Chương 20: The [Merchant] and the Mysterious Woman

Ch. 20 - The [Merchant] and the Mysterious Woman How much of it was planned, I wonder. Was it always the goal to strand so many, to throw us to the wolves, and leave us lost and alone in another world? We thought it was an accident at first, a problem that would be fixed as soon as humanly possible. How naive we were. There were hundreds that volunteered to cross through the portal, driven by promise and hope. Driven by that monstrous lie, causing hundreds to be cut off from home. So few of us made it.

You who are reading this, you who know my story, probably think that I have few reasons to complain when taking into account what I have built. Make no mistake though — what was done was a crime. One that I would have those responsible answer to. - from the writings of Steadholder Eckhart Wyatt stumbled as he exited the portal, catching himself from falling at the last second. He blinked, trying to get over his momentary disorientation.

Kit was at his side, looking around with interest; seemingly unaffected by their sudden travel. They were standing in a large and wide courtyard, ringed around the edges with wooden two-storey buildings. Right up against the buildings, spread around in a large circle, were numerous stalls and carts, merchants buying and selling, with crowds of people milling around in front of them. The ground of the courtyard was paved with large, fitted cobblestones, slightly raised, but not enough to trip anyone up.

There were a multitude of streets leaving the courtyard that Wyatt could see, and they appeared to all be meandering, narrow roads or laneways, connecting to this central location without any obvious reason or sense. Wyatt looked up, taking in more of their surroundings. There was a wall some distance away, high enough that it towered over the buildings around the courtyard.

It looked like what Wyatt had always imagined a medieval fortification to look like, and he spotted what appeared to be guards stationed on top. He was momentarily confused as to why there was a wall inside of the city, but then he remembered being told that the city — Skalholm? — had grown quite a lot since the dungeon had been discovered. Wyatt regarded the courtyard and buildings around him with new eyes, thinking that it had perhaps sprung up organically, outside of the planning of the actual city.

It would certainly explain the narrow streets he could see everywhere, and the buildings themselves had a sort of rough look to them, as though a more permanent veneer had been added to what had been quite basic structures to begin with. Glancing back behind him, Wyatt saw the archway he had just come through. It looked the same — rough-hewn large blocks of stone — but here the earth had been removed, revealing a rectangular stone structure.

It looked very out of place, like a neolithic stone edifice had been plonked right in the middle of a city square.' Wyatt … that was mortifying to watch.' Kit's groan got Wyatt's attention, and he looked down at the silver fox. She wasn't meeting his eyes, but looked pained. Wyatt winced, remembering his display with the guard. He scratched at his neck, flushing.

"I know. I just got nervous, alright?" Kit shuddered, and muttered to herself.' I see I'm going to have to have more to do with your upbringing than I realised. I refuse to be around someone that embarrassing.' Wyatt flushed a deeper shade of red. Before he could manage a rejoinder — did Kit really think she was going to raise him? — he was prodded in the shoulder. The poke wasn't unkind, but the voice that accompanied it had the solid and easy tone of someone who brooked no arguments.

"Move along now, lad. You're blocking those trying to enter." Wyatt spun to see one of the guards manning this side of the dungeon entrance. The man nodded at him encouragingly, and Wyatt quickly stepped out of the way. As he did, he finally noticed the group of Adventurers patiently waiting for him to move aside. They were far better geared than anyone else that he'd seen yet; one of them wearing actual plate armour. Wyatt smiled at them weakly.

"Ah, sorry about that." The Adventurers didn't answer, but the one wearing armour did give Wyatt a cool nod. Then they marched into the dungeon entrance, vanishing with a brief flash of light.

"We better get out of the way, Kit." The silver fox sniffed at that, but she was sticking close to Wyatt's heels. There were people walking about everywhere, and she was clearly worried about being stepped on.

"Will you be okay down there? Maybe I should have put my pack on after all so you could get off the ground." Kit shook her head, but her tail swished about slightly, pleased at Wyatt's consideration.' I'll be fine. If I have to, I'll just jump into your shadow.' Wyatt looked around, taking in all the sights.

