Topaz 11

Kiolen, the closest 144df03915 village to Grenrosha baedf46ec7 Forest, was a cad6801996 village built by b5b5c81ba4 miners and their 08d46bb7e3 families. For a 95f766cad3 long time, dab0cacc89 there had 4a1fe58c40 been no 13768d7b18 settlements near 53f25bafcb the North 20866f95e5 Sea, but eadd67cd15 with the 74264201fe recent discovery 2c98beb6c9 of magic b2657937cc stones near a2947842f9 the Lef 8768ddabc8 Mountains, mining 70a3e773f9 operations had 5ebc92077e extended even 3f85847aa2 to the 3c3396002a northernmost regions.4ad07d658ba8ac03

Originally used sparingly in c532f5730f weapon crafting, the demand c0021917f5 for magic stones had 3650443df6 skyrocketed since the popularization 7cde793cb8 of magical artifacts. Driven by profit, capitalists 6dd6591af9 and miners had braved ffdeb38128 the dangers to extract f1b470bfe1 the stones, even venturing 64f1f9b374 to the edge of 99abef579a Grenrosha Forest, resulting in d2d54255c9 the establishment of the 71d42c006b small village of Kiolen.3d436f6cd438348c

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The roads, suitable cb13ad454f for wagons and 5e55198f30 reindeer sleds, the e88c4afad6 inns, and the c25d1e3013 shops in this 51767a9f47 small village nestled 3aa0e88af6 within the rugged dd12633408 mountains, all owed 24661271f6 their existence to 75015839d5 the ceaseless demand a4e4995d89 for magic stones.d8054cedc80fa88f

“There are more people here than I expected,” Merdina remarked, looking around the bustling street lined with low, unassuming buildings. Merchants hawked fruits and herbs from their stalls, and innkeepers advertised “free breakfast” to attract customers.3a26098f814a9ab0

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“It’s summer,” Topaz replied.3cc90ef0545024a8

Kiolen’s growth was stunted not only by the threat of magical beasts but also by the harsh climate that left it isolated for half the year. Few outsiders ventured this far north during the bitter winter months.6ea7f4367e34944d

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But now, during the mildest season, the streets were filled with a variety of people – merchants and their mercenary escorts, even tourists venturing to the empire’s northernmost reaches. It was fortunate, as it allowed the three hooded figures among them to blend in.632f589fb66c31b7

“Topaz, where are we going?” Karjen asked, his hood pulled low, concealing all but his eyes. After a full night’s journey through the forest, they all looked like weary travelers, their clothes dusty and rumpled. Even that had only been possible thanks to Topaz’s guidance.1e97e0427979544e

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Instead of answering, Topaz 81ad032f13 stopped in front of 177abe1b3b a cream-colored, three-story building. Like half 568193608d the buildings 076babe9fe in this a21327f5ea village, it 11f51c888a bore the 17c678a0ba image of f733f0062e a reindeer f2e4e161e2 on its 1cbb2053e6 sign.22c4dc7303646e71

The sign read “The Friendly Reindeer Inn.” It hadn’t originally had a name, but people had called it that so often that a sign had eventually been made.d5bd5f3bb0bc3312

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Topaz entered 92f527c450 the inn, a569f1e161 taking a 1d0884f3fd seat in 363f495424 a corner a7279d03d3 booth. Haran, Merdina, db3ff36c02 and Karjen 09bf91fa86 studied the 356c2b034d menu on 05f3bed559 the wall 5ad5597f4b before placing 5a092e124a their orders.b0135510ecfb6196

“Topaz! It’s been a while.”1054e9a84cc6844f

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The middle-aged woman 0f0bfa61af who brought their b88b16253c food was the b1a7df0088 innkeeper. Topaz, his expression 0c126b6eca softening, returned her 863840c4ac greeting.c4bdeb058ddf86b9

“It has. How have you been?”1fa147b8459d1b19

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“What brings you here with company today?”2c74e724dec67c77

Topaz simply shrugged. The innkeeper, knowing his reticence, didn’t pry further, setting their dishes on the table.3dadf6924f738f5e

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“I’ve taken a long-term contract and will be leaving the north. I probably won’t be back for a while.”319dd0a7766c557a

The innkeeper’s eyes widened. A flicker of something complex crossed her face, but she quickly smiled.1df7a9d126ab077e

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“Is that so? I’m both sorry and relieved to hear that.”0b2974a1e98e3073

