Now I understood why Bidder number one was rattled by my words. It was not that I or others put a value on that felon who killed the life of his precious brother. It was because he took part in it. In the end, Bidder number one was still the person who ended the bid. Hence, putting the value of the life he thought was so precious.
Just like this woman sitting across from me inside my shop. If I accepted her offer and sold Bedo with the amount she was offering, that was all Bedo to me. How did I not think about it? Bedo was the last stone titan in the land of Aslesia. Although he looked like a pile of rubbles now, his value was worth more than just five thousand gold coins.
But I was not Bidder number one. Bedo had always been with me. He was the only one I had. So, even if others give me all their wealth, I wouldn't put a value on my brother.
"So?" I snapped my eyes when the female mage spoke. "What do you think?"
A shallow sigh slipped past my lips as I leaned back against the chair. It was only her and me inside this shop as I told her I only wanted to talk to the person who had a final say. And that was the stunning woman. I accommodated her in the do-it-yourself chair and table I built before I opened this shop.
"Miss Mage, I know that this rock is quite important to the magic tower, and it is a rare ingredient to create special magic stones." I leaned my arms against the rough edge of the table, eyes on her. "But I cannot give you the location where I got it."
"Why not? Is ten thousand gold coins not enough for you?" She glowered.
"Oh, dear! Please don't misunderstand." I waved lightly, chuckling to hide the traces of nervousness. "What I am saying is, even if I tell you, you will not find it. It's a forbidden place that I accidentally stumbled upon during my vagabond days. It was a place that chooses its guests."
"I can give you the location with a price, but I cannot stain my name and pride as a legit merchant if you cannot find it," I continued, placing my palm across my chest dramatically. "Just like you, mages had rules to follow and oaths that you've taken. I also had my pride and words I must uphold even against death."
'Lies,' Bedo whispered in my head, but I ignored him.
"So, no, Miss Mage. As much as it breaks my heart to disappoint a beautiful lady such as yourself, I cannot risk my honor as a merchant. I hope you understand my point." I smiled subtly. Saying "no" to opportunities was not in my character, but we're talking about Bedo here.
The woman gazed at me with sharp eyes, not pleased by this refusal. "Didn't you say you can offer anything? Don't you think that is contradictory to your shop's motto and your refusal now?"
"Huh? How was it contradictory, my lady?" I cocked my head to the side as the corner of my lips stretched into a grin. "I did say I can tell you the location, but you might not find it since it is hidden. But I didn't say I cannot offer you what you truly need."
The space between her fleek brows wrinkled as she looked at me curiously. "What do you mean?"
"My lady, this is a shop that offers anything my client needs. What do you need?" I inquired in a knowing tone, sporting a playful smirk. Saying 'no' was not my character, but it was my character to see more than just one opportunity. So, refusing one doesn't mean I would let go of this transaction. NEVER.
"What do I need?" she raised a brow and glanced at the stone in the middle of the table. "Can you supply me with these stones?"
My grin stretched broader. "With the right price? Of course! When there's demand, Bedo's Shop will supply."
We looked at each other with me having this smug smirk while she kept her stony countenance. She looked at me as if she was studying me, so I relaxed and didn't show her the slightest hint that she was looking for. In the end, she agreed and requested a respectable amount she needed.
"Three days." I put up three fingers — from my thumb to my middle finger. "Come back here in three days with the payment. You... will pick it up and pay for it. If you send another person to do it, I will guarantee you he will come back empty-handed."
She looked at me with those same sharp eyes. "That is quite long, but three days then," she said, planting her palms on the surface of the table and pushing herself up.
I stayed in my seat, watching her tilt her head down slightly before pivoting on her heel. Just when she was by the door, she halted and looked back.
"What?" she asked with an arched back.
My grin remained. "That is the location you want. You can say that is my way of flirting with you." I shrugged indifferently.
"You have three days to check that place. If you don't return here in three days, I will consider our transaction as null," I explained in the same tone, leaving an impression of some sort of ultimate boss she must face. "But just a heads up. If I consider it null and void, I'm not so understanding as to enter another transaction with the person I had proven who cannot uphold their end of the bargain."
She just looked at me, studying me in silence while holding the door. "I'll see you in three days."
"Be my guest." I spread my hands and smiled, watching the door shut behind her.
*******
In one of the main magic towers in the borders of Parkwind, an old man sitting behind the desk raised his gaze. There, the woman who went to see Ammon stood in front of the desk.
"Are you certain he wasn't lying about the location?" he inquired, rolling the small stone in between his thumb and index.
"Yes. I put an honesty spell around his shop," she replied formally. Her voice was more distant than ever. "That merchant is as cunning as a fox. Considering he caught that person who is known as a traitor of the magic tower, I'm certain he is someone one cannot mess easily."
The old mage, the woman's master, stroked his long white beard while rocking his head. "I've seen a few people who were just like him. They look weak and simpletons, but they were sly. This merchant reminds me of some old folks in the past. If only I knew, I bet he simply sold this stone at a lower price, knowing the mages will see its value and come to him. Perhaps that was his invitation."
"He is sly, master." The woman frowned as she also thought the same; when, in fact, Ammon didn't actually think that far.
"Hah! What an interesting lad!" the master of the magic tower chuckled heartily. "Suzanne, send people who will check the location while you stay in here. If he warns you about ending any negotiation with us if we delayed it for a day, I'm certain he already had another client in mind."
The master leaned back, staring at the stone in between his fingers. "For us, his supply is important. But to him, who will give him more benefit is more important. It is better to keep our ties with a man like him — even if it's akin to holding a double-edged sword"
"Yes, master."
Little did these two know, the person they were calling, cunning, someone dangerous, a mysterious person, and someone who already had a meticulous plan laid on the table was just snoring behind the counter of his shop.