Entering Alvis Alchemy with the others, Gregory was surprised that the many scents filling the shop did not conflict with each other. Each herb’s smell melded with the others, yet remained distinct enough that it could be singled out.
“Welcome,” the middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted them with a professional smile. “How might I help you?”
“My daughter and her friend are novices,” Hao said without greeting, “I’m looking for items to help them grow in power and skill.”
The woman’s smile grew wider, “Certainly, sir. Might I ask their ranking?”
“Why does that matter?” Yoo-jin asked.
“Powder that would boost a third circle ranked novice would not be as effective for someone in the seventh circle, but something meant for the seventh circle could hurt one of the third.”
“Sixth, both of us,” Yukiko answered.
“And during the first tournament? You must both have had good training,” the woman said. “It never hurts to have more than what a clan might support you with.”
“I’m looking to see them stocked from now until the next tournament,” Hao said easily.
The shopkeeper just stared at him for a long moment, then her smile grew wider. “I’ll be happy to assist. As sixth tier, they are likely to reach into the first circle of apprentice by then. Six months of powders, pills, and the like…” The woman looked into the middle distance for a moment. “What path do you each follow?” she asked after a moment.
“Why does that matter?” Yoo-jin asked again, but a little sharper this time.
“It doesn’t, overall, but some of our items can give an extra boost to one on a specific path.”
“I doubt it will matter enough,” Hao said with a bored expression. “Can you do it, and if you can, how much will it cost?”
“We can manage your request, sir, but it would be best if we could have the supplies delivered each week. The fresher they are, the better it is for them. As for the cost—”
“Wait,” Hao cut her off. “If you are willing to sign a contract, I will set up an account for the costs. This way, you are adequately compensated if prices fluctuate and I know that the vela is being spent as needed.”
Gregory listened to them talk with raised eyebrows, shocked at what he imagined the cost would be. Yukiko took his hand briefly, smiling at him. Exhaling softly, Gregory tried to get over his shock, realizing this was what the rest of the shopping trip was likely going to be like.
“I would need the owner to approve of that deal,” the woman said slowly. “Are you willing to wait a moment?”
“We have other stops to make,” Hao said with a disappointed air.
“Please, sir, just give me one minute,” she begged him.
“Very well.”
A minute passed, and Hao motioned them toward the door. A few seconds later, the woman came bursting into the room, just as Lin opened the door.
“Wait, sir, please! He’s coming,” she gasped.
Hao paused before sighing, “Very well.”
Lin shut the door again after giving the driver a wave.
A grumpy-looking man with squinty eyes came into the shop from behind the counter. “I’m Aldor Alvis. Who wished to see me?”
“I’m Hao Warlin,” Hao replied, staring the man down.
“Warlin? The merchant?”
“My name is known, it seems,” Hao chuckled without humor.
“Not many can break with a great clan,” the man said, looking more respectful. “How might my humble shop help?”
Hao explained again what he wanted and Aldor nodded along with him, agreeing right away to an account to handle the transfer of vela as each order was delivered. Aldor quickly put together a package for each of them— leaves for bedtime and pills for the morning. Hao signed over a bond to Aldor for the items delivered now, and began penning a contract for the deal.
“Jin, please take them to the next shop, then send the carriage back for me. I’ll be along once this is signed,” Hao asked his wife.
“Yes, husband. Come now, let us see what else we can do for you,” Yoo-jin smiled as she led them from the shop.
Lin had just gotten them into the carriage when a bracelet on his wrist glowed soft gold for a moment. “Good, they will be with him shortly,” Lin sighed as he closed the door.
“What was that?” Gregory asked as the carriage began to roll.
“We have bracelets that let us summon our guards to us. Each one glows different colors depending on what sort of summons it is,” Yoo-jin explained, showing Gregory a silver bracelet with six gems set into it. “Hao sent a minor summons. Five of our men should be with him shortly.”
“It also helps guide them?” Gregory asked.
“Of course. It would be worthless, otherwise,” Yoo-jin smiled.
Gregory fell silent as he again tried to imagine the amount of vela Yukiko’s family had for them to speak so casually of enchanted jewelry that cost more than his village.
~*~*~
At Hemet’s Curiosities, Gregory wondered what the old man would say and what Yoo-jin would do. Hemet came into the shop proper when the bell at the front rang, his pace slow and dignified, allowing him time to look over the group.
“It is good to see you again, miss. What can I do for you today?” Hemet said, directing his question to Yukiko.
