Mythran's Master Of All

Ren went to one of the display cabinets in his shop, and started to fill it with the glassware he had purchased from Janice.

“What's this?” Anabelle asked.

“Janice made a bunch of stuff at the Main House, and I bought it from her.” Ren said. “I'm making a display for it.”

“I don't think we should sell it.” Anabelle said.

“Why?” Ren asked her and stopped loading the shelves.

“This is your shop.” Anabelle said. “I've told everyone that's come in here, and everyone I meet when I go out, that you made everything in this shop that's for sale.”

“But...”

“Tee-one is yours and does your bidding.” Anabelle said. “He uses your skills to make everything.”

“Well, I...”

“Ren, please.” Anabelle said. “They may be great items, but you said it yourself. This isn't a resale store.”

Ren opened his mouth to argue, then changed his mind. “All right, I won't change my policy.”

“Thank you for listening to me.” Anabelle smiled. “The last thing we need is to have everyone think they can sell their items out of your shop.” She said. “We'd be bombarded all day and every day with resale requests!”

Ren nodded reluctantly. “So, what should I do with all of the things I have?”

Anabelle thought about it for a minute, then smiled. “Open a temporary market stall.” She said. “You can offload everything at a good price, and people won't associate the market stall with the shop.”

“That's actually a good idea.” Ren said. “Do you have a recommendation for who can run it?”

“I sure do.” Anabelle said. “Get your maids to do it.”

Ren blinked his eyes a couple of times, because he thought she was going to mention one of the three sales girls, or even one of the candidates that she'd interviewed as a sales girl.

“It would give them something to do.” Anabelle said. “Until you decide what you're going to do with them.”

Ren thought about it, and figured it would be something to keep them busy... assuming one, or even all of them... wanted to do it.

“I'll ask them.” Ren said, and hugged her. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Anabelle said and hugged him back. He really is cuddly. She thought and let him go.

“I've got to go up and check on Elerlyth and Zetaya.” Ren said. “Don't forget to eat!”

“I can't wait for the Ring of Sustenance to kick in next week.” Anabelle said. “We're going to save so much money on food when they do.”

Ren nodded and went out the back of the shop, up the stairs, and into the apartment. “Hi, Zetaya.” Ren said and climbed into the pen. The fire elemental ran over to him and jumped. Ren caught it and hugged it close, and it dabbed its head stub on his cheeks. He heard a small crackling fire and smiled.

“I love you, too.” Ren said. “I came to tell you that I've got all the parts I need for the giant forge, and all I have to do is build the warehouse to hold it.” He said. “I'm going out with the lumberyard caravan first thing in the morning, and I'll be back at noon to get you.”

The fire elemental's color changed slightly, and it tucked its head under Ren's chin. Ren stood there and held it, and stroked its back. After a few minutes, Ren said he had to leave, so Zetaya reluctantly let him go and dropped to the floor.

“I'll see you again tomorrow.” Ren said, knelt, and kissed its head stub. “Bye, Zetaya.”

Ren started to walk away, and the fire elemental followed him.

“Oh, hey... do you want another Spider Silk treat?” Ren asked, and the fire elemental turned from its bright orange flame to white for an instant. “I think that's a yes.” He said and took out several large scrap pieces. He had thought about saving them to make smaller pieces of clothing; but, he knew that Zetaya really enjoyed the taste of them and gave them to the fire elemental. It sucked the pieces into itself and jumped around, and Ren laughed.

“Don't try and eat them all at once.” Ren said with a huge smile on his face. “There's plenty more where that came from.”

Ren left the pen and went to the bedroom, to find Elerlyth's phantom form on the bed. He saw a piece of parchment on the dresser and read it.