The next morning after informing all her Uncle's about her change of plans, Rihanna decided to head over to the market to gather all essentials for the trip. None of the Uncle's were truly at ease with her decision to travel through the desert on her own, but seeing her determination they held back their advice. Uncle Yaoi and Uncle Ranaba decided to accompany her through the day since they too were interested in checking out the market. Uncle he and Uncle Daogi needed to visit the Mercenary Mission Hall and the Weapons Guild, so they parted ways.
The market was bustling same the day before. She was dazzled by the stuff laying all around, with thin blankets and coarse cloth separating them from the ground. Following Uncle Yaoi's advice, she checked out the stalls and hawkers selling medicinal materials. Beast repellent creams, anti-venom pills, creams and lotions for cuts, bites, wounds, stings and burns, Cloth bandages, elixirs for detoxification, pain removal, disinfectant, blisters, frost bites, dehydration and a handful of other remedies and treatments. Since she had never revealed her space ring to these Uncles before, the cloth sack by her hip was soon bulging and weighing her down.
"I heard at the inn that a group of mercenaries should be coming in today. They have come all the way from Abarone-Tengai, and they'll be stopping here on their mission in Ice Fire Desert. They should have some interesting things to sell."
Uncle Yaoi seemed unnaturally excited, whereas Uncle Ranaba seemed more reserved and withdrawn than ever. Possibly he was more wary of anyone coming in from outside the borders. It must have been hard for him to be always on the run, always looking over your shoulders to check if anyone was pursuing you. Rihanna didn't know if there was anything she could do to comfort him.
As they walked, they came across one stall which was surrounded by people, and the crowd was shouting and screaming in an animated manner, as if watching a performance. Rihanna looked about and found a raised stairway opposite the stall and climbed up to get a better view.
The stall was filled with a variety of stuff - from flowers to stones to tools.
But what had captured the attention of all passerby's was a tiny chipmunk like creature, with a head full of bird-nest hair, sharp green eyes and tiny fore limbs which could grasp onto anything. And currently it was sitting on its tail and hind legs like a kangaroo, and eating out of a bowl like a human! There were a number of tiny self-sized bowls, plates and cups placed before it, and it picked up each with a very serious expression, eating with elegance and neatness, occasionally looking around to glance at the surrounding crowd in disdainful arrogance. It would even look one in the eye and release short and shrill squeaks as if scolding them.
Rihanna too was amused by the antics of this obviously trained pet, which was most probably used to gather attention, before its master would get down to the serious business of selling his wares.....Great publicity stunt!
'Get those seeds! I want those seeds! I will plant them in my space!'
Rihanna was momentarily befuddled before realizing it was the seed speaking all of a sudden. She couldn't help raising her eyebrows in sarcasm.
'Oh? Why do I keep remembering that that is my space too? And what do I get for buying those seeds?'
She could very well imagine the seed gritting its teeth and cursing at her as it went silent for a while. Even as it spoke, she could clearly make out its grudging tone.
'What do you want?'
'Hmmm.....you will allow me to use the space as and when and how I like. I plan on planting many other seeds....and I don't want to hear any objections! And also...'
'Hey! You can get only one favor for buying those seeds! Don't try to trick me....you....you scheming woman!'
'Hmph! If you keep up this act, then this will be the first and last time I buy what you want!'
'Tsk!!.....only one more thing! You can only add one more thing to the list!'
'Okay.....then you will allow me to use your space to keep the spirits of my contract beasts whenever I need it....no objections.'
'.....!!!....Aish! Fine.....but if they run around in my space and try to dig holes, I will kick them out!'
'Okay....deal! Now tell me....what are those seeds?'
'They are the seeds of the Five Elemental Spirit Flower. They are the main ingredient for making Resurrection Pill. This seed will grow into a small plant which will bloom only one flower in its lifetime. The flower has five different layers, where each layer has five petals and each different colored layer made from a different element. One petal from each element is needed to make the pill.'
'Resurrection Pill?'
