15

The Curious Merchant

Thunder rolled across the dark skies and lightning flashed, lighting up the plains. Mud sloshed and sucked under the wheels and hooves of the moving caravan. Cold rain pattered the wagon’s canvas bonnet. Orsik shined his shield, humming a small tune, trying to ignore the unusual weather for the month of Miros. Rain was common in these parts, but thunder storms didn’t come about until spring returned, and that was still a month and a half away.

Aviana sat upright, listening to nature, her breath forming in small cloud puffs. In their time traveling together, she’d explained more about her connection with nature and how it spoke to her. The way she explained it, it made him think of his connection to Ildri, though instead of a single voice he heard, she experienced many voices, of sorts. They weren’t true voices, but sensations and feelings she had to then interpret as words.

Aviana’s body went ridged, and her back straightening and her face rising toward the sky. Orsik swore he noticed a slight glow to the symbol on her forehead. Temperance remained oblivious to this change. She sat at the edge of the wagon, her feet dangling over the wooden structure counting lightning strikes and how long it took for the thunder to rumble after, as if the cold weather bothered her little. What in tha god’s names be goin’ on?

After a moment Aviana relaxed and her eyes fluttered open. She appeared to be fine, but Orsik wasn’t so sure. “Uh, lass, ye okay?”

She blinked at him. “Yeah, of course, why?”

“Ye got a wee bit funny just now.”

Temperance leaned back, looking at them upside down. “Watcha mean, Orsik? I didn’t see nothing funny going on.”

Of course she didn’t. Temperance was an odd woman, a little too naïve to be allowed to roam on her own, but overall, Orsik enjoyed her positive outlook in life.

Aviana smiled. “I’m sorry if I concerned you, Orsik. Nature was being a bit cryptic. I had to focus a little harder than normal to understand. Sometimes my body reacts funny when I do that.”

“What did nature say?” Temperance asked.

The older half-elf shook her head. “Nothing as important as I thought it would have been. Just strange gossip about change and adventure for some would-be heroes.”

The younger woman accepted the answer with an “oh” and went back to looking out the wagon, enjoying her time getting wet, even if cold, and speaking to her toy dragon. Orsik, on the other hand, wasn’t so convinced. The words seemed… too practiced. He knew her type based on how she spoke—silver tongued. She was used to convincing others truths even if it wasn’t. Or only half true. Orsik himself would have no reason to question her fine words, had it not been for that strange glow. There was no mistaking it. He had sensed a celestial presence within it.

When they first met, he wondered why Ildri would want him to meet these two women. And he also had once questioned if she had contact with a god or goddess based on how she treated his connection with his matron. Now, he was more sure than ever that may be the case. But if she didn’t wish to speak about it, it wasn’t his place to press.

Temperance kicked her legs. “Avi, can I play in the puddles now?”

“No. We’re still moving and you’ll be left behind.”

“But I want to play in the puddles!” Her younger sister complained. Orsik found her obsession with water both strange and fascinating.

Aviana sighed but didn’t say anything to her sister, refusing to give into the behavior or be sucked into a never ending back and for of why and why not. Temperance leaned back and looked at her sister upside down. “Can I play in the puddles when we get to wherever we’re going?”

Orsik chuckled. “Ye be a persistent wee lass.”

Aviana shook her head. “That’s an understatement. Temperance, we’ll see about your request when we get to Kirdarim.”

“Are we there yet?” the young redhead asked.

Both Orsik and Aviana couldn’t help but laugh. The wagon driver also chuckled at the girl’s antics before speaking. “As a matter of fact, we are.”

Temperance, excited as usual, stuck her head out the front of the wagon with the driver to take a look, only to furrow her brow in confusion when all she could see were rows of grape plants for miles.

“There’s no city here. There’s supposed to be a huge city!”

The driver chuckled. “Not above ground, no.”

“Huh?”

Aviana snickered. “Temperance, I told you, Kirdarim is a gnomish town deep beneath the surface of the delta it’s settled in.”

Temperance pulled back inside the wagon to sit next to her sister. “That wasn’t in my books.”

