Omen of a Bluebell

Walking through the city with an escort is a very different experience. Instead of being crowded like we were upon arrival here, the river of people splits around us.

I'm sure it has everything to do with our escorts, who surround us like a wedge, with the elf at the head. Or rather, my escorts.

The thought makes me scowl. After brief introductions, I’d learned that the elf man is named Sarys, with Orik being the dwarf and Ela being the lionkin.

The Principal apparently took into consideration my current condition and figured that including another beastkin female to my detail would be best. At least until his wife is done with the new medicine.

Honestly, it’s embarrassing.

At the same time, I'm willing to begrudgingly admit that it makes a certain amount of sense. The once Faulted are as rare as it gets, so of course they’d want to protect the primary subjects of their research.

Despite all of that, I find myself easily distracted. The crowded streets are just as diverse as I remember, and I spend the majority of our trip to the Sovereign Steel and Sigils store just people watching.

And glancing at Bella, but that’s... well, it is what it is and I'm going to leave it at that.

When we finally arrive at our destination, the storefront takes my breath away. It seems gilded in precious metals, the entire thing looking as though it’d just been polished for extra shine. Cari, like me, gawks at the display of opulence.

Nobody else in our party has a reaction. Bella looks as unruffled as ever, though there’s the faintest curve to her lips as she not-so-secretly indulges in our combined awe. Our escorts simply stand watch, all professional and stoic like.

As we enter, though, they slip behind us, allowing us to lead the way inside the store.

Inside is just as wondrous. The walls are lined with wealth and even further decorated with weapon and armor displays. Each and every item looks priceless, and Relic Whisperer activates all on its own for several that catch my eye.

Stormreed Bow

Epic, Blood Binding

Enchantments:

Greater Guided Shot

Arrows fired from this weapon are aided by the wind, curving towards the wielder's intended target.

Power Draw

With an infusion of mana, the draw strength increases. The more mana invested, the more strength is required.

Greater Lightdraw

This bow requires significantly reduced strength to fully draw.

***

Thunderjaw Gauntlet

Epic, Blood Binding

Enchantments:

Perfect Shockburst Strike

Once charged with 10% of its wielder's mana, the next punch releases a contained burst of lightning that may chain to a number of targets dependent on the quantity of mana supplied.

Magnetic Repulse

This item will automatically magnetize rapidly approaching metallic objects and attempt to push them away or slow them down.

Self Repair

This item can repair itself from most damage, so long as the wielder has mana.

***

Mantle of the Comet

Legendary, Soul Binding

Enchantments:

Perfect Aether Drift

The wearer’s falling speed is drastically reduced.

Greater Starlit Recovery

The wearer’s health and mana regeneration are increased by 20% when the night sky is visible.

Perfect Radiant Resilience

Reduces incoming magic damage by 10%.

Greater Self Repair

This item can repair itself even when totally destroyed, so long as the wielder has mana.

Each and every item in the place is just as powerful, and just as valuable. My eyes wander from piece to piece, and each new notice shakes my understanding of normalcy.

“Gods above…” I murmur.

My comment is loud enough to draw the attention of the rest of my party, but before I can answer them, a stocky dwarf in a deep blue tuxedo approaches us.

“Warm welcomes to you! What treasure’ve you come to buy? Or... perhaps you’ve brought something for us to look over?”

His voice is barely below a shout at first, then shifts to something almost conspiratorial, as if he’s hoping for us to have something new and interesting. Of course, despite there being several other customers and roving aides just like him, none pay us any heed.

Bella volunteers herself as our representative, stepping forward.

“We’re here to sell an item. Could you guide us to your appraisal rooms?” she asks, her voice low and smooth.

“Of course!” he booms, spinning in place. “Please follow me.”

It takes a moment, and we have to navigate around several stands and glass displays, but eventually we make our way to a side passage that shoots off from the main lobby area. Several doors line the hallway on either side, each heavily etched with intricate runes.

Of the eight doors, only three are open, and he guides us to the nearest one. Once there, he steps aside, settling in next to the door like a bouncer.

The room is split by a massive table, on the opposite side of which is a lithe elven woman with long, silver hair that spills over one shoulder. Her silver eyes flick over our group, cool and precise, and for a heartbeat I feel like they see straight through me.

