Chapter 12: Striking A Deal With The Head.
Merchant Borin scuttled toward them with a bright smile that didn’t touch his eyes. "Ah, fine customers! Welcome to my humble curios!"
His voice carried the practiced enthusiasm of a man who’d memorized his pitch. "We have items from the East, the Far North, even the sand-drenched coasts of the Dusk Peninsula! What may I help you find today?"
Kael’s grin was all teeth and sunshine. "Actually," he said, voice smooth as aged wine, "I was hoping for something far more... rare."
Borin blinked. "Rare?"
"Oh yes," Kael nodded, pretending to browse through a row of dagger hilts. "You see, I’m looking for something you can’t exactly display on a shelf."
He lifted a beautifully carved flute with golden inlay, gave it a spin, and set it back down. "Something... personal."
Borin’s smile flickered. "Sir, I assure you, we run a proper establishment. We don’t deal in, ah, those kinds of rarities."
"Oh, no need to panic," Kael said cheerfully. "I’m not here for forbidden goods." He turned, smile fading into something colder.
"I just wanted to speak with you, Borin. About that very interesting little drama from earlier."
The color drained from Borin’s cheeks faster than wine from a leaking cask. "I-I don’t know what you mean."
Kael stepped closer, voice gentle, eyes sharp. "Oh, I think you do. And here’s the curious thing, Borin." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.