Magna Exclusio

Prologue

The gentle clink of coins being counted filled Aaron's ears as he levelled the merchant in front of him with a stony glare. Upon the wooden bench that the old man used to display his goods, rested a slightly rusted dagger; the leather handle worn from years of use. The merchant glanced at the dagger for a moment, and proceeded to remove another coin from the pile. At this, Aaron gritted his teeth in irritation. This motion had been going on for the past five or so minutes. Each time, the elderly man would either take another coin away or inspect the dagger again.

Sensing Aaron's frustration, the merchant looked up, an apologetic look plastered onto his face. "M'fraid that's the best I can do fer yeh, mister."

"Six gold coins?" he asked, his tone demeaning.

"This ain't the finest piece o' weaponry, mister. I'm doing yer a favor' by offering yeh six gold fer it!"

Aaron stared down at the dagger for a moment, contemplating the situation. While he knew the rusted piece wouldn't fetch him much in terms of money, he certainly wasn't expecting so little. He supposed that was to be expected when you obtained artefacts like these in the manner he did. Scavenging and trading, bribing and petty theft; it was the way of a poor wanderer who had no place to go.

Finally, Aaron nodded in agreement, quirking his head as a thought came to him. His lips formed a thin line as he reached into the pouch at his hip; the action exposing the slightly charred book on the inside of his weathered coat.

"Would this persuade you otherwise?" Aaron replied, his deep baritone filling the awkward silence that had ensued as he placed a small but well maintained pearl next to the dagger. At once, the old man's eyes widened.

"My, oh my, mister! That is indeed a rather precious piece yeh have there!" he babbled, holding up the small object to inspect it more closely. "This looks almost like yer life's savings!"

"It was someone's," Aaron replied, quirking his lip into a small smile when the merchant gave him a rather startled look.

"Well then, I'd say that's quite a fine offer, that is! Mister, I think that'll fetch yeh about 30 gold pieces in total, it will!" he replied in a rushed and slightly panicked voice.

"That's much better."

Aaron watched as the old man counted out the exact amount of coins he promised, before placing them in his pouch. The old man rushed to pack away the objects he had just paid for, while Aaron stared off in the direction of the castle, an inquisitive look on his face. The merchant caught this and followed his gaze.

"Oh, are yeh here to attend the festival? We've been gettin' travellers like yeh a lot this week. What is it yeh looking to gain there, mister?" he rambled on excitedly. "Ale or coin?"

"Information." Aaron's eyes narrowed as he started walking off. Word had it that another magic wielder was going to be in the city, and what better place to start looking than a public gathering as big as this one?

"Oh... That's a fine prize too! No better place than Camelot ter find that, mister! If yeh find yerself back here, name's Phineas! Hope yeh..."

The old man's voice dulled the further Aaron walked, not bothering in hearing the rest of his excitable banter.