'Tsk! You are such a novice! If a person is left with even one breath of life, this pill can support the persons essence and spirit and prolong his life, so he has more time for treatment and revival. If the person is heavily poisoned, the pill will slow down the spread of the poison. If the person is badly wounded and near death, the pill can slow down the bleeding and slowly heal the wound. Even if the person's spiritual energy reserve has run completely dry, the pill can supply some emergency spiritual energy, enough for the person to hold on and escape. Now say...isn't that an amazing pill?! And even if you don't have the pill, taking five different petals of the flower will also give you some effects!'
Rihanna raised her brow in wonder.....That was like a huge cheat! But.....was it really that easy?
'If it is such a wonderful thing, why haven't the people already robbed off this stall?'
'Tsk! Of course it is not easy to grow this plant. It is a very fickle plant, and requires a great deal of pampering, and also a lot of nourishment. Only guilds, which have specially made herb gardens, with external energy reserves, different kinds of soils and fertilizers from all over the different countries can really grow these flowers. And each flower gives only five seeds, which also makes this plant a bit rare.'
'.....And you can grow this? Or are you planning to make me go on a shopping spree all over the world to gather soils and fertilizers and what not?!'
'....It is a once in a lifetime opportunity....and I won't let it die. This spirit space was created for the nourishment of all types of plants. Even if they do not bloom....at least they will not die. They will continue to live in hibernation till you get all the necessary resources for it to grow and flourish. Now stop asking questions and just buy it already!'
Rihanna was feeling exasperated, but still decided to buy the seed. Uncle Yaoi was surprised at her sudden decision, since he knew it was near to impossible for her to ever make it flower. Uncle Ranaba however contemplated something for a bit, then went ahead with Rihanna to get the seed.
By the time they pushed through the crowd to reach the stall, a small bidding war had started over the same seeds. There were only five seeds to begin with, and before she could open her mouth, one was already sold off! Rihanna perked up, and immediately jumped into the bidding war.
Finally the price of the seed reached 1000 mid-grade spirit stones before she successfully got the bid. Before she could take out the spirit stones from her space ring, via the large sleeves of her dress, Uncle Ranaba too started bidding on the third seed and successfully bought it. He took out 2000 mid-grade spirit stones from his space ring and beat her to the payment.
Rihanna was feeling very perturbed as Uncle Ranaba dragged her out of the jostling crowd to reach a relatively empty corner.
"Ummm.....Uncle I can't let you pay for the seed I bought! I have to pay you back! I have money after selling the Frozen Magma Flower you know!"
"Hmmm..."
Uncle Ranaba didn't seem too eager to answer her question. Instead he looked her in the eye, frowning a bit as if he was contemplating something. Rihanna felt more and more puzzled the longer he kept staring at her without speaking.
"I think you have a way to make this flower bloom. I will not ask what and how...but can you take my seed as well, and help me grow this plant?"
Rihanna couldn't stop her eyes opening wide in shock, then she blinked quickly, trying to normalize her reactions.
"But.....I am not sure when we will meet again!"
"That's okay. You can give it to me whenever we meet again. The flower can be cut and preserved in a Black Void Spirit Jade box, and I happen to have one."
Uncle Ranaba took out a long Black Stone Box, with deep green veins running all over the casing.
"This Black box has the ability to remove all air from within, creating a void space inside, which keeps anything live completely fresh, and in the exact same condition as it was when first kept. Keep this with you. And you can keep the flower in it till we meet again."
Rihanna took the black box with a complicated feeling. She knew that he knew there were some secrets about her, but he was gentlemanly enough not to question her nor doubt her identity. Instead this simple act of handing over the seed for safekeeping and helping him grow it showed how much he trusted her. She felt very warm and almost hugged him in return.
Even her eyes were a little wet with the rising warmth as she looked up at him and smiled. Uncle Ranaba was slightly startled, then he too smiled back warmly, patting her on the head. This was the first time Rihanna saw Uncle Ranaba smile and suddenly she felt as if she had a place in this strange new world, and people she could count upon.....sort of like a family.....