Year 1, Spring, First Month, First Week.

 

“This is the Fast Water Market, the biggest in the city… Do you have anything that you want to buy?”

This kind of market was very alien to Lana, so she was both delighted and confused. Since she decided to be a Merchant, markets had been her best school, the haggling and sales pitch taught her more than anyone could.

When going to a new city, the first thing she would do was to observe the markets, learning the residents’ preferences, the cities' specialties, the imports and exports, but this market only confused her.

The market was formed by dozens of squares divided and separated by a matrix of waterways. The customers would come by boat and leave fast to their next deal in another waterway, it was difficult for her to grasp any information here.

“Hm... Let's check the water crystals! It's the Water Capital, aren't those supposed to be cheaper here?”

“I'm not sure about that, but you won't find better water crystals anywhere...”

Lana gave Arthur a reproaching glance because was eating a piece of bread without showing any manners. The Mage answered with an innocent look.

They sailed to a waterway section specialized in water crystals. The stalls filled with shining blue crystals kept Lana’s unconditional attention, she loved seeing so many organized and categorized goods. Most of the visible items were LQ crystals except some secured medium quality (MQ) crystals and some crafted water jewels.

The boat moved to an empty stall and she asked about the prices.

“Three silvers for the LQ crystal, eight golds for the MQ and ten golds for the jewels...”

She looked at their paddler, who confirmed the prices with a nodding gesture and asked:

“Oh... Do I get a discount if I buy more crystals?”

“Sure... 25 silvers for ten LQs, 22 golds for three MQs and 18 golds for two jewels... If you want more we can discuss better prices…”

Lana was surprised about the seller’s attitude, he didn’t talk about the crystals’ qualities or made any friendly attempts, he acted like he didn't care about closing the deal. She despised dishonest Merchants the most but she also didn't like when they worked without passion.

“How about selling me one MQ crystal and gifting me ten LQ crystals?”

The vendor’s eyes grew wider, he re-accessed the girl whom he took for a non-potential customer, his expression changed instantly.

“Miss, how about buying a water jewel? They are crafted with MQ crystals and are easier to use. If it doesn't fit we can ask the crafter to readjust it, it would take less than an hour...”

“Hmm... What can you give me If I buy the jewel?...”

“How about ten LQ crystals?”

“That's not good... I'm spending more than I should...”

“20 crystals if you can give me an answer now!”

“30 and you can call it a deal!”

“Argh... 25!”

“Deal! Here is the money, Sir!”

Arthur was shocked, she saw Lana paying the ten gold coins faster than he could process the whole situation, the amount was enough for him to eat for five years.

“Arthur, take the crystals. Pay attention and don't lose it... That's all my savings...”

“All? Why did you buy so many crystals? You're not even a Mage, how will you pay for our food now?”

Lana gave him a cynical and annoyed look.

“I'm a Merchant, of course, I bought them to trade... So stupid... How did you even learn Spellcasting with this empty head of yours? Anyway, stop thinking about food...”

The two continued to bicker while the boat moved out of the Market.

Shortly after they left the market, an impact almost turned their boat. Another boat had come out of nowhere and collided with theirs. The situation was very bizarre and chaotic. The two men that sailed in the other boat, started to scream, pleading for forgiveness.

“Miss, Sirs, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just spent all my family’s money buying this boat to work transporting passengers, but now I messed with the Sirs’ boat... I have to compensate the Sirs, I don't have much money... Please accept my few coins…”

The young man started pushing a worn pouch to Arthur’s hand, who was still confused by the whole thing.

“That's not necessary! Give him back the pouch.”

“Thank you, Miss, thank you! May the Origin bless you!”

The other boat left leaving behind the sound of the young man still thanking her. Lana looked at the leaving boat feeling somehow uncomfortable. She knew that something wasn't right, but she couldn't guess what.

She looked around, feeling confused. When her eyes stopped on Arthur, they narrowed, making the Mage feel uneasy.

“Stop glaring at me... I already understood that we are gonna sell the crystals in another city... I just feel bad about paying that much money...”

“Arthur... Arthur! Stop talking! Check the crystals, quickly!”

“Why are you yelling at me... Crystals? What of the crystals?”

When he opened the crystals’ bag, it was filled with stones.

“Huh? Where are the ...?”

“Argh... Why is this happening to me? You have to be kidding... It's my first deal and I already got robbed?”

.........

“To sum up, you were careless and got robbed... You know, we'll look for the thief but... You look like a nice girl, so let me tell you the truth... Dozens of robberies happen in the city every day, it's unlikely that we'll catch the culprit, most victims don't even report it...”

Lana had to control herself to don’t roll her eyes in front of the City Guards. She forced a sad smile and said:

“Thank you for telling me... Can you just give me a writing report? I know, it's unusual and I'm troubling you, but I need something to show my employer... If I appear in front of him with empty hands... I'm hoping that he'll just fire me, but... He might even punish me...”

She forced a sob, trying to look pitiful. The Guards didn't like filling in reports, most of them could barely write, but they couldn't resist Lana's act and ended up giving her a report.

“Why did you get a report? They already said that they wouldn’t look for the thief... Who's your employer? You didn't tell me about an employer...”

“Stop being stupid, Arthur... Only the Origin know how you learned Spellcasting with such a brain... I need the report for something else, we looked for the City Guards to get it. I'm not dumb, I knew they wouldn't look for the thief...”

“Oh...”

Arthur had stopped getting offended by her rough treatment, otherwise, he would be offended all the time.

“Lesson one, Arthur: You have to look for a brighter side in everything, even in this type of situation... At least you have to try turning the problem into an opportunity.”

“What brings me to lesson two: a Merchant has to show a strong stance when getting pushed... The Water Capital is the biggest Port in Kingdom, we'll come here many times, how can I establish a good reputation if I'm this easy to bully? We have to use this situation to show the city players that we're not to be messed with…”

While Arthur pondered about her explanation, Lana turned to the surprised paddler escort and asked:

“Where would the local low level criminals hang out?”

“That... Miss, you wouldn't...”

“Oh, I sure would! Don't even try to dissuade me... I have an agreement with your wife, we paid your whole-day service, to take us anywhere inside the city. Please, fulfill the agreement and take us there... And point me to a place where I could buy information, a popular tavern or store would do...”

Lana knew how to be pleasant and adorable, but she also knew how to be firm and fierce when needed. While the complaining man paddled, she already started formulating a plan. Looking at the scared Mage, she thought of something.

“Arthur, do you know any charms to locate someone?”

“That... Hmm...”

He seemed to have an idea but looked a little unwilling.

“Stop thinking too much about it. I'm your Boss, just tell me about it... I already told you, I'm not crazy or naive, I'll not get us into something that I can't handle.”

“If you say so... I can't cast a locating spell, it's above my level but... I know a charm that could help us... It's not certain but there's a chance...”

“Let's go with a chance before I have to start using my trump cards... How would you do it?”

“I would need a compass...”

.........

“Thankfully, we found a used compass to buy... I only have some coins left and I wouldn't like to bet it on a chance...”

“Don't blame if it doesn't work, OK?... Are we there yet?”

The paddler nodded, confirming that they had arrived in the lower districts. In fact, Lana already guessed their position, the poor and dirty-looking buildings were a universal mark of all slums. Also, their escort had changed his complexion some minutes earlier, he went from being unhappy to very attentive and serious.

“Are you ready Arthur?”

“Yes...”

“So, let's catch a rat!”