Evening, 44th of Spring, 515AV
He’d been in Riverfall for a day and the city held endless delights. The air streamed with nearly tangible scents that drifted from the flowers and herbs and spices that bloomed practically everywhere. The Akalaks were practically everywhere, at least, comparatively speaking. It actually made it hard to see some of the other people scattered throughout the streets. The Akalaks always towered above everyone else, and their proud, and though Orin would never say this to anyone, haughty expressions were hard to ignore. The only exception to this was the rare woman who passed through, and for her it was like a sea parted. Orin didn’t really see what the big deal was, although if this was how all Akalaks treated women, it certainly explained why Aren seemed so devoted to Sayana and why the man was so infuriatingly overprotective of her. It wasn’t an excuse though and it certainly didn’t make Orin feel any more charitable towards the mercenary. They’d reached an uneasy truce before Orin left, and he figured that was as good as it was going to get.
Still, the day was too nice and Riverfall was too splendid and mysterious for Orin to get bogged down in grim thoughts for long. Although he would be more than content simply to wander around and take in the sights, he couldn’t. For one, he’d get lost immediately and was far too shy and intimidated to ask anyone here for directions. With their bearing and their rich clothes and dangerous qualities they seemed almost unapproachable. But the other, and far more important reason, was that Orin was on a mission. Before he’d left on this crazy and completely unplanned trip he’d started, in his own strange way, working on using a quarterstaff. He didn’t know why, but something about the weapon appealed to him. Maybe it was because the few times he’d seen someone using it in The Fighter’s Pits they’d taken on opponents that looked much larger and tougher than them and trounced them. So, in some strange way, the staff had become a weapon that Orin felt he could use to take on potential bullies. Maybe it was a stupid thought but it probably couldn’t hurt for Orin to pick up another weapon either. After all, while he was getting more comfortable with his daggers and throwing knives, he needed a weapon that had more range than his blades but he didn’t have to toss away to use. And the quarterstaff was perfect for that.
He’d gotten directions from one of the sailors who knew the city infinitely better than Orin himself did. As he mentally recited the turns he was supposed to take, he kept half an eye on his surroundings. He couldn’t get enough of the domes. They were quite unlike anything Orin had ever seen before. In Syliras, most rooms had either flat or peaked roofs, and although some cottages in Mithryn were round, they didn’t go anywhere near as high as the domes did. Nor did they have the elaborate artwork and carvings that these had, in a variety of geometric and artistic shapes. More than once Orin had been taken in by the swirls, curves, and lines they presented. Not today though, since his full focus was on making sure he got from the docks to the store without mishap. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity in the winding and unfamiliar streets, he arrived in front of what had to be the Arma’Drex Smithy. Despite the whitewash, the vents stained the walls black and gray with soot. Orin entered inside gingerly. There were two rooms, one on either side, each manned by an Akalak. The right side was filled with mannequins covered in scraps of armor of all kinds. The left though, was Orin’s destination. The glass counter held smaller weapons in its grasp, while the larger weapons lined the walls behind the giant blue man.
One more step took him over the threshold and into the lair of the weaponsmith. While Orin stood there just taking it all in, the Akalak spoke up, his voice gruff and unapologetic. ”Well boy? What’ll it be. I haven’t got all day you know.” Orin gulped, slightly terrified. He didn’t want to upset an Akalak in a room full of weapons though, so he quickly gave his request. ”I’d like some sheathes for my daggers, sir. And, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like a staff.” The proprietor gave him a once over, then pulled a shelf out of his counter and set it before Orin. On it were all manner of scabbards for weapons of various sizes. Orin took his blades out, and started trying out the scabbards. Soon enough, he had something to hold both of his daggers and his throwing knives. However, he quickly realized he had a dilemma, since he had no place to attach them. Almost by magic, a belt appeared in the hands of the shopkeeper. ”Oh thank you!” Orin grinned as he slid the belt on, then attached all his brand new scabbards.
The Akalak didn’t seem to register his response as he kept his eyes on his weapons. Finally, he tugged down what looked like an iron bar from the wall, where it had been nestled between spears of various sorts. Orin immediately held up his hands in protest. ”No no, a quarterstaff. This is far too much for me.” The Akalak snorted, but didn’t make a move to grab another weapon. He simply did something to a chain that caused the dummy on the ceiling to lower. Orin sighed, but grabbed the iron staff regardless. When the dummy was on the right level, he lifted the staff and swung it at the straw man. Or at least, he tried to, but the weight of the staff was so heavy his arms burned and it barely connected. Setting the end of the staff on the ground, Orin turned back to the Akalak. It appeared that some serious bargaining was in order. ”There is no way I’m buying this. It’s not the right weapon and it’s not even well made!” Actually it seemed perfectly balanced and sturdy to Orin, but one of the first rules of haggling was to try and devalue the goods. And no matter how pretty it was useless for Orin’s purposes. Although, now that he was thinking about it, it would be good to train with a heavier weapon. He could use the extra strength and iron was a much sturdier material than wood. Still, Orin wasn’t going to let the Akalak push him around though. The Akalak, however, simply shook his head. ”Listen, I’m Haiduk, and I’ve seen a lot of fighters pass through this way. Trust me when I say this, but you’re taking that and you’re going to be happy. No arguments. That’ll be thirty two golden mizas and two silver ones.” Orin’s jaw dropped but when Haiduk refused to budge, he grudgingly counted out the money. He wasn’t quite sure how the haggling had gone so wrong, and now he was stuck with this giant and completely unfeasible iron staff. He was so angry with being outmaneuvered that he didn’t even register the unusual appearance of the front door until he burst through it.
And then he found himself not in the street he had just left, but another room entirely. He was so flabbergasted that all his annoyance fled away. He had absolutely no idea where he was.
ReceiptBelt: 2sm
Scabbards: 2gm per dagger scabbard x 6 = 12gm
Staff, Iron: 20gm
Total: 32 gm, 2 sm
