Cyber Mortality

Chapter 6:

"Rony, my man," DeNyle leans up against the merchant stall counter with a grin.

"Hello, DeNyle," the young man sighs. "How can I help you today?"

"Our lady friend here needs some armor," DeNyle gestures to me and Rony sizes me up.

"How much money you got?"

"She has five thousand to spend," DeNyle rubs his hand on the counter.

"Five thousand?" I blink at Rocky and DeNyle.

"We can't have a team member dying because she couldn't afford some armor," Rocky rolls his eyes.

"One of these times I am afraid your eyes are going to rockin' roll out of your head," I deadpan.

"Wow. Hilarious," Rocky gives me a pity clap.

"It was rather clever," DeNyle ponders for a moment. "Well, we are thinking maybe some medium level armor?"

"Yeah, I can see what I've got," Rony's eyes flutter and then three suits of armor appear on the racks behind him. "This one is the weakest medium weight I've got but provides the most mobility." He gestures to the bright silvery armor on the left. "This one is stronger, slightly heavier, and provides decent mobility." The middle armor is black metal with a swirly design etched into the metal. "This last one is the strongest of the three and the most expensive. You would be well protected but not able to move as fast." I purse my lips and point to the middle one.

"I want that one,"

"That is a good choice," Rony nods and rubs his hand under his nose. "That'll be four-thousand and five-hundred gold."

"Wow, expensive," I blink.

"It'll show up in your inventory now," Rony replies and the armor disappears. "Thank you for buying armor from Rony."

"I don't know about you," I whisper after turn away. "But he was weird."

"Yup," DeNyle nods. "Rony is weird, but he makes nice armor."

"Ooh! What is this place?" I question and gaze at a sparkly glowing shop.

"That is Mason's Magic Shop," DeNyle joins me and we stroll up to the shop. "He sells all kinds of magic artifacts."

"Hellooooooo," a man steps out from behind a curtain. "Are we looking for anything particular today? Magic rings are all the rage for engagements." His eyes twinkle as he takes us in.

"Oh, we're not together," I shake my head.

"Sorry to hear it, buddy," Mason winks at DeNyle. "She's a hottie."

"Uh, okay," I gaze at him with slight disgust.

"I know just what you need, beautiful," Mason's eyes glimmer. "Come look at this." He gestures to an amethyst pendant dangling from a display. "This little gorgeous work has special properties."

"Like what?" I raise an eyebrow.

"It allows the wearer to become invisible for one minute," he wiggles his eyebrows. "I'll give it to your for one-thousand gold. A special price for a special lady."

"Invisible huh?" I gaze at the stone more intrigued than before.

"You betcha, honey," Mason smirks. "It was made for you. It matches your lovely eyes."

"Alright, I will take it," I click the button to transfer the money to Mason and he grins happily.

"I knew you would love it," he holds out the necklace gingerly. "May I?" I nod and turn around. The pendant settles on my collar bone and his fingers brush my neck as he clasps the necklace.

"How does it activate?" I inquire.

"Just say 'Vanish'," Mason grins. "Good luck to you."

"Okay so are we done wasting money?" Rocky growls.

"Hey I paid for that with the money I made Mr. Cranky pants," I pout. "Plus I still have five hundred gold from you to spend."

"Which probably won't be enough for a bow now," he replies cooly.

"Well we will just have to see, won't we?" I stick out my tongue and DeNyle grins.

"Come on," Rocky growls. "Let's go to this shop and get out of here."

"Well we should get her some travel clothes," DeNyle replies. "We tend to go into the mountains and it is cold up there."

"Whatever," Rocky waves him off and disappears into the crowd.

"Come on. I know where he is going," DeNyle grins and grasps my hand to tug me along.

"Welcome to Fletcher's Archery Shop," a young woman grins and gestures to the many bows she has on display. "Good to see you again, Rocky." She winks which makes Rocky's face change from annoyed bolder to slightly less annoyed pebble.

"Here's a thousand gold," Rocky mutters. "Get her the best bow and quiver for the amount." Fletcher gazes at me with a sly smile and turns around for a moment.

"I think this one will suit you," she holds out a smoothly carved dark brown wood bow and I pull it back to test it. "It's the same poundage I use so it should work for you."

"Thank you," I place the bow in my inventory followed by the quiver she hands over next.

"I can also give you thirty arrows for that price," Rocky's eyes widen for a second and I realize she is doing this for him. An old crush perhaps? I add everything to my inventory and turn to Rocky.

"Thank you too," I smile softly and see a small dash of happiness flashes through his eyes before it is gone.

"Whatever," he mutters and turns away without even saying goodbye to Fletcher.

"You get used to it," Fletcher winks before giving me a reassuring smile.

"Time to get you some clothes," DeNyle grins and grabs my hand again. "I know just the place!"