Flashing the Sunchaser seal, Azel enjoyed as the guards at the gate quickly hurried him through in great respect. Colwyn had been kind enough to give him the seal before leaving to prevent any guard finding out that Azel was an undead.
It was very effective, as the seal was typically reserved for nobles or envoys of kingdoms coming to commission the Sunchaser's help. Smiling at the fact that the guards may have mistaken him for a high ranking government official, the zombie slipped through the bustling streets.
The initial stop was "Gryphons goods" for two reasons; First, because Azel wasn't sure if Colwyn would be in his home during this time of the day. And second because Azel was looking forward to exploiting the old man for some added benefits.
Though he couldn't quite feel the warmth of the sun or the brush of the wind like the living, the buzz of activity around him brought a strange sense of normalcy.
He arrived at Gryphon's Goods, a quaint but well-stocked shop tucked between larger buildings in the marketplace. Its weathered wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, depicting a griffon clutching a bundle of wares in its talons. Azel pushed open the door, the small bell above it jingling as he stepped inside.
"You're back early," Said Gryphon humorously from behind the counter, "Usually the mountain path would take someone days to travel."
Shuddering, Azel remembered how he had chosen to climb up the side of the mountain instead of waste time trying to find this fabled "mountain path". Even if it had ended up shaving off so much time, the zombie would never do it again... Not after encountering that behemoth along the way.
"Well, I found a short cut," Responded Azel, seeing Gryphons eyes locked onto his waist pouch the zombie continued, "I imagine you want to get straight down to business?"
Tilting his head in confusion, Gryphons eyes narrowed, "Business was already concluded with the mana contract, all that's left now is for me to claim what is rightfully mine."
Azel smiled knowingly. From the way his eyes never left the herb pouch, to how the old man who had previously talked about all kinds of nonsense was now curt and straight to the point. He had been right when he decided that Gryphon was desperate for the herb for one reason or another.
"Strange... I remember the contract stating something a little different about how I would repay my debts," Said Azel with a rather devilish grin, "I'm here to supply you with the herbs, you can buy them from me for a suitable price."
Gryphon's eyes widened in realization and Azel's grin grew even wider. The shop keep had sent him on a dangerous, life-threatening mission just to pick up some flowers, this small revenge for his trials felt well-deserved.
Although, it would be even more worth it when Gryphon gave the zombie what he wanted in return.
"...What's your price, then." Said Gryphon after a long moment of silence, "And don't think you can just say anything, or I'll just make a request to the Sunchaser's to get me a bunch instead."
Trying to hold back his laughter, Azel's nostrils flared. 'I know that dragon-breath is illegal, you sly old fox.'
"Of course I wouldn't ever ask to much of you, teacher.." Azel nodded with fake reverence. He knew that Gryphon would understand what he was getting at by calling him teacher. Azel wanted Gryphon to teach him magic, just how they had discussed in their last conversation.
Gryphon's eyes narrowed further, his lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, the shopkeeper said nothing, letting the tension hang in the air between them. Finally, with a deep sigh, he leaned back against the counter, his posture both resigned and calculating.
"You're more trouble than you're worth, you know that?" Gryphon muttered, rubbing his temples. "Fine. You want lessons? You'll get lessons. But don't think for a second I'm going easy on you."
"Great! Here you can half the first three now as a signing bonus." Said Azel, as he fished in his herb pouch for exactly three herbs and tossed them onto the table counter.
Enjoying as Gryphon turned a fiery shade of red at the thought of not getting all the herbs at once, Azel brought his hand to his mouth in fake shock, "Don't tell me you thought I'd give you everything at once, how greedy can one man get! No, I'll give you a herb for every lesson, provided the content is actually useful."
Gryphon's face was a portrait of barely restrained fury, his jaw tightening as he stared at the three herbs lying innocently on the counter. The veins in his temples throbbed, and for a moment, Azel thought the shopkeeper might explode.
"You cheeky little—" Gryphon growled, cutting himself off as he took a deep breath, his fingers curling into fists before he forced them to relax. "Fine. You want to play games? We'll play. But don't come crying to me when you're flat on your back from overexertion or lost in some magical void because you couldn't follow directions."
Azel's grin widened, his undead features lending it an unnervingly sharp quality. "Don't worry, old man. I'm a quick study. Besides, I'm sure a seasoned mage like you won't let a simple zombie get the better of him."
Gryphon's eyes narrowed, the fiery shade of red in his face fading into a cold, calculating look. "Don't think flattery will get you anywhere. You're not the first fool who's tried to take advantage of me. But I'll warn you now—magic isn't for the faint-hearted. If you want results, you'll have to work for them."
"Work doesn't scare me," Azel said, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the counter. "Though, I hope your lessons will be worth my time. I'd hate to have to find someone else to—how did you put it? 'Claim what is rightfully mine.'"
Gryphon's nostrils flared, his gaze hard as stone as he leaned forward across the counter. "Listen here, you undead smartass. If I teach you, you'll learn things that'll make even the templars will think twice before crossing you. But if you waste my time—if you dare waste my time—I'll make sure your rotting hide regrets it."
Azel didn't flinch. Instead, he gave a slow, deliberate smile, one that spoke of both confidence and mischief. "I wouldn't dream of it, old man. After all, you're the one who needs these herbs. Think of this arrangement as... mutually beneficial."
Gryphon snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. "Mutually beneficial," he muttered. "More like outright extortion."
"Tomato, tomahto," Azel said with a shrug. "So, when do we start? I'd hate for you to have to wait too long for your next herb."
The shopkeeper glared at him for a moment longer, then sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Meet me here at dawn tomorrow. Bring a notebook, and leave your damn arrogance at the door."