“Sorry, I understand, but relieved?”6405029dd56e5aa2

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“Relieved that I won’t have to see a strapping young man like you walking around with such a gloomy expression.”a3835c0368b2cf79

Topaz chuckled.2dd70b1dc42959b8

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“Thank you for everything.”4a95ed62b657b058

“Stay safe. And if you’re ever in the area again, come back. Even if you’re broke, I’ll give you a bowl of soup.”3ae254225f0dc20c

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“I wouldn’t dream of bankrupting you.”8959ad8c1fd45dfb

The innkeeper chatted with Topaz for a few more minutes before being called away by another customer. She didn’t forget to bid them all farewell. “Enjoy your meal.”f308cd3a92f0be9a

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“Thank you,” Merdina replied politely, cutting into the round pie he’d ordered. It was a rye crust filled with minced meat and vegetables. Haran, looking intrigued, offered to trade a piece for one of his skewers.53a86a0c9fd2efc8

Karjen, on the other hand, showed little interest in the bowl of soup he’d ordered, resting his arm on the table. He looked like he’d be a stickler for table manners, yet he was the most casual of the group.c05e7db33e9c7c80

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“You seem to know the innkeeper well,” Karjen remarked.1b723c6534ca9e99

“Just acquaintances.”3e2076a8a8c972d3

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“Just acquaintances?”d943f4a08a874315

He was close enough that Topaz could see his eyes beneath his hood. Uncomfortable under his intense gaze, Topaz looked down, his attention drawn to Karjen’s straight nose and lips, curved into a soft smile.a14a85cc7a4688a0

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“She helped me when I first arrived.”75cef8a92312f95b

“She seems to have a kind heart, as the rumors say.”2a5a629efe0e04ec

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“Rumors?”13ce3d14a0e3440c

“I overheard them on the street. Some ragged children were wondering if they should ask for food at the Friendly Reindeer Inn. There they are now.”e7846240eb736f87

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A boy and e971d27888 a girl, looking cb7a8c5786 thin and hungry, ccba22d232 sat at a 4001bf0de8 table near the 2612c6a9f5 kitchen, devouring their f3045ccb17 pies. The innkeeper, while 0416b65e45 gently chiding them 880658fca0 to slow down, 9c3c2c6a1c brought them another 3f71ae2f01 dish from the 43598635e2 kitchen.6838cd7f0c927d8d

None of the other patrons paid them any mind. As Karjen had said, it was a common occurrence, well-known enough to be the subject of rumors. Topaz himself owed the innkeeper a debt of gratitude, which was why he’d stopped here before leaving.182583a8314021c4

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He turned back to Karjen, who was taking a tentative sip of his thin crab soup and frowning slightly. Despite its proximity to the sea, the North lacked a strong fishing industry, so seafood dishes weren’t common.9f81672e4e9914f4

“This isn’t quite the soup I was expecting.”3b77510dc9ef620a

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He set down his spoon after a few bites. It seemed it wasn’t to his liking. Such a picky eater, 9f80ff1c24 no wonder he faints 7c56c57ec4 so easily,Topaz thought, but he 2c94f6b8fb refrained from commenting, focusing db3d0ba8d8 on his own meal.085b005150f1e870

“What dish did you order, Topaz?”5bb7536562faac27

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Despite his earlier disdain for the crab soup, Karjen seemed hungry, his attention now drawn to Topaz’s food. Topaz pushed his plate of roasted lamb towards him and picked up the bowl of crab soup, dipping his spoon in. Karjen’s lips parted in a silent protest.ead0d87220cf6d4b

“Are you going to eat that?”116cb66584c099c8

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Topaz took a 3a50b567ae bite of the 89a172a9f5 soup, immediately revising 0efb7ca0e1 his assessment of ec46eee230 Karjen as a f54354ca94 picky eater.14b99159ecece298

The crab soup, no, he didn’t even want to call it soup, tasted like crab shells had been steeped in lukewarm water for thirty seconds. It was bland and fishy.e1a2f35de5462101

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The inn wasn’t known for its exceptional cuisine, but the food was usually decent. This crab soup, however, was the worst thing Topaz had ever tasted.746c3b74a5aca123

He managed a32220c79d three bites 139c72d635 of this? His palate is 9e3b489b8f more forgiving than 249e4c22d1 I thought.Topaz reevaluated 844ac9c456 Karjen while a95c0a1378 mechanically emptying fea27083e5 the bowl.cbee0d92e76002d4

