The Shopkeeper's Tale

Boor grunted, clearly not convinced. “What are you willing to trade?”

Cliff looked around the forge and noticed a dormant crystal staff… missing its crystal. He assessed it and realized that a high cleric would pay a handsome sum for it once it was activated when it was complete. Luckily, he had some of those glowing crystals stored away from when one of the travelers had traded them for decent armor during his first week. He also had various types of mana crystals from Neil, who had been exploring different chambers. A smile crept across Cliff's face; he knew it was wise to advise Neil to collect any valuable loot for crafting, rather than just focusing on the main items for his quests.

“I’ll trade you the crystals I’ve been saving for my own stock. They’re enchanted and will activate that staff of yours. I bet you could fetch a good price for it in the capital.”

Boor stroked his beard, deep in thought. “If that’s the case, it still wouldn’t be enough for frostbane armor and a blazing rune sword.”

Cliff hesitated for a moment. “What if I add a few healing potions to the mix? They’d be a great addition to your stock. And you could give me a blazing rune sword that’s nearly broken. My adventurer is decent, or so he claims. He just needs a few lucky hits against monsters.” Cliff mentally noted to equip Neil with a luck-enhancing charm or maybe a stealth-boosting bracelet.

Boor paused, weighing the offer. “Alright, but you’ll have to sweeten the deal with three good healing potions instead of two. Deal?”

“Deal,” Cliff replied, extending his hand to finalize the agreement.

As he stepped out of the forge, Cliff felt a rush of satisfaction. He had successfully bartered for better equipment, feeling his merchant skills boosting. Neil was right: even if it was just small-scale bartering, it still felt invigorating to negotiate, even though a hint of doubt still lingered in his mind.

His next destination was a shop owned by a woman named Elaine. The important thing is the Elaine was someone he did not recognize.

This shop specialized in weaponry, including enchanted arrows. It was small and a bit cluttered, but Elaine's eyes lit up with enthusiasm when she spotted Cliff. “Hello! Welcome! Please come in! What brings you here? Are you looking for something special?”

Her voice was bright and inviting. Cliff reflected on how he used to share her enthusiasm. He hoped her cheer would endure for a few more months. “I’m looking for enchanted arrows for adventurers heading into the Veil. Do you have any Stormcaller arrows?” he inquired.

Elaine's demeanor shifted as she nodded, her face becoming more serious. “The Veil, huh? Sounds serious.” She clapped her hands and turned, gesturing for Cliff to follow her. From her vault, she retrieved the special arrows he sought, their surfaces cold and icy to the touch, activated only by the mark of an archer. “Just a heads up, they’re not cheap, though.”

Cliff ran his fingers over the polished arrows, feeling their energy. “I’ll give you two alchemy-gold standard mana potions and a batch of Whispergrass for a dozen of those arrows. Plus a silver sword. Plus, your shop’s banner flying on one of my adventurer’s tents.”

Elaine raised an eyebrow. No beginner merchant refused free advertising. She thought it over.

Cliff leaned in, lowering his voice. “Just imagine the future sales with more adventurers visiting your shop.”

She pondered this for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face. “Alright, merchant. You drive a hard bargain. It’s a deal.” They shook hands.

Elaine carefully wrapped the arrows in special paper and string. As he stepped out of Elaine's shop, his heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Another succesful negotiation. It gave him a renewed sense of purpose.

As the day came to an end, Cliff stood at the entrance of his shop, the evening light casting long shadows on the ground. He held the large bundle of arrows, feeling a mix of pride and anticipation. He had arranged for Dawnclaw’s delivery services to trade with the blacksmith and fellow shopkeeper, and he was waiting for that rushed delivery. The griffin swooped around his shop, effortlessly dropping off the heavy armor. She winked at him, and in return, Cliff handed her a takeout of the buttered chicken he had ordered from Fowler. Dawncalws seemed surprised but crooned in delight before soaring off.

