Our second world- book one: Past beginnings

Chapter 20: Marylyn

Three days after we arrived at the merchant town the others finally decided it was time to get ready to head for the mountains. That morning, we all split up to search for anything we would need for our mountain trek. I was shocked when Haren handed me a coin pouch of ten silvers. It was the most money I had ever had before, and he said I could spend it however I wanted! I wanted to argue, but he and August were already walking. I hurried to catch up to them.

The three of us wandered down the streets for a while before Haren found the shop he was looking for. A blacksmith. We headed inside.

There were all kinds of weapons hanging from the walls. Many more in glass cases near the counter.

"Go ahead and pick out whatever you want," Haren said.

I nodded, and, ignoring what was hanging on the walls, I went straight for the weapons at the back of the shop. Being from a major assassins guild, I had seen enough blades to know how to look for one. I also knew finding the best quality was never easy. I looked over the weapons on display, but none of them really caught my eye. I was starting to think I wasn't going to find anything, and I'd get in trouble, but then, I saw something partially hidden at the end of the display. A pair of small, green tinted daggers the perfect size for my sheath.

"Find something?" I looked up to see Haren walk over.

I nodded and pointed to the two green knives," those look good." I said.

Haren smiled and waved over the shop owner. A tall woman standing behind the counter. A leopard print tail swayed with her body as she walked over to us and her similarly colored ears twitched.

"How can I help you, sir?" She smiled.

"Can you take those out so we can look at them?" Haren asked, pointing to the knives.

The woman nodded," Certainly."

She slid back a panel from the back of the case and pulled out the two knives, setting them down on the counter with a small clink.

I looked to Haren and he nodded so I picked up one of the daggers. I held it up to the light of the small window and ran a finger down the flat of the blade. Surprisingly, it was smooth. Not a hammer dent on it; no chips either. Examining the grip, I found that the leather on the binding was securely fastened as well. I'd had one blade before that wasn't properly fastened and nearly cut my finger off when the strap got caught on my hand. King had given me an awful punishment for that.

"What do you think?" Haren asked.

"The metal is grougmatite, from the snakering woods river quarry, if I'm not mistaken," I replied." It's a nice quality."

"Do you like them?" Haren asked. I nodded." How much for the pair?"

"20 silvers," The woman at the counter replied.

"The only thing is... that metal is fairly common, is it not?" Haren said.

The woman's smile vanished," Your point?"

"I just wonder why you charge twenty silver for such a common metal. I mean, we could go to any other blacksmith in town and find the same metal at the same quality for half- no... a third of your price." Haren said with a smirk, placing the blades on the counter." I'm starting to think our money would be better spent elsewhere."

"Now hold on a minute!" The woman exclaimed, her fists slamming down on the counter. The small daggers clinked on the glass." My stuff is some of the best in town, and I make every single piece myself. I even hand pick the materials. I'd be selling at a loss with lower prices!"

"Well, that would be better than not selling at all, right?" Haren replied smugly, clearly enjoying the fact that his words had hit a nerve.

"Fine. I can lower it to fifteen instead. Will that work?" she said quickly.