The shelves were a collection of rainbows. Claude picked up something that looked suspiciously like a bamboo tube. It glowed like spring grass. He focused on it and noticed soft lines etched into its surface, runes on the inner surface of the tube.

A water accumulator. It fills up over the course of a day, and contains one persons daily rations. Its essential for long journey or expeditions. Its priceless to people that do a lot of field work, Hurian half-whispered over his shoulder.

Claude put the tube down again.

Why use it at all? A simple spell is more than enough to do that a dozen times over without even breaking a sweat.

Its not much use to magi, true. But what about people who cant use magic? Its just one crown, too.

Did he really just say it was just one crown? Claudes fists clenched slightly by his side. He could make them himself and the materials wouldnt even cost three riyas per tube, but Hurian was trying to make him pay a whole crown fifty riyas? Cheap Claudes arse!

A magical alarm, Hurian chimed when Claude picked up a small golden cicada, It rings the moment someone activates a spell within five metres. A thale, a crown for six.

So it was Appraisal crossed with a whistle? The mechanism was quite simple, really. A circuit of three runes worked together to make it work. An appraisal rune triggered when magic was used within its effective range, triggering a kind of telekinesis rune Claude didnt recognise, which pushed a reed down over a small tube in the cicada, as well as the third rune, a rune Claude vaguely recognised as being a variant of a wind spell, which no doubt blew air through the tube, making the reed vibrate and the cicada whistle.

The old merchant made it sound wondrous, but it was really not worth much. If a magi got that close without being detected, one with bad intentions, that cicada was not going to save your life. And you were a real fool if you let a hostile magi get that close in the first place.

An axe. Its enchanted with Sharpen. Its deadlier than your average axe, of course. I have one enchanted with Toughen as well, itll last longer.

The two continued their dance thusly up and down the shelves for several dozen minutes. Claude would pick something up, and Hurian was chime in his ear, doing his best to convince him to buy it, without appearing pushy. Claude used the dance to learn some more about various magic stuff. For one, for example, he learned that enchanted weapons had a glow tied to their enchantment. Sharpen was white, Toughen was grey.

It made him wonder about his dagger. It had a black glow, unlike everything else he saw in the shop. Maybe it was poisoned? No, he remembered reading poison had a putrid-green glow.

These are never-lose sewing needles, Hurian continued.

Never-lose?

Claude had to stifle a chortle. What use did he have for such a thing? The needles were in a small silver container, stabbed into a piece of cork.

Yes, Hurians mercantile voice chimed again, Some people have a tendency to misplace things. These return to their container if left alone for a while. As long as theyre within a couple of metres from the container, theyll magically reappear in it. Its the perfect gift for mothers and wives.

Claude fought back another chortle. He was really just describing a particularly far-reaching magnet. Really now, couldnt they do something more interesting?

His eyes glazed over as he lost interest. He scurried around a few more times, picking up only a couple more random items, then stopped. His eyes stuck on a metal crossbow.

This? he asked, reaching for it.

Eifreys Vengeance.

Was that supposed to mean something?

Its name. Eifreys an infamous pirate. He died a century ago in a mutiny. He made extensive use of this crossbow throughout his career, and it tasted a lot of blood in his final minutes. It got its name from that mutiny.

It has three enchantments; Toughen, Rustproof, and Restoration. The strongest crossbows are made of mithril steel, but they dont last long. Toughen slows that, and Restoration repairs the wear. Mithril rusts easily as well, hence Rustproof.

Claude was more intrigued by the delicate, intricate design than any of its enchantments. It could even be called alluring. The enchantments were nice, but unnecessary. All that was really needed was better materials. Steel, for example, stainless steel would solve all the problems at once. There was no need for Toughen, Rustproof, or Restoration, so he could enchant it with more useful things.

Thats it? Whats the price?

One shaliun.

Claude nearly lost his lower jaw. His Aubass was far more effective and only cost six crowns. How on earth was this worth a shaliun?

Too expensive. Ill pay three crowns at most.

Its an enchanted crossbow. It cant be compared with normal weapons! Hurian snapped.

Enchanted, sure, but with three rubbish enchantments. It might be worth a shaliun if it could make its bolts home on a target, or if it was exceedingly accurate, maybe if it was much stronger than a musket. As it is now its barely more than a nice-looking, durable, normal crossbow. Come to think of it why am I even willing to pay three crowns?

Fine, three crowns! Hurian quickly shut him up.

How far can it shoot?

Ten metres.

Ten? Are you kidding me?! The bolts?

Sold separately.

Claudes jaw fell of for real this time. He stared at the man, jawless, for several long, silent seconds, then put the crossbow back.

Ill throw in six mithril bolts enchanted with Sharpen! Hurian crumbled.

Fine. Damnit, why did I make such a stupid offer? Claude sighed.

He wasnt happy, but he had to admit he wasnt completely rueful. He could at least experiment on the mithril and try to make steel.

Everythings packed, Hurian said a few minutes later, When will you settle the bill?

Claude reached for his pocket, and froze. He hadnt brought anything with him.

My original intention wasnt to buy anything today. I wanted to take a look today and come back tomorrow if I found anything worthwhile. If you can hold it for me till tomorrow Ill come pay you then. How much for everything? Claude said in as calm a voice as he could.

Are you kidding me?! Hurian asked, his warm smile vanishing, Youre just here to waste my time!

You honestly think Id bring that much money into a shop Id never been in? Im not stupid.

Hurians face went blank. What Claude said was exactly what he wouldve done himself.

Fine, but only for three days. They go back on the shelves if you havent paid in three days. And then I wont do business with you again.

Claude nodded.

My teacher is back in three days and I need to finish the array before then, so dont worry. Ill be back tomorrow with the money.

The two parted ways, and Hurian locked up the shop before returning to the mulberry tree.

Whatd he want? a bearded man asked.

A few ingredients, much the same list as yours, Hurian answered.

The four sitting around the table exchanged rogue glances. Rogue magi or not, Hurian and they were good acquaintances, if not friends.

What did he want? another asked.

Hes done a good job disguising himself, but he oozes inexperience. Hes very young; no older than twenty. He has a teacher and this teacher has several other disciples. Hes apparently destroyed his teachers array and needs to make another one before he returns. Do you know of any rogue magi in town with several disciples?

None Ive heard of.

Not sure

The remaining two shook their heads.

Whatever. Well find out in time. He said his teacher was informed of my opening by the capital. Well interact with them more in the future. Hell at least come buy more materials for his experiments, I know that much for certain.

The bearded man smiled.

You made a killing tonight, yes? Arrays arent cheap. I dont have enough savings for one even now

Only killing being done is on your arse! Anyway the fat merchant downed his cup of wine, He didnt bring any money along. He said hell come pay tomorrow. I cant be sure whether hes lying or not Agh, whatever. Youre leaving tomorrow, yes? Lets drink to your departure, then!