Chapter 9: Inside The Riverside Town of Roka (II)
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 15.1: Second Day, the First Trade for Maya Village (August and Andy)
The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Roka as the three companions concluded their daily routines, including a hearty breakfast at the inn. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat still lingered on their clothes as they prepared to part ways for their respective trading ventures. Andy and August would seek out merchants interested in the beast hides and leather that August had so meticulously prepared, while Marcus would venture to the butchering district to negotiate the sale of their high-quality and rare meat.
The riverside town bustled with early morning activity—merchants setting up their stalls, craftsmen opening their workshops, and townsfolk beginning their daily errands. The sound of hammering from the smithies mixed with the calls of street vendors, creating a symphony of commerce that filled the air with promise and opportunity.
August adjusted the weight of his inventory, the magical storage making the burden of their valuable goods almost negligible. Beside him, Andy surveyed the various storefronts with the calculating eye of an experienced trader, already mentally cataloging potential buyers and estimating profit margins.
Their first destination was one of the more established clothing and leather goods stores in the town's merchant quarter. The building itself spoke of modest prosperity—well-maintained wooden walls with brass fittings, large windows displaying fine garments, and a painted sign that read "Ollie's and Olivia" in elegant script.
As they entered, a small bell chimed overhead, announcing their arrival. The interior was organized and clean, with bolts of fabric arranged by color and quality, and finished garments displayed on wooden mannequins. The scent of treated leather and fabric dyes created an atmosphere of serious craftsmanship.
The seamstress who greeted them was a young woman with nimble fingers stained slightly from her work with various dyes. When August produced examples of the beast hide and leather from his inventory, her eyes widened in genuine surprise. The quality was immediately apparent—the leather was supple yet durable, with an even grain and rich color that spoke of expert processing. The hide retained its natural patterns while being perfectly preserved, free from the common flaws that plagued lesser work.
"Please wait here, gentlemen," the seamstress said, her voice carrying a note of excitement. "I must fetch my mistress immediately. She needs to see this."
Within moments, a middle-aged woman emerged from one of the back rooms, summoned by her apprentice's urgent whispers. This was clearly someone accustomed to evaluating quality materials—her movements were confident, her gaze sharp and appraising. It wasn't every day, particularly in this remote part of the empire, that someone would bring such exceptional leather and hide to her establishment. Most traders with goods of this caliber would bypass provincial towns entirely, heading straight to the capital where they could command premium prices at high-end boutiques.
Andy and Marcus were already well aware of August's exceptional skill, having witnessed firsthand the young man's meticulous process from initial skinning of the beasts to the final stages of tanning. They had also observed his careful selection of the choicest pieces, deliberately avoiding those marred by arrow holes or other damage that might diminish their value.
The shop owner approached the two well-dressed gentlemen with professional courtesy tinged by curiosity. Even at first glance, she could tell these were no ordinary traveling merchants. Their armor, while clearly functional, displayed an intricate attention to detail that spoke of master craftsmanship. Every piece seemed perfectly fitted, every ornament purposeful rather than merely decorative.
"Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Mrs. Olivia, and I am the proprietor of this humble establishment—Ollie's and Olivia. My husband and I own this shop together, though he is currently occupied in our armor workshop at the rear of the building." She gestured toward the back rooms before continuing. "May I inquire as to the origin of these exceptional materials? The level of attention evident in every stage of processing, from initial butchering through skinning to the final tanning, represents truly superior craftsmanship. As for the beast hide itself—such quality is rarely seen in these parts of the empire. Typically, hides of this caliber are sold exclusively in the capital markets."
She paused, examining the materials more closely. "I must be forthright with you—while I recognize the exceptional value of what you've brought, our humble provincial shop cannot match the prices you might command in the Imperial Capital. However, if we can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, I assure you of fair treatment and honest dealings."
Andy stepped forward with the easy confidence of an experienced negotiator, extending his hand in greeting. "Good morning, Mrs. Olivia. I am Andy, and I serve as both guardian and mentor to my young companion here during our travels. He is also the craftsman responsible for processing these high-quality materials."