"There's just so many people. I mean, I knew that it would be a city, but being here is pretty overwhelming."' There aren't cities where you're from?' Wyatt shook his head. He was keeping his voice quiet, just so that people walking nearby wouldn't think he was talking to himself, but Kit didn't seem to have any trouble hearing him.

"Not like this. I mean, there used to be, back when I was a kid. But I don't remember that much." Kit's ears perked up.' What happened?' Wyatt shrugged.

"Everything went wrong. Disease, famine, war … the population crashed pretty hard. But it all started when the volcanos blew. All of them at once, all over the world." Kit pressed herself up against Wyatt's leg, avoiding a group of people that seemed drunk and rowdy. Her attention was all on Wyatt though, she was looking up at him, fascinated.' Fire mountains? Is your world so small that they could cause that much devastation?'

Wyatt was confused at first, then he realised that whatever Kit was, whatever knowledge base she had, a global disaster of that magnitude wasn't something that she could understand.

"It wasn't exactly the eruption that was the problem, Kit. Although my Grandparents said that was bad enough. But the main problem was that there was so much ash in the atmosphere that the sun was hidden from sight for over a year." Kit's tail flicked about as she thought that over. Then realisation dawned.' Ah. Nothing would grow.'

"Exactly. Not just crops, but plants in general. There was almost nothing to go round, and people fought over what little remained."

'A year … I'm surprised any of you were left at all.' Wyatt nodded easily, still looking around. It had been a terrifying and devastating time in history, but he'd been too young to appreciate the true horror. Once his Grandparents had taken him in, they'd tried to shield him from as much of it as they could. It all just felt normal to him; he'd never known anything else.

"Yeah, it got pretty bad. It was one thing after another. And then we got some visitors."

'Visitors? I take it you don't mean to you specifically.'

"No, not me. Visitors to Earth. They said they were refugees from a dying world. I don't know much about them — I think governments tried to keep it as quiet as they could. And my Grandparents died around then, so I was a bit … lost. But there were a few pictures that circulated. And a year or so after they arrived, we had a working portal. Well, kind of working. And here I am." Wyatt became aware that Kit was giving him a hard stare.

"What's the matter?"' … you are far too relaxed about events that would shake any world, let alone two.' Wyatt shook his head, trying to make Kit understand.

"Kit, it's not like that. Think about it; if every day is a struggle just to find enough to eat, every town you see is mostly empty because there aren't enough people to fill the houses, and what little news you do get is just more doom and misery … you sort of learn to take things in your stride. You can only freak out for so long." Kit nodded slowly as she thought about what had Wyatt said. Then she gave him a sly look.'

I'd be inclined to be impressed about your stoic and adaptable mentality, Wyatt, except I just saw you practically stuttering at having to talk to a guard.' Wyatt glared down at Kit.

"That's different."' It is?'

"Yeah. I'm just not used to dealing with so many people. There's nothing wrong with that." Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.' I know. Don't worry, I'm just teasing you. So these visitors to your world — who were they exactly?' Wyatt had spotted a group of people clustered around one side of the courtyard, and started to head that way on the basis that he didn't know where else to go.

He had his head tilted slightly to the side, speaking to Kit softly as she followed.

"I only saw a few pictures. They seemed to have titles instead of names — like 'hill people' and other strange things like that. But they were referred to a lot as the 'Sidhe', so I guess that's what they call themselves. But it was all hearsay, I had no way to find out for sure." Kit shook her head slowly as she thought.' Sidhe? Can't say I know that name. Are you sure it's right? What did they look like? You said you saw their visage?' Wyatt shrugged.

"I think so, but it could be someone made it up. And what they looked like? Beautiful, but kind of freaky. Really tall, and thin — like they had been stretched out. Bigger eyes than you'd expect. And their ears were —" Wyatt stopped talking so suddenly Kit looked around in alarm.' What, what's wrong?'

"Sorry, nothing. But … those people over there? What are they?" Kit made a noise of annoyance at being alarmed unnecessarily, but when she saw who Wyatt was looking at she paused as well.

