A Tale of Magic and Mischief: Larry Spicewood

Chapter 7: Trading Secrets

Time to Hit the Market

With the initial rush winding down, you decide it's time to take your snacks on the road. You prepare a small basket, filling it with a mix of Giggle Puddings and Stew Tarts. As a final touch, you place an extra tart on top for Thalgrim—your way of thanking him for his advice and maintaining the friendly connection you've established.

"I'm going to take these out and see if I can drum up some more business," you tell Borlan, who nods in approval.

"Aye, good idea, lad. The more folks that try 'em, the better. And that tart for Thalgrim's a nice touch. He's a good one to have on yer side, even if he's a bit prickly."

You give Borlan a grin and head off into the market, basket in hand. As you walk, you call out to passersby, offering samples of the pudding and tarts. The reactions are much the same as at the stall—curiosity quickly turning to delight as people experience the magic for themselves. You make several quick sales and receive plenty of smiles and laughs in return. The Giggle Pudding, in particular, seems to brighten the mood wherever you go, with the sound of laughter following you through the market.

Arriving at the Shadowed Arch

Eventually, you make your way back to the Shadowed Arch, where Thalgrim often sets up his temporary shop. As before, the area is dimly lit and quieter than the rest of the market, the shadows seeming to cling to the edges of your vision. You spot Thalgrim in his usual spot, leaning on his staff and observing the market with his sharp, hidden eyes.

You approach him with a friendly smile. "Thalgrim, good to see you again. Business has been booming, thanks to a little culinary magic." You reach into your basket and pull out the Stew Tart, holding it out to him. "I brought you something—a little taste of Borlan's stew, but in a form that's easier to carry around. Consider it a thank you for your advice."

Thalgrim's head tilts slightly as he regards the tart, and then he reaches out with a bony hand to take it. He sniffs it briefly, then takes a small bite. A rare smile—almost imperceptible—crosses his face, and he nods in approval. "You've got a talent, Larry. This is quite good. Portable, practical, and still as hearty as the original stew. Borlan's lucky to have you around."

He finishes the tart, clearly pleased with the flavor. "You're making a name for yourself in the market, lad. Keep this up, and you'll have more than just customers—friends, allies, and perhaps a few who owe you a favor or two. That's worth more than gold in a place like this."

You decide to keep the conversation going with Thalgrim, both to build on your budding friendship and to explore potential opportunities for trading. After all, Thalgrim is a wealth of knowledge, and who knows what interesting trinkets he might have tucked away that could be useful in your own ventures.

"Glad you liked the tart," you say, giving him a friendly nod. "I've been experimenting with different magical recipes, and it's been a lot of fun. I was wondering—since you deal in all sorts of interesting things, maybe we could do a little trade? I've got a few more snacks here, like the Giggle Pudding, that might come in handy for lightening the mood or, well, just having a bit of fun. In exchange, I'd be interested in any small trinkets or items you think might be useful—or even just interesting."

Thalgrim's eyes gleam with a spark of curiosity. "A trade, you say? That could be arranged. I don't typically barter with food, but magical snacks are a different matter altogether. Let's see what you have, and I'll show you a few things that might catch your fancy."

You hand Thalgrim a Giggle Pudding, and he examines it with a discerning eye before taking a bite. Almost immediately, a soft chuckle escapes him, followed by another. The sound is light and genuine, a stark contrast to his usual reserved demeanor. He sets the pudding down, clearly amused. "You've got something special here, Larry. I can see why these are selling well."