Chapter 51

Plant roots of unknown use, bottled powders of mysterious origin, and thin twigs were strewn across a wooden board covered in black cloth. Ruth jumped off his horse and began to inspect the items.

"Are these all herbs?" Hebaron asked.

Despite his grumbling, he was craning his neck to peer at the items. Ruth ignored the question and beckoned to the youth handling herbs in the corner.

"I'd like twenty segal (equivalent to 100 grams) of each type. How much will that cost?"

"They're one derham for ten segal," the kind-faced youth answered. "These are rare herbs of high quality. For 20 segal of each kind, it'll be 40 derham."

"Do you accept payment in liram?"

"Of course. Let me bring the scale."

Maxi watched as the youth carefully weighed the dry herbs on a brass scale. Ruth placed each bundle inside a small pouch, then took out four silver coins from a purse. The peddler also placed these on the scale.

"W-Why is he w-weighing them?" Maxi asked in a whisper.