Watch Your Priorities

"I was expecting a dormitory or apartment, but they just flat out give you a house. The real-estate is cheap in this place," Derik commented.

The dwelling's location was in a more suburban area, positioned in a row surrounded by similar-looking abodes. The neighboring area was warped around the guild housing with various shops and trinkets branded with the logos of famous adventuring groups taking prominence. As they made their way into the house they were greeted by a foyer that connected to the main hall with a sliding door. The room was dominated by a large table and a roaring fireplace on the far end. A simplistic candle chandelier lazily swung from the ceiling. There was an arrangement of bread and vegetables spread in bowls on a long table in the main hall.

"If I knew they were giving this as a perk, I would have joined a party long ago," Gonzalez remarked.

The team split up and claimed the various rooms before heading to sleep.

Derik awoke and exited the room. Iris and Lina had already left. Gonzalez was asleep on one of the downstairs chairs, legs kicked out on the dining table. Montag was standing in the corner of the main hall. Derik went back to his room and opened the chest inside. He took out the dress clothes inside and put them on walking back downstairs and approaching Montag. Montag stood at attention eyes fixated on the front door. Derik waved a greeting, but Montag didn't respond. He said a salutation but got met with a wall of silence. He shrugged and began to leave when Montag suddenly sprung to life.

"What is it?"

Derik jumped a little. "I was just going to get some clothes. I don't really have anything other than this suit."

"Alright, I'll come along. I am interested as to where you got that attire."

"I got it from a Men's Warehouse."

"Fascinating. You should show me where that is someday."

The duo exited the residence. They made their way back through the outskirts of the city back to the center of the city. There was a multitude of humanoid creatures that Derik had noticed before at the guild. They seemed to inhabit the section of the city they were walking through to get to the central market. This part of the city was made distinct by its architecture containing much more glass and overhanging structures. It had a calm atmosphere that stemmed from the reduced foot traffic and the lack of epic structures that overlooked the inner city. Derik appreciated the change of pace. As he continued down the narrow street he was sidetracked by the small store of a local watchmaker. Curiosity overtook him and he entered the store with Montag accompanying him.

There were watches lined up on the abundance of shelves on the walls. Sunlight gleamed off the finely crafted metallic cases of the watches. Derik sorted through the watches before eventually settling on a small brass watch. Despite the piece being quite cheap, it still undoubtedly held the pride of the craftsman as elaborate leaf patterns lay punched into the material. Derik had noticed that brass was a common material in Sava, a departure from the iron and steel regularly found in Mesburg. Here there were steel watches on display that rivaled the prices of those laden with precious metals.

Derik stepped up to the shop counter.

"I would like to purchase this watch."

A figure with the visage of a lion rose sat hunched over in a chair. He placed down the tools and watch he was fiddling with taking the money and watch from the counter. He was an older gentleman, but his wrinkles were obscured by the mane covering his face. He made some adjustments, then returned the item to Derik.

"Have a good one."

Derik was about to leave the store until Montag went up and began to converse with the shopkeeper.

"I think your craft is fascinating. I always appreciate someone who knows how to care for their possessions. Can I ask you how you came to run a shop like this?"

The man seemed eager to have someone to talk to. "We are immigrants from New Tango. Business is better here and I always preferred the Palatine government."

"So how did you get here from New Tango, that's quite a ways south."

"Luckily we were able to get here before the war broke out, we went east to Mesburg then cut North. I thought my family would be safe in the capital, but it seems the war always finds a way. My son has just been drafted into the auxiliaries. He seems excited to leave, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried."

"That's great! It's a great honor to be chosen to serve in the military. You should be proud."

"I know, but we don't have any equipment. A niche product like this doesn't always get much attention, especially when you are competing with long-standing businesses." The man let out a sigh.

"Don't worry I shall make sure your son gets the equipment he needs." Montag volunteered without hesitation. The storekeeper was going to say something else, but Montag strode out the door with long, brisk strides. Derik trailed behind as they returned to the path leading to the central market.

"Are you sure you want to do this? He could be scamming you for all you know," Derik questioned Montag.

"Even if he is lying to me, I would rather suffer from a thousand dishonest lies than risk leaving a fellow aspiring soldier out in the rain."

Derik picked up some clothes from a local store before entering the armory to meet up with Montag. It was much more well-organized than the establishment in the village. It was geared more towards the military equipment as there was a distinct lack of any tools or metal parts. The store was mostly lined with a uniform set of equipment consisting of suits made of interlocking metal bands, chainmail hauberks, open-faced helmets, and short swords.

Montag picked out a set. "Derik you'll cover me if I'm short, right?"

"Where did you spend all your money, I haven't seen you buy much," Derik asked.

"I was practicing almsgiving as any god-fearing citizen should," Montag responded

"It'll be with interest."

Montag placed two daggers, a set of armor, and a short sword, as well as a javelin onto the store counter.

The total cost of the equipment came out to 3 gold coins.

"Why is this so cheap to purchase?" Derik inquired. "Did I get scammed at the other place?"

"The store sells this specific set of equipment in a package. It seems usage of this specific equipment is subsidized by the government."

Montag took the wrapped-up set and slung it over his back. The two of them returned to the watchmaker and presented him with the gear.

"You have saved me, and I thank you most earnestly. Allow me to repay you with a piece from my store anything you fancy is yours."

"Your gratitude is my reward. I don't carry watches. I am merely glad to have been of service."

"At least let me see that watch I sold your friend earlier."

Derik handed over the watch, and the man fiddled with it under his desk. When he returned it, it now had a cover that had an indent of a squid-shaped sea monster, not unlike a beast you would find drawn into the ocean of a map. Derik opened the watch and was surprised by the complex machinery that lay on the inner side of the lid.

"I put an astrolabe in the watch. It's a symbol of good fortune back in my homeland. The heroes of old Tango used to carry astrolabes that had magical properties."

The shopkeeper gave his thanks a few more times and invited them to stop by again. Montag waved as they exited the store and returned to the accommodations given to them.

"Do you see this blade type, it dates back to the age of empires where it was used in the expansion of Emperor Fredrick..."

Derik initially disregarded Montag's descriptions of the origins of the dagger he had purchased for himself. Derik flipped open the clock once more to admire it. He hadn't the slightest idea regarding the purpose of the new mechanism, but he enjoyed the beautifully rendered sun and moon moving in tandem. He closed the watch and looked at Montag. He gave him his attention as he explained the production process of javelins. There wasn't really much else to do anyway.