Topaz 11
by NullKiolen, the closest 36dc249516 village to Grenrosha ca2cf77000 Forest, was a 6e59121ff9 village built by 2d1bd184a5 miners and their 1b94111efc families. For a long 9e331daf2e time, there had 0b72399597 been no settlements b676f5b8e5 near the North f261f57eb6 Sea, but with 497f565dc5 the recent discovery cdd1da18dd of magic stones 843b4b0c19 near the Lef d265f0956a Mountains, mining operations 204a5dce54 had extended even 4a85929a3e to the northernmost 19d6896901 regions.2bdbf97707cffaac
Originally used sparingly d621d54647 in weapon crafting, c4f2e2347d the demand for afc96099e8 magic stones had 7c4955f5d5 skyrocketed since the 50802a7e9e popularization of magical 8d40212ab8 artifacts. Driven by ca88947a5f profit, capitalists 108d4d0779 and miners 97cfe9e9fa had braved 18e66d1959 the dangers 42cbf9951c to extract 5d1b299236 the stones, 2b1f23a26c even venturing f94529aa34 to the 92a96ee93a edge of 0abe500a66 Grenrosha Forest, ffa61e5829 resulting in e970183794 the establishment 4790e64b0b of the 28e6abdf29 small village 8117d1b609 of Kiolen.c248b45c441e272e
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The roads, 566f25712c suitable for 568251ea32 wagons and f966099bf4 reindeer sleds, 4c317b7030 the inns, acad37b10c and the f7292d3b03 shops in 5147a4df3a this small f5d3844a11 village nestled 550f6ca6a0 within the 136a08f6ab rugged mountains, 9ecc832cf7 all owed ea0be1fb44 their existence e37dd05a48 to the 8467a78a38 ceaseless demand f0f95d0734 for magic 1c380be55f stones.f4252d2a88ad97d5
“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.f138959236b5746c
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“It’s summer,” Topaz replied.01f887674afaa1f4
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.5088178392732818
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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.cb5c01f80cca28cb
“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.5323fbc95fc9f927
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Instead of cc2dc39dad answering, Topaz 7e6ee85d8a stopped in 9a20fdc1c2 front of e22b34bc68 a cream-colored, 40affaf0ad three-story building. Like half a573d29f44 the buildings aedd40c988 in this fdca98dd11 village, it d273840844 bore the 659644dd8b image of 3deacc17f3 a reindeer 4d5d100e3b on its d08346d6b8 sign.2c566ccfe361836a
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.c9c17cc33be64d26
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Topaz entered 5cbb50064c the inn, 1f5a341a38 taking a 528e9c0366 seat in e33e125b2d a corner c28d543992 booth. Haran, Merdina, cfb06a2550 and Karjen 8db525eb3b studied the 3df0681266 menu on 45e7d4618d the wall 11de5fa977 before placing 8f004be432 their orders.585576ba14302659
“Topaz! It’s been a while.”e83754a68f92bce7
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The middle-aged woman who d9594f38a9 brought their food was 2ee096ace8 the innkeeper. Topaz, his 428e030a46 expression softening, c0d7a7a4d9 returned her b95b0831be greeting.2c7e7ff4622c960c
“It has. How have you been?”9c3b8d769a008110
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“What brings you here with company today?”9703573fae06135e
Topaz simply shrugged. The innkeeper, knowing his reticence, didn’t pry further, setting their dishes on the table.a9f4a3a82b640a4a
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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.”e52cebe59a76704a
The innkeeper’s eyes widened. A flicker of something complex crossed her face, but she quickly smiled.f3044b3527aabc03
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“Is that so? I’m both sorry and relieved to hear that.”dbd456011ad067b0
“Sorry, I understand, but relieved?”b684047a447922c4
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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.”19e2b28935871250
Topaz chuckled.206b664269df17f8
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“Thank you for everything.”c906dd6ab7615536
“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.”e77bd7372caa2cd7
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“I wouldn’t dream of bankrupting you.”9e330c558f9ed197
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.”9242480494fa0878
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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.bd1a3dabe60f57c6
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.3621b6bd4fc11814
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“You seem to know the innkeeper well,” Karjen remarked.d17c87da7f7f906b
“Just acquaintances.”ca61809c1e2234e6
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“Just acquaintances?”3d87dfe86a6e3df5
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.c8212b015e3c7d4e
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“She helped me when I first arrived.”cff76bac9a1eb552
“She seems to have a kind heart, as the rumors say.”2d28dd1ee4348fe8
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“Rumors?”ef22fe5e7b54cc75
“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.”a68b333d4fd78574
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A boy and c11db68c00 a girl, looking 02e3c65bc8 thin and hungry, 1ebba541f6 sat at a 3dfb985f3b table near the 1b31a7ef39 kitchen, devouring their 86bdc272fb pies. The innkeeper, 928adb452e while gently ce9cfd50ba chiding them 42afe2106a to slow 4ed42ac252 down, brought 7ccfc6dd70 them another b0f6a11579 dish from 86b54d25eb the kitchen.b61835f511b91f16
