Gift Of Justice #NaNoWriMo2k18

Chapter 3

Niel wandered around the marketplace, shielding his eyes against the sun. The stalls were even more crowded now that it was the weekend, with flies and mosquito attacking swarms of humans and animals. he looked over at the jewellery sellers, still searching for a good birthday present he could give his mother. Many of the stall didn't offer him much, and he simply continued wandering about the shops since he had plenty of time.

Eventually though, he came across a seller who had a lovely pearl necklace on view. When the owner noticed him staring, he frantically waved him close.

"So... this is a pearl necklace."

"Yes, strung with pearls from the deepest and purest oysters of the Vassus, hand crafted by the merfolk themselves," he answered proudly. "I've got a few others as well, even a multicoloured one although that'll be more expensive."

"Can I see them all?"

The merchant reached down below the tabled and rummaged for a minute, before taking out a few different strands and laying them out carefully before him. They all looked rather similar, except for the last one, which alternated between blue, pink and white.

"How much is the multicolour one?"

"Oh, that one's special. I've been holding onto it, you see. It's rather -"

"Would ten Centrii suffice?"

"Ten! No, something of this rarity would have to be twenty at least!"

He gritted his teeth. "One fifty."

"Too low, no."

"Seventeen?"

The merchant paused, before grudgingly reaching out for the money. He took out his sack and fished out a rough handful, counting them out individually before sliding the whole pile over, taking the necklace in response. 

"Have a nice day."

The merchant grumbled a little, but he waved him off. He shrugged, putting the sack of golden balls in one pocket and the necklace in the other. He wandered the area for a little longer, before turning and deciding to head home. The sky dimmed with overcast clouds as he reached, home and pushed open the door, only to notice a note tacked on the inside. He closed the door and ripped it off, reading it.

Hi Niel,

Had to head out today, a friend needs someone to urgently fix a few items. I'll be back tomorrow.

- Mum

He placed the note along with the coins and necklace onto the table, before walking into his room to check on the dove. The bird was quietly standing with its eyes closed, but when he entered it opened both of its pure black eyes and started up at him expectantly.

"Hey."

The bird twittered a little, and he passed over the herbs he has saved. The dove was still sick but doing much better now, and even had the energy to occasionally sing.  He walked over to his table, sat down heavily and was about to take out a book to read when he heard the loud ting ting ting of a beak hitting metal.

He turned around as the dove stared at him, then continued to hit against the metal bars. He slid out of his chair and walked over, gently pushing the bird back in, but it snapped at his finger and he has to quickly retreat. The dove began hitting again, much to his annoyance.

"Alright, what do you want?"

The dove screeched and started biting the lock holding the cage closed. Niel tried to interfere, but the bird snapped at him again and continued tearing at the lock, which he noticed had several beak marks on it and was almost a mangled mess.