That being said, the money was nice, and she did not hesitate at all to collect the “donations” - after the spectators and Halxian’s companions left, that is. Makhus, Sigmund, and Zefaris joined her in this endeavor, dexterously gathering the bulk of it into a pile whilst she gathered them into her coin pouch. It quickly became obvious that not even a fifth of the money would fit into the pouch, and so, she resorted to using the Tablet.

The vortex formed and, in barely more than a minute, she had poured the coinage into it handful by handful. She glossed over how many coins were stored in the device before she stowed it away as she stepped towards the inn’s front entrance, muttering “Guess I’ll cover a week’s rent.”

57x Copper Gelt 4x Silver Gelt

She received a strange look from each of the three as they entered and a question from Makhus, “Rent?”

“There’s an apothecary for rent,” she remarked offhandedly as she made her way towards their table. “Fifty gelt per week.”

The swordsman squinted as he visibly tried to remember something as he took hold of a mug and downed its contents. Zelsys drank some of the ale herself, and when she made her way towards the bar to continue her conversation with the barkeep, Makhus followed. She felt at least a dozen pairs of eyes from all across the inn, many of the patrons having been among the bystanders.

Whilst she leaned on the bar and waited for the barkeep to come out of the kitchen, Makhus made his way to the notice board and quickly found the rent listing. The contact address was none other than the mayor’s office, although the contact’s name was different.

“Governor Crovacus Estoras, huh…” he muttered to himself, rubbing his chin. The listed contact hours were rather generous, eight in the morning to three in the afternoon, Monday to Friday. He’d have to visit the place as soon as possible if he wanted to rent Riverside Remedies, and so approached Zelsys once more, as she was still waiting for the barkeep.

“‘Ey, Zel,” the familiar rugged voice sounded from behind, his hand on her shoulder. “I’m gonna try to get the place right now. Mind lendin’ me the cash? I’ll pay it back twice over.”

“Zel, huh?” she chuckled at the nickname, mundane as it was. Without speaking so much as a word, she took the coin-stuffed pouch off her belt, took four coins for herself, and handed it to him. He rumbled a thank-you and briskly walked off, though she clearly heard his boots clatter against the cobbles when he broke into a full-tilt sprint the moment he was out the door.

While she stood there, leaning against that bar, Zelsys felt at least thirteen eyes watching her. She was certain that more than half of them would’ve spared no more than a passing look had she not knocked that brat unconscious, and the thirteenth would not stop staring no matter what she did.