“They do it to utilize the fertile soil,” the golden-haired half-elf explained. “Kirdarim is known for their gnomish wines and other grape based products it procures due to richness of the soil the vitis plants thrive on, as well as the minerals they harvest deep beneath the earth. It only makes sense to build the town below ground where there’s more room to grow a city and not encroach on their farming land.”

Temperance nodded. “Oh, okay, I guess that makes sense. How did you get to be so smart, Avi?”

Aviana smirked. “I read a lot.”

“Then I will have to read even more books so one day I will be as smart as you!”

“I have no doubt that’ll happen.”

The love that radiated off Aviana for her sister made Orsik’s heart swell. He’d learned the two had different mothers, which explained differences in their appearance and drastic personality contrast. And knowing that, he would have expected some sort of forced connection between them, as he’d seen in other families like theirs. But these two genuinely cared for each other. The world could learn a thing or two from them.

Aviana pointed beyond the wagon driver. “We’re here.”

Her sister whirled around just in time for her to see the enormous precious metal arches before they descended into the cavernous tunnel. Temperance ran back and forth trying to take in the tunnel lit by large braziers, the warm light reflecting off the metal supports and statues. When the tunnel opened up in a large cavern, she gasped, her eyes wide.

Orsik and Aviana smiled. There was something amazing seeing this young woman experience a new place for the first time.

Before them, unnecessarily tall buildings and statues of stone and metal reached for the cavern ceilings. Waterfalls cascaded into the city, their water collecting in pools and rivers. Many pools appeared to be communal resources for water. High walls blocked off areas where the delta split and created natural cave systems. Orsik knew them to be the different districts, seven main ones in total, one for each council member of the ruling government to oversee.

“Avi, this place is so amazing!” Temperance beamed. She held Kyanite out. “Look Kyanite!”

The older sister smiled. “We’ll stay for a day or two before heading North.”

“You’re the best sister ever!” Temperance stuck her head back outside the wagon.

Orsik was curious. “Where ye two be headed after here?”

“Natamere,” Aviana said. “I know some people there that want to meet Temperance. It’s also a good place for her to learn more about different lifestyles.”

Made sense to him. Would he also travel that way with them, or would Ildri guide him a different way now that he’d followed these women here? He’d met some holy men and women of Akorith before. And Akorith and Ildri were on good terms with each other, so going to a city like that wouldn’t cause any issues.

Temperance pulled back into the wagon. “Avi, Natamere didn’t come up in any of my books. How big is it?”

Aviana thought for a moment. “I don’t remember the exact size. It’s able to safely house at least twenty-five thousand people with farmland to feed them all. It’s the biggest on Alaria, though not as big as some of the cities on the other continents of Aecis.”

“That’s a lot of people!” Temperance’s eyes widened and then she stretched out her arms. “So, it’s like this big?”

She continued to move her arms until they were held out behind her and she lost her balance. She landed on her rear with an oof. “Owie…”

Aviana and Orsik couldn’t help but laugh at her. It stopped when the wagon lurched to a halt and the wagon driver looked back at them. “Alright, everyone out.”

Temperance, over excited as ever, half scrambled, half fell out of the wagon. Aviana shook her head and exited the vehicle in a much more dignified manner and then helped Orsik disembark.

Orsik looked about to get his bearings. The street bustled with life of many types of races, though most were gnomes, humanoids with half-elf-like features that stood only a few feet tall. “I may be short, but gnomes make me feel tall.”

Aviana laughed. He knew he shouldn’t make such crass jokes, but sometimes he couldn’t help it. “Well, if they make you feel tall, think about how I feel.”

It wasn’t good to make fun of someone’s size, but gnomes were great natured and usually engaged in their own types of diminutive size jokes.

The caravan owner came up to them. Aviana gave a bow with her hand turned out, a gesture he’d learned was unique to her clan. “Thank you for allowing us passage.”

He nodded. “I should be thanking you again. Had you three not been there to help us during those incidents, we wouldn’t be here.” He held up a small leather pouch. “Here’s your pay, along with your returned travel fair.”

