clayt, with his dirty little face, circled around his father with a grin before hurrying back home.
Watching his son run off, Todd felt the pen and paper tucked in his coat and started walking towards Whiteport Castle, his heart racing with excitement.
"Todd, what brings you here now?" one of the soldiers guarding the gates of House Manderly's castle teased, recognizing him. "What, are you starting a business at night like Lorana?"
Lorana was a well-known woman from a branch family in White Harbor, admired by many knights.
"Hahaha, look at Todd—he's so ugly, even the noblemen who fancy men wouldn't give him a second glance!" another soldier laughed.
Todd, trying to stay polite despite the teasing, joined in nervously. "Haha, if any noble saw me, they'd be so terrified they'd forget how to speak!"
The two soldiers roared with laughter again.
Once the laughter died down, Todd explained his visit. He wanted to see Chief Chelman of House Manderly, saying he had goods the chief might be interested in. One of the soldiers, still grinning, told Todd to treat them at the tavern next time. After Todd agreed, the soldier ran inside the castle to fetch Chelman.
While waiting, Todd struck up a conversation with the other guard. Since Todd traveled frequently across the northern territories for business, he had plenty of stories to share, and the two talked easily.
A few moments later, footsteps echoed from the castle, and Chief Chelman appeared in a gray silk coat, hurrying after the soldier.
"Todd, this had better be worth my time! If not, don't even think about selling anything here again!" Chelman grumbled, motioning Todd to come closer.
Chelman's rosy complexion and slightly rounded belly showed he was living comfortably.
Todd quickly bent over with a respectful smile. "Of course, honorable Chief Chelman! I have something from the far east that I'm sure will interest you."
Intrigued, Chelman replied, "Well, show me!"
Todd pulled out a gel pen and a sheet of white paper. "Sir Chelman, this is a magical pen and paper from the far east. It's much more convenient than the quill and parchment you normally use. Try it yourself!"
Todd handed over the items, and Chelman, a bit unsure at first, began writing with the gel pen. After a few strokes, he got the hang of it.
The pen didn't need to be dipped in ink, and Chelman didn't have to worry about smudging his clothes. This "gel pen" was certainly easier to use.
"This is impressive!" Chelman's eyes lit up. "It's a wonderful pen!" He realized it would make his work faster and more efficient.
Chelman examined the paper next. It was smoother and clearer than any parchment he had ever seen.
"If Lord Wyman sees this, he'll love it!" Chelman thought. Eager to impress, he told Todd to wait while he took the pen and paper to show Lord Wyman.
Todd was surprised and excited. If the earl liked the items, he could sell all his stock!
Chelman, pleased with the refillable feature of the pen, took the supplies and hurried inside the castle.
Earl Wyman and his family had just finished supper when Chelman entered, as the servants were clearing the table.
"My lord, the merchants from White Harbor have brought something remarkable. I think you'll be interested," Chelman said, bowing to the earl.
"Oh? What is it?" Earl Wyman, slouched in his chair, turned to face Chelman, his curiosity piqued.
The earl's wife, sons, and daughters all looked over with interest as well.
Chelman presented the gel pen, refill, and white paper, explaining what Todd had told him, and concluded with, "It's said to be something only nobles in the far east use."
Well, if it's reserved for nobles, it must be good, Earl Wyman thought.
The earl took the gel pen and began writing. The more he wrote, the more he liked it. Unlike a quill, it didn't need to be dipped in ink constantly, and the writing came out smooth and clear.
His 13-year-old daughter, Vera, watched eagerly. "Father, that pen is wonderful! You write so quickly with it. I want to use one too. It's much better than a quill!"
"Yes, this pen is great!" added Sir Willis Manderly, the earl's eldest son and heir.
The countess and eldest daughter, Wylla, also nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, the quill is too thin. It hurts after writing for long periods," the earl said, stroking the pen fondly.
He turned to Chelman. "Chelman, you've done well! Go buy more of these pens—and paper too—from the merchant. Let's have everyone in the castle write with these from now on."
"Yes, my lord, right away!" Chelman, pleased with the earl's praise, hurried back to the gate with a smile.
Todd, still waiting anxiously, saw Chelman return, grinning from ear to ear.
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