Eight Intertwined

96 - Greed

The search for a suitable place to set up shop was, unfortunately, much easier said than done. The longer Tressa looked for another position in the merchant district, the more her stomach began to twist from anxiety. She hadn't eaten much all day because of how worked up she had been about the business with Morlock, and she couldn't tell if she needed to sit down for a decent meal or never touch any food again to make herself feel better. Either way, the desperation was settling hot and thick into her bones, and she had no idea what she was meant to do about it. 

"Hey, Tress!"

The merchant looked up at the sound of her name, and she saw none other than Alfyn and Olberic approaching her. The apothecary was the one who had called out to her, and he maintained his grin as he strolled closer. "How are things goin' with all of you?" he asked as he glanced over the group to see who all was there. He didn't seem particularly shocked when Therion wasn't present, and he didn't bother with asking where the thief was either. In more ways than one, Therion was like a cat; the travelers could let him go and do whatever he wanted for the day, but he would always come wandering back sooner or later. 

"Terrible," Tressa muttered, her stress only continuing to mount. "There's another merchant in town named Ali, and he's making it way harder than it needs to be to get the money we need. I'm looking for another place to set up shop around here. I have the wares I need to get our leaves, but..." She shook her head with a sigh. "We'll figure it out. All we need to do is find a good place to set ourselves up for the day."

"We heard that there are many people within Quarrycrest who are dissatisfied with the way Morlock is conducting himself and his government," Olberic said. "I imagine that all of that discontent will come out the instant they realize they will have backing for it."

Tressa nodded. That was good news at the very least, though she still wasn't sure what she was going to do about their next steps. There had to be a good place for them somewhere, right? The skystones demanded to be sold, and Quarrycrest demanded to be freed from Morlock's oppression. It was a shame the order of operations was continuing to trip her up no matter what she did.

"Your finest meatballs, sir!"

Tressa perked up at the sound of Ali's voice and she noticed him standing in front of a food stand a few stalls down. She glared at him, and she hoped he could feel her rage even though she said nothing to get his attention. Tressa didn't have the time to put up with Ali, not right now. Quarrycrest was counting on her, and she refused to back down from the challenge with so much on the line. 

Ali noticed Tressa before she had the chance to sneak past him though, and he offered her a humored smile. "Well, if it isn't the green pea," he greeted. He looked at her from head to toe, his smile slipping slightly. "You're looking famished." 

Tressa didn't have the heart to bite back and say that she only felt awful because he had gotten in the way of everything she and her friends were trying to accomplish, so she instead remained still even as he walked up to her. "Here. I take it you're on a tight budget now," he offered, extending an apple in her direction.

Tressa pushed his hand away. "Keep it," she instructed of him. She still wasn't sure if she was supposed to be eating as long as her stomach was this rampantly upset from her constant anxiety, but she didn't want to push it either. She could figure things out once the group had the leaves they needed for the fight at hand. 

Ali paused for a moment before he shook his head to himself. "Suit yourself." The air between them was silent, and Tressa began to look around the area in search of a vacant space to set up for the afternoon. She could feel the other travelers watching her interaction with Ali, clearly trying to gauge her inevitable response. Even Alfyn and Olberic seemed to be able to sense the tension between them despite having not been there when the two began their rivalry in earnest.