'Oh. That's interesting. You don't often see them. This city must be quite cosmopolitan. Those are Proteans — a created race of people.'

"Proteans?" There were three of them, and they stood out in the crowd of humans walking about. Indeed, most people seemed to be giving them at least a second glance. In form they looked human enough, if being rather perfect examples of it. They were wearing clothing and armour, not acting strangely or doing anything to draw attention … but they drew the eye just by virtue of their existence. They were the wrong colour. One blue, one green, and one a pale purple, all women.

Their skin, faces, and hair were all uniformly one colour, every part of them that Wyatt could see. Their hair wasn't quite right though, it didn't move like normal hair. In fact, the way it hung about their faces made Wyatt suspect it was all one piece. Kit continued, staring in interest at the three.

'Yes. They were created, as I said. As with most of their ilk, it is a sordid tale which I will not speak of here — it is not the place for it. But they are a strong and clever people. If there were more of them about, they might even have become a power. But they were ever only few in number.' As Wyatt watched the group, he was sure that the blue Protean met his eyes.

It was too far to see her expression, but she looked at him for perhaps a hairs breadth too long, before turning her attention back to her companions. They appeared to be having some kind of argument amongst themselves, with the purple and green Protean remonstrating with the blue. Wyatt looked away from the three with some reluctance. He had a number of tasks he wanted to accomplish before the days end, and he didn't have time to waste. Still, he wasn't entirely sure what he should begin with.

"Kit, what do you think we should do first? We need to go to the Adventurer's Guild, and we have to organise a place to stay as well." The silver fox glanced around them, stopping as she caught sight of something.' You wanted to sell the Orc's sword, did you not? Why not begin with that since we are here?' Wyatt followed Kit's gaze to the stalls and booths that lined the courtyard, selling a wide variety of wares.

"I guess it can't hurt to try. We'll head to the guild after." Kit gave Wyatt a dubious look.' Are you any good at haggling?' Wyatt smiled, somewhat nostalgically.

"Don't worry — I used to watch my Grandmother haggle all the time when we took our crops to the local market." Wyatt walked towards the stalls that seemed to be predominately selling weapons. He kept glancing over his shoulder, feeling like the blue Protean was still looking at him, but he never caught her at it. Wyatt chose one of the traders at random, coming to a stop in front of one of the more established-looking booths. The merchant behind the counter smiled broadly at Wyatt.

He was a large man, his waistcoat straining around his middle, and he possessed an eye-catching and neatly groomed pointed beard. He gestured expansively at Wyatt, his voice hearty and booming.

"Welcome friend! Welcome to Lycet's humble stall of weaponry! I am, of course, Lycet, trusted [Merchant] of Skalholm. What can I help you with today — are you perhaps looking for an upgrade? A spare knife to aid you in your travels? Everything I sell is of the most acceptable quality!" Wyatt blinked, then he grinned.

"Only acceptable?" Lycet laughed.

"Ah, do not disparage acceptability, my friend! I may not have any enchanted items or the works of a master [Blacksmith], but I guarantee that you will never take issue with anything that I sell!" Wyatt smiled wider, liking the man already. In fact, he — A sharp nudge from Kit against his leg, made Wyatt pause.' Careful. He is using a skill. [Attract Customer] I think.' Alerted to its effects, Wyatt stiffened, pulling back slightly. He could feel it now, an urge to trust the smiling man in front of him.

It didn't feel malicious, but he also didn't like the idea of his behaviour being influenced so easily. Lycet looked puzzled by Wyatt's change in demeanour, but then his smile just widened.

"Ah, don't look so grim, my young friend! Will you at least do me the kindness of telling me your name? And what a magnificent beast you have as a companion! What can I assist you with today?"

"… Wyatt. I'm actually looking to sell a weapon I picked up in the dungeon. Do you buy as well as sell?" Some of Lycet's jovial air faded, but he still looked interested. He stroked his beard as he regarded Wyatt thoughtfully.

