Elydes Chapter 88: The Greatest Haggler

Chapter 88 The Greatest Haggler

Outside the Sage Tree, a morning breeze greeted them.

Co, mister. This way. Flynn started walking without missing a beat.

Do you even know where to go? Kai questioned.

Sure do. rchants Terla and Revhani, looked them up already. The boy tapped the side of his head. I thought you knew by now Ive got a great mory.

Youre so full of shit I don't know what to think half the ti.

Of course, how could I ever forget. Kai gestured to him to lead the way.

Which one do we go first, mister?

Stop calling that, or you wont get a broken chip.

Where do you want to go first, my dearest friend Kai?

Mhmm lets do rchant Terla. She got here yesterday, and it would probably take less ti. The budget for her order was 12 silvers, less than half the second order. He could take the chance to test if there was so truth to Flynns ridiculous boasts.

Yes, boss. He said, taking a sharp turn left.

There werent many tourists around, locals took advantage of the early hour to get their errands done. A mother in her thirties was bragging about her son passing the selection to two won, who indulged her with strained expressions.

Loud voices filled the air as stands appeared on both sides of the road. Young and old people shouted the value of their wares. Gravel crunched under their feet as they proceeded down the market.

A small crowd of half a dozen people gathered around a fish seller. Curious, Kai stopped in front of the booth to see.

Taking center stage was a two-ter-long fish with a yellow fin. A thin trickle of blood poured out of the hole near his empty eye, where a harpoon must have dealt the killing blow. Faint traces of mana slowly evaporated in the air. The body unable to maintain the sa energy density in death.

High-red grade at least. Killed maybe two hours ago.

The bird of prey he killed had been just as strong. But fighting a fish in his ho ground added an ulterior layer of difficulty.

If you want to buy a cut, its better we stop by later. Unless you dont care about overpaying. Flynn interjected from behind.

Kai shook his head. Just browsing. With all those shops, I didnt think there would also be such a large market.

What he saw was already on par with Greenside and it kept going. Fishes and mollusks from the Shallow Sea gave way to a larger share of vegetables, fruits and agricultural products. In a proud minority, plenty of ats from Veeryd were displayed on long stalls. Small colorful parrots chirped in cages. A large rodent, like the one he foughtbut not awakenedbit at the bars of his enclosure. Its destiny probably far grimr than the cute birds.

Shops in poshtown are for tourists and people loaded with coins. We ordinary folk cant afford them. Theres another market in the outskirts if youre interested. Their goods cant compete, but they have cheaper prices and ask less questions.

That didnt sound shady at all.

Kai nodded along. Maybe later.

They left the bustle of the market for a quieter street. Flynn hopped a few steps ahead and made a short bow, beckoning him forward with a wide flourish of his arm. Welco to the rchant quarter, Kai.

Painted in muted tones, the high building looked plain after the colorful market. Few windows, and even fewer embellishnts. The louder sounds of life still ca from the sellers they left behind.

Well, its just warehouses and a few private residences. Flynn explained. They stay uninhabited for most of the year since rchants are often away doing rchant things. Not much actual business is done here.

If Kais orientation wasnt failing him, the shopping district in poshtown was just a few blocks over. It would have probably been faster if they went through there instead of the market. Avoiding the place was probably second nature for Flynn.

Well, greatest haggler in Yanlun, its ti to see your legendary skills at work.

All the other rchants they had dealt with owned establishnts around town or set up shop near the docks. These last two were different. Elijahs list contained no information apart from nas and total budget.

Three blocks over, they reached a pale green residence. The walls and gate were decorated with intricate geotric motives in darker colors that stood out even more against its discreet neighbors.

You know, it would be a great incentive if you could spare a small tip, Flynn said.

Ill think about it after you actually do sothing useful.

My five little sisters are very hungry

You should have told your mother had twin sisters in the last hour.

It was a very sudden childbirth. Flynn nodded seriously. No one expected it.

Sure Why dont we get going, or your sisters wont be the only ones going hungry tonight.

Yes, boss.

A man with a rigid deanor stood guard by the inner door beyond the gate, his steely gaze fixed on them.

