Another patron enters the shop; these, however, are not Barry's typical common customers from the guild. For they are, however—
"Good day, sir Blacksmith." Roland expressed.
Barry smiled, rather fond of meeting one of the famous heroes.
"What can I do for you, Sir Roland?" Barry replied.
"The guild told me your smithing is remarkable."
"Not all the time. Some say this, some say that… More importantly, what is it that you need?"
"I do have some that might need your skills." Roland then placed a wrapped item on the desk.
Stripping the strings that hold the item, it was revealed to be a broken sword, a well-designed bastard sword. Fragmented in the middle, Barry can tell it was either swung very hard or another sword outclasses its quality.
"Got any name on this sword?" Barry enquires.
"Seeker." Irish approach. "Seeker is the sword's name."
"I see… your swords seem to be made of rare metals. Luckily, some materials might be compatible with the sword's metal. But I need to strip the enchantment from this sword. What kind of enchantment is it?"
"It's a soul enchantment."
"Ah." Expressed Barry. "This might be a difficult job to repair, but on the bright side, it will be done in no time."
"Noted… could I ask how much the cost?" Irish responded.
"Sixty silver would suffice. I first need to preserve what was enchanted on this sword before doing the repairs."
"So, when can it be fixed?" Roland then takes out his pouch of coins.
"You can come back maybe after five days. I need to find a HollowStone; I hope the guild might provide me with some."
"What if we grant you, sir Barry?" Ulgar intrudes, pulling out a smooth crystal stone no more than the size of a two-inch.
"That would be of great help. And since you already provided me with some Hollow Stone. The price is now thirty-five silvers."
As the four are accounting for the coins needed for the repair. Falnia, who seems to have a keen eye, notices Natalak's chest slightly open, revealing a glimpse of her elvish heritage.
"The things in that Chest are those Lithing?" Falnia announce.
Barry looks at Falnia, and somehow, the blacksmith rubs his forehead.
"How thoughtless of me, I somehow forgot to hide his belongings." Barry then began to rub his head.
Falnia narrows her eyes slightly. "Those items on the chest… they are Lithing ingots, aren't they?"
Barry exhales through his nose, rubbing his temple. "Sharp eyes… unfortunate for me."
Roland glances between them, curious. "Lithing? That's not something you see often."
"Who owns them?" Falnia said as she stepped closer, voice calm but intent.
"That, I cannot answer." Barry's voice straightens. His tone shifts— firm now to the elf.
"We're not asking for trouble. I'm willing to buy." Falnia replied, tilting her head.
Barry shakes his head. "And I'm not willing to sell what isn't mine."
A small pause. The forge crackles behind them, and even her companions sense the tension. His daughter curiously gazes at his father's hard wall.
Falnia presses slightly: "Then at least point me to the owner."
"A blacksmith's word is his bond. What passes through my hands… stays my client's secret." Barry's gaze hardens just a bit.
"Stubborn old code." Ulgar crosses his arms, smiling and amused at the blacksmith's loyalty to his code.
"Call it what you will. It keeps trust alive in this trade." The blacksmith follows.
Falnia studies him for a moment… then exhales. "Fine. I respect that."
Barry nods. "If there are other things that you want repaired or forged, feel free to ask." Said the blacksmith as he hid Natalak's belongings.
When the party departs from the shop, Roland can see the hard expression on Falnia's face.
"I told you we should have used the teleportation; if we had, your sword would not have broken. If we had teleported, we wouldn't have spent twenty-five silvers." Riza spoke to the Irish.
"I am not to blame… who was it that charged through the enemies and then cried to be saved?" Irish coldly glances at Riza.
And as it was, the rogue had surrendered her teasing.
"Where shall we go now, Roland?" Ulgar said.
"I think we all need a break from our long journey," Roland replied.
"I'll go cool my head." Falnia gave a weary form as she departed from the group. "I'll be at the guild; you can find me there."
"I'm coming with you," Riza spoke, trailing the elf.
"I'll be at the guild hall." Read follow.
"I think there's an old friend I would like to visit," Ulgar said, his eyes looking towards the palace. "You can send me a message if you need help." The paladin continues, leaving the two behind.
"What about you, Lady Irish? Anything you want?" Roland inquires.
"Nothing really, I'm quite free at the moment."
"There's a place I do like to visit, want to come with me." Roland offers his hand.
Irish smiled, clasping his hand, as she yielded to where he was taking her.
Meanwhile, through the centre market of Ravalind, where citizens flock to fulfil their needs. Even for you, you can hear the sound of people's noises haggling, exchanging words of gossip. You can even hear different animals locked in a cage, whether fish, birds, or land animals. We looked through the clouded sky, and it was a good time to enter the crowded bazaar. Soon, as the folks slowly departed, Natalak and his companions arrived.