"Dungeon loot already? I must say I misjudged you, young Wyatt. I took you for perhaps a first timer, looking to gear up. I do purchase items as long as they are of a suitable quality. Is your item enchanted?" Wyatt shook his head, relaxing a bit. He actually felt more comfortable with this version of the merchant.

"I don't think so. I … took it from an Orc. It's a great-sword." Lycet's brow lifted as he heard where Wyatt had got the weapon.

"An Orc? You surprise me yet again! Apologies, but I would not have taken you for a frequenter of the higher floors. Your attire is — forgive me, but it is rustic at best. But to have bested an Orc … may I see the weapon?" Wyatt nodded.

"Sure." He hesitated only a moment before bringing the weapon out of his bag of holding. Wyatt glanced around, checking, but it didn't seem like there was any issue in handling a weapon out in the open. Almost every person he could see was carrying a blade of some kind. Wyatt called the Orc's sword out of his bag of holding. It was long enough that he had to be careful in pulling it out, having to hold it by the blade until it had fully cleared the opening.

Then Wyatt lay it lengthways on the countertop of the stall. Lycet leant over the great-sword, inspecting it closely.

"Hmm … yes, I can believe that an Orc wielded this. It is far too large for someone without a strength skill. And it is perhaps poorly balanced? Let us see … [Appraise Merchandise]. Ah. It's as I thought." Lycet didn't sound all that impressed with the blade, and Wyatt's hopes of a windfall began to nosedive. He glanced down at Kit, but the silver fox just shrugged.

"Not good I take it?" The merchant sighed, shaking his head.

"I'm afraid not. You see here and here? Hammer marks, still visible on the blade. It was roughly forged, and so its value is affected accordingly." The merchant sounded so woeful and apologetic that Wyatt almost fell for the act. Although he'd never think of himself as savvy or worldly, he'd watched his Grandmother at the small community market enough times to know when someone was trying to drive a price down. He decided to play along. Wyatt sighed as well, putting on a downcast expression.

"I mean, I never thought it was anything amazing, but it was a shame just to leave it by the body, you know?" Lycet nodded, commiserating.

"Oh, I'm sure. And I respect the enterprising nature of a young man like yourself! But I still could not offer you much for it." Wyatt hid a grin, not needing the pointed nudges from Kit. Since Lycet had admitted that he'd pay something for the sword, it was clear that the merchant thought he could turn a profit somehow. Wyatt schooled his face into a pleasant, yet regretful, smile.

"How much do you think it's worth?" The merchant sucked at his teeth, giving him a gauging and calculating look. Wyatt wondered if he had a skill that was warning him to tread carefully. Lycet folded his arms.

"Eighteen copper." Wyatt didn't react, but internally he was quickly trying to work out how bad of an offer that really was. He knew that he'd have to try and get Lycet to up his price regardless, but he still wanted to know how badly the merchant was trying to gouge him. The problem was that he didn't really know much about this world's economy. Wyatt thought fast. Let's see … Losmer said that a Galvadeer corpse would net about five gold — and everyone was shocked at the price. So five gold is a lot.

And the bounty for the seven goblins worked out to be twenty-eight silver, and that was enough to cover lodgings for quite a while … Lycet hesitated, perhaps put off by Wyatt's lack of reaction. The merchant cleared his throat.

"I could perhaps throw in another five copper. Just for the novelty of it being an Orc's weapon! But I truly couldn't go higher than that. There's a chance I would have to sell it for scrap to be reforged after all. So how does one silver and three sound?"

"That sounds a bit better …" Wyatt was still working out the currency rate. One and three — that means that there are twenty copper to a Silver piece. Wyatt smiled at the merchant, genuinely happy. Not about the price for the sword — he was sure that Lycet was underselling how much the great-sword was worth — but because he'd just had a crash course in Anwyn's economy. Or at least in the city of Skalholm.

He had to go to the Adventurer's Guild anyway to report the fate of Raek and the others, so he could enquire about the Goblin bounty then. Still, that didn't mean that Lycet should have it too easy. Besides, Wyatt was enjoying himself. He tapped the sword with a finger.

