Golden Eyes

Standing infront of the entrance to the Thornfield Caravan, Lucy stared at Alex, not knowing what to think.

She somehow expected him not to be able to handle what he promised, but she somehow expected him to act differently around others, more confident than like with her.

But here she was, calming Alex down. And after a few minutes of bearing all of his apologies, he indeed calmed down.

„Alex… can you tell me what happened inside? What did Gerald do to you!?"

„N-nothing… it was my fault, Lucy. He didn't do anything. He has a small grudge with my father, that's all. How about you talk to him, while… I wait o-outside?" Alex stammered in between quick breaths.

Not entirely believing him, she thought he made it up. Afterall, he's a bit anxious when talking to others.

„Sure, hmph. You wait here while I handle it. If he doesn't agree to buy our products, then I will just go to someone else."

‚Didn't the others tell me that we always sold our crops to him? What's so different now?' Lucy thought, before stepping forth and opening the big weathered door of the Thornfield Caravan.

After entering, what greeted her sight was a small dark room, its windows covered by curtains. The smell inside was thick and filled with different sweet scents and tobacco.

At the end of the room was a wooden desk laden with parchment and quills. Above it hung a lantern, its light filling the whole room.

Bathed in the lantern's warm glow was sitting an old man, engrossed in his work. His parted white hair flowed down his forehead, veiling his eyes. A neatly trimmed beard and mustache complement his hair.

The old merchant wore an attire of full black. A high-collared black shirt, over the shirt a fur-lined vest, black trousers, black leather shoes and black leather gloves.

At his side laid a cane carved with delicate patterns.

A belt secured around his waist held what seemed to be a journal .

When Lucy spotted the man, she gulped down and slowly approached him. The creaking of the wood beneath attracted the man's attention.

„What did I tell you before, brat. Leave and tell your father that it's none of my business! And don't even think about using some petty tricks to make me favor you…" Gerald spoke slowly while still being focused on the papers infront of him.

„Uhh… uhmmm," Lucy pondered what to say.

Gerald stopped his task for a moment, lifting his gaze from his papers, the hair covering his eyes disappearing.

His piercing yellow eyes staring at the small girl infront of him. Only to be met with the same yellow eyes. After holding eye contact for a while, their eyes seemed to shine golden under the lantern's warm glow.

„Lucy..?" Gerald Thornfield asked, as finally realization struck him.

„Lucy!? What brought you here, my little girl!? Were you missing your grandfather so much , hahah!!?" Gerald laughed aloud, standing up from his chair and approaching Lucy.

And before Lucy could realize in what kind of situation she was in, Gerald took her into a strong hug.

„Can't.. can't breathe.." Lucy said inbetween quick breaths.

„Oh, my bad. I'm sorry, little girl. I missed you too, you see. Seeing you only once in a few months is making this old man very emotional."

„Honestly, I didn't expect you to appear here today. Did something happen!? I heard your father left in a hurry, leaving you alone. Hah, this dumb son of mine. What a disgrace, leaving his daughter alone here."

„I didn't know if the rumors were true, but I wanted to see if it's like that when I was done with all the piled up work. I just returned from a successful trade, haha. My little girl, come here. Sit down.." Gerald said while gesturing Lucy to sit down infront of him.

„Here, here… eat some. This fruit is found in the south of our Frostgard Empire. There they call it ,Frostberries'. It's quite common there, but rarely found here." Gerald said while laying a box full of translucent, ice-blue spheres.

Lucy's mind struggled to piece together the fragments of events. She took one of the berries inside and stuffed it into her mouth.

When eaten she felt a refreshing taste akin to mint or citrus.

And with the chilling effect of the fruit, Lucy woke up from her stupor.

Puff* Puff*

Lucy exhaled sharply, trying to regulate her breathing because of the cold.

„Hehe, as expected… children shouldn't taste something like mint. Your expression was priceless..!" Gerald laughed vibrantly.

Gerald gathered his thoughts, his expression growing somber.

„So, my little princess… I hope everything's been going well for you. Could you tell me where your parents are, and your little sister? You know, your father and me had some difficult times lately. But do not worry, my little girl. Everything will be okay…"

Facing Gerald's inquiry, Lucy just remained silent.

And in her mind, she thought ‚that's something I would like to know aswell'

Taking her silence as uncertainty, Gerald just shook his head.

‚I shouldn't involve her in adult affairs'

„It's okay, it's okay… you still have me. How about that, I will take care of you for the time being, okay?"

Lucy felt anxious and scared for the surprise of discovering a family member suddenly, but at least Gerald was a nice man, letting her feel comfortable around him even though ‚she' didnt know him well yet.

‚And it seems like he also has a bad relationship with my father. Everyone seems to dislike him somehow. He even called him a disgrace.'

„I initially came here with Alex to sell the crops we harvested yesterday. We also brought Tom and Melissa, but they went somewhere else… Alex wanted to handle the trade with you, but he came out with a blank expression saying you had a grudge with your father. What did you tell him, Grandpa?"

„I think he made it up. He's not great in handling situations like this. And I think he likes me a bit too much so he doesn't want to lose face and lie to me."

„We harvested 100 radishes, already washed and cut them, so they are sell-ready. No other work is needed. And also, this is a longterm trad-"

„Of course it is a longterm trade, I know it my little girl. Even though me and your father have somewhat of a distant relationship, he still sells the crops to me. No need to worry, I would always buy your products, at a high price if needed."

