Three days into their travel, they met a few group of people moving towards the Academy Town The size of the group varied in size and status. But everyone greeted them respectful as the Dragonheart's were one of the most powerful, wealthy and influential family of the Kingdom.
A group of bandits who had planned to attack the traveller's and loot them simply surrendered when they got to know that they unwittingly had tried to attack the Dragonheart's family.
After that incident almost all the group of people started to follow the Dragonheart's family. No one from their family minded this as the Dragonheart's were basically Knights and helping people would always takes priority for them.
After travelling for 5 days, they reached the Academy Town. Even though it was named as a town, it was not one and from a distance anyone could easily makeout that, it was rather a size of a big village.
There was a 15 feet high outerwall surrounding the place, with two entrances one from the north and another to the South of the village.
As they were entering the Town, Pheonix observed that, the wall was quite thick for a 15 feet tall one. He also observed that guards were placed on top of the wall all around the town and even few guards patrolling around on top of the wall. The checking at the gate was quite thorough.
When the guards noticed the Dragonheart's emblem, they all bowed in respect and after a few words with Simon, their group was allowed inside.
Pheonix felt like entering into a whole new world. The North entry from where they had entered leads them through the largest market of this place. The place was crowded mostly with the academy students as most of the time they were the only ones available in the town. Other than them there were mostly travellers who had taken a room in an Inn for a night's rest or there were majorly parents, guardians or friends of the students in the academy.
"Wow, brother look how big this market is! We had travelled for almost 15 minutes but not able to come out of it."
"Yes Fiona dear, it's truely a huge market. But did you noticed? The shops are neatly organised and have atleast 50 feet space between each other. This also contributes to the vastness of this market. It they were arranged next to each other like in other places, then it would not have looked so big. But yes it occupies a large area inside the town part." Simon Explained to his daughter.
"You are right father. There are huge gaps between each shop but it looks so beautiful this way."
Their carriages came to a halt after moving for another 15 minutes infront of a well decorated inn. When Pheonix looked around he found many similar looking Inns around the area built for traveller's and for the families of the students who came to rest here.
"Just like the inner city, this is the area where wealthy and influential people generally stays. Its a bit expensive even when compared to our City. But the hospitality and the offerings are pretty good." Wesley said in general.
The Inn was well lit and extremely clean. As Pheonix's grandfather told, the hospitality was exceptionally well. They were greated with utmost respect and care. They were shown to their rooms and even presented with cool refreshments and some snacks. After changing their cloths, they all came down and had a tasty meal.
Fiona and Pheonix decided to take a look around and the others decided to stay at the inn and meet with some influential people with whom the meeting was planned long ago.
"Brother, there are so many items here, wow!!!" Fiona was mesmerized by the shops and the items which were on display. Smiling fondly at his sister's expression, Pheonix, ruffled her head and guided her towards a jewellery shop. As soon as he entered the shop his eyes landed on a thin silver chain with a blue saffire stone pendent. It was nothing much but Pheonix liked the simplicity. And it also matched Fiona's blue eyes.
"How much will this Silver chain with the pendent costs?"
"Ah sir, you have a great eye. It is one of the best cut gems in our shop. Although the chain is silver, the craftsmenship is extraordinary and any girl who wears it will look like an angel "
"Sir, I asked how much this costs? And for the matter of the stone and the craftsmenship, I would say it's just average. Lets leave all the flowery talk aside and come to the point directly. How much?"
The shopkeeper was slightly taken aback by Pheonix's straightforward nature and his accurate identification.
He bowed his head slightly. " Young man, I admire your straightforwardness. You can have this at 1 gold coin. No bargain and no cranking up the price."
Pheonix smiled at the man's change of attitude. He then took out a gold coin and placed it on the table.
"I will give you two gold coins. I want this chain." A teenager boy walked in with a beautiful girl arm in arm looking haughty.
"I am sorry sir, But I had already sold this to this young man. Besides, If I don't honor my promise I won't be able to show my face to this young man again." The shopkeeper bowed to the two new comers.
Before the young man flare up, the shopkeeper took out a small box from under the table and opened the lid.
"Can I interest you with this chain instead, This one is much more elegantly crafted and the blue saffire stone in the pendent is much bigger. I generally won't be showing such an item of craftsmenship unless the customer is an influential one such as yourself sir. And for you sir, the cost is also nothing, just 6 gold."
Both the young man and lady looked at the new chain with interest and with a triumphant look the young man looked at Pheonix. I will take this one.
Darling would you like to ware it now or....?
"Please put it darling." The young lady moved her hair aside so that the young man could put the silver chain on her neck. The chain and the pendent looked elegent on her. After appraising it a few more time in the mirror both of them left with a smug and satisfied look on their face paying 6 golds to the shopkeeper.
"How much would that chain have costed me if I wanted to buy it?" Pheonix with a small smile asked the shopkeeper.
It would have costed you the same as this one young man. Even though the stone on that pendent is bigger. It's not as pure or as delicately cut as this one. I might exaggerate the price and craftsmanship, but I never cheat an honest man. And I loath those, who misuse their power and think they are superior to others.
Impressed by his words, Pheonix took out another gold and placed next to the one he had initially had kept. This is for your honesty and the way you handled the things.
When he tried to take the box, the storekeeper took it back with a smile. "In that case, young man, take this one and open it once you go back to your place. And I will assure you, that the little girl will love it."
Nodding his head Pheonix took the small box from the shopkeeper and with a slight bow of his head they left the shop.
With a smile when the shopkeeper looked down to take the gold coins, he was surprised to see 3 gold coins instead of 2 and wondered when the boy slipped another one. Shaking his head, he pocketed the coins and memorized the face of the boy.