"I realise it's rough, but surely steel can't be that worthless. If you had to have it smelted down, I mean." Lycet's eyes sharpened at hearing that, but his grin returned, as expansive as before.

"In a city of Adventurer's like Skalholm? Surely you jest! The forges run day and night! Wagon's full of metal arrive daily."

"Sound's like they have a great need for it then. So perhaps the sword isn't that risky of an investment?" Lycet started, then boomed out a laugh.

"Fine, you scamp! Ruin me! I'll give a sharp lad such as yourself one and twelve. And not a copper piece more!" Wyatt grinned, holding out a hand.

"Deal." At the last minute he worried that people in this world might not shake hands, but it was an unfounded fear. Lycet took his hand in a strong grip, echoing Wyatt.

"And done!" Their business concluded, Wyatt was now in possession of one shiny silver piece, and 12 dull copper coins that he could add to the handful that he already had. He felt inordinately proud of himself. Before he turned to leave though, a thought struck Wyatt.

"Actually, I was looking for the Adventurer's Guild. Would you be able to give me directions?" The merchant nodded easily, his effusive persona turned down somewhat now that their business had concluded. Lycet was interrupted before he could speak though. A loud voice, feminine and full of mirth, called out.

"Lycet, you rogue! I hope you're not fleecing innocent youngsters again!" Wyatt turned to see a woman, the same pale blue Protean woman that he'd seen earlier, saunter over to the merchant's stall. Lycet clearly knew her, as he beamed at the Protean, far more genuinely than he had with Wyatt.

"Lera? Lera! Girl, come here and let me look at you — I've not seen you in an age! Two! Ahh, but you wound my heart; still lovely and not looking a day older than when last I saw you." The blue woman, Lera, grinned cheekily at the merchant.

"Flattery didn't get you anywhere ten years ago, and it won't get you anywhere now." Lycet staggered back, holding a hand to his heart.

"Cruel, so cruel! And what is this accusation about me fleecing my precious customers? I'll have you know that I've been the very definition of generous to this young man!" Lera turned to face Wyatt, a smile playing around her lips.

"Well? Has he?" Wyatt blinked, caught off guard. Now she was close enough to see properly, he felt like he'd been stunned. Her skin was different from anything human, having a uniformly perfect smoothness to it that showed not a single blemish. It had a matt sheen to it, with an opaque property that was hard to identify. Her features were strong, yet finely formed, and her solid hair — mimicking the appearance of seperate strands — hung about her face, framing it in a beguiling manner.

Her eyes, which he'd thought were just one colour, actually had different hues of blue in them, echoing the pupil and iris of a human eye. Lera was wearing various pieces of seemingly mismatched leather armour, covering all her vitals. She had a sword on her hip, but no shield that Wyatt could see. She was tall as well, of a height with him, and gave off the impression of easy strength. It was hard to pin her age down, but she didn't look much older than her late twenties.

Wyatt, realising that he'd just been staring at the woman's face for a few long moments without speaking, flushed red. Lycet roared with laughter.

"Ah, lad! If I'd known you'd be this entertaining I would have given you an even bigger deal. Lera, take pity on the boy, and tone it down. You know how dangerous you can be if someone isn't used to you." Wyatt cleared his throat hurriedly, ignoring Kit muttering about him embarrassing her again.

"I, ah — I wouldn't say he was the definition of generous, but he was fair enough." Lera smiled again, but folded her arms as she raised an eyebrow at Lycet.

"Is that so? Somehow I find it hard to believe." Lycet sighed theatrically.

"It's so hard to be an honest merchant these days. Lera, do you have time to stop and talk? I truly have missed you, and it's been years since you've graced my stall. Where have you been?" Lera leant on Lycet's stall with one hand, nodding her agreement.

"It really has been too long, Lyc', and I promise I'll make time to catch up. But I'm off to the guild on business. I was just being a busybody and overheard your customer asking you for directions." The merchant nodded regretfully.

"I will hold you to that, mark my words, Lera." Lera laughed and waved her goodbyes. Then she turned to Wyatt, giving him a searching look. She winked.

"So. Need a guide?"