Lucy frowned her head, putting a finger on her temple. ‚So we really sell the crops to this Grandfather of mine, but why did Alex walk out with this kind of expression? What exactly happened?'

Seeing her confusion, Gerald took a Frostberry and stuffed it into his mouth, cooling him a bit down.

His expression turned into one of displeasure, he furrowed his brows and took another Frostberry to cool him down again.

„You surely want to know why Alex backed away from me? Well, let me begin at the beginning, even though I won't go into great detail yet. It's nothing a kid your age should concern about."

„In the past, there was a member of my caravan called Oliver Woodscythe. He excelled in his trade and I decided to tutor him. I teached him about my strategies, enterprising, leadership. He was an ambitious youth, but sadly, one day he grew up to a man and started his own family."

„He left my caravan, shocking me deeply. Oliver was hungry for success, he didn't hesitate to take the greatest risks, that's why I told him that I can support him financially when he starts his family. A man can't create a family while having no job, afterall. He surely had other problems taking a toll on his mind."

„And sure, he had. Equipped with my knowledge, the knowledge of the number one merchant of Clearwater Village and its surrounding region, he was a priceless man for many. But also a target of many."

„Our rivaling family in the Emberfox region was eyeing Oliver like prey. I don't know yet what exactly they did to him, but I know that it's probably because of them that he left my ranks."

„Years and years later, after the long time of being distant to me, Oliver started to actively talk to me again. Our relationship grew yet again into a close one, and he was still in need of financial support. Not to live stable and maybe return to his former position but, to rise his family instead in another trade- Meatselling."

„Every section has its own bigshot. I am still the biggest, hehe. I am the merchant with the biggest caravan in our Serpentshade region. Then there's the Ironfall family that excels in forging, the Stormcloak family that excels in military power, it's also the family our Clearwater Village's Mayor stems from. There's also the Whitebrand family that excels in herbal and medication. Your friend Melissa is part of that family. And many more families."

„That's it with the introduction. As you can see, there's a spot left for the meatselling, as it's the easiest to excel now in. So another family can take up this spot. And that's Oliver's intention, to rise his Woodscythe Family into a local bigshot. To do that he needs financial support."

„I would gladly support him financially, but maybe because of his stubborn nature he didn't want to ask me personally. Being the strategic thinker, if you would call him that, haha… he used his son as a mean to ask me right now for backing. And as I told you, I would for sure support him, the prerequisite is he asks me himself. If he wants to lead a family, he should stand as a man and ask himself. Sending his son stirred a rage inside me so I thrashed Alex and told him to bring his father…"

‚So that's how it is. He surely was disappointed in Oliver Woodscythe after this action. But Gramps is right, he should stand his man and ask for support himself. Poor Alex can't even socialize in daylife, what else in an arrangement as important for the rise of his family like this. Oliver is a coward, indeed.."

„And sending him here now, together with you, he surely wanted to-"

„Strike a weak spot and manipulate you into agreeing without him asking in person?" Lucy finished Gerald's speech.

Gerald looked at her, his eyes widening. He nodded and then said „That's right, little girl. You're pretty smart for your age, seeing through this aswell. I am proud of you, Lucy." Gerald said, laying his hand on her head and patting her.

Lucy blushed, not knowing when someone last told her of how proud she made someone.

„Oh, and also… you mentioned another region called Emberfox. Can you tell me more? I want to know more about our regions here." Lucy stated, calming down again.

„The Emberfox region? Hmm, how about you find out yourself about this region. If you come with me under my tutelage, you will see everything on your own. So, are you willing, little one?" Gerald asked her expectantly.

Lucy was barely 6 years old and teaching her now would raise her into a great businesswoman. He can't imagine a future with her by his side.

A smile appeared on his face.

Ding*

— — —

[New Quest: Sell items in 5 different Villages]

[Reward: New Cat Companion]

— — —

‚A new cat? I can get more?? And.. Freya already has a special ability like the Water Element Affinity. More Cats mean more abilities for me. And of course, more companions for me and Freya. I am so excited!!' Lucy giggled happily.

Gerald thought she giggled like that because she was a little girl who could spend some more time with her grandfather.

„But before we set with the caravan, I want you to learn some bit about business making. Here, take this." Gerald took out the thick journal tied to his belt, and handed it to her.

„I wrote down many things about my adventures inside of it. Take it, and study some bit with it. If you have questions, you can ask me anytime."

„I will also send someone daily to take care of your parents farm. For the 100 crops today, I will give you this money here." he handed her a bag filled with 5 chillings and 62 bits.

„Lucy, concentrate just on studying. I will come up with the costs of maintaining the Paddingtons farm. Don't worry, okay?"

Lucy was still caught in her thoughts- a new cat companion would be nice.

„Grandpa, you also mentioned your rivaling family… if you take me with you, I should also know about them, right? It's the safest so I can prepare for them."

„Mhm, I indeed mentioned them. Make your own researches about them, and don't get influenced by any other party. Even me. As a businesswoman you should always make your own opinion on something."

„Well then, our rival family in the Emberfox region is called-

The Paddington Family."

…

Current Level: [ Level 1: 20/100 XP]