“I only need a pair of sturdy boots,” I reasoned. There was no need to waste this coin on fabric. Besides, after the Tower’s test, they’d likely be ruined.
“Do you want to stand out like a sore tentacle?”
I did not. However, there was one thing. “We need to study first.”
“Nope! Clothing, then food, then study. We should take care of our most crucial needs first. Studying takes a lot of time and energy, so let’s get these tasks done right off the bat. Trust me.”
She steered us into a shop that showed off the strange styles that humans and demi-humans in this area wore. To be honest, I didn’t understand the fashions this mortal realm offered.
Underworld ‘fashion’ mostly consisted of void armor and clothing made from the skins of fire lizards, which was both protective and insulated one against the extreme temperatures and dangers of the Underworld.
But these bright colors?
Even the plain white tunics were hard to look at. What in the worlds could such a flimsy piece protect against?
Dust? A strong ray of sunshine?
My spirits lifted. The shop sold gear as well. Magical, by the looks of it.
Perhaps it was good that I’d met this pink-haired woman.
As Clove took the liberty of choosing my clothing, I reviewed the available gear. Some, like the cloaks, looked to have been made by the shop’s owners.
The other items were an eclectic spread. Besides the enchanted clothing, the rest of the items and gear were likely traded for.
That meant they were more likely to be unique. Excellent.
I needed the basics in terms of gear. An enchanted weapon. Items that would enhance my abilities or give me extra ones.
There was a pair of boots that were enchanted to enhance stealth and muffle steps. I checked the label and saw that they were size-adjustable, and the in-house tailor could form them perfectly to my feet.
I snagged them.
There was a display of weapons. My eye paused on a handsome dagger with a red jewel in the pommel.
I read, “This dagger can channel elemental and mana-based spells into the blade for deeper cuts and stronger attacks.”
The rest of the weapons were fine enough, but I was fantastic with a dagger. Always had a soft spot in my dark heart for them.
Just as I took it from the shelf, something caught my eye.
Through a back hallway door, there was a flash of white. A smooth, straight staff leaned against crates.
I set the dagger down and moved into what was certainly a place for employees only. As soon as I picked up the staff, I knew what it was.
“This, I could use,” I whispered.
I came out in time to see Clove bump into an already unstable wooden display case.
Thankfully, an employee dove over just in time. In a surprising display of strength and grace, the brown-haired girl caught the case and set it back upright with an effortless smile and an apology to Clove.
Who was spluttering with embarrassment, of course.
The sure-footed employee’s eyes widened when she saw the staff in my hand. “Hey! Where did you get that? T-that’s not for sale!”
She reached for it, and not wishing to cause trouble, I allowed it. “Apologies. I spotted it in the back room. I’d like to purchase it.”
But she just darted away and into the hallway. She was gone for several moments before reappearing empty-handed.
Her smile was sheepish. “I’m so sorry for the confusion, sir. But thank you for understanding.”
“I don’t,” I countered. “You haven’t explained yourself.”
She swallowed hard. “I… I can’t say.”
Letting the silence hang was key in confrontations like these. After a long moment of tense quiet, the girl blurted out, “We’ll get in trouble! To protect my family, I must keep this secret! I’m very sorry.”
To my surprise, she bent into a deep bow.
Clove was ready to burst with another apology, but I stopped her.
“Don’t worry yourself, miss,” I replied lightly.
The employee straightened, flushed and nearly on the verge of tears.
Goodness. What kind of business was this shop really involved with? There was obviously more than met the eye.
I lifted the boots in my other hand. “However, I will accept repayment by being fitted for these boots. Is the tailor in today?”
She let out a sigh of relief. “That’s me!”
It took a few nuanced spells, but within ten minutes, she’d easily molded the boots to my feet.
“Try the clothes on too!” Clove insisted, shoving me into a dressing room.
“You really want me out of these farm clothes, don’t you?”
“I can’t hear you!” Clove called back, though she obviously could.
I shook my head, bemused, and did as she requested.
I examined myself in the mirror, tilting my head, lifting my arms, and moving my legs around. The clothing was lighter than I was used to, and I still felt bare in terms of battle worthiness.
I was grateful that Clove had picked out a black tunic, at least.
Emerging once again, I allowed my companion to examine her work. Paired with plain trousers and the leather boots, Clove declared I was fit to be seen in public.
She patted me on the back. “The black looks nice with your inky hair and blue eyes.”
“That’s not my concern.”
Her smile faltered. “Oh?”
“My concern is being torn to ribbons in such thin garments,” I admitted. I’d looked wistfully at the armor, though it was clear I couldn’t afford it yet. Not at this point in time, at least.