Understanding his cue, August moved forward to introduce himself. "Good day, madam. My name is August, and I can confirm what my companion has told you. I personally hunted these beasts and processed every component myself, so you need have no concerns regarding quality or provenance. It is my personal creed to always strive for excellence in everything I undertake."
Mrs. Olivia found herself unable to contain her curiosity. If this young gentleman possessed the skills necessary to produce such exceptional work, he must surely be an extraordinarily accomplished hunter and craftsman. Considering the quality of armor he wore and the impressive array of weapons he carried, combined with his overall bearing and demeanor, she suspected he might be a master of multiple disciplines. The armor, upon closer inspection, appeared to be the work of a grandmaster—rivaling pieces she had seen treasured as priceless artifacts in the Imperial Capital's most exclusive establishments.
"Forgive my boldness in asking," she said, leaning forward slightly, "but did you also craft the armor you wear and the clothing as well? I must know with whom I am dealing."
The question caught August off guard, and he noticed that even Andy appeared curious about the answer. In truth, every piece of armor and weaponry their group possessed had been provided by August through his unique abilities, including what he wore at that very moment.
August found himself at a crossroads, uncertain how to explain the true source of his equipment, when suddenly an alert materialized in his consciousness.
[ADMIN MAGNUS: MASTER, SIMPLY ANSWER YES. TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, I AM PART OF YOUR POWER (system), SO IN ESSENCE, IT REMAINS YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT.]
August was surprised by this intervention. Usually, it was the stern female voice that provided guidance through his system, but now it was the kindly older man who had always provided his equipment. If Magnus insisted on this approach, August felt he should comply, though he wanted to ensure proper credit was given to the mysterious benefactor within his system.
*A/N: While August perceives these communications simply as [SYSTEM] alerts, their names are included here for reader clarity.*
"Yes, Mrs. Olivia, you could say that is accurate, though I must give credit where it is due. The techniques and knowledge were passed down to me by my late grandfather. While I am not yet as skilled as he was, his guidance continues to help me in creating equipment for myself and my companions." August's thoughts turned gratefully to Admin Magnus, touched by the system entity's generosity in allowing him to take credit. The gesture nearly brought tears to his eyes, such was his appreciation for others who helped him.
Admin Magnus, observing the boy's compassionate nature even toward a system entity he had never truly met, felt deeply moved by August's instinctive desire to share credit and recognition.
"Then you must surely be a grandmaster yourself, or well on your way to becoming one," Mrs. Olivia breathed, her professional eye cataloging each piece of August's equipment with growing amazement. "The armor you wear is absolutely unique. Every component represents the highest quality craftsmanship, and the raw materials are of the most exceptional grade I have ever encountered. From what I can discern, only a true grandmaster could have created such work."
Her excitement grew as she continued her examination. "Your grandfather must have been extraordinarily skilled. Is he perhaps a renowned figure in crafting circles, or maybe a hidden grandmaster who withdrew from public life? If I were to assign a value to your current equipment, I would estimate it at no less than two Imperial Orichalcum Coins. The beasts whose materials were used are legendary in their rarity—particularly these scales."
She pointed to specific elements with growing enthusiasm. "Dear gods, this is crafted from Arborwyrm scales! And this exoskeleton weaving—it's from a Scythe Stalker! The cape and hood utilize both Boarvat and Grimfang hide. Young sir, had I not examined you so closely, I would never have noticed the full extent of these materials' value!"
Mrs. Olivia's overwhelming excitement at discovering such exceptional craftsmanship made August somewhat uncomfortable as she scrutinized him with the intensity of someone examining a priceless artifact. Recognizing her customer's discomfort, she called for her seamstress to summon her husband, eager to share this remarkable discovery with her partner. In all her years as a clothing maker, this was her first encounter with such an extraordinary combination of detailed work and expensive materials.
"Please forgive my enthusiasm, gentlemen, but do make yourselves comfortable while we prepare to discuss your wares properly. As someone who truly loves her craft, this is the first time I have experienced such... such professional ecstasy!"