“I would like to see the best items you have for them,” Yoo-jin said, stepping forward. “I am Yoo-jin Warlin, wife to Hao Warlin, head of Warlin Mercantile.”
Hemet bowed his head to her, “A pleasure. I’m glad this is a pleasant visit and not one where you try to get the bond back.”
Yoo-jin laughed, “That would be amusing for you, I’m sure. The bank would balk at even the thought, since I’m sure my daughter sealed it properly.”
“She did,” Hemet smiled. “What kind of enchantments are they needing?”
Yoo-jin looked back at Yukiko, “You would know better than I.”
“Anything that might negate the Eternal Flame,” Yukiko said bluntly. “Besides that, it will depend on how much my parents are willing to spend. I know that there is a limit to how much we can use, as our aether would be pressed under the weight of your more advanced items.”
“Yes. Not many novices consider that,” Hemet nodded. “Very well, please give me a few moments. Would you care for some tea while I retrieve items of merit?”
“Yes,” Yoo-jin said as she looked around the shop, “and three chairs.”
Hemet bowed his head deeply, “As the customer wishes.”
~*~*~
The three had finished their tea when the door opened and Hao entered the shop. “Looks busy,” Hao chuckled.
As if summoned by Hao, Hemet returned with a display case. “Ah, this must be the master Warlin,” Hemet said, bowing his head after seeing Hao with his hand on Yoo-jin’s shoulder.
“Indeed,” Hao replied. “What do you have to show us?”
“I have a few things,” Hemet replied. “I have two rings of silver with ruby chips, which will reduce the heat of any flame within three feet of the wearer. They were made by enchanter Flem years ago when the Han Merchant Exchange almost went to war with the Eternal Flame.”
“I’m fairly certain those rings were never sold,” Hao said thoughtfully.
“The finished products haven’t been,” Hemet chuckled. “These are two of his early attempts. They won’t stop the flame, but will reduce its effect. A novice is unlikely to have a flame of sufficient power to overcome these. The drawback is, of course, the need for the enchantment to replenish. These do so by drawing aether from bane cores that are touched to them.”
“I see why he let them go; they are flawed twice over,” Hao nodded.
“Yet priceless for a pair of novices who will face the chosen of the Eternal Flame in the coming days,” Hemet replied easily.
“What else?” Hao asked.
“I have a pair of bracelets that will give the wearers a few seconds of shielding. They must have aether poured into them to recharge them. Not easy for a novice to do, and would take a month to replenish them entirely. With practice, they can be used a single second at a time or even less, I’m told.”
“No time for them to get used to them during the tournament, then,” Hao shrugged.
“What of these earrings? They will hold aether, allowing the magi to have some aether to spare beyond what they have cultivated their flames to handle.” He pointed to two white metallic studs that were capped with sapphire chips.
“Mythrum,” Hao said, looking at them, “expensive.”
“But the only known metal that allows for aether to be stored,” Hemet replied easily. “These can easily hold a lower apprentice’s capacity.”
“Extra expensive,” Hao laughed.
Hemet cracked a smile and nodded, “I was asked for the best I have for them. This is the jewelry. If you give me a moment, I will have the last item brought out.”
“By all means,” Hao said.
Hemet was only gone a few seconds, returning with a pair of white leather gloves. “Glacial bear leather, infused with the powdered bane core from that same bear. These gloves will cause those touched by them to feel the arctic chill.”
“An edge in hand to hand, to be sure,” Hao mused.
“These are the best I can muster right now for novices.”
“Yu, what do you think?” Hao asked.
“Depending on their prices, they could all be useful. The first two rings are potentially the most useful right now, as we are sure to run into at least one person favored by the Eternal Flame who will have their necklace.”
“The rings are rare, very rare in fact, outside of the Han clan,” Hemet replied.
“Them, the bracelets, and earrings. How much?” Hao asked.
“One hundred thousand vela,” Hemet replied.
Hao chuckled, “Interesting. I’m assuming you’re figuring each ring at ten, each bracelet at fifteen, and the earrings at fifty. Yes?” Hemet did his best to appear unflustered, but Hao chuckled. “Yes, I thought so. I’ll give you seventy.”
“Seventy?” Hemet asked evenly. “I might do ninety, but much less than that is nearly impossible.”
“My daughter said I would like you,” Hao smiled. “Seventy-five, because you have done right by her before.”
“Eighty-five?”
“Eighty,” Hao replied, pulling out a scroll and inkwell. “I’ll sign the bond right now.”
Hemet shook his head, “Who am I to tell a man no when his daughter is with him?”
