Kate and Samantha's bickering and Pheonix's amused look while walking together drew many envious gazes. Especially from the students, both male and female. Kate and Samantha both beautiful girls with regal bearing and Pheonix, a tall strong and handsome boy maintaining a calm and composed face were simply a treat for eyes.
They reached infront of a huge store, it was named as "Richard's" and images of almost all kinds of weapons were etched around the grand nameplate.
When they looked around they saw a lot of people moving in and out of the store. The crowd majorly consisted the students of the academy.
As they walked in, they saw a huge, well lit hall with showcases and counters all around the wall. The weapons were neatly stacked in glass covered shelves and there can be seen a person behind each counter with a smiling face and humble nature.
All three of them went around the hall but, nothing caught Pheonix's eye. Infact, Pheonix felt as if this floor was ment for either a beginner or for those who does like to purchase weapons because of their looks rather than what the weapons really were ment for. All three came near a staircase leading towards the upper floor and stood there looking towards the bustling hall and the transaction happening there.
At this time, while they spoke, they didn't notice a handsome middle aged man walking down the stairs with lite steps.
"Nic, fancy anything? I saw some beautiful weapons."
"Kate, Weapons are not ment to look beautiful. It is ment to be used when necessary and not to wear like a jewellery."
"Well said lad." These words made them turn around and see a handsome middle aged man with a smile.
" Sorry, I was walking down the stairs and over heard your conversation. I am Gavin Richards, the overseer of this store."
"Hello Mr. Richards, I hope you wouldn't take my words as arrogance. I was just stating the facts and the teaching of my master." Pheonix asked inclining his head.
"Not at all young man, not at all. Come, let us have a cup of tea and talk upstairs." Gavin smiled and invited all of them.
When they reached first floor. Just like the ground floor, they saw a few well dressed people looking at the weapons kept in the display all around the wall inside the showcase. " This is the place where the weapons ment to be used are displayed and those who know the value of them are welcomed. Here we display one of the finest weapons available in the town." But Gavin didn't stopped there and beaconed them to climb uptowards. Towards the second floor, where they saw only a handful of people.
" Second floor is the place where only a weapon master could appreciate the value of these beauties. These are the priced jewel of our stores."
When they saw the first showcase which was near the room Gavin took them in, Kate looked at the weapon with eagerness and felt disappointed to see a few simple and lackluster weapons kept behind the glass door.
"Mr. Richards, can I take a look around." Phoenix asked eagerness clearly visible in his eyes. However the two girls were not so enthusiastic.
"Lets have our tea first. You have all the day to look at them." Gavin started pouring the tea while speaking. He handed over tea to everyone and sat with them.
"Let me introduce myself properly, I am Gavin Richards, the caretaker of this shop and the youngest son of the Richards family."
"I am Samantha Dunhill. This is my first week at the academy."
"I am Kate Cosby. This is my first week at the academy too."
"I am Pheonix Dragonheart. This is also my first week at the academy."
Gavin was taken aback by the three family names that were given and inclined his head to them. " I never thought I would be graced with the heirs of the three prominent families. A Princess, a Lady and a future Hero!!"
The three young people felt awkward, "Mr. Richards, please, we are just students at this academy and would really appreciate if you treet us like one." Samantha said before anyone could say anything and the other two nodded their head in agreement.
Gavin smiled and turned towards Phoenix, but before he could ask anything, Samantha spoke again. " Mr. Richards, you said these are the priced jewel of your shop. Yet they look so ordinary!!! The ones in the ground floor looks more pleasing to eye and many are even encrusted with rare and expensive gems?"
She was looking at Gaving to know more, but the answer came from Phoenix. " They are rare and priced jewel not because they are studded with rare gems or looks elegent. They are precious becaus they are forged to last even when put under extreme test. They can withstand attacks from tens, hundreds and may be even thousands of enemy's attack and stay true to it's purpose. It's true purpose of defending its owner or killing its enemies."
There was a profound silence inside the room, then Gaving clapped hard and let out a deep laughter.
" Lad, I definitely would not have given a better answer than you. Well said."
"Yes, as Phoenix said, these weapons are the works of master weapon smiths. To put it simply, these are the weapons created painstakingly with rare metals and most of the times they would be unbreakable unless, It's been put to test with other such weapons."
"So, Phoenix, are you looking for anything?"
"Yes I am Mr. Richards, I was looking for a sword."
Gavin took them to the area where the swords were displayed. Unlike the below floors, here, each weapons were kept in a seperate display cases. Even though they were simple looking blades, it was nothing short of rare and precious gems in the eyes of a true warrior or an adventurers.
While passing by, looking at the cases of weapons on display, a simple black looking blade caught the eye of Phoenix. This one was kept at a discreet corner of the room outside the showcases. It looked out of place even among these well preserved blades as if it was kept there and had long been forgotton.
"Mr. Richards, May I have a look at that old black blade in the corner?" Pheonix pointed at the old looking blade in the corner.
"Ahhh, that's an old sword we use for testing the newly made swords by the masters, lad. It's absolutely insignificant. Don't mind that. You can look around and choose the one you feel inclined towards. Don't worry about the payment. Simon is a close friend of mine, I will get the gold from that idot."
The three youths were surprised to know that, Gavin Richards and Simon were friend.
Gavin smiled to see the surprise on their faces. " Actually we travelled a lot during our adventuring carrier. He ended up as a Knight and I ended up taking care of my family trade."
Smiling, Pheonix inclined his head. " It's not the question of Gold Mr. Richards. It just drew my attention. Can I please have a look at it?"
Gavin took the sword and handed it to Phoenix.