Hello, friend. This the residence of rchant Terla, right? Flynn said with a friendly smile.

The man ca closer and grunted a nod. His inky hair reflected a green shade against the morning light.

Kai here has business with your master. Flynn patted Kais shoulder, no hesitation in his voice.

The guard scanned them from top to bottom. The silence stretched. He couldnt say if it was thanks to Flynns confidence or if he had been warned beforehand, but they didnt get sent away.

Have you proof of identity? The man said in a thick accent Kai didnt recognize.

Taking out his ID, the guard squinted at the paper.

Wait here. He disappeared inside and ca back seconds later and opened the gate. Captain Terla is waiting for you.

Flynn shared a look with him, and Kai shrugged. There had been enough surprises for his first visit to Sylspring, he didnt think Elijah would also make him deal with difficult or dangerous people. And if he did, they had seen enforcers patrolling a street over.

Awareness alerted him of soone observing. But whoever they were, they had no hostile intentions. The guard led them through the main entrance. The geotric motifs continued inside together with an herbal sll vaguely reminiscent of incense. Down a corridor, they entered a room.

A middle-aged woman with green hair a few shades lighter sat behind a mahogany desk. She raised her gaze from the letter she was writing. Her eye moved over Flynn to stop upon him. A red leather eyepatch covered her left orbit. Naturally, there was one, and only one reason anyone would wear an eyepatch.

Pirate!

Kai Tylenn, I presu? I was expecting you. Please take a seat. rchant Terla greeted them with a smile and a barely perceptible accent. Her warm voice and poised attitude resembled an affable lady next door, not a raider of the sea.

Damn, I wanted a pirate! it would have been so cool.

Thats , pleased to make your acquaintance. Kai shook her hand, trying to hide his disappointnt.

There were two chairs, so Kai gestured to Flynn to sit beside him. Knowing the boy, he would have done it anyway. With a bit of luck, he might give the illusion Flynn was his attendant muddy the waters.

Can I offer you sothing to drink? Or eat? She offered a tray of sweets.

Id love o Kai grabbed Flynns arm to stop him.

Were fine, thank you. He said while his companion pouted in silence.

The rchant knew more about him than vice versa. He couldnt lower his guard this easily. She might still be a pirate in hiding after all. Scanning her with Mana Sense bore no result, or better, it made no sense. Her mana network looked clouded and bent in strange shapes.

Another cloaking technique. I should have studied the old book Dora gave more.

There had been no point wasting ti on that at the estate, visiting a town changed his priorities. Despite the enforcer telling him only people with sothing to hide cloaked their grades during the registration process, the reality was far different. Ironically the biggest group was among the Republics officials, a lot of them sent back confounding results. A significant share of tourists and many rchants did too.

Kai deactivated his skill. He might be able to pierce the veil given ti and attention. However, the more focus he put the easier it was for soone to perceive his touch. Uncovering rchant Terla's grades was to satisfy his curiosity more than anything else. It wasnt worth the risk of offending her.

There was no condescension in the womans tone because of his age. Kai learned green hair was a defining feature of the natives of the Shattered Isles. He only had a vague idea of where they were locate. Before he could extract more information, an attendant carried five small wooden boxes and left them on the table between them.

A crafty glint shone in the quiet rchants eyes. It wasnt easy, but I managed to find all the goods your master ordered. The pollen of an aqua lotus is extrely hard to source in this season, to not even ntion the dried essence of a storm eel or the roots of

Kai had no idea of the nature of any of those materials, let alone their market price. No doubt it was all part of Elijahs challenge.

Luckily, its not my problem. Here goes the power of delegation!

Flynn. With a glance, Kai let the boy take over the negotiations. rchant Terlas eyes shifted between them, quickly switching her pitch to the other boy. All Kai had to do was sit back and watch.

Elijah might want him to gain experience dealing with rchants. With no details given, it was up to his interpretation, and he chose to complete his task in the most efficient way possible. No one could be good at everything; Kai couldnt imagine Elijah would disagree with delegating a task to soone more capableunless that task was fighting.

If Flynn was a tenth as good as he proclaid, Kai would learn as much from seeing him at work against a rchant, while also getting a better deal. Given he would pay the boy based on how much money he helped him save, Kai was confident Flynn would not hold anything back.