Cliff then made his way to The Mountain’s Hearth, where the familiar sight of flickering oil lamps illuminated the night. Upon entering, he was enveloped by warmth and spotted Neil animatedly chatting with his party members at a corner table.

“Cliff!” Neil called out, his voice cutting through the din of the inn. He waved him over, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’ve been waiting for you! You won’t believe the stories I have to share.”

Cliff approached the table and set the bundle down with a soft thud. “I brought you what you needed for your journey,” he said, trying to sound casual, though excitement bubbled beneath his calm exterior.

Neil raised an eyebrow. Disbelief flashed across his face as he looked at the package. He reached for the bundle and began to unwrap it. His eyes widened as he revealed the shimmering frostbane armor. The inn fell silent as all the patrons turned to look. Even the innkeeper and his children paused in their tasks.

“Where did you get this?” Neil exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. “This is top-tier gear!”

Cliff shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. “I had to negotiate a bit. The blacksmith wasn’t going to let it go easily, but I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

“And this blazing rune sword?” Neil marveled, turning it in his hands, the blade shimmering under the inn’s warm lights. “This is incredible! You actually managed to get a blazing rune sword? I can’t believe you bartered for all of this!”

“Not just that,” Cliff continued, pride swelling in his chest as he displayed the stormcaller arrows. “I got a dozen enchanted arrows from a weapons dealer, too. She said it's designed for precision, and they should be perfect for your archer.” Neil could not stop shaking his head in disbelief, his face a mix of admiration and shock. “Cliff, you’ve really outdone yourself. I always knew you had it in you, but I never expected you to pull this off. This is...”

“Necessary,” Cliff interjected, waving his hand dismissively. “You’re heading into a dangerous place. You need the best equipment.”

“Necessary? This is more than I could have hoped for!” Neil grinned, giving Cliff a hearty slap on the back that nearly sent him stumbling. “Fowler! Bring a tankard of your spiced honeyed mead for my friend here!”

Laughter erupted as everyone raised their mugs and tankards in Cliff's honor. Fowler and Kellan pressed him for details, and Cliff blushed under their gaze. The music swelled, louder than before. Sometime later, Kellan nudged Mila from behind the counter. She swatted his arm away and stormed off, her cheeks flushed. Cliff felt a warm glow spread through him, the thrill of accomplishment washing over him in quiet waves.

“I just thought about what you might need, and I made a few calls. You could say I’m dusting off my old merchant skills.”

“Dusting off? More like setting off a wildfire!” Neil chuckled, his excitement contagious. “This gear is going to make a huge difference. We’re going to leave our mark in the Veil, I can feel it!”

Cliff watched as Neil’s enthusiasm ignited his own flickering hopes. “But you have to keep Elaine’s shop banner flying high while you’re camping there.” Neil nodded, understanding. “I’ll wave her shop’s carpet and curtains if I have to.”

Cliff chuckled as Neil's archer and cleric party members arrived. They stared, confused at the rowdy merrymaking, and their eyes widened when they saw their new equipment. However, when the cleric mentioned that she would spread the word about his shop to thank him, Cliff stood up and gently but firmly told her that it wasn’t necessary. She left with the archer, looking a bit confused but polite.

Neil frowned, ready to speak, but Cliff interrupted him. “Just be careful out there,” he said, his tone serious.

“I don’t want to hear about you rushing into danger just because you have some shiny new gear.”

Neil waved a dismissive hand, grinning. “No promises, my friend. But I’ll make sure to keep these safe."

"And remember to loot as much as your inventory can carry. I’m counting on you to keep my shop stocked." Neil chuckled and agreed, of course.

"We’ll celebrate when I get back,” Neil said.

Cliff felt a warmth spread through him. And there they say, happy, laughing, excitedly discussing Neil's upcoming adventure. He had wanted this for so long, Cliff thought. I am so happy for him.