Well, well, it would seem that there is no honor among thieves. Not that I haven't already known that. In fact, I'm not really surprised. Where there is gold, there will be thieves, and this... floating log they call a ship is no exception. Ah, poor Teige, maybe I should warn him? ... Nah, he had it coming.
Anyhow, after less than a week of rough days and nights at sea, thanks to our method of transportation. We have reached the coast near Soul, the dragon village, early in the morning. Of course, it doesn't have a harbor, so we had to take the raft to reach land and walk the rest of the way. This meant that someone had to stay on board. Teige bravely volunteered to protect his ship. Normal for a captain... I think, but whatever. That's the moment he got screwed, and he still doesn't know it. Because when we had reach the fortified village and traded with the dragoness. Cynv decide to hide most of the gold in an abandoned house and return to the ship with less, telling Teige that we got a lower profit than what we really get. A nice trick, it gave us a bigger cut. In fact, he got less than half of what he was entitled to. A really nice trick!
Damn, I have to stop writing for now. It would seem that it's time for me to "help" the ship leave for our next destination. I will let the quill finish the rest, except for that part we were walking. I wouldn't want to fill my book all at once!The two foxes stop at the entrance of the old temple. The vixen looks at it with concern.
That thing is here?
It's not a "thing", it's a dragoness, and yes, she is inside.
Same thing,
The fox sight
No, not really, you will have to be polite if you want her to help you.
She turn her head, looking at him.
Help us you mean.
He turns his head slightly towards her.
Yes, help us... So put the sword back in its sheath, then on your back and put on your best smile for the show.
She smiles and shows her fangs in a predatory way, making him roll his eyes.
No, not with your fangs, Cynv
It's Cynvia, and how am I supposed to do that?
He sigh one again
Don't play dumb, I saw you with the other merchant. You know how to smile normally.
But the other merchant didn't want to eat me... except for one.
She won't... wait, what? What do you mean, except for one?
I'll tell you on the boat, we don't have time for this here.
She said, crossing her arms.
Hum ok... Anyway, so like I said, don't attack her, be nice and most importantly. Let me do the talking, that should make her more friendly towards us.
Yeah, yeah, whatever, as long as I have my blade, I don't care if she's friendly or not.
Said the vixen as she raises her shoulders with disdan
Your blade? Before we go, tell me, what is your plan is she attack you. Kill her?
Well, yes. Anything that can bleed can die.
He sighs again, rumbling his forehead.
She's a dragoness, you're not going to "kill" her like you killed a rat.
She raises her shoulder again.
It will just be harder, that's all.
Harder? You mean impossible! Have you ever seen a dragon?
No, never.
Not even in a drawing or just read about one in a book?
Yes, I had a book with a dragon in it when I was little.
So you understand that they are not to be messed with.
Well, in the story the dragon was killed by the hero. So my point still stands, we can kill her.
He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
And since when are heroes?
Since when we killed that idiot mage in the manor.
Sortor? We weren't heroes, we just saved ourselves!
It's the same thing!
No, it isn't! ... Anyway... Please just, let me talk, don't say anything offensive and don't, DON'T draw your sword, okay?
Okay, fine. If she tries anything funny. I will run and leave you behind. Happy?
Yes, very happy... Happy and stressed.
He look back at the temple entrance and take a deep breath, but it was already too long for the vixen as she sigh and decide to enter, forcing the fox to follow behind.
The door opened on a large hall with many pew looking at a huge stone throne.
Behind it was a heavy and tall wooden door, which the two approached without hesitation, but as they got closer, the silence of this place was slowly broken by the very slow and steady breathing of the thing that was on the other side. After reaching the door, the fox put his backpack on the ground and took the amulet out of it, while the vixen put her hand on the door. As she did so, the breathing stopped, leaving the temple in total silence. She looks at the fox, who nods his head as he stands up and helps her open the large squeaking door that slowly reveals the black dragoness waiting for them. Amulet in hand, the fox enters the dimly lit room first, closely followed by the vixen. The dragoness smiles when she sees the fox with the amulet in his hand.
If it is not the thief. I didn't think you'd come back with my amulet... And charged with that. It seems that my offer was interesting after all.
The fox took a cautious step forward.
Well, I would like to... change your offer... If that is not a problem, of course
The dragon lifted her head in surprise.
Change my offer? I thought you were after knowledge, after all what you told me.
It is true! I do want knowledge... It just that, well, things change
He said as he turned his eyes to the vixen who was leaning against a piece of stone. The dragoness also looked at the vixen, then back at the fox.
I see. Well, if that is so. I can exchange it for something else, but first. Tell me, little one. What do you want?
Without giving him time to answer, the vixen answered her question with a firm voice
We want to exchange it for gold, not useless information.
Once more she turned her head to the vixen, making her stand upright, looking her directly in the eyes as she clenched her fist, but the dragoness didn't do anything, she just turned her head back to the fox as he also looked at her companion, then back to the dragoness again, waiting stressingly for her to react, but nothing happened. She still looked at him. Waiting for him to speak.