I can't help but stare for a moment. She's already beautiful, but combined with the tight business suit and pencil skirt, she’s absolutely stunning.

She visibly brightens as we enter, a smile blossoming on her face, and her airy voice breaks through the hubbub of the lobby we left behind.

“Welcome. Please, do come in. I am Lenora, appraiser for Sovereign Steel and Sigils. Whom do I have the pleasure of assisting?”

I stare a bit too long—then Cari elbows me. At the same time, I notice the lionkin, Ela, rapidly closing the distance between us, fully prepared to intervene.

What does she think I’m going to do? Pounce? What exactly did the Principal tell her?

She only slows when I seem to return to my senses after Cari’s nudge, but her look of mild concern doesn’t fade. It annoys me a bit that she seems to think I’ll suddenly lose control of myself, but my feelings on the matter are blown away when I see Bella’s look of mild disapproval.

She eyes me, one perfectly plucked, elegant brow quirked at just the right angle to say, ‘Really?’

I give her a sheepish smile, but I can’t hide the fact that my cheeks are scarlet from the nonverbal scolding.

Gods, this is the worst.

“Me and Cari,” I blurt, gesturing to Cari. “We’re trying to sell a dagger.”

She beams at me. “Absolutely, miss…?”

She pauses for me to introduce myself, and the warmth in my face spreads just a little further.

“Right, sorry. I'm Emilia.”

“Miss Emilia, then,” she says, her voice soft.

The door shuts behind us then with a click, the dwarf that guided us here closing it from the outside once we’re all inside. My attention is quickly drawn back to Lenora as she begins speaking again.

“Now then, may I see the dagger in question?”

I glance at Cari, but find her just as nervous as I am. When I look to Bella, though, she gives me an encouraging nod. I pull Severance from storage and place it on the table.

The elf's eyes brighten, the silver over her irises seeming to glow with magical intensity under the activation of some Skills. She lets out a little hum of approval after a moment, then looks back up to us, the glow of her eyes slowly fading away.

She looks away for a moment to pull out a small metal tablet, similar to the terminal on the floating platforms at the academy. She presses her thumb to the bottom of it and I catch a small flicker of mana flowing into it, then it lights up with text, showing the full description of Severance.

Then she spins it around until it's facing us.

“We would certainly be interested in purchasing this from you,” Lenora says, folding her hands neatly atop the table.

Before she can continue, Orik—the dwarven rogue escort—steps forward, clearing his throat with all the subtlety of an earthquake.

“Aye, well—if ye’re lookin’ t’sell, I’ll take it off yer hands right now,” he rumbles. “Six hundred gold. Fair price for somethin’ that nice.”

Cari squeaks. Bella’s head snaps toward him so fast her hair flares like a banner. Lenora doesn’t so much as blink, but the small, polite smile on her lips sharpens into something dangerous.

I freeze, mentally wincing. Even I know you don’t poach a sale inside someone else’s shop.

Bella starts first.

“That,” she says, voice crisp, “is wildly inappropriate.”

Lenora dips her chin in agreement, tone honeyed, but venomous.

“Indeed. Attempting to conduct personal business inside the sovereign walls of Sovereign Steel and Sigils is brazen.” Her eyes flick to Orik. “Even for a dwarf.”

Orik crosses his arms, unimpressed. “Brazen? Bah. If yer prices weren’t highway robbery, I’da never made a fair bid.”

“Our prices,” she replies smoothly, "are perfectly reasonable."

I cough into my hand to hide a laugh. I wasn't sure about the 'reasonable' part, but if we were going to be paid several platinum for this store to scam some rich nobles, I'd happily participate in that brand of highway robbery.

Cari looks as though she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, though, her eyes flicking between the two.

Bella steps between the two, her voice level again.

“Lenora, what is your initial offer?”

“Seven hundred gold,” the elf replies instantly, her gaze never leaving Orik's. “Given its synergistic abilities and rarity, that is a respectful starting point.”

Orik snorts. “Eight hundred, then.”

My eyebrows shoot up. Bella’s do too. Lenora’s eyelids lower a fraction in annoyance, but she otherwise remains the picture of poise.

“That,” the elf says sweetly, “is what we would have listed it for on the showroom floor. If you had simply waited, you wouldn't have had to make a fool of yourself trying to poach it from us.”

Ooh. Harsh.