The mask of the friendly lady next door rapidly fell away as the negotiations proceeded. Their voices rose more heated as numbers were thrown around. Kai considered himself a decent haggler, but he never enjoyed the tedious back and forth. Especially when he was outmatchedand few people were worse than a professional rchant.

What he really liked the most was saving money. If he could do that without lifting a finger, all the better. Observing from the sidelines was fun too. Flynn seed determined to save till the last chip. Kai got comfortable in his seat and enjoyed the show.

Is this what its like having people do all the work for you while you stand back and relax?

Half an hour of a sweaty shouting match later, they walked out of the residence with their goods. The final price had been 9 silver sars, 21 coppers and 70 chips out of their budget of 12 silvers. Even knowing the butler, he must have given him so wiggle room with the money, Kai felt pretty good about it. Elijah wasnt that generous.

Flynn was loudly munching on the sweets he sohow snatched from Terla when no one was looking.

Noticing his gaze, the boy put his hand over the stash in his pocket. Im not sharing. His words ca out mumbled due to all the candies he stuffed in his mouth.

Kai rolled his eyes. Good job.

Oh Thanks. Flynn swallowed the sweets. I had to uphold my honor as the greatest haggler the world has ever seen!

Kai smiled at his galomaniac friend, Then I guess, I wont need to pay you. What are so dirty, cold coins compared to the glory?

I an, if it was just for but my six little sisters caught a cold last night. I could really use a little change.

Kai extended an empty hand, hinting at his stolen sweets.

You could have taken your own, Flynn grumbled, putting a single pink sugar cube in his hand. Kai gave him a long look, reciprocating with a single copper chip.

This isnt what we agreed.

We agreed youd be paid at the end. Still, one rchant to go. This was for the candy.

Even that sugar cube was worth more than that.

Maybe in a shop, but I have to take into consideration the risk of buying stolen goods. Kai put the pink cube in his mouth, leaving behind a fuming Flynn.

Mhmmm. Raspberry. I should have taken a handful too.

After so dramatic protest, and a few tears, the best haggler in the world accepted Kai would not budge and hurried towards their destination. rchant Revhani had arrived last night, so they hoped to find him near the docks.

The two kids made their way through the swarm of people that filled the streets. Asking around they found the Prosperathe rchants vesseland tracked down the owner near a warehouse.

They were arguing with a grouchy sailor to warn his captain when an unexpected voice sounded behind them.

Long ti no see, Kai.

A young rfolk was strolling towards him with a white pointy smile. The passersby spared him a few glances before continuing their way.

Reishi.

The rchants smile widened. What are you doing here, my friend? You know, competent apothecaries are very scarce. Your skills must have grown since last ti. What do you think about another commission, I promise you wont lose out.

Flynn did ntion sothing about rfolk this morning. With all the nonsense the boy spouted, he had not given it much thought.

Should have known it was him, there must not be many rn in the archipelago.

Unfortunately, I have to leave Sylspring soon after I complete my masters tasks. Maybe so other ti. Kai ant it. Last ti things got a bit wild, but he also made good money. It would be nice to have so coin of his own again.

Are you sure you cant spare a week or just a few days?

Kai shook his head. Sorry.

Thats too bad. I guess it cant be helped. What are you doing in front of my warehouse?

Your

Master Reishi, a large man dressed in excessive layers of red silk hurried from the warehouse, his triple chin bouncing with each step.

Is that kid bothering you? What are you doing just standing there? Help master Reishi! The man yelled at the grouchy sailor who observed the whole exchange in silence.

Kais my guest, Revhani. The rman said with an unexpected authoritative tone, then sighed lowering his voice to a whisper. You cant imagine how hard is to find competent people around here.

My apologies, master Reishi. I

It doesnt matter. Lets go inside. Do you have ti for so tea and a chat, Kai?

I have so goods to pay and pick up with rchant Revhani.

Guess I might squeeze in a discount with a bit of luck.

Oh Reishi exclaid in realization. Should have guessed it was for you. Who else would have ordered a Water sphere in the archipelago.