“Then why were you content wearing a potato sack?” she argued, hands on her hips. “If you can waltz around barefoot and in ill-fitting borrowed clothes and prepare to battle in them too, you can deal with this.”
Another voice cut in. In a stern, motherly tone. “If he can pay, of course.”
I turned around.
The newcomer was a woman. She was short and round with silver and black hair. Her keen eyes seemed to take in everything about me all in one second.
It reminded me of my father’s war chief.
“Madame Debshire!” Clove gasped. “I can assure you, he —”
“I require an upfront deposit from strangers,” the woman interjected without a care for Clove’s words.
“Then do add it up,” I told her.
Her sweet smile was anything but kind. “Thirty-five gold, five silver, and eleven copper.”
I had no idea what I had in the bag. But I did know how to negotiate. I said, “Make that twenty-five gold and six silver and we have a deal.”
“I don’t haggle with strangers,” she replied coolly, chin lifted. It was like she was already planning and foreseeing my defeat.
Yes, definitely a war chief.
But I wasn’t just any mortal. My body may have been mortal, but I was ancient compared to her, and I’d sparred with the Underworld’s true war chief.
And won.
The shop was small but well-lit. However, one of the windows had been boarded up.
I said, “You’ve been getting robbed, haven’t you?”
Her eyes widened just a fraction. Just long enough for me to catch it.
She relaxed once more and jerked her thumb behind her. “It was an accident. Henna tripped and fell through the window just two days ago.”
Henna, the tailor, glanced over from her counter, concern written all over her face and posture.
It was a laughable cover-up, but a good attempt all the same. “There isn’t a scratch on her. She could have been healed. However, she’s quite agile, as we saw earlier. I’d wager she hasn’t tripped since she was a toddler. Don’t play games, woman. Not only have you been getting robbed, but you’re attempting to hide it. What for? Customer safety? Or…”
Debshire took an unconscious step backward.
A friendly grin spread over my face. “Perhaps it’s someone you know. Someone close to you. Hm… no, not that.”
Her body language hadn’t changed in response to that guess. It must be something else.
I considered for another moment. “Perhaps they stole something valuable. Or incriminating. And you are biding your time while you plan your negotiation.”
This time, Debshire wrung her hands. Just once. Just enough to show me the truth.
I continued, “At the very least, you can’t alert the public or the authorities because whatever was stolen, you don’t want it used or destroyed. You don’t want anyone to know you have it. A woman who deals in demon bone must have an interesting spread of more interesting objects for sale.”
She was trying to hide her feelings, but I could tell I’d struck a chord. Her eyes were glimmering with anger. Her face had gone pale. “Get out.”
“For twenty-four gold, I will,” I told her. “And if you need a hand with this problem, I’d be happy to manage your confidential issue. For a price.”
Her lined face twisted in anger. “Out!”
Henna had hustled over and placed a hand on her employer’s shoulder. “Auntie, how did he know?”
“Silence, Henna!” the old woman hissed. “There are too many ears.”
Henna’s expression solidified into resolve. “He seems capable and well-bred. Maybe we should accept his help.”
“From a stranger? See, this is why you are too young to run a business, Henna. This is why. You are too naive.”
I interjected, “Excuse me. I am on a time limit. I’ll be purchasing the clothes and dagger over there. Or I can introduce you to the Mayor. I’m sure he’d love to investigate what you’re hiding.”
Both women stilled.
“Also,” I continued. “Do keep the staff on hold for me. I’m sure there’s a price we can agree on in the future.”
We settled on twenty-five gold and ten silver, since I’d added a cloak to the mess of purchases as well, and Debshire was eager to be rid of me.
I left the shop, looking like an average Amaranthan man.
I hoped.
The coin the Mayor had graciously gifted me was just enough to pay for it all. I only had a few silvers and coppers left.
I’d likely have to take on a few odd jobs in the city to keep my coin flowing. Until the Tower provided for me, of course.
However, I didn’t regret this excursion. I now had my eye on that staff, and with the new garb, I was definitely attracting fewer gawking stares on the street. Appearance hadn’t been on my priority list in terms of the Tower test.
Spells were.
Still, the purchases had been worth it. Every warrior should provide himself the basics, if he was able.
Clove was quieter than normal, as we continued down the street. She also wasn’t holding onto my arm. “It wasn’t very kind, you know? How you treated Madame Debshire.”
“Since when is kindness a virtue that anyone relied upon? Kindness is a luxury. Saved for those who have shown they’ve earned it.”
She was chewing on her lip again.
I stopped us in the middle of the road.
She paused beside me, distracted by her own thoughts. But her anxious behavior continued.
I need her focused, not distracted and stressed.
As gently as I could, I brought my finger beneath her chin and lifted it until she was staring up at me.
Something shifted in her expression.
She practically stopped breathing, eyes wide.