Despite shaving a good two hours off of the process, Merri and Breda were still extremely tired at the end. Leaving the room, they could see small streaks of sunlight beginning to stream into the halls as the morning sun shone through the surrounding forest.
"You did this frequently in the past?" Breda was incredulous that someone would willingly subject themselves to such a long and arduous process any more than absolutely necessary.
Merri scoffed. "If you think that was bad, imagine what it was like when it took an entire day!"
"...Heavens."
Merri brought the jars to one of the offices, where she began to tag them with their quality level and recommended price. Usually, sellers would frown on this sort of thing given their proclivity to barter, but given Merri's reputation and skill they were more than happy to pay asking price. These were goods they could easily mark up 3 or 4 times or even auction due to their rarity and efficacy. Many would accept her increasing her price if it meant they would get to sell more of it in the future.
Placing the all but three of the labeled jars in a spatial bag, Merri could finally release a sigh of relief. All that was left was to apply the highest quality gel to Arc's ears and then she could take a long awaited rest.
"Doesn't Arc only need one jar of it?"
"He probably doesn't even need one whole jar of it." Merri put her index finger to her chin. "But chances are he will hurt or be hurt in the future as he grows, so having extra couldn't hurt. The mid-grade jar is actually meant to be treatment for any injuries the guards sustain, and the low-grade jar..."
"What's the low grade jar for?" Something smelled fishy about this to Breda.
"...secret..."
Despite being exhausted both physically and mentally, Merri still had the energy to flitter and blush like a schoolgirl.
'Ah, something to do with Zerrin.' Breda thought to herself.
"In that case I won't pry. Where should I go to sell these?" She really couldn't be bothered to deal with love troubles at this early hour. Besides, it would be more fun to find out this little secret of hers through teasing.
"Market Center, Gillian House. Show the receptionist this talisman and someone will know what to do. There shouldn't be a crowd this early, but hurry. Don't let anyone who isn't from the Gillian House see those jars or you will regret it. If you ask for payment up front, you should get it. It would also be a nice place to look for a gift."
-----
As Breda walked through the streets of the city to the market center, she could not help but feel that her and Merri's definitions of there 'not being a crowd' must be vastly different. Despite the sun being so low in the sky that the shadow from the buildings crossed the street, there were still what felt like thousands of bodies bustling throughout. Businessmen, peddlers, warriors, and scholars alike littered the avenues, blocking her way and confounding her sense of direction.
Am I still on the main road? Am I going the right direction? Which sector is this again?
All of these questions raced through her mind as she tried to figure out where exactly it was this Gillian House was.
Eventually, after what felt like hours she gave up on trying to navigate by herself and worked up the courage to ask somebody.
But who?
She wasn't exactly the most sociable of people, nor did she have much street knowledge or a sense for trickery. Even when she traveled with Marlev and Jamie in the past she largely devoted herself to making food, cleaning, and providing support during battles. She had almost no experience with the city.
Should she ask the youth over there with the kind face? How about that fine looking lady eating her breakfast? What of that elderly merchant peddling his cabbages? Would any of them even know where the Gillian House is?
Swallowing her nervousness and indecision, she decided to ask what looked like a group of guards posted on one of the street corners.
"Excuse me, kind sirs? May I ask a question?"
Her approach was met with mixed reactions by the group of four. One remained indifferent, one seemed to loathe her approach, another rolled his eyes. Only the last, and youngest looking, didn't seem like he was viewing her as a hassle.
'I knew it. I shouldn't of asked them.' she couldn't help but scold herself.
"Make it quick" snapped the annoyed guard. "I'm busy enough making sure none of those damn street rats cause a problem."
"Oi, can't you see this pretty little lady has a concern?" The pleasant guard quickly slapped the back of his colleague's head. "Now. What, may I ask, is the problem?"
This man was kinda creepy in his own way. He sounded a bit like a snake the way he prolonged his 's' sounds. She wanted to make this quick.
"Do any of you know how to get to the Gillian House? If not then the Market Center?"
"You seem to be hopelessly lost then." The indifferent man made a comment.
"Once again I ask you to excuse the sharp tongues of my friends, madam, but he is right. You are about as far away as you can get from the Gillian house while still being in the city." The man with the snaky voice leaned his head back and thought for but a moment. "I can't even think of how to give directions from this point we are so far away. I believe an escort is in order. I volunteer!"