Chapter 25 — One Day in Gosen
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Kael Grenfort:
When we entered the city of Gosen, the sun had just climbed to its peak.
The streets were wide, clean, paved with stone. The buildings were tall — some over four stories high. Flowers sat on windowsills, others had carved lattices. People on horses, in carriages, on foot — so much movement that my head started to spin.
"Well, son, I have work today. What should we do with you?" Father said.
"I'll walk around the city. With Silvan. You handle your business."
"Yes, but…"
"Father, I'm a grown man. I'm ten years old. You tease me like I'm a kid, but don't you trust me?"
He chuckled.
"Fine, go. But listen to Silvan. And don't use magic — it's forbidden here, remember?"
"I remember, Father."
"One more thing — wherever you go, come back for dinner with me. Silvan knows the place."
"Okay."
He stepped down from the carriage. Silvan looked at me and nodded.
"Young master, where shall we go?"
"Forward, Silvan. Forward."
---
First stop — the market.
Silvan parked the carriage at the edge of the market square. I got out, and he followed.
The market was crowded — merchants praising their wares, buyers haggling over prices. On one side, dried fruits; on another, spices; on another, fabrics, dishes, caged birds.
"Silvan, do you ever buy anything?"
"If I need something, young master. I'm a simple man."
"Hmm, I want to buy something today. Father left me some money."
I reached into my pocket — a few silver coins and several gold coins. Enough.
My eyes fell on a shop selling various "magical items" — yes, in quotation marks. A shiny stone, a black rod, some old books, and…
"What's this?" I asked the merchant, pointing at a strange box.
"Ohho, young sir, this is a rare item! This box contains magical sand. You sprinkle it on the ground, say a word, and it will take you anywhere you want!"
"Really?"
"Yes, yes! It can only be used once, but…"
Silvan glanced at it, then at me.
"Young master, that sand is ordinary sand. It smells like road dust."
"Hey! How dare you!" the merchant got angry.
"Shall we test it?" I said with a smile.
The merchant turned pale. "Fine, fine, go away! I don't need customers like you!"
Silvan shrugged.
"First lesson, young master: never trust anyone at the market."
"I already know that, Silvan. But thank you."
---
Second stop — a café.
The day grew hotter as it passed. I got hungry.
"Silvan, let's eat somewhere. No worms."
Silvan pointed to a café. We went inside — the air was warm, smelling of roasted meat and fresh bread. We sat at a table.
A waiter came. I ordered simple food — bread, cheese, boiled eggs. Silvan ordered meat and a cup of green tea.
As we ate, two men at the next table were talking loudly.
"You know, they say Grenfort wants to sell his share."
"Who? Sedric Grenfort? He's a smart man, but with the current competition…"
I pricked up my ears.
"His rivals want to buy the company. But the Xavier family is also involved."
"Xavier? The innkeeper from Estes?"
"Yes. He's a distant relative, but powerful."
I looked at Silvan. He said nothing, just drank his tea.
Father's business is complicated. Xavier… that innkeeper? He seemed like a good man, but…
"Silvan, where is Father's meeting?"
"In the center, at a large trading house. We'll go in the evening."
"Hmm. Let's go earlier."
"Yes, young master."
---
Afternoon — street performances.
There was a square in the city center. A street performer had gathered a crowd. He floated in the air, then swallowed a sword — just tricks, no magic.
I was amazed. Silvan wasn't interested.
"Silvan, do you never laugh?"
"I laugh. When there's a reason."
"Hmm. Then today I'm going to make you laugh."
"Try, young master."
I told several jokes — first, second, third. Silvan's face remained like stone.
"Nothing?"
"No."
"Alright, then… you know why elves live so long?"
"Why?"
"Because they need a lot of time to understand a joke!"
Silvan stared at me for a moment. Then the corner of his lip twitched slightly.
"That was your father's joke."
"Yes, but what matters is that I almost made you laugh!"
"Almost."
Good. Making Silvan laugh is harder than fighting.
---
Toward evening — the trading house.
Silvan stopped the carriage in front of a large building. Three stories, white marble, a small fountain with a statue in front. Two guards stood at the door.
"Young master, this is the place."
"Is Father inside?"
"Yes. Only you may enter. I'll wait."
I got out and walked toward the door.
Inside was luxurious — red carpets, furniture made of precious wood, paintings on the walls. I walked down a corridor and reached a large room.
The door was open.
Father sat at a table. Beside him were two other men — one fat with a red face, the other thin with glasses. Across from them sat a woman — dressed in black, her face serious, older than my father.
"Kael? What are you doing here?" Father said, surprised.
"To make sure I arrive on time for dinner. If you need me to wait, I can."
He thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. Sit, listen. No harm."
I sat on a chair in the corner.
The talk was about a company — gold mining, shares, deals. Understandable, but boring.
The fat man — Mr. Falken — spoke loudly.
"Mr. Grenfort, we are ready to buy your share. Four hundred thousand gold."
"That's too low," Father said. "It's worth six hundred thousand."
"Five hundred," said the thin man.
"Five hundred fifty," said the woman.
Father was silent. He looked at me.
What do you think? — was the question, even though he didn't say it out loud.
See? They're undervaluing you. Look at Falken — he's nervous. The thin one is calculating. The woman… she's the most dangerous, because she's quiet.
I gave Father a small nod — hold your ground, wait.
"Six hundred," Father said firmly.
"That's too much!" Falken reddened.
"Then I'll sell my share to someone else."
The thin man was silent for a moment, then looked at the woman. She nodded.
"Six hundred. But on one condition — you will not work for our competitors."
"Agreed," Father said.
They shook hands.
The meeting ended. As I was leaving, I felt the woman's gaze on me. She looked at me and smiled — cold, but curious.
Who is she?
"Good decision, son," Father said outside.
"I did nothing."
"You did it with your eyes. You proved once again — you're my son."
I smiled.
---
Dinner — at the restaurant.
Father ordered from the city's best restaurant. The three of us — me, Father, and Silvan.
"A successful day," Father said, raising his glass. "My son is smart, my business is settled, we leave tomorrow."
"To your health, Mr. Sedric," Silvan said.
I also raised my glass — filled with grape juice.
"Father, who was that woman?"
"Which woman?"
"The one in black at the meeting."
Father paused for a moment.
"That's… Xavier's sister. The innkeeper from Estes. Her family is involved in these matters."
"She seemed to be sizing you up."
"Maybe. But I'm not a man who gets sized up. I'm the one who does the sizing."
Hmm, a confident man.
"Silvan, what did you see today?" Father asked.
"Young master exposed a fraudulent merchant at the market, watched a street performer, and told your joke — nearly made me laugh."
"Nearly?" I said.
"Nearly," he said with a smile.
Whoa! Silvan smiles!
Father laughed too.
"Good, son. You're growing up."
"I'm already grown up."
"Yes, yes. Tomorrow we leave early. From Gosen to Revius — to your school."
"Finally!"
"Why so happy?"
"Because then I'll escape your jokes!"
"Hehe, you won't escape. I'll come visit."
Arghhh.
---
Night — in my room.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Gosen is an interesting city. Markets, street performers, mysterious women… and Father's business.
Silvan didn't say something today. What does he know?
Velmora… her eyes. Still before my eyes.
Where is she now?
My eyes closed.
Forget Velmora. Who was she? I probably won't meet her again anyway. Whatever.
Tomorrow — the road. And after that — Revius. School.
I wonder what will happen?
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