Merchant of the Wilds

Afternoon rays of sunlight beamed through the windows of a one story cabin-like structure just outside the port town of Lagton Bay in the Alderian Empire. The dusty little house was actually a store, as read the sign board swinging in the cool morning breeze. GLOCK'S TREASURE SHOP

People walking past would often glance toward the shop, and the empty display through the window. Suddenly there was a shout from entrance of the town.

"Talon, you little scoundrel, where are you?!"

The man who had spoken was clad in chain mail and wore a sheathed long sword on his back, passerby looked surprised to see this man. He was the captain of the Estate Watch, the mayor of Lagton's personal guards.

The name 'Talon' rang in people's ears. The second son of the mayor was named Talon. He was known to be quite the troublemaker.

The captain and two other guards ran through the crowd and looked around, in anger,

"Where could he have gone?" one soldier asked,

"Probably off to the forests again!" The other soldier replied in a defeated tone, "I'll go to the Adventurers Guild and see if I can get someone to go with us."

The captain nodded and the man ran back to the city. Glancing around the captain noticed the shop to his right for the first time.

"What's this place?" He asked the soldier next to him, as the captain did not often stray far from the city. The soldier beside him was stationed at the gate. The guard nodded toward it as he replied,

"That place has been closed for awhile, when I was younger it was a common spot for Mages to visit to buy and sell artifacts from their journeys."

The captain was surprised at this, few places besides the Capital Exchange were allowed to buy and sell artifacts by law of the Empire.

"Who's this 'Glock' to be able to do such things?" He asked curiously, walking up to the window.

"He was quite old when I last saw him, he owned the shop before that law was enacted so he was allowed to keep the shop running"

The captain looked through the glass for a moment, then shrugged as a Steel rank Archer hurried over with the other guard, the four men made their way through the crowd toward the nearby forest.

Three hours later they returned defeated, Talon was no where to be found, and night was falling.

"He probably circled back, safe and warm in his bedroom!" the guard muttered, after paying the Adventurer for his help the three made their way back towards the city gates.