Orik’s beard bristles. “Seven-fifty, then!”

“You just raised it to eight hundred,” I mutter.

“Aye, an’ now I’m negotiatin’,” he fires back with a glare.

Lenora smiles like she’s about to politely eviscerate him. “I will raise our offer to eight hundred.”

Cari squeezes my hand, whispering, “We should definitely take her offer, right? I don’t want to be rude… I’d have even sold it for the 600.”

Lenora stiffens, her silver eyes shifting with agonizing slowness to glare down our dwarven companion, her gaze absolutely murderous. I know then and there that she’d just overheard us.

Of course, I agree with Cari. Besides, the man is staring at the dagger like a starving wolf eyes a fresh haunch of meat.

Bella gives us both a subtle nod, as well, cinching the deal.

“We’ll sell to the shop,” I say.

Orik groans like someone stepped on his heart.

“Oh, come on! It’s a legendary dagger, lass. An’ besides, look at it! The thing practically sings to me. Ye wouldn’t deny true love, would ye?”

His eyes are on me, sparkling with unshed tears as his beard quivers, as if to share his mock emotional state. I don’t budge.

He turns his waterworks on Cari, and she looks away, looping an arm in mine as if to hide from his pressuring.

Then Orik does the unthinkable.

He points at the elf, eyes suddenly dry and face set with newfound determination.

“Fine. I’ll buy it from ye then!”

Lenora’s smile returns—serene, bright, and absolutely malicious.

“One thousand gold.”

The dwarf makes a sound like a kettle boiling over.

“ONE—?! Ye just said eight hundred!”

“And you,” she says pleasantly, “attempted to undercut my business in my own appraisal room.”

Bella actually chuckles openly, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

Orik grumbles deep in his chest, but ultimately stomps in place like he’s compacting his frustration into the floor.

“...I’ll think about it.”

“I am certain you will,” Lenora says, glowing with victory. “Now then, if you will excuse me for a moment, I’ll collect the funds necessary and we can handle the final paperwork.”

Wait, paperwork? What paperwork?

Cari and Bella both nod along, and she leaves the room smoothly, stopping only to whisper to our dwarven companion.

“If nothing else, Master Orik, your boldness is refreshing. Misguided… but refreshing. I’m sure your father will enjoy hearing of this.”

He bristles. “Aye, well, me pa can stuff it. If he’d offer his own flesh and blood better deals, maybe I’d not step on his stubby toes.”

She pretends not to hear his grouching as she sashays out.

Bella notices my confusion and lets out a demure giggle, sending my heart fluttering in weird ways.

She leans in close, her breath tickling my ear and sending it flicking wildly as she whispers, “With money transfers of such large sums, they need a paper trail.”

I will myself to breathe through my mouth, just to avoid the intoxicating scent of spices she gives off without even realizing it.

“O-oh…”

It’s all I can manage. Still, the concept gets my mind working, and I take the freely offered distraction from her closeness.

I’d never had to deal with such sums before, obviously, but I can understand why something like that would be necessary. Heavens forbid someone tries to claim they weren’t paid and succeeds because there isn’t enough evidence to prove otherwise.

Not much later, Lenora returns with a small bag that tinkles lightly and a thin stack of papers.

It doesn’t take much longer after that to finish up, and both Cari and I leave the store in a daze. Cari and I clasp hands to comfort one another, but with the eight platinum coins now weighing down my starlight bangle, neither of us can focus on anything.

Thankfully, Bella takes the initiative and gathers my free hand up in her own, pulling us to our next destination. Cari managed to rattle off the address of the merchant family that adopted Nyra and Lyra, but that was the end of her ability to speak.

Bella seems wise beyond her years, though, as she takes a long, circuitous route to our destination, giving us both the time we need to collect ourself and prepare for our arrival.

Cari’s near comatose state shifts into excitement as we get closer and closer, until she’s all but shaking with anticipation. It’s infectious, as all her moods often are, and her jitters find their way into my tail.

Bella gives my hand a gentle squeeze, and gods help me, it actually steadies my fraying nerves. Enough that I’m almost excited to see the two little twerps, instead of spiraling over the ridiculous amount of money I’m suddenly sitting on.

There’s two adorable kids to see, and a dangerously energetic Cari to manage. I can handle that.

Now if only my heart would cooperate.