Linry felt herself swept away, her surroundings blurring into a dizzying swirl before she landed in a place that seemed like something straight out of a dream. Back at the academy, she had always been confined to the Rock Barren – a desolate, arid stretch of land – but this…this was something else entirely.
She looked around in awe, her eyes drinking in the breathtaking scenery. 'What is this place, Riniock?' she asked, her voice filled with wonder.
Riniock, equally entranced by the beauty, answered with a grin, 'This is the Berzinian Bazaar.'
'Berzinian?' Linry's brows furrowed in confusion. 'You mean Berzin, the province on the far west?'
'The very same.'
'But that's –' Linry's words faltered. 'That's halfway across the continent! How is this even possible?'
'The bust,' Riniock explained with a knowing smile, reminiscing the explanation his father bestowed him. 'It's a secret passage, a link to this place. Like the one we just used, there are hundreds of these scattered across the continent, all leading to this hidden underground market.'
Linry's gaze returned to the bust, curiosity piqued. 'What's so special about this one?' she asked.
Riniock looked at it thoughtfully, then glanced back towards the columns where the bust of Remino Urbaaz sat, flanked by two intricately carved pillars. 'It's the work of a legendary Berzinian merchant named Remino Urbaaz,' he explained. 'He wanted to share his goods with the world, far beyond the borders of his province. So, he turned to magick and created these transportive busts. He travelled the continent, placing them strategically, and in doing so, linked distant lands to this very bazaar. His descendants still manage it today.'
'Remarkable,' Linry marvelled, her eyes wide with excitement. 'One man did all of this?'
Riniock gave a quick nod, his expression turning more serious. 'We should move, though. For now, we're free from prying eyes, and that means we can do as we please.'
'That's true,' Linry said, flashing him a flirtatious glance.
Riniock frowned, sensing her playful intent. 'I don't like that look…' he replied, blushing and quickly distancing himself and heading towards the bazaar.
She chuckled at his flustered reaction, clearly entertained. 'Let's go, then. I'm really excited to explore this place.'
The two of them made their way down the hill, the path leading them away from the bust and into the heart of the bazaar.
The bazaar was unlike anything Linry had ever seen. It felt as though someone had carved an entire city into the earth, filling every surface – walls, ceilings, and floors – with panzamite bricks, a rich and luxurious form of stone. Arches and columns lined the space, sectioning off stalls and shops of all kinds.
Intricate lanterns hung from every available surface, casting a soft, golden glow in the dim underground space. Here and there, colourful crystals floated lazily, providing cool, ambient lighting to scattered corners.
As they ventured deeper into the bazaar, it became clear that the crowd was far from homogenous. Linry passed by a pair of felines lounging near a display of exotic meats. One resembled a sleek, grey cat with light grey stripes, whilst the other sported spots of varying sizes on its yellowish fur.
'Kabats!' Linry exclaimed in surprise. 'I've never seen any before. They don't live in the Rock Barren.'
'You'll find more than just kabats here,' Riniock said, gesturing ahead. A group of short humanoids wandered past, laughing and throwing jests at one another. 'Even gorens are allowed, as long as they don't stir up trouble.'
'Gorens?' Linry echoed, her voice tinged with surprise.
'The lowest of the low are welcomed in the Berzinian Bazaar,' Riniock replied, a hint of disdain in his tone.
Linry turned her attention to the gorens. They were grotesque, their warty skin either of swampy green, deep red, or sickly yellow – colours befitting such monstrous creatures. Their faces were marked by crooked noses, pointed ears, and rows of yellowed, sharp teeth.
As they moved through the bazaar, the gorens accosted a lone farferal. They shoved her aside, snatching the item she had been eyeing and laughing cruelly as they did. Then, without a second thought, they moved on, leaving her behind to fume.
'I don't think I like them very much,' Linry muttered, her distaste clear.
Riniock tightened his grip on her wrist, gently pulling her gaze away from the scene. 'Then simply don't look. Let them mind their business,' he said, his voice steady. 'Remember, as long as they don't get violent, they can do whatever they want.'
'Okay,' Linry agreed.
'Good. Let's keep walking. I'm sure something will catch your eye,' Riniock suggested.
They wandered through the bazaar, browsing and stopping here and there. Riniock picked up a few basic materials, nothing too extravagant. Linry, however, managed to find a generous batch of null dust – enough to replace the amount she had been forced to discard.
As they ventured deeper, they came across a jewellery stall. The vendor, a farferal like the woman from earlier, had a greyish complexion and sharply pointed ears.
'Welcome,' the vendor greeted warmly. 'My humble booth offers wide range accessories. Necklaces, bracelets, circlets…or perhaps rings for lovely ikurn couple?'
'Ikurn?' Linry asked, puzzled by the term.
'It's what they call us in their tongue,' Riniock explained.
The farferal smiled and clasped his hands together. 'Ah, yes, I apologise for term. What can I get you today?'
Linry's eyes moved over the display, her gaze finally resting on a ring. Crafted from solargold, it featured a large black gem embedded in the center.
'You have keen eye, lady,' the vendor remarked, swiftly removing the ring from its case and handing it to her. 'Black gem, kolicynn, well known for ability to enhance enchantments.'
'So, whatever enchantment I place on this ring, the kolicynn will amplify it?' Linry asked.
'Exactly,' the vendor confirmed. 'Interested?'
'How much?' she inquired.
'Only 30 solaris,' the vendor replied cheerfully, raising three fingers.
Linry inspected the ring closely, noting the faint scratches on its surface. 'It's seen some use,' she murmured. 'I'll offer 15 solaris.'
The vendor chuckled, shaking his head. 'Lady jokes. While ring has scratches, polishing cheap. I can lower to 27 solaris.'
'Twenty,' Linry replied firmly.
'Twenty-five solaris!' he countered.
'Twenty-three,' she said with finality. 'If you won't accept that, I'll walk away.'
The farferal paused, weighing the offer. After a brief moment, he sighed, nodding reluctantly. 'Very well, twenty-three is.' He extended his hand, eager for the exchange.
'Pleasure doing business with you,' he said, his smile returning. 'May your roads be blessed with grass and peaceful flight of moths.'
'Thanks…' Linry said hesitantly.
As they prepared to leave, Riniock lingered, his curiosity piqued.
'The ikurn still wants something?' the vendor asked.
'If I bring my own ring, can you install a kolicynn gem on it?' Riniock asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The vendor eagerly reached forward, expecting Riniock to offer the ring. Riniock removed it from his finger and placed it in the farferal's grey palm. The vendor examined it closely, then gave his verdict.
'It possible,' he said, nodding with his eyes closed. 'But I don't do myself. Have friend in bazaar who can do. Want to send to him?'
'Yes, how much would it cost?' Riniock asked, hoping to haggle a price.
The farferal shrugged. 'Don't know. Friend fixes own prices. No negotiations.'
Riniock hesitated, but after a moment of thought, he nodded. The better the ring performed, the better he would perform. 'Alright, take it.'
The vendor chuckled. 'Good. I take delivery fee, too.'
Riniock sighed, reluctantly agreeing. 'Fine. Where should I wait?'
The farferal waved him off with a dismissive gesture. 'Can leave. Take this.' He handed Riniock a token. 'I send to you when done.'
Riniock took the token, feeling a mix of annoyance and acceptance. The token would serve as a tracking device for the vendor to find him when the ring was ready. With that settled, he and Linry continued their exploration of the bazaar, eager to make the most of their time there.