Aviana smiled and accepted the offer. “Very gracious of you.”

“You all have a pleasant day and stay out of trouble.” He looked at Temperance with the last remark but she was too distracted by everything going on around them. The man smiled and shook his head before taking his leave.

Aviana turned to Orsik. “Well, this looks to be where we part ways. It was a pleasure meeting you, Orsik. You stay safe out there.”

Here came the decision. He could either part from them and hope that’s what Ildri wanted, or come up with a reason to stay and hope he’d read the signs correctly. If he stayed, he couldn’t lie. Aviana seems like tha understandin’ kind. Might as well give this a shot. “Well, actually, lass, can I ask ye a favor?”

Aviana tilted her head a slight bit. “What’s that?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wis nae completely forthright wi’ ye on why I came here. ‘Tis true Ildri told me tae get on that wagon, but it be because o’ ye two.”

The half-elf woman’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“Tae be honest, neither dae I. She dinnae tell me why I needit tae meet ye. And it wis nae because o’ the two attacks we dealt wi’ on tha journey. If it wis, she wou’ have already told me tae move on. She hain’t. Sae, she wants me tae journey wi’ ye fer a bit. An’ I like tha two o’ ye, sae I want tae stick around if ye wou’ let me.”

Temperance, having caught the request, jumped up and down. “Oh, Avi, can he stay? Please?”

Aviana looked down at him, her keens eyes intent. For a moment Orsik worried she’d decline him. But when she smiled, relief fell over him. “I’m thankful you came clean about your intentions. I don’t fault you for being secretive, as not many would understand your position, but I value honesty above most things. I’d be happy if you continued to travel with us.”

A wide smile spread across Orsik’s face. “Thank ye, lass. I promise I won’t cause ye any trouble.”

Temperance jumped with joy. “New friend!”

Aviana waved Orsik and Temperance to follow her. “Let’s look around this place, shall we?”

♦ ♦ ♦

Temperance ran around the merchant district like a demon out of the deepest ring of hell. Everything interested her, but not much tempted a purchase. Aviana thanked Akorith for that. Her sister could hoard money like no one’s business, but when she wanted to shop, she could get out of hand.

“Orsik, that be ye?” someone called out.

Orsik and Aviana looked around. Aviana spotted a stocky dwarven man with tan skin approaching. His long red hair and braided beard with silver cuff jostling about with his stride. The man dressed in a nice cloth open chest shirt and high-crafted pants and boots. A small dagger was tucked into the side of his belt showing he wasn't completely defenseless. A tall, light-skinned human man with dark curly hair and stubble in plate armor followed close behind. He carried a longsword and shield. Aviana’s eyes took him in with keen interest. Must be a bodyguard.

Orsik caught notice of the pair and waved. “Gimor!”

The red-haired dwarf reached the trio and embraced Orsik in a tight, friendly hug. “Been a while, lad.”

Orsik smiled wide at Gimor when he was released for the bear grip. “Too long.”

Gimor threw a thumb towards the human man with him. “Ye remember Asher, dun ye?”

Their cleric friend nodded and shook hands with the tall warrior. “O’ course! It be good to see ye both. Ye look good.”

“Aye, as dae ye.” Gimor then took notice of the Aviana and Temperance. He perked up more. “Who be these lovely lasses?”

“We’re Orsik’s friends!” Temperance said with a large smile. “We’ve been traveling with him for a while now.”

“That sae?” Gimor chuckled. “Well a friend o’ Orsik’s be a friend o’ mine. Gimor Bluefoot at yer service. An’ this be ma friend an’ protector, Asher Rahan.”

Asher looked at the two women and smiled. “Pleasure to meet the two of you.”

“I’m Temperance!” The young redhead introduced, bouncing with excitement. “And this is my big sister.”

Aviana bowed. “My name is Aviana Xenre. Pleasure to meet both of you.”

Temperance, noticing the bow, immediately copied her older sister meaning Aviana didn’t have to scold her for being rude. She had a habit of not greeting people with proper respect.