Please, excuse my euh, companion. But yes, we would like some gold for the amulet... If that is possible
I could indeed give you gold for it. 2500 gold pieces should be enough
3500
said the vixen quickly
Cynv!
shouted the fox, but it did not change anything as the dragoness continued without interruption, still looking at him
Hm, your companion seems to think that too low. I can give you 2750 gold pieces and nothing more.
Deal!
The fox said quickly as he approached the dragoness. The vixen growled as she returned again the piece of stone.
Then it is settle.
She looked at the gold close to her and counted it. Then she pushes a big pile of it towards them. A good chunk falls to the ground. From those that fall, she then separates them into two chunks before finally taking a few pieces individually from the smaller chunk.
There you have it, 2750 gold pieces as promised. My part is done, now yours.
She lowered her paw to the ground, between her and the fox. She lets him slowly place the amulet on it, which he does with a strong feeling of fear. Once the job is done. He quickly returns to his backpack, as the vixen is already picking up the gold.
The amulet now in her possession, she threw it in her mouth before swallowing it, which made her emit a very light blue color from her scale, but neither of them raised their heads to see it, as they were both eagerly collecting the gold and putting it in the fox's bag. Once done, the vixen grabs the bag and slings it over her shoulder.
Thank you for your business, but we have to go.
She grabs the fox by the collar and forces him to follow her.
Yes, yes! Thank you very much!
Say the fox as he was dragued away
With pleasure, little one. If you want more gold or information. You know where to find me.
But before the fox could answer, the vixen had already pulled him out of the room. Finally let him go
You didn't have to pull me! I can walk you know!
said the fox, visibly angry.
We have our gold, and I haven't got all day. Come, we have to hide some of it before we go back
says the vixen as she continues to walk, leaving the temple towards a street full of ruined buildings.
Hide some of it? What do you mean?
I mean hide some of it. What do you not understand in this sentence?
The core of it it seems. Why hide it? The ship is big enough for it, you know.
I know
said the vixen as she looked at every house they encountered.
But... Let's say I don't feel like sharing today.
The fox thought a moment before he said.
You don't want to give Teige his share, do you?
You're a smart cookie, you know that?
The vixen said as she entered one of the ruined buildings.
It won't be a problem, will it?
The fox stopped at the entrance and let her do what she had in mind.
No, as long as I have my share, I don't care about him.
You will get it, don't worry.
She put the bag on the ground and dug a small but deep hole.
I will leave 1125 gold in the bag. When we return, you will give Teige is 10%, that is 113 gold. You will give me 30%, so 338 gold, and you keep your 664 gold. So I will leave 151 gold for you and 1587 gold for me.
I see, not a bad plan. When did you think of that?
Right after he asked for 10%. He demands way too much for his services.
The vixen said as she finished putting some of the gold into the hole.
That should be enough. There, take your bag back.
She tossed his bag back at him before closing the hole with a layer of dirt.
So you plan to come back and get it, if I understand correctly?
Good work, Detective.
And how do you plan to come back and get it? Do you remember the way?
On the lane? No, but you do, so we should be fine.
The hole now closed, the two foxes leave the ruined building and take the long way to Teige's ship.
With me? I thought it was over after this little trip. You had to go back to your village or something.
You heard her, she still wants to trade and Teige needs some help with a few deliveries. We can get a good cut of it without much effort, then come back here. Take our gold and help the dragoness for more gold.
Without much effort? Talk about yourself. You are not the one sleeping in the hold of the ship!
Well, there is still a place in Teige's bed if you want. I'm sure his feathers are soft.
Hard pass!
The vixen laughs as they continue on their way
...
The sun was setting when the two foxes finally reached the ship. The birdfolk was waiting for them, taking some time to fish. He greeted them as they came aboard.
Ah, there are my crew! I was beginning to worry. So how did your little adventure go?
Great, we got a good 1125 for it. That's a pretty good deal, isn't it, Vix?
Yes indeed. With Cynv's help we were able to get a good 125 more. She negotiated like a queen... Oh, that reminds me. I should give you your share before I forget.
As he put his back to the ground. The birdfolk ask the vixen
1125? I thought your magic thing was worth a fortune.
And it does. 1125 is not a fortune to you?
I had more like 5000 in mind, to be honest.
The vixen laughed as the fox was removing and counting Teige part from his bag
Are you kidding me? Have you never traded a magical item in your life?
No, not really. I just know they are worth a lot.
Well, let me give you a free hint. It's not because it's magical that you can buy a big house with it. I mean, a masterpiece amulet is worth 100 gold pieces. This is eleven times that. That is an amazing profit, and you know it.
And how much did you make?
I get 30%, but I was the one who killed the skeleton, walked day in the cold to load the think, and had to face a dragon, so it's normal that I have more then you.
Indeed, that seems fair. I just thought we would have more, that's all.
As the fox stood up to give the birdfolk his share, she continued
We would all like that, Teige. We would all like that very much.I'm back! We finally set sail for Claus. Got to get some seed, wheat and some mead to sell. Great, still another stupid night in this rat cave. I really hope this voyage will pay off.