“You wouldn’t be a richer man,” Hao replied as he began to fill out the bond. “Yu, come collect the items.”
“Yes, Father,” Yukiko said, getting to her feet.
Gregory swallowed hard, still trying to deal with how much money Hao was throwing down on their behalf tonight, and they had only stopped twice so far.
“Your ring and bracelet, Greg,” Yukiko said, holding them out to him.
“Huh?” Gregory replied, blinking at her.
A soft smile came to her as she looked down at him. “Shocked?”
“Yes. I’m starting to realize just how much farther out of my reach you should have been.”
“I’m glad I wasn’t and that you accepted me.”
Gregory matched her smile and took the offered items, slipping them on before standing up. “Accepted you? More like happy to be caught by you.”
“Children, let’s step outside,” Yoo-jin said, ushering them away.
~*~*~
The next stop was Lagrand Clothiers, which did not take long, though again, Gregory had difficulty with the amount of vela being thrown around. Yukiko and he were both getting a wardrobe of clothing, including three more novice uniforms so they could be in perfectly clean uniforms no matter what might happen. The clothing would not be ready for a week, so Hao arranged to have it delivered to the academy for them.
The sun was setting when the carriage came to a halt outside their last stop. Hao stepped out and turned to face them with a broad smile. Yoo-jin shook her head at him as she stepped out. Yukiko paused halfway out before sighing, “Father, really?”
Gregory was hesitant to step out but did, his eyes climbing up the front of the building. “You aren’t serious?”
“But I am,” Hao replied, completely serious. “They might not have anything, but while the tournament is going on is when they hold the best auctions. I will be coming back every night to check. If you’d like to head to dinner instead, that is up to you.”
“I would feel better if we stayed and made sure he behaved himself,” Yoo-jin said.
“Yes, he does get a bit excited during auctions,” Yukiko agreed.
Shaking his head, Gregory followed them up the stairs as Hao tried to protest their claims, but not strenuously enough to truly deny it. Entering together, they were immediately met by a young woman who wore a bright smile.
“Greetings, the auction is already underway. Did you wish to attend?”
“Is there a box open?” Hao asked, his tone aloof.
“We still have two open, sir, but they cost thirty thousand vela to use. That cost is deducted from your first purchase.”
“You accept bonds, yes?”
“If they are properly backed,” she replied, nodding.
“Show us to the box. If it is acceptable, I will take it for my family.”
“Follow me, sir.”
They were led up to the second floor and down a thickly-carpeted hall before she brought them to a door. Opening it, she stepped aside, “The paddle to bid is on the foremost chair.”
Entering the room, Hao and Yoo-jin examined the box that looked down on the auction floor. Gregory took a deep breath, doing his best to accept what was happening tonight, as he looked at the thick velvet padded chairs and silver lanterns attached to the walls. Yukiko stayed beside him, not holding his hand, but as close as she could be. Lin stepped inside the door and to the side, staying against the wall.
“Yes, this will work,” Hao said, returning to the woman. “Do you wish to have a bond now, or can we handle it after so I can just add in any purchases?”
“We will take three thousand vela as a deposit with the bond at the end,” she replied.
“We’d like some refreshments, as well,” Yoo-jin said with a sniff, pulling a small folding fan from her obi.
“Yes, madam. Did you have a preference?”
“Something light, a wine perhaps…? No, that won’t do, magi and alcohol don’t mix well. A berry tea.”
“Right away,” the woman bowed as she took the money from Hao.
Lin shut the door behind her as she left, and the others took their seats. Yoo-jin picked up the bidding paddle before Hao could take it. Hao frowned, but sighed when Yoo-jin met his eyes.
“Yes, I know. I still regret some of those purchases.”
“Luckily for you, we were able to sell most of what you bought and so we didn’t lose that much money,” Yoo-jin replied with a fond smile. “I’m not going to give you the chance to make that near mistake again.”
“What do we do?” Gregory whispered to Yukiko.
“If you see something you think is worthy, just let Mother know,” Yukiko replied as she placed her hand on his. “She will do her best to get it,” she added, looking at her father, “within reason, that is.”
“Even my own daughter,” Hao sighed theatrically.
“Sir, there is a reason we haven’t gone near an auction house in the last five years,” Lin added.
“Our next item up for bid is a relic from the Eurtik Empire,” a deep voice announced from the stage. “It was held in a private collection until two months ago. A pair of handwraps, enchanted to turn the hands into shadow panther paws, with the four inch claws they are known for. We will start the bidding at fifty thousand vela.”