Aviana’s eyes lingered on Asher for an extra minute and his gaze met hers the whole time. She gave him an alluring smile and then focused on the two dwarven men.

“Ne’er seen a mark like that on ye forehead, lass,” Gimor said. “Where ye be from?”

“We’re Shikala who hail from a small town by the name of Starglade, in the Karama Wilds,” Aviana explained.

Gimor’s brown furrowed. “Never hear of any of that.”

This perplexed her. She could understand the lack of knowledge about her people, and even her town, but the Karma Wilds? “Where are you from?”

The dwarven man held himself tall. “Asher and I be from Ashbourne.”

Her brow cocked. “Where?”

“Ashbourne, lass,” he repeated. “Small tradin’ town. Has some problems but we be fixin’ them.”

She shook her head. “I’ve seen plenty of maps and traveled a bit, and never heard of the place. Sorry.”

He sighed. “Why does no one know of it?”

“Well, we didn’t know of this town either,” Asher said. “So it’s only fair.”

Aviana’s eyes widened. “How in Akorith’s name do you not know of Kirdarim? It’s only one of the biggest trading cities in Alaria.”

“What’s Alaria?” Asher asked.

Aviana stared blankly at him. She couldn’t process any of this. But then a thought came to her. Wait, didn’t some of the merchants in Windshire mention strange individuals spotted northing of Kirdarim? Were these two some of them?

The idea made her slightly uneasy, but Orsik seemed to know them, and she was trying her best to trust the dwarf. Ildri was one goddess you never had to worry about with her followers. Am I being paranoid?

Orsik clapped his hands together. “What brings ye here, Gimor?”

Aviana noticed the look in the cleric’s eye. He was trying to change the subject for some reason. What does he know? Now she knew something was up.

“Trade o’ course!” Gimor laughed. “Why else wou’ I leave Ashbourne? That reminds me. I be searchin’ fer some hired help. We lost a few in ma employ on our way here. Orsik, ye like tae join us?”

Orsik smiled and nodded. “It be nice tae travel wi’ ye again.” He then looked at Aviana and Temperance. “I highly recommend these two if ye neit more.”

Gimor sized up Aviana and then Temperance. “Ye fight?”

Aviana didn’t mind the recommendation from the cleric. It’d bring in more money, and would lead her to answers about who these strange people were. Sure, it was a little bit of a distraction from their main goal, but Temperance would learn something from this as well.

She summoned some electrical energy onto her finger tips, the lightning sparking between them. “More than just fight, I can assure you.”

Temperance puffed out her chest. “Harpies don’t stand a chance against me. Or bandits!”

Gimor nodded, his eyes thoughtful. “I wou’ like tae know more aboot yer skill sets.”

Aviana strolled up to Asher and slipped her arms around his. Her eyes lingered on him before addressing Gimor. “I’d be more than happy to. Though, if I may suggest, we walk and talk? Standing here in this particular spot is rather conspicuous, and since it’s the first time either of you have stepped foot in this city, a small tour from”—her eyes glinted—“someone more experienced may be beneficial to you.”

Gimor nodded. “Aye, that be a great idea. But if tha wee lass here be tellin’ tha truth, I dinnae doubt I be hirin’ ye within a few feet.”

They started moving farther into town, except Temperance. She stayed where she was, her arms crossed. An ugly scowl sat on her face. Aviana’s brow ticked up. “What’s wrong Tempy?”

“You shouldn’t be hanging off another ma’s arm like that! Mister Xalanath won’t be happy.”

Asher’s brow rose. “Who?”

Before Temperance could blurt out her standard response, Aviana beat her to the punch. “An acquaintance she is convinced I’m courting.”

“But you’re not?” Asher said.

Aviana gave him an alluring smile. “No.”

She caught a slight tinting of his cheeks, though he was doing quite well masking it. His reaction amused her. Had to look tough, but struggled to resist a woman’s charm.

“Liar!” Temperance shouted. She held up Kyanite. “Even Kyanite agrees.”

Aviana looked back at her sister when she grew quiet and found her staring at the stuffed blue dragon.

