten silvers. Are you ? Or simply asking?

Simply asking, Vir replied, hiding his shock. Tanya had stated C grade orbs may go for twice that a lot. Why so much less?

Much less? My costs are fairly according to everybody elses. Its a Life orb, in spite of everything.

Its a Life orb, Vir countered. Not everybody has use of a fight orb, however accidents befall everybody. If precharged, this might even save a layman, may it not?

The person nodded, stroking his mustache. Sure, and that’s exactly why they’re manufactured in substantial portions.

He introduced out a pink chest and positioned it on the counter, unlatching its brass hinges. Inside sat a dozen white orbs.

You see? Over half of my orbs belong to the Life Affinity. Their manufacturing numbers make them much less worthwhile than the others.

I-I see, Vir replied, pocketing his silver and fifty coppers. He clearly had some studying to do. So anyway, concerning the princess go to

Sure, she is because of arrive this night. Maybe in an hour or two. It must be fairly the sight! I encourage you to stay round. Tis a uncommon event for princess Mina to point out herself in public.

Oh? Whats the perfect spot, then? Vir requested.

Within the plaza, proper beside the street, however as youve seen, all the nice spots have already been taken.

Shouldnt be a difficulty for me.

Leaving the musky store, Vir slid into an empty alley and activated Dance of the Shadow Demon. From throughout the shadow realm, he picked an exit atop a flat, rectangular third story roof, on the very restrict of the abilitys vary. Having a Vimana parked on high of town was understanding effectively for himshadows abounded in all places.

From right here, he had a commanding view of your entire sq., close to the street by way of which the procession would journey. The one query was

What do I wish to get out of this?

The choices appeared myriad at first. He may merely spectate, however that might be a waste. To achieve from this, he wanted to study one thing extra concerning the princess. If he discovered of her affinities, itd give him a leg up sooner or later.

Straight into the large beasts path.

Cmon, you dumb elephant! Cease! Dont crush me!

After all, the probabilities of that occuring have been slim. If the animal confirmed no signal of stopping, Vir would simply Dance away, however that might foil his plan.

Fortunately, it seen, rearing again on its hind legs, making its occupants cry out in panic. Vir lay sprawled out on the bottom, proper till knights swarmed him, grabbing him by his arms.

Do you have got any concept what youve completed, urchin?

Vir feigned concern and opened his eyes extensive. I-I-Im sorry, ser! Solely jes needed t-t-ta give dese f-flowers! Jes, somebody pushed me! I swear! Please, ser knight! Please imagine me!

The knight questioning him shook his head and addressed the knights restraining Vir. Throw him again. Have been holding up your entire procession. Child, don’t do that once more if you understand whats good for you.

Vir nodded vigorously, however stored one eye planted on the elephant. It took all he needed to suppress a smile when a ladder dropped from the elephant, and the princess descended. Regardless of the awkwardness of utilizing a rope ladder, the princess managed the feat with superhuman grace, virtually floating to the bottom.

Vir puzzled whether or not it was magic, or simply very good agility, however looking out her prana signature yielded no outcomes. Prana Imaginative and prescient couldnt penetrate her magical armor, not even at this distance. The interference prolonged to areas circuitously protected by the armor, blocking him from analyzing her affinities.

The royal priest descended clumsily behind her, and Vir did his greatest to not stare. Right here was the person whod killed Rudvik, Apramor, and Alicia. Whod despatched him into exile, upturning his village life.

So shut. I can virtually

Vir squashed these harmful ideas. The identical as with the princess, taking any motion right here would little question result in his personal demise. He restrained himself, discovering that it took extra willpower than hed anticipated.

The princess slowly approached his place, waving away the half dozen guards that pleaded along with her to remain again.

Tis of no concern. Please, permit me to assist this younger one up, the princess stated, kneeling in entrance of Vir, extending a hand.

Vir had deliberate to feign shock and awe upon seeing the princess. He didnt must; Princess Mina Hiranya was beautiful.

His mouth opened and closed a number of occasions, and his eyes grew as massive as orbs.

She was lovely in an unique method. Her blue and yellow heterochromatic eyes have been probably the most mesmerizing eyes hed ever seen, and her tanned, regal face simply exuded refinement and supreme confidence.

It was solely when the princess giggled that Vir lastly broke out of his reverie. He couldve sworn your entire plaza had gone mutethere wasnt a single sound to be heard.

So comfortable, he thought, greedy her proffered hand. His thoughts conjured up photos of Maiya, however he shook them off. Maiya was cute, sure, however the princess was in an entire different league altogether.

He stood and supplied the bouquet to her, which she gracefully accepted. It was as if shed practiced each motion to perfection, with every designed to point out off simply how unbelievable she was.

Thanks, she stated with a fragile, lilting voice that gave the impression of musical notes.

Then the princess did one thing that defied his creativeness.

She retrieved an expensive gown from an attendant.

And, for you, she stated, handing him the beautiful silk gown, gently closing his fingers round it. There was a lot intricate embroidery inside that Vir couldnt even guess how a lot it value; it was doubtless probably the most valuable object Vir had ever held in his total life.

Princess!? Please! the pinnacle priest stated. That could be a priceless household heirloom. Please rethink!

It’s my want, Mina stated with an angelic smile. It isn’t proper for these of us with means to take and by no means give again. If this gown brings pleasure to this boys life, I might be remiss to maintain it for myself.

She raised her voice simply sufficient for the group to listen to her, making her intentions apparent to Vir. However even when it was a calculated transfer, she had simply given him an obscenely worthwhile piece of clothes.

By the point Vir broke his gaze away from the decoration, Mina had already ascended again to her elephant.

I didnt even get to say a phrase Vir belatedly realized. Maybe it was for the perfect. One mistaken phrase and his life wouldve been at risk.

Hed come nose to nose with the princessonly he was now much more confused than earlier than. Was she a despot to be ousted? Or was she honest, type, and noble?

Vir swore hed discover out.

Princess, your father won’t approve of this! Kamna, Mina Hiranyas private bodyguard, stated from atop the elephant palanquin.

The princess continued to wave on the crowds as if nothing had occurred.

I concur, Head Priest Harak echoed.

Inform me, Kamna, what number of urchins have you learnt which have mastered the artwork of disguise?

Sorry? Come once more?

That boy, Mina stated, smiling serenely on the crowd, wore face paint.

I urge your pardon? Make-up? Kamna stated, drawing her heavy brows collectively. I didn’t discover.

And it’s no surprise. The boy is sort of as expert as I’m within the arts of deception. No, I believe he’s no mere urchin. Curious. I’m wondering which faction he works for. Have my brothers recruited new expertise, fearing their imminent demise? Or

Unseen by all, and just for a quick second, the princess smile warped from angelic into one thing much more sinister.

Kamna? Tail that boy. I want to know the place he’s in any respect hours.

Shall I not catch him now? If he’s a risk, why wait?

And deprive me of my leisure? Mina stated, fury flickering throughout her face. Don’t dare.

I-It shall be completed, your highness, her bodyguard replied.

What enjoyable we will have collectively! Oh, delectable agent of my enemy.