This is Buddy’s tent. He’s a tall man with a mousy face, but his eyes are always sharp, even when he’s got that friendly smile on his lips.
I nearly don’t spot him where he’s hunched behind a display case arranged with bejewelled pocket watches, rubbing at the glass with his sleeve.
“Ah, look what the cat dragged in,” he says, tucking his arms behind his back as he takes in my dishevelled appearance. “It’s a pleasure as always to see you, Talia. Even on your worst days.”
“That’s no way to speak to one of your regulars. And you’re not supposed to use my name,” I remind him, browsing an arrangement of ruby rings in one of the cases by the entrance. They’re all beautiful, but dwarfed by the one I’ve brought tonight.Good.
“My mistake,” Buddy concedes, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. His long, slender fingers seem almost greedy as they gesture at my pockets. “Now, let me see what you’ve got.”
“Two rings. A ruby and a moon diamond.” I retrieve the jewels from my pocket and drop them into his palm.
Buddy holds them up to the solar lantern hanging from the post in the centre of the tent. He squints at the pieces.
“They’re both of impeccable craftsmanship. Rather ancient, too, I’d wager,” he whispers, mostly to himself. His expression sharpens as he looks back at me. “These rings, were they both …acquiredfrom the same establishment?”
“I found them both in an old box. They won’t be missed.” I bite the inside of my cheek, mulling over my next choice of words. “I have reason to believe … no, I’mconfidentthey’re Necroseals.”
“Confident, are you?” Buddy purses his lips in thought. “Perhaps a touch delusional, too, thinking you’d find a merchant willing to buy these. Necroseals are useless to anyone outside the original owner’s bloodline.”
“That won’t matter to a Soulreaper desperate for power,” I counter, though I’m not entirely sure my tone carries enough conviction.
Buddy holds the moon diamond ring between his fingers first, then the ruby. He scrutinizes them with one eye closed. His talents as a Helio elemental with light manipulation abilities allow him to verify their authenticity in a single glance.
“I’ll take the ruby for fifty Lun.”
“Only the one?” I ask as Buddy hands back the remaining ring. “Is there something wrong with the moon diamond?”
The merchant strides to the back of the tent, where he keeps his cash box, and retrieves a key from a chain around his neck.
The key clicks in the lock, and the cash box pops open. His fingers work swiftly, counting out my payment before he snaps the box shut, locks it again and tucks the key into his shirt.
“It’s a fine gem, no doubt,” he says, handing me the coins. “But I can’t risk buying more than one stolen item from the same place – especially Necroseals. Sorry.”
“Since when are you so particular?”
“Since ol’ Mikey got himself caught by the Principal Guard, that’s when.”
I’ve never met Mikey, but I know he was the only other jewel merchant in our little village, Stellargrove. Buddy’s only competition.
Buddy continues. “Got too greedy, he did. Bought a trunk full of pearls from a band of graverobbers and got caught the next day. It’s just me now, so I need to becareful. Can’t afford to take any chances.” Buddy hooks his thumbs into the pockets of his jumpsuit, an old brown thing he wears on rotation over button-up shirts. “One jewel, I’m afraid. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”
“Please, Buddy. I really need to sell these.”
“Don’t waste your breath haggling, sweet. Are we settled on fifty Lun for the ruby, or should I lower my price?” Buddy’s brow furrows as he studies the coins in his palm.
I sigh in defeat and reach for the payment, dropping the coins into the front pocket of my tunic.
“Try the next village over, if you desperately need the money,” says Buddy, much to my surprise. “Moondance Haven, there’s a jeweller there. A bloke named Kane. He’ll take it off your hands.”
“How do I know he won’t report me?” I ask.
“Kane and I go way back to my days as a travelling merchant. He won’t rat you out, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get top coin for your goods.” Buddy smirks. “He’s a bit of a swindler, which is why we don’t do business.”
I nod my thanks.
Buddy diverts his attention to charming a masked lady by the tent’s entrance and, with his focus elsewhere, I explore a scattered array of brooches arranged on a velvet cushion.
The cool touch of rhinestones against my fingers beckons and, in an instant, a flower-shaped brooch adorned with pink and yellow gems becomes the newest additionto my front pocket. If I go to Moondance Haven, I can try and sell it there, too.
