The Crucible Campaign

16: Bartering

.^^ Nightshade Armor ^^

— Teagan —

Sand Dancer seemed intrigued by Cassidy's antics, and amused, and while I was suspicious of her intentions, (as any father would be,) I had to admit, it was hilarious, watching Cassidy torment the owner of the store.

She had spent the last half-hour asking him hundreds of questions that, while entirely relevant, as this armor was going to have to keep her alive in battle with many a beast of myth, were a bit too in-depth.

"And if the average Adult Dragon's Fang is 18-24 inches long, shaped not unlike a pyramidion, with an average piercing ratio of about 2,000 pounds per square inch, then this armor, which has a piercing and slashing resistance of only 1,400 pounds per square inch, would not be ideal for hunting dragons, Correct? I believe I asked for armor to hunt dragons in, and you boasted that 'I have just the thing, no other shop in the city has better'n me!!!' As I have yet to see you follow through, I am beginning to wonder if one of your competitors could not do better." She crossed her arms stubbornly.

I raised an eyebrow, and sighed deeply. 'She gets this from her mother, I swear...'

'Are you sure? I've seen you in action, you've got a ruthless streak as well, and she seems to emulate you in personality.' Sandy whispered mentally.

'You may be Correct, but do try not to listen to other people's thoughts, please?'

'You gave me entry! If you weren't aware, I apologize... I'll ask Renata to remember to teach you to shield your thoughts.' She glanced over at me, and nodded her head.

The man behind the counter, a dwarf with black hair, a long, grey-speckled beard, and forge-bronzed skin, sighed, shaking his head. "My armor is the best there is forged in this city without fancy Magic's and such, hands down, and damn you and anyone else who challenges that fact! Now, no armor forged by mortal hands can stop a dragon that's intent on chomping on you, lass! Best to dodge, and in the unfortunate event one still gets its teeth on you, you'd best pray it doesn't have a mind to eat your corpse!" He growled slamming his hands down on the counter.

She grinned slowly. "Sounds like a loser that's given up on winning, to me. Why should I buy insufficient armor from someone who thinks they're the best, and says they're the best, while simultaneously ducking a challenge? You make armor, and your number-one concern in this city is the regular dragon attacks. If you can't make armor that stops dragons' teeth and claws, why would you say you could? Were you lying, or confused?" She asked sarcastically.

He growled again. "This is the best armor of what could be found in this city!"

"That isn't enchanted, you say, which makes no sense to me. If enchantments can make things stronger, why not use them? Magic is just as much a skilled task as smithing and crafting, I don't see why you feel you can look down on people who have studied a different craft than you. That's like a painter looking down on a wood-carver. Inane, bigoted, and egotistical." I interjected, annoyed by the back and forth, finally.

He scoffed. "Says the Wizard."

"Says the Blacksmith who recently became a wizard, and is learning how difficult it is, firsthand!!!" I snapped, glaring at him.

He paused, and then looked at my hands, then my face. "You don't look like a Blacksmith." He stated accusingly.

"Oh and now you think all blacksmiths look alike? We all have singed hair and burnt skin and cracked lips because we can't be bothered for basic safety? Your Gall is making me both Irate and Incredulous!" I growled.