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.e23ff94bc05bbcdb
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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.36e52e3af3a93ab2
“This isn’t quite the soup I was expecting.”0c7db0903eabc9aa
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He set down his spoon after a few bites. It seemed it wasn’t to his liking. Such a picky d1c3dd429b eater, no wonder ab34931184 he faints so b35311f190 easily,Topaz thought, but 5ecbe74196 he refrained from 1ce5005dbe commenting, focusing on 0cf09e791c his own meal.50f359f55e422f0b
“What dish did you order, Topaz?”bcc0c6d4520e6175
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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.6a67688d4c0ab73c
“Are you going to eat that?”d29c0c7172367fcd
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Topaz took a 6ea1dac042 bite of the 73f80e2b9a soup, immediately revising 8a2bcb923a his assessment of fd3f5a1db0 Karjen as a 7af225d5d1 picky eater.4137abe52294e03b
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.b4199cdb2259e518
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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.6a5f41a2a649c113
He managed three 4135d0ae31 bites of this? His palate is more 93a94aac35 forgiving than I thought.Topaz reevaluated Karjen while fd1a01d99a mechanically emptying the bowl.6fe18b0533cf17c1
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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.23d12d6cd76d39e1
“You seem to prefer… blander flavors,” Karjen said, wrinkling his nose while searching for something positive to say.07fd1f67bb045ee4
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Topaz set down fe6a27ffee his spoon.d09f2d27195101e3
“No. This isn’t bland. It tastes like garbage.”6a6dceb6371a7ee8
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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.634706ab8a3eaf12
“You eat it.”b3cf1e84f5d56466
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“Let’s share.”37eb593d255381e9
“…..”e887c8bf62c14dd2
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For a 57435ab84e while, only 65b42a06dc the clinking dd52d9b8f4 of spoons 3ae53b7bbf against bowls 49d230fad8 filled the 901b1de960 silence. To be precise, it ec369c8236 was only Topaz making bce28c4e01 any noise. The other three ate 1203810db0 in silence. Moments like these made 846c032fde their upbringing evident, even 719e3f27d8 without asking. Topaz consciously pushed away e9e973a97b the thought, forcing himself 5751a5117b to speak.21752fb793f69774
“So, what are your plans?”e2ae2bb542e75ded
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“Ah, before that, would you mind taking a look at this?”7a5578f4465800d1
Karjen rummaged 6209e6dec6 through the 303083fc29 red silk 1086601dd2 pouch he a93e93d5a4 always carried, 380f8173ae pulling out fa95b3afbf a pristine b0a37bfe52 white sheet cb5523acb9 of paper 38e8b92f1a which was a9f794b7cb a rare 6514d5e374 sight. He handed it to 8d92de7de4 Topaz, the page covered 06290c214e in densely written text.53ab2d9f06507b77
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“What is this?”3b6eedbd274ab29a
“A contract. Please take a look. You can add any conditions you wish.”56484f176b746aa0
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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.22d2ba5d48553c88
The problem was the line that read, “Payment of 1 gold coin per day.”ac6d99c0ce4b84e4
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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…”ea999b2a28c33073
“One gold coin per day?”eb3be0f6243cf4d7
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Topaz’s sharp question made Karjen bite his lip.8ec5406a26a7b476
“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…”20f374fdb53b5de0
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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.98105099dcc5ad8c
It was more than 8bf08cc462 Topaz had ever earned, dfd019412f even during his prime ab16632492 as a mercenary. It was an absurd f119a4fad3 amount to pay a 0f878aa6e7 single mercenary.3f88816b8a6a4215
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He glanced at Merdina, 1b20c8b143 who seemed the most 9ca0853adc sensible of the three, f4818f7cff wondering if he would f5aa3d593e object. But Merdina simply stared 75c33d9552 back, as if asking 80f23d9ec5 what the problem was. It was Haran 1fb5074076 who let out 817b333806 a quiet sigh. Could it be 2b7b302b87 that all capital 05d2a1b94f nobles had this 8c7a67dd40 skewed sense of bc6199bc73 monetary value?10b86fcc2987d420
“Are you out of your mind?” Topaz asked Karjen.5804844e6ae18446
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“What kind of work do you expect me to do for that kind of money? Risk my life every day?”b065c7c9c02367bc
“Well, it’s quite similar to that, isn’t it?”a737b7144bf55e65
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Karjen, with fcba30db18 an innocent 0738c41341 look on 4bbe0d6470 his face, c81526c8e3 asked for 02b87feba7 confirmation. Haran and Merdina 00730b61df nodded gravely.70c78c0cec666517
Suddenly, Topaz wanted out 0527de1bb2 of the contract.4654b3acad7cfc8c
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