The caster lifted one black eyebrow and blew smoke in my face. “If you want the information, it’ll cost you.”
I coughed and waved my right hand in front of my face, the scent like a skunk, nothing I’d ever smelled before. I wasn’t a fool, either. I bartered. “If you show me the way, I’ll pay you once we arrive.”
Her lips hooked up into a cruel smile. “I could just spell you to give me all your coins. Aren’t you afraid of that, elf?”
“Not in the slightest. You don’t want to fuck with me,” I stated dryly, staring straight into her blue, swirling-mist eyes. She wouldn’t like the outcome if she tried a shady venture with me right now. I’d probably explode with my royal firepower in my currently ragged state of mind. “Do you want my coin or not?”
“Not.” She shrugged her left shoulder. “You came to me for help. Not the other way around. Shoo now. You’re blocking my view.”
I sighed heavily and lifted two golden coins from inside my bag. I held one out to her, keeping the other close to my chest. “Are you sure about that? One now, the other one once we’re there.”
Her blue-mist eyes widened at the rich, sparkling coin before her. The caster snatched it out of my hand so fast I was fairly positive she used a spell. The coin disappeared inside her pocket, and she motioned with her cigar in agreement of the deal. “Don’t flash that other coin to everyone. We’ll be in a realm of hurt if you do that here.”
I flicked the coin up the sleeve of my blouse without a thought, my sleight of hand excellent and no longer in need of refining. “Show me the way.”
The caster chuckled. “You’ll do all right here if you’re that slick. Just keep your head down and your eyes up.”
I followed close behind her.
We traveled down many winding streets and through a few shaded alleyways. The area was becoming rougher, the architecture less flawless, an older part of the city. As we trudged through another dark alley, just as I was ready to question her, wondering if she was leading me to my doom, the buildings cleared and we stepped into the sunshine.
I examined the site before me—the location Fae fucking perfect for what I needed to do later—and flicked the remaining coin up into the air in her direction. “Thank you.”
The caster snatched the coin as it dropped in front of her, pocketing it just as quickly as the last one. “You’re welcome. And I’ll give you some free advice. Be gone an hour before dark. There’s a challenge tonight in the royal arena, and this place will be flooded with shifters traveling there.”
I could see that.
The site for the traveling merchants today, where they’d sell their goods, was a large, open field, many streets leading to the location. Behind the field and over a massive rock bridge stood King Athon’s impressive castle and the royal challenge arena.
She cocked her head at me and puffed on her odd cigar. “I am serious. The money you might make won’t be worth the misfortune you’ll find yourself in.”
“I am in agreement. Thank you so much for helping me and for your advice.” I flicked my hand over my shoulder in farewell and hoofed it into the slowly growing merchant crowds, my focus now on the next step of my plan.
All five kingdoms were represented here, all bartering their wares in preparation for the challenge tonight. Even the shifters who commonly stayed near their own shops—not bothering to compete with the other kingdoms and their goods—were grabbing prime tables near the main street that led to the castle and the arena. No one of a different kingdom argued with them, even when some had to give up their spots, not wanting to be killed or kicked out of this occasion. This was the best location for making the most coin today that would last them for months if they worked hard enough—even if they weren’t close to the central walkway.
Seeing the extent of today’s merchant site, I knew now why so many elves were currently taking a chance in this kingdom. Coin. The pure and simple need—or greed—for it. They were in the right place at the right time to fill their pockets.
I strolled toward my group on the left, avoiding the shifter sentinels in their bold, orange colors that watched over the proceedings taking place. They would probably be here all night standing guard. That meant they watched over their people, not anyone else’s. They were here to protect the shifters, plain and simple, even if the rules said otherwise. Any traveling merchant knew this, so you stayed clear of them the best you could.
I picked a smaller booth on the last row closest to a timbered children’s park. It appeared to be the safest area left, and it would be easy for me to disappear into if I had the need. I set my bag on the dark, wooden table and rifled through my clothes, searching for the mildly expensive elven-made scarves I’d grabbed from my closet to sell. Fifteen in total is all I’d been willing to peddle—or have stolen. My many others held special meaning for me, and I wouldn’t risk losing them in the appalling Shifter Kingdom.
I placed the finery carefully over the table for the best visual effect, draping them so they’d blow just a little in the breeze off the edge. Brilliant colors bombarded my eyes. I smiled and nodded my head, pleased with the presentation of my personal belongings—like fantastical waves rolling in an ocean. I hooked my bag back over my shoulder and took my place behind my stand.
“Those are beautiful,” an elf stated loudly across from me at her table. She pointed down at her woven goods of blankets—all as colorful as mine. An impish grin lifted her round cheeks. “I bet I sell more of mine, though.”
“Is that a bet?” I smirked.
“It is!”
Laughter bubbled out of my throat. My shoulders loosened from my anxiety, tension drifting away. I asked, “What is the prize?”
She shrugged. “Whoever wins will—”
“Listen up!” A masculine voice boomed through the air, cutting off her words—and nearly every other merchant here. The site turned quiet, and my pointed ears perked as a guard stood on top of a gorgon merchant’s table, causing his items to crash all over the ground. Not caring one bit, the guard barked harshly, “You have ten minutes before King Athon will be walking by. Don’t be more foolish than you already are. You will be thrown out of the Shifter Kingdom if there are any attempts to woo him over to your table. He has business to attend to this morning, and that does not include the lot of you.”
Um…
Uh… No, no, no, no.
