I quickly came up with a brilliant solution to my current problem.
"What kind of low-quality wares are you peddling merchant! This sword looked so nice and beautiful, but as soon as I used my noble house's forgery detection skill it disintegrated," I yelled.
"Were you expecting me to ask you to wrap this up then go home with a forgery? My great noble house doesn't take kindly to being ripped off. I'll be notifying the caravan's Mages about this scam you are running!"
I had no idea if forgery detection skills existed, but I had to think quick on my feet to quell the old pointy-eared geezer's anger. When he heard about me going to notify the caravan's Mages about him peddling 'forgeries' his face quickly changed from red to blue to green to a strange calm.
I luckily had hit the nail on the head, this blade was likely real. But the elf had other fake wears lying around in wait for helpless victims. The first blade he showed me was likely a forgery. If the Mages came to investigate he'd be in trouble.
"Sir, you are a gentleman. There's no need to inform the Mages of this, I'm sure we can come to an understanding," said the silver-haired elf as he grabbed a small bag of coins from his small chest and placed it on the table.
"Understanding my ass, this is a dishonor to all nobles traveling with this caravan!" I yelled as a banged my fist on the counter.
I waved my hand as to send away the small bag of coins like I was a true big wig. The small bag of coins was beneath my sky-high eyes.
I lowered my voice a bit, "It would be beneath my status to take a bribe, my noble house is much too rich to be seduced by your paltry coins to forgo our honor. But as my father always said, it's always good to make new friends in high places that you've got a bit of dirt on," I said with a large grin.
"Ever since my great ancestor Michael, his Royal Airness, gathered the six rings my noble house has moved forward like a raging bull. How should I address you, my new friend?" I asked.
On Earth, I was a grandmaster in Playing the Dozens (AN: AA tradition sometimes called roasting, Yo momma jokes.), so I was quick with my tongue. Weaving together a great tale of bullshit in this magical world was child's play.
"I am Elre Luvalur, I'm glad that we can come to an understanding," said the silver-haired elf as he went to reclaim his bag of coins.
"I'll keep these coins as a token of our new friendship," I retorted as I swiped up the bag of coins before he could reach them.
Although I talked a good game, these coins were surely warm coal in a desolate winter.
[Vault: 200 Gold, Hoard: 190 Gold]
"My good friend. Tell me what you know about my catkin servant," I shamelessly said after collecting the coins.
"I only saw one catkin slave come into my shop today. She was dragged off by the caravan guards when she was attempting to sell stolen herbs. A blond-haired noble was also in my shop at the time. He accused her of stealing the herbs he had set out to dry," explained Elre.
"That Colton Sharpe is extremely vile! How dare he plot against my servant," I yelled as I headed out of the shop.
If Miya was dragged off by the caravan guards she was probably in terrible condition. The words of a nobleman trumped the words of a commoner and stood high above the words of a slave. If I was still injured, then I would die silently in my carriage with no one to take care of me. While Miya rotted in the custody of the caravan guards on trumped-up charges.
Colton's plot was truly nefarious. With just a few words he had sentenced me to die. I would have to strengthen my resolve when dealing with Colton. I had never killed another man before, but he was seeking death. It came down to my life or his, and my life was much more valuable.
I would have to lay down my earthly view of morality. There were no fair laws in this world to protect the weak. If I reported Colton's actions to the caravan guards at most he would get a slap on the wrist. Colton would still be able to plot against my life in secret. Next time he could very well finish the job, and I wouldn't even know how I died.
I needed strength and cunning to survive in this world!
I now knew that and planned to get rid of Colton Sharpe at the earliest opportunity. Someone who plotted against my lifetime and time again could not be left alive. It was strange to have such hate for someone I had never met. Even having the resolve to end their life.
The ghosts of old Daquan's past kept coming back to haunt me. An exorcism was in order, so I could fully immerse myself in this new life. I will clean up this mess, and strive to not make more cunning enemies.
The guard tent was a short walk from the merchant tent. They had instructed us when we began the journey that if we had any problems to come here. The caravan guards were a group of Champions that kept the peace between nobles.
As far as the Mages were concerned we could all kill each other. The caravan guard was comprised of Champion representatives, sent out by the Kingdoms, to maintain a semblance of order.
I entered the magical tent and came into a large room with many people tied up in a circle. The number of people detained was a true testament to the disorder that went along with the caravan. A muscular Champion was sitting down reading a book on guard duty. He looked up from his book when he saw me enter.
"How may I assist you young noble?" asked the Champion.