PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 15★

   

    I walked towards the marketplace, my steps more confident, my movements more deliberate.  I was no longer the nervous, wide-eyed newbie. 

The market was just like every other day.  Vendors hawked their wares, merchants bartered with customers, and the air was thick with the scent of spices, food, and magic.

My goal was simple:  make some money.  I had a lot of loot from my first hunt, and it was time to sell it.  It was time to get myself some new gear.  I strode into the bustling marketplace, my heart pounding with anticipation.  The air was thick with the scent of spices, food, and magic, a symphony of sights and sounds that stirred my senses.

I walked round the sections for hours. Moving from food to weapons and armors, cloths, potions, and then I finally found what I was searching for after asking over 20 persons.

The sun, high in the afternoon sky, cast long shadows across the bustling marketplace. I was standing before the most opulent stall I had ever seen, a dazzling display of gemstones shimmering under the midday sun. Every colour imaginable was represented in the jeweler's collection, each piece expertly cut and polished, their brilliance vying for attention.

The man himself, his face weathered but his eyes twinkling with an avid curiosity, was a sight to behold. A gold chain, as thick as my arm, rested on his chest, a gleaming testimony to his wealth, and he wore a ring, the size of a small coin, set with a magnificent ruby the size of a walnut. He looked at me, a faint smile gracing his lips, his eyes reflecting the rainbow of colours emanating from his gems.

“Welcome, welcome,” he said, his voice deep and rich, like the finest aged wine. “It's a pleasure to see someone with a liking to gems.”

“I've heard about your collection and your skills in gem collections,” I said, unable to contain my awe.

This man is surely way older than me by triple times.

He gestured towards the shelves, overflowing with treasures. “Each one tells a story, a tale emotions, the elements, and even the world. What can I offer you today? ”

I presented my list, carefully detailing each gemstone and its price. “I have a few items I would like to trade.  A hundred Bunny's horns, each valued at one hundred silver pieces.”

He nodded,  his eyes gleaming. “A rare find, a unique bounty indeed. How do you prefer to receive your payment, in silver coins, gold coins, or gold bars?”

“That would be in gold coins, please,” I said, carefully watching his reaction.

He chuckled, and surprisingly it was a deep rumble that seemed to shake the entire stall. “Gold coins it is! Next on your list are hundred Mana crystals, each worth five thousand silver pieces. Quite the sum, isn't it?”

I felt a thrill run down my spine. “Five thousand silver pieces is the standard for this kind of power, yes. Though in this case, gold bars are more convenient.”

He nodded, placing the Bunny's horns and Mana crystals into his bag. “One hundred silver pieces for a Bunny's Horn, That means one hundred Bunny's horns are ten thousand Silver coins. Which when converted to gold is one gold bar. And hundred Mana crystals at five thousand silver, will be five hundred thousand silver coins, which will be fifty gold bars.” He paused, then added, “The convenience of bars is truly undeniable.” He looked at me as he spoke.

My heart leapt out of my chest, this was a huge amount for someone like me to have!!!

“What about the other gems?” I asked, feeling a wave of excitement washing over me.

He smiled. “Nineteen blue gemstones at five hundred silver each... that's nine thousand five hundred silver coins, which makes nine and half gold coins, the half being, five hundred Silver coins.”

We continued our conversation, negotiating the prices of each of the gemstones.

“I have twenty orange gemstones at five hundred silver each,” I stated, eager to see the man's reaction.

He chuckled softly. “A hefty sum, indeed. Twenty orange gemstones at five hundred silver each will equal ten thousand silver coins, which makes another  gold bar. You do know that you're a good negotiator, right? and you've got quite the collection. Perhaps we can find an agreement on a slightly better price, if you're not willing to part with those.”

“No thank you, I'll like them this way” I said to him.

I am not going to fall for that trick anymore.

Each gemstone negotiated, a dance of offers and counteroffers. The man's eyes, sharp and calculating, were a mirror to my own.  Finally, with the list completed, he held out his hand, a knowing smile on his lips.

“It seems we have reached an understanding,” he said. “A most satisfying exchange indeed.  The gems are mine. Let's confirm the final tally.”

I took a deep breath, a mixture of excitement and relief filling me. “Yes, of course....”

As I recited the total, the man's eyes lit up, a spark of admiration in them. “You’re the first newly awakened that has come to me today, so  glad about this.”

“The gold bars need to be prepared and It'll take a few minutes. You can either wait here or come back later.”

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the glittering pile of gemstones in the showglass. “I think I'll wait.” I couldn't resist the opportunity to bask in the presence of such wealth.

“Wise choice, my friend,” he said, gesturing to a velvet-cushioned seat. “Make yourself comfortable. I have a special treat for you, a cup of spiced tea brewed from the finest leaves.”

As I sank into the plush seat, the man disappeared into the back of his stall, returning moments later with a steaming cup of tea. The aroma, a mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, filled the air, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. I took a sip, the taste rich and comforting.

“It is said,” he began, his voice low and confidential, “that the best gemstones are those that have witnessed centuries of history, absorbing the wisdom of the world.  And each gemstone possesses its own unique energy. Do hold on let me sort out your bars.”

I nodded and he disappeared again. This time I sat down sipping my tea in silence.

After almost forty five minutes, he finally returned with a small two meter wooden chest with straps on it's sides, like a back-pack. its surface polished with red paint.  “Here are your gold bars,” he said, opening the box to reveal rows of gleaming clean bars and coins.

“Inside of it are the sixty five gold bars, thirty three gold coins and here are the one thousand, one hundred silver coins,” he said, his voice warm and genuine, “I have enjoyed our transaction.  I trust you will come back sometime soon.”

I stood up, my heart filled with gratitude.  “Thank you,” I said, bowing slightly. “It has been a pleasure doing business with you.”

As I walked away, the gold box heavy in my back, I couldn't help but feel excited. I had secured a fortune from gems, and I was certain that this won't be the end of my gemstone hunt, as I can't be powerful without any wealth.
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