“What do you mean I’m wrong? No, I’m right! No, they just pretend they have trouble getting along. It’s a trap, Kyanite!” She huffed and begrudgingly followed the group. “I know I’m right. You’ll all see!”

The group couldn’t help but laugh at the young woman. Asher leaned closer to Aviana and kept his voice low. “She’s adorable.”

“And a handful,” she whispered back. “You’ll get sick of it pretty soon.”

“I don’t mean to sound rude, but is there something wrong with her?” he asked. “She doesn’t look much younger than you. Though, I’ll admit, the aging of half-elves not a topic I’m well versed in.”

“I’m sixty-nine,” she said, having no issue giving her age. She thought such questions humans found offensive were silly.

Asher’s eyes went wide. “Are you really? I would have guessed late twenties at best.”

A deep grin spread over Aviana’s lips. “Yes. It’s come with some… perks.”

He swallowed, the redness returning to his face, and this time spreading to his ears. Aviana chose to give him a small break. “Temperance is quite a bit younger than me. By a half a century.”

Asher’s eyes widened, but she continued. “Though, I will admit, she does act young for her age. Her mother sheltered her a bit too much and I’m pretty sure she hit her head one too many times as well.”

“Her mother? Are you half siblings?”

Aviana nodded. “As a matter of fact, yes.”

“I’ve never seen half siblings act so close before.”

She chuckled. “We have an… interesting family dynamic.”

Asher nodded. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Hey, what are you two talking about?” Temperance asked, trying to jump so she could come closer to eye level with the two.

“Don’t worry about it, Temperance.” Aviana focused on Gimor. “Before I give you more information, I’d like to know who else we’ll be working alongside, beside Asher. If there are other, that is.”

Gimor shook his head. “I have a dracarthian in ma employ as well. But I hain’t yet put up a help wanted request.” He held up some parchment. “I wis told tae stop in a place called tha Stone Ox and I be havin’ a few bites wi’in a day or two.”

Aviana knew exactly where that was. But the mention of the dracarthian interested her more. Dracarthians were humanoid lizard-men that resembled wingless dragons in a lot of way, though their pride made them spit at the notion of any relation. Much of it stemmed from the stereotype a color determined how a dragon acted.

A dracarthian’s color had the same range as the true dragons, but, like any other humanoid race, their personalities were infinite and not defined by a scale color. Though, at the same time, dracarthians followed the same naming trends as the true dragons. Anyone with knowledge on dragons, would have an easier time catching a dragon in disguise if they didn’t give a false name.

What surprised Aviana the most, was the fact a dracarthian was hired in the first place. Dracarthians weren’t native to Alaria. Aviana herself had only met four in her life. Most emigrated from the large continent of Arul, and even they were rather few due to that lack of safe transportation over the hostile waters between Alaria and Arul.

Though, in recent years, Aviana had learned a few towns to the east had a decent population of them and a small tribe of black scaled dracarthians had taken residence in the Kylynm Desert on the northeastern side. This tribe kept to themselves, and not many dared venture over there due to stories about monstrosities capable of disintegrating a poor soul in an instant. So not much was known about the tribe or the area. Aviana suspected a spell caster with a disintegration spell had placed the rumors to keep other away.

“Is he a black scale?” Aviana asked.

Gimor nodded. “Indeed he is. Nae much o’ a talker and a wee tough tae deal wi’ when he drinks, sae be careful.”

Aviana nodded, grateful for the warning. She wouldn’t pass judgment until she met him. Impressions and interpretations could vary from person to person.

She pointed toward their right. “Let’s go this way. It’s less crowded this time of day, making it easier for us to speak, and has some rich history you may find interesting. The Stone Ox is also there, so you’ll be able to set up your public request.”

Asher gestured with his free hand before Gimor could speak up. “Lead the way, m’lady.”

Gimor’s eyes sparked, though not with annoyance. Of course, Aviana didn’t really care to interpret the reaction. Instead she gave the human man another dashing smile. She had a good feeling she was going to enjoy his company.