9 Blade for Hire

The carriage continues it's way to the merchant , Cyrian and Kiro watch the sunset enlightening the path they are following. The two sit in total silence until Cyrian decides to break the ice once again :

-Stop the carriage for a little bit

-Why?

-You have to check you merchandise before you sell it , who knows the worth of all this goods

-I guess you are right

Kiro stops the carriage , both them get off the carriage and check the weapons . Cyrian grabs a sword that looks a bit fancier than the others and says:

-I didn't know they are smithing silver weapons now

-Why would you give normal guards silver weapons

-They are really effective against beastmen , Their attacks have been increased in this area , It's completely normal this times for villagers and town's folks to disappear without a trace in the forest.

-There around 20 of them here

-Put them aside , double quality means doubled price.

Cyrian takes a look on Kiro's scimitar , the ruby at the swords grip almost hypnotizes him. And the dark material it was forged , it looked gorgeous .

- How much do you want for it?

-For what?

-For your sword

-It's not for sale .

-Everything has a price

-But the price can be higher than you can pay

-You can take all the drezas we are going to get , if you simply give me your sword

-I wasn't talking about money

-At least can I have a look at it , I give my word I won't do anything to bother you

Kiro hesitates at first but then he draws his sword and gives it to Cyrian. The moment he touches it , chills come down from his spine , he feels like a lightning stroke him . Cyrian immediately drops the sword

-What's wrong

-Your blade is cursed

-How do you know that

-I cannot explain but I had a feeling that gives me chills just by touching ... it

-Yeah , whatever

Kiro reaches for his sword and sheathes it while Cyrian stares at him

-Your blade is cursed , doesn't that bother you at all

-As long as it is in my possession you shouldn't be worried

-Because you can handle it...right?

-Because it's none of your businesses

The carriage finally arrives at the merchant

-I assume you have come here to bargain lads

-I guess we are

-Let me see what you got

He carefully inspects the weapons until he says :

-12000 Drezas

-You must be kidding me - Says Cyrian

-If you include the silver weapons I might give you 15000 Drezas

Kiro lifts his head up and says:

-Make it 19000

-Are you out of your mind , Either 15000 or get out of here

-I didn't come all the way up here to end up empty handed

-You should consider yourself lucky that I'm doing business with bandits

Kiro gins ,watches the merchant in the eyes and says

-Time leap

Suddenly , the merchant feels a drop of blood coming out of his cheek , Kiro had made a small cut on his face , no one saw anything , Cyrian didn't show his amusement and the merchant seemed rather surprised than scared.

-And you should consider yourself lucky that I haven't taken both the money and the merchandise 20000 Drezas the carriage included .

-I see , you drive a hard bargain , well damn it all 20000 drezas , they are yours .

The merchant takes out two bags filled with drezas , 10000 each.

-How did you know we would split them

-It's obvious , even if I was wrong that would be your problem and not mine.

Cyrian takes the bag , turns to Kiro and says :

-Well , I hope we cross paths again , it was a pleasure doing business with you.

-Yeah , yeah same to you

-Until then .....

Then Cyrian disappear in the forest .

-Well I guess I should go too

-Wait I have proposition for you

-What is it?

-I have heard about you , you were the one that turned Hoggler tower into a slaughterhouse

-Where is your point

-Would you be interested in getting rid of somebody for me , I will pay you well .

-Depends , who is the man you want dead.

-Baron Aldrich , a corrupt man indeed , He is responsible for the poverty on the capital's street .

-How so?

-He is in charge of the taxes around the capital , He sets an extra fees for merchants who don't declare the origin of their goods , like me.

-This man doesn't seem bad at all.

-I can assure this is the only thing he has done good , in his whole life , ever thought why you don't see many beggars in the streets?

-To be honest no.

-Because many of them are dragged in prisons and they die due to several beatings they take from their fellow prisoners and the guards.

-Why does he lock up beggars ?

-Beggars can't pay taxes , and as long as you don't pay taxes you simply find yourself on the kingdom's bad side.

Kiro heads towards the carriage and grabs one of the horses

-Well you can meet me at the tavern in the in the rough area of the capital

-I will think about it

-Meet me at the tavern when you make up your mind

Kiro takes the horse and rides it towards the path he came from

-And here goes my horse , the horse I paid for just moments ago.