“Good farmer, no doubt you found this in your field and so therefore you assume it is a lost relic, a powerful Rün even.”
The farmer hadn’t dealt with shifters much in his life. It’s not that they were bad, it’s just that… well they were shifters.
The old weathered farmer replied nervously, “well yessum ma’am, I wasn’t so sure. It’s well known that where my land is many a great battle twas fought. Well that’s what the stories say at least.”
“Again you assume, yet you have no way of verifying that such an item even is a Rün. I, as a merchant of some renown in this area, can deduce the authenticity of such items.”
Slightly taken aback by her bold claim, he had lived on this farm for his whole life. Just as his father and his father’s father before him, and he had never heard of this renowned ‘Iona’ before in town. Of course he didn’t get out much and usually only to sell his crops. Still, he wanted to be rid of it, they said it was a bad omen to find an old sword your field.
Still hesitant the farther replied, “well, er, ok then, is this the real thing then?”
Seeing the nervousness of the farmer, his shuffling feet, his eye periodically shifting towards the door, Iona had him right where she wanted. He was ready to be rid of the sword, so long as she gave him a price he wouldn’t question, she would indeed have a Rün on her hands. Though the farmer would never know it. He was like most people, they thought any old sword they found was a Rün. She could see it when she inspected it. Even though it was crusted with thousands of years of dirt, the sigils on the blade were like those she had seen on other similar items and she thought saw them glow…
After inspecting the item for a few more minutes she replied casually, “I am sorry good farmer, this indeed is not a Rün. You see, they do not rust and their edges do not dull. The Rün’s we know of today have existed for many millennia and they are still in pristine condition, even to this day.”
“Er, well ok,” stated the farmer.
Leaning in to her bluff, Iona continued, “this blade here has some rust and I doubt this blade could even cut butter. This is of ancient make though, and these markings are an unmistakable indicator of the third war. There are certain collectors I could sell this to, so I am willing to purchase it from you. Hmm, I would say… fifty gold pieces sounds fair. I will need to have it restored… sharpened…polished…”
“Um, not really sure what it’s worth, but that sounds fair. Given all the extra work involved and all,” said the farmer.
Shortly after counting out the coins he had received from Iona and placing them into his coin purse, he had to be sure they were all there, the farmer departed certainly pleased with his sale. Fifty gold pieces, what a find! Especially after all years his fields had been plowed, and planted, and plowed again. In fact, he could buy a new plow, a new younger horse to pull it, a new dress for Hertha, a round of ale for everyone at the tavern. Surely this was a sign that Vaalane’s wind was at his back!
Later that evening Iona made her way down the darkened street, carrying the carefully wrapped sword she had purchased from the farmer. She was sure she had one this time, rün’s were so very rare. She was lucky the farmer even tried to sell it, most kept them as trophies or heirlooms in their attics, never knowing what they had found. Very pleased with the day’s purchases she hurried her steps, the shadows tonight seemed oddly dark. She wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the moon, but some looked as if they were reaching out towards her, beckoning her to a cold embrace. Just a trick of the mind, she thought, as she stepped away from the shadows and more into the light of Elrün’s first moon, Tin. She wouldn’t make a profit on the sword if it was stolen she mused, and having bought it for fifty gold pieces no less, she stood to make a large profit. Casting her gaze up, she searched the various shop signs for the emblem of Timeless Wanderer, that being two intersecting loops. It was always difficult to find Quilix’s little shop, as it never seemed to be in the same place. Sometimes it was just gone, no sign, no door, just an empty wall in between two shops that certainly did not seem big enough to even hold a shop. Thankfully, she found it, though it was on the left side of the street this time instead the right. Or had it always been on the left? Well, that was one mystery she would have to solve later. For now, she needed to sell the rün, if it even was a real one. But Quilix was the best, even if he was a little odd.
Quilix’s shop was a crazy amalgamation of an apothecary, herbalist, general goods, and blacksmith shop. As she walked in she noticed plants with what looked to be mouths, strange liquids bubbling in their containers, swords that struggled against their mounts on the walls, and even tiny toys that marched on their own. Weaving her way through the organized clutter of the shop she reached the desk.
Before Iona stood a halfling, though he was slightly above average in height, for a halfling. He had a small squeaky voice, white hair, and a perfectly groomed goatee. He kept his hands clasped together in the large sleeves of his robes, much as she had seen Aleni priests do, though his robes were not those of an Aleni priest.
“Ah, Ms. Iona,” he said as she approached, “what have you brought me today, or have you come to purchase something from me this time?”
“I have this,” she said as she laid the wrapped sword on the counter, “I believe it to be a rün, shortly created after the third war.”
“Hmm, very astute if you,” he said in his small halfling tenor, “the styling along hilt and blade, though subtle, was very common during that period. It doesn’t seem to have much power yet, though that can be remedied.”
“I want 10,000 for it, Quilix,” she pressed.
“Mwahaha, not even close my dear Iona. This may indeed be a Rün, but with the condition of this one, and how much power is left… This particular one is actually quite weak,” he quipped.
“And you know that how?” She countered.
He continued, “I have my ways, you know I never reveal…”
“Yes, yes I know,” she interrupted, “doesn’t make it a fair negotiation is all…”
“Yet here we are, still having a negotiation,” he returned impishly.
She looked at the halfling. Behind his eyes there seemed to be so much knowledge, as of he had glimpsed time itself. It unnerved her, especially when he gave that toothy smile with his perfectly white teeth. Who had teeth like that anyway?
Pressing on she said, “fine, 7000, you know that is more than fair for such an item.”
“Nope, 5000,” countered Quilix.
“6500,” she snapped back.
“Nope, my price is 5000,” he replied calmly.
“You are not very fun to negotiate with Quilix, at least come up to 6000.”
“Alright Iona I will come up to 5500, and you know it’s more than fair,” he answered back, “others don’t understand it’s real value, you would be lucky to walk away with 1200 from another collector.”
She knew he was right, it’s why she came to him with these pieces.
“Besides,” Quilix continued, “I’m sure you bought it from some poor farmer for ten gold pieces.”
“Fifty actually,” she retorted.
“Oh, fifty! You are growing soft Iona, soon you’ll go broke,” he replied sarcastically.
“You are wonderful,” she said as she patting him on the cheek, “can you have it delivered to my shop… discreetly?”
“Of course,” he said turning away from her with the sword in his hands, “it will be there within a few hours. Till next time Iona.”
Quilix looked back at her again and flashed Iona another toothy smile as she departed. Iona walked away from the strange shop quite pleased. She fully expected to walk away with only 1500 gold pieces. Quilix was right, rün’s were very hard to sell, especially at a decent price. She was fortunate that his shop was even here tonight, otherwise, her coffer’s would not be so big at the moment.