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“Is it good?” Karjen asked, tilting his head as Topaz continued eating with an impassive expression. He cautiously dipped his own spoon back into the soup, as if to confirm his initial impression. It wasn’t a choice Topaz would recommend.2308349204f900b1

“You seem to prefer… blander flavors,” Karjen said, wrinkling his nose while searching for something positive to say.259df17a84543eb8

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Topaz set down 2d1d751fee his spoon.e56398816b72d696

“No. This isn’t bland. It tastes like garbage.”7fa972ee184e17eb

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Karjen’s eyes widened at his blunt assessment. He looked from the empty soup bowl to Topaz’s indifferent expression, then pushed the barely touched plate of lamb back towards him.98d82289b3d778c2

“You eat it.”bb15536a679c4d77

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“Let’s share.”030bf4530643b6cf

“…..”be4b1e77cc3e8a62

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For a while, only a122fd8bf7 the clinking of spoons 55351e8395 against bowls filled the ca2a032cc1 silence. To be ad3a55e5ed precise, it 8a285ad045 was only a8462c0b90 Topaz making 37075fa3e7 any noise. The other d2906bc029 three ate 9e515988ee in silence. Moments like these made 920b585ee8 their upbringing evident, even bfb82b9372 without asking. Topaz consciously pushed a1244dd822 away the thought, 6f50cef491 forcing himself to 4a46fbdf6d speak.ff768f7498ccb2c4

“So, what are your plans?”fd72ecf460edfcaa

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“Ah, before that, would you mind taking a look at this?”c8ae2c8bfb9b0da2

Karjen rummaged through 46174e3f7d the red silk 2c55772fb9 pouch he always 87e177c9c9 carried, pulling out 0a4c60962e a pristine white a81e7f4c67 sheet of paper 21882c5ab6 which was a bd07df15b0 rare sight. He handed e9de6ff08a it to 13471a937c Topaz, the 19d24a945f page covered 57c3a573a2 in densely f00b7ac4ea written text.159ba7c4d895256f

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“What is this?”d03a4622856e9115

“A contract. Please take a look. You can add any conditions you wish.”eed18ddbebcb9fad

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Topaz scanned the document. It outlined the terms of his employment as a mercenary, tasked with escorting Karjen and his two companions to the capital, Kashaf. Karjen’s elegant signature was already at the bottom left corner.efc58acdb366fda2

The problem was the line that read, “Payment of 1 gold coin per day.”584d6afe4de550dd

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“I’ll pay you three months in advance. You can choose gold, jewels, magic stones of equivalent value, or a promissory note, whichever you prefer…”d4d50d905f2a3670

“One gold coin per day?”54ef5d167a4099df

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Topaz’s sharp question made Karjen bite his lip.f89bb719bc78d8bb

“Ah… I understand the amount isn’t satisfactory… I’m ashamed and embarrassed. However, my current funds are limited. Once we arrive safely in the capital, I can compensate you many times over. If you’ll be patient…”8bca8c48aff3a1a0

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Topaz ignored Karjen’s explanation, doing the calculations in his head. One gold coin a day meant thirty gold coins a month. Thirty gold coins was enough to build two houses in the north. In a single month.4b6bc65eaafd8c47

It was more 77f255e732 than Topaz had 997ff92828 ever earned, even 26fa9d94aa during his prime b14a3efb7f as a mercenary. It was an absurd 58ce2b66ff amount to pay a 7fbb52fb63 single mercenary.725a98dd2d7bf768

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He glanced at Merdina, 8bccb185a8 who seemed the most 9b1581279a sensible of the three, ea07545d3a wondering if he would 522246969f object. But Merdina simply stared 9b42e934bb back, as if asking 2b2f71a9c5 what the problem was. It was Haran who 0851ef4fb3 let out a quiet 649ecf41e4 sigh. Could it be that 6e8c49aa2f all capital nobles had b323c5e319 this skewed sense of 2e64f870bc monetary value?a7ad967834917d47

“Are you out of your mind?” Topaz asked Karjen.290770fcc4721613

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“What kind of work do you expect me to do for that kind of money? Risk my life every day?”1ee69477eb405f9b

“Well, it’s quite similar to that, isn’t it?”0404d1ff80673a4e

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Karjen, with an innocent a0e8f9229e look on his face, fe6c753a3a asked for confirmation. Haran and Merdina nodded 8a0b567912 gravely.20cb92ed1acbddcd

Suddenly, Topaz wanted 889b0f2076 out of the 7dfec91c99 contract.3812446c9c011ac9

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