Feeding his eyes on the market, Natalak couldn't help but be fascinated by the strange items displayed at every shop. A few yards away, he notices one retailer selling unusual magical assortments—not just him, but also Sheila. Interested in magical stuff, both Sheila and Natalak tread towards the stow, lagging Chifya and the others behind.
Sheila was the first to consult the woman in her mid-forties who sold potions and lots of scrolls. Natalak, however, notices a bunch of bag-pouches holding something like sand.
"Miss, do you have a teleportation scroll?" Sheila asks the storekeeper.
"We have a young miss." The shopkeeper says, bringing out a bunch of scrolls.
Grabbing five pieces, Natalak was more interested in what was inside the bag the shopkeeper was selling. Respectfully, he waited for Sheila to finish conferencing with the storekeeper.
"How much is this?" Inquires Sheila.
"That would be a hundred and fifty coppers."
After waiting for their brief transaction, Natalak consulted the lady about what was inside the bag. He can tell they may weigh about a kilo.
"Ah… This young man is what we call Glittering Powder, or what others call ExplosiveDust." The shopkeeper then loosens the rope.
Uncovering the pouch, the traveller saw that it really glitters with many colours, though most of the materials are composed of purple. Without asking, the retailer then pours a few grams onto the desk before cindering it.
Closely observing the Glittering Powder, it was unusual for him to anticipate the burning of the powder. The dust was rather unstable, so that some of them were flying from every corner, too dangerous, he presumed.
"I see? It's more like Black powder." Natalak whispers. Then suddenly Natalak's mind cracks. "Wait! wait-wait-wait-wait, Black powder? So, the rifles that I once saw… does this powder have a relation?" Natalak's hand firmly pressed from his lips as if holding his desired face.
"Say ah… how much for one pouch?"
"Twenty-five coppers for one bag."
"I will take two if you would." Natalak points.
When the bag was given to him, Natalak estimated the weight of the powder. Reckoning it to weigh a kilo, he turns to other items that will benefit his journey. There are potions, a lot of them, some are replenishing one's magical energy. And an antidote that cures sickness, toxins.
"How much for these?" Natalak plucks one of the antidotes.
"That is ten coppers a piece."
Placing the flask back, Natalak thought of something. "Should I buy some from Chifya?" He glances towards the elf, whom Chifya quickly apprehends with his eyes. "Better not, should I buy two or three flasks?"
Natalak sighs, clouding his decision. "I'll take three bottles."
He trails Sheila, and there they enter a peculiar shop. A keen observer, Natalak, saw the adventurers' crest posted in front of the shop. Already, he presumes it must be in partnership with the guild.
The group entered and quickly scattered in search of their needs. Natalak, however, was following Sheila while he listened to their conversation with the shopkeepers.
"What kind of scrolls did you buy?" Natalak probes after Sheila had made a transaction.
"It's a void scroll," Sheila replied. "You want me to give some explanation?" She continues, seeing that he will soon ask what it is. True enough, Natalak nods, agitated, knowing the scroll's use.
"Your ears." Her hand gestures for him to come closer.
"These scrolls are just the same as the relic you are holding. But it has limits; it only stores the partial weight of an item."
"Ah, I see what you mean." Natalak shakes his head.
"Ahem, we're done." Riya clears her throat.
The two looked and saw they were fully finished searching for their desired items. Chifya, on the other hand, had her basket full of strange ingredients. In time, after filling all the items on the counter, the group trades twelve silver and fifty-seven copper Shar for all the items they've bought.
Once they returned home, Natalak couldn't help but question—
"If you don't mind me asking. Can I ask you one more about the glittering dust, its history, and who made it?" Natalak said, showing her the bag full of powder.
"The powder was first created and discovered by archsage Azageis; he was the one who formulated the dust. Or that's what the rumour said." Sheila said she would display the items she bought.
"It was then discovered that it can be used as an explosive. The ingredients and formula on how to create the powder were hidden secretly by the mages there at Maginum. They're the ones who know how to create the Explosive Powder." Sheila pulls one of the chairs.
"But the powder contains magical stuff, which is one of its downsides. It's not very effective when an opponent casts a barrier that repels any magic."
"But time gave men a new idea—somehow, they have been using this as a business to other nations, and it is surprisingly expensive if you have the best quality offered." She carries on, giving Riya the scrolls. "Here, bring these to my room." She commands at Riya.
"So, what I got here is the low-quality powder?"
"How much was the price you had in your hand?"
"Twenty-five."
"That seems to be the lowest quality you have. A hundred and thirty coppers are the highest quality I know of."
Natalak smiles, however, in his mind holds a very devious art. "It seems I have a new objective to pursue."
Whilst Natalak was faintly smiling, little did he know that Chifya was intently observing his very action, every facial expression. And it seems to suggest she was suspicious of something the traveller was up to.