Andy didn't mind the delay—they had the entire day ahead of them with no pressing engagements, planning only to reconvene at the market later to finish with Marcus' trade. With hours to spare, they might even benefit from Mrs. Olivia's obvious appreciation of quality craftsmanship.
Within several minutes, they had been served the establishment's finest refreshments. Mrs. Olivia returned accompanied by her husband, Mr. Ollie, who appeared to be a distinguished gentleman of advanced years, carrying himself with the dignity and bearing of a master craftsman.
Upon entering the guest room and observing the two visitors, he immediately confirmed his wife's excited reports. The quality of workmanship before him was indeed extraordinary. He approached August with professional interest, requesting closer inspection.
"I assume you are Sir August? Might I request permission to examine your armor more closely? If you prefer not to, I certainly understand."
August had no objections to the request, but Andy, understanding that craftsmen typically guarded their trade secrets intensely, intervened diplomatically. "Sir, we have come here to conduct business regarding our trade goods. If you continue to waste our valuable time, we may find it necessary to visit your competitors instead."
Mr. Ollie immediately recognized his overstepping. While armor makers like himself were naturally fascinated by superior craftsmanship, he had forgotten proper business etiquette. "Please forgive my enthusiasm, gentlemen. I meant no disrespect. Let us proceed with business immediately—my wife will present our offer."
Andy's excitement was evident—this was his domain, his area of expertise. He intended to ensure they received full value for their time and goods.
The negotiation that followed was an intensive hour-long battle of wits and determination, with merchant Andy facing off against the shop owners Ollie and Olivia. From August's perspective, it resembled a contest of endurance and cunning, each party attempting to gain advantage while protecting their interests. The intensity was such that even August felt perspiration beginning to form as he observed the verbal sparring.
August had brought two full stacks each of excellent quality hide and leather. The shop owners initially offered two local silver coins per stack, which would total one gold coin and thirty local silver coins, but they promised a ten percent commission on future sales. When August and Andy explained they were traveling and unlikely to return to collect commissions, negotiations intensified until they settled on three local gold coins and ten local silver coins.
While this represented a substantial sum for a provincial business and reflected fair dealing, both parties were aware that in the Imperial Capital, high-end merchants would likely pay at least fifteen Imperial Silver Coins per piece—significantly more than the current arrangement. However, the certainty of immediate payment and the reasonable nature of the local offer made it acceptable to all parties.
After the intensive negotiations concluded, all participants took a moment to collect themselves. Mrs. Olivia departed to retrieve payment from their strongbox while Mr. Ollie remained with their guests, his gaze inevitably drawn to the magnificent details of August's armor. The craftsmanship was genuinely stunning—the quality of materials combined with flawless construction created something truly remarkable. The armor appeared neither cumbersome nor uncomfortable; August moved within it as if it were a natural extension of his body, perfectly fitted and integrated. The hybrid design incorporating both full plate elements and scaled sections represented the highest tier of armor crafting.
Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Olivia returned with a mixed pouch of gold, silver, and copper coins as August and Andy had requested. They concluded their transaction with mutual satisfaction and departed the establishment with genuine smiles.
In the years to come, this humble provincial clothing store would achieve renown throughout the region, largely due to the exceptional raw materials August had provided and the magnificent garments they subsequently created—earning them hundreds of times their initial investment.
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Day 15.2: Second Day, the First Trade for Maya Village (Marcus)
Meanwhile, Marcus had spent his morning visiting every butcher shop and meat vendor in the town's market district, presenting samples of their high-quality meat to potential buyers. The response was uniformly positive—every butcher recognized the professional quality of the processing and preparation. The meat had been cleanly separated from bone, properly aged, and showed no signs of the common problems that plagued inferior products.
The highest offer Marcus received was one local silver coin per kilogram. Given that he had two full stacks—forty pieces total, each weighing approximately ten kilograms—this represented a substantial sum. However, since all the meat remained stored in August's magical inventory, they arranged to complete the transaction later after Marcus had consulted with his companions.
