Eight Intertwined

113 - Deals

Leon finished examining the map after a few minutes of talking amicably with the shopkeeper, and he frowned as he stared at the page intently. "This certainly looks like one of Baltazar's works," he hummed. He handed the map back to the antique dealer. 

But the shopkeep was hesitant to accept the page back, constantly keeping an eye on Leon even as he observed the map in the silence. He wanted to make sure there was no damage left behind even though he had seen Leon's entire examination cycle of the map and knew the captain hadn't done anything to rip or otherwise harm the paper. After he was satisfied, the antique dealer looked up to Leon slowly. "Ye really don't plan to steal it, do ye?" he questioned slowly and uncertainly. Leon shook his head. "I see... So the rumors of the great pirates Leon and Baltazar being friends really were true."

Tressa blinked at the antique dealer, unable to hold back her shock. She hadn't anticipated the man to change his tune that quickly, nor had she expected him to change at all. Leon had prompted him to shift courses so easily, and no matter how many times Tressa played the exchange over in her head, she couldn't make sense of it. The other travelers seemed just as shocked as her, and Alfyn watched the man in dramatic confusion from beside her, unsure as to how he was meant to feel about the situation. Alfyn always liked to see the best in people, but his confusion outmatched any relief he could have felt regarding the merchant's sudden change in demeanor. 

The antique dealer was completely unaware of the change in the travelers' thoughts toward him though, and he went right on talking to Leon as if nothing had happened to begin with. "If you two were as close as the stories say, then I'm sure you'd do anything to have this map, am I right?" he questioned. He held it up once again, and Leon's expression shifted like the changing of the tides. "However, it's a precious family heirloom, and I'm afraid I cannot part with it... Without recompense."

And there it was. Earlier, he had said he was just going to throw the map away after finding it in a storehouse of what he thought was just junk. Before Tressa had revealed the truth about the map belonging to Baltazar, he had been desperate to make even a few leaves off the page. He hadn't changed his attitude or outlook at all; he just thought Leon would fall for his tricks if he pushed it hard enough. 

Leon remained silent throughout it all, unwilling to show if he was bothered by the goading or not. The antique dealer continued to examine the map in between sneaking glances up at the former pirate as he spoke. "If you're truly the Leon Bastralle, then I'm certain you're well-versed in the treasures of the realm. I am but a lowly merchant, you see, nothing in comparison to your grandeur. But there is one thing we have in common: a desire for a certain treasure," the dealer explained. "Have you heard of Edbart's Shield?"

When he was met with silence, the merchant took that as another cue to continue speaking. His tone was casual, almost too much so in Tressa's opinion. "Edbart was a servant of the king of Ferien. His defense with the shield was said to be impenetrable. Legend says he used that same shield to protect his liege until the tragic fall of his kingdom. I heard a rumor that it's been spotted in this very town as of late. Curious timing, isn't it? Both a fabled pirate and a fabled treasure in Victors Hollow at the same time. If you happen across it somewhere, Mr. Bastralle, I'd be happy to trade it for the map."

Tressa's rage began to flare up before she could stop it, and she resisted the urge to interject then and there. The map belonged to Leon's friend, likely the same friend he was there to honor by traveling to Victors Hollow in the first place. How could the antique dealer treat Leon's past so callously? How could he dare to try that when he had been so apathetic regarding the map less than an hour ago?

Leon refused to rise to the bait though, instead just shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you are mistaken," he told the antique dealer calmly. "Thank you for showing me the map, and my apologies for taking so much of your time."