While conducting his market survey, Marcus also took the opportunity to gauge general prices throughout the local economy, gaining valuable intelligence about the town's commercial landscape. The information would prove useful for future trading decisions and understanding regional economic variations.
After completing his rounds, Marcus spotted August and Andy emerging from Ollie and Olivia's clothing establishment. Their satisfied expressions suggested successful negotiations.
"Sirs!" Marcus called out, waving to catch their attention. "I have found an excellent buyer for our high-quality meat. We can conclude that transaction immediately if you wish."
August and Andy acknowledged their companion's greeting and joined him for the walk to the butcher's establishment. The shop bore the name "Miguel's Meatery" and was operated by a local butcher with a keen eye for quality, particularly when evaluating meat products. When Marcus had initially presented the samples, Miguel had immediately inquired about their source, expressing strong interest in meeting the person responsible for such exceptional processing.
After nearly an hour of waiting, butcher Miguel finally had the opportunity to meet the individual selling the remarkable meat. In his many years of professional experience, he had encountered similar quality only a handful of times, and even then, his own processing had never achieved such consistently superior results.
"Good day, gentlemen! I am Miguel, both owner and primary butcher of Miguel's Meatery. In my extensive career as a butcher, this represents the first time I have witnessed processing of this exceptional caliber. The work is remarkably clean and precise—superior even to my own efforts and those of veteran butchers at competing establishments. With whom do I have the pleasure of conducting business for these beautiful cuts?"
The three companions exchanged glances, with both Andy and Marcus deferring to August. This was his moment to represent his craftsmanship.
"That would be me, sir. I personally hunted the beasts, conducted all butchering, skinning, and processing from bones to leather and hide. Every aspect of preparation was completed by my own hand."
"You accomplished all of that work yourself? And achieved these results?" Miguel was genuinely astounded. Despite August's youthful appearance—Miguel estimated him to be perhaps nineteen years old, though he was dramatically underestimating—the level of skill demonstrated was extraordinary.
"Thank you for your praise, Master Miguel. I take genuine pride in everything I undertake!" August's face brightened with a wide, genuine smile.
The business transaction proceeded smoothly according to their previous discussions. Miguel provided the agreed-upon four hundred local silver coins and generously added an additional fifty coins as a bonus. Since the meat had already been professionally prepared to his specifications, he would only need to create smaller retail portions for sale to local residents, nobles, and culinary enthusiasts. He confidently expected to earn five to ten times his investment through subsequent sales.
The trio returned to their inn to tally their combined earnings. The total was impressive—eleven gold coins from their day's transactions. Considering the reasonable cost of living in the region, this represented substantial wealth. True to his promise from the previous evening, August awarded Marcus fifteen percent of their profit: one local gold coin and forty-two silver coins. Leaving him around ten local gold coins and eight local silver coins. Marcus was nearly moved to tears by this generosity, and August additionally presented him with a high-tier healing salve and another bar of luxury soap at least to Marcus' opinion if it.
They retired to their individual rooms for rest and reflection on their successful day. These profits would fund their ongoing travel expenses and necessary supplies, though this would not be their only commercial venture—similar trading opportunities would arise as they continued their journey to other settlements northwards.
Later that evening, as previously agreed, they ventured out to celebrate their success with an exceptional meal, sampling the finest cuisine that the town of Roka could offer. The local specialties included fresh river fish prepared with aromatic herbs, roasted meats from the surrounding countryside, and pastries that showcased the region's excellent grains and honey.
As they dined in one of the town's better establishments, they reflected on their successful day and discussed their plans for the following day—their final day in Roka before continuing north toward Marcus's home village. The conversation was relaxed and optimistic, filled with the satisfaction of honest work well rewarded and the anticipation of adventures yet to come.
And so another fruitful day concluded, with tomorrow marking their departure from this riverside town that had welcomed them with fair dealing and honest commerce. Their journey northward would bring new challenges and opportunities, but they faced the future with confidence, their purses heavy with honest profit and their spirits lifted by successful cooperation.