Chapter 14: Real Estate

“Regulations? Sell?” Maybe I was too sudden with that? I can’t help but think as I see the Governor’s confused face.

“We- well… we have a lot of items from the mines.” I try to explain myself, hesitant to make the situation worse. “Swords, shields, bows, and even some magical books. We can’t carry them along, and it wouldn’t be wise leaving them there to rot.”

“Certainly. It’s just…” He pauses for a moment, scratching his beard, “it was an unexpected question. We do have some regulations to sell within the city; you must own a stall or a shop.”

“How can we acquire one?”

“But of course, buying the property from the city. That is, from me.”

“Ah, I see…”

“I am assuming you have not the amount required, so instead, I am offering you this deal.” A big smile appears on his face. “Sell your merchandise to the city army. We cannot offer you the market price, but we will still pay fairly. Consider this a reward for the favors you have done to the city so far.”

“That seems like a good deal.” I immediately reply, afraid that if I were to wait even just a second more, the offer would be gone. “Let us count what we have.”

“4 swords, 2 shields, 2 daggers, and 2 books,” I say after we finish a quickly organized recount. Why did we bring all of them with us? Inertia, I guess, we just had it, and there was nowhere else to leave it.

“Let’s see. We can pay you 100 Rils for each sword. The shields, 20 each, that’s the most I can offer. They are damaged and will need repairs. Those daggers, however…” He pauses. Those are the pieces the assassin wore, the very same that tried to pierce my heart. “They are sublime in quality, 500 total.” He nods in self-satisfaction, I’m sure they don’t usually get many of these. “And magic-enhancing books are rather scarce, so we will settle for 750.” One more look at the items. “Yes. That would be 1690 Rils.”

“Out of curiosity, how much would a property be?”

“Well, that would depend.” He shrugs. “Shops in the main street go for 1 million Rils. Stalls are rented weekly, from 1.000 to 100.000 depending on their location. As for side streets, the price is lower, of course. Here,” He hands me a booklet, pocket-sized but comprehensive if one takes into account the number folds. “You can find the properties for sale and their location. Would you be interested in any, I’ll help you get it.”

Clearly, the main avenue is out of our current possibilities. “Are there any rules regarding advertisement?” I ask for another question. We will have to check the prices later on.

“Not much, do not pollute the streets or hang papers on walls, and you will be fine.”

“Perfect, then let’s seal the deal!”

He takes a small pouch from his waist. The clinking of coins evidences their rather generous amount. He grabs a few of them and hands me the bag with the rest. “Keep it.” He offers, which I don’t discuss at all.

With the trade done and all other matters settled, we bid our farewells to both Isha and the Governor and find our way out.

“Lillia, do you think you could find a suitable place to open a small shop? It would be ideal if it were an actual property, but we could also make do with a stall.”

“Yes!” She answers full of enthusiasm and energy. “Leave it to me. I will find the best one!”

“I know you will!” And I genuinely mean it. “Shall we go back to the mine and bring everything we left there?” After all, there are still drops from the first and second days; we couldn’t bring them all. And knowing that we already have a client, one with a copious amount of Rils, the idea too enticing.

Carrying on with the plan, we undo the route and head for the city gates. Maybe there are still some corpses lying around? I can try to hea- “Hey! Hey, wait!” Mike’s voice awakens me from my thoughts.

“Maybe we could buy that cart?” I follow his finger; it is an old cart, made of moldy wood and even rusty in the few metal parts it has left. Not much larger than myself if I were to lie down and deep enough to fit one keg of beer. Its wheel’s integrity, all four of them, might be questionable, but they are big, so pushing it around won’t be difficult. It has an oversized handle, suggesting it was probably designed to be pulled by animals.

“It’s a bit… outdated? But it could do the work. Maybe we can haggle down the price?”

As we approach the old lady on the stall, I feel a lingering sensation developing. Wait, old lady? Don’t tell me it’s- “You again!?” Ah yes… it’s her.

“Hahaha” I let out a nervous chuckle. “We didn’t start on a good footing, but today we brought money!”

Long gone is that sour face; a radiant smile welcomes us all. Well, the money, actually. “Oh my, come here, sweet adventurers. What do you want to buy?”

I better seat this one out. A do a meaningful look to Mike, inviting him to speak up. He is ruthless, which might come in handy during the negotiation.

“We would like to buy that cart of yours. How much would it be?” He steps up and talks, pointing to the good in question.

“Oh, that cart? Because I know you,” she stares at me, “I am willing to part with it for 5000 Rils.” Has she just said 5000? Are we crazy? This old ra- I interrupt my own train of thought, I’ll end up speaking and blowing it up.

“With all due respect, it is almost crumbling. The wood has been exposed to dampness, the bolts are rusty, and I am afraid it will break apart once we put some weights on it.” I knew he wouldn’t fail me; he’s not holding back at all.

“Hoh? You are quite upfront, aren’t you? Let’s agree that I overpriced it then. I can go down to 2000.” Not bad! 3000 less from the get-go.

“Nah…” He waves his hand, closes his eyes, and subtly shakes his head, “it seems like you don’t even try. Let’s go, guys!” He turns around in what I consider is a bold move. Let’s see if it pays out. We follow him, not daring to look back, in case she interprets it as a weakness.

We are barely three steps away when we hear her say, “Fine! 1500!”

“I give you 1000.”

“Youngster, don’t push me too much!”

“I meet you between, then. 1250. Take them and rid yourself of that piece of junk.”

“Hahaha!” Long are her sweet voice and the act of an old lady. Hoarse laughter, closer to a roar actually, replaces it. “I do like you! Fine, 1250!”

And just like that, we acquire the piece tantamount to our business and continue our way to the bounty.

“Lillia, shall we meet here later today? We’ll fetch everything, and you can explore suitable places.” I propose. It’s not like we need to be the five of us to carry things around.

“Sure! See you!”

The details of our expeditions are rather dull. Just round trips to collect several more swords, shields, and bows. It’s a pity their clothes are unfit for our bodies. There were some dead kobolds, but I decided to restrain myself from trying heresy with them. I will have better opportunities.

All in all, we have managed to snatch another 2530 Rils from the Governor. It might not be much, close to 3000 in total, but given the effort it took, it’s more than justified.

“Did you find any interesting places?” I ask Lillia as we reunite.

“Well, for starters, I would keep away from all the cheapest zones. They are way too hidden in small streets at the outskirts of the city.”

“Okay, that makes sense.”

“I think our safest bet would be opening a stall at 3000 the week on a side street. Just in the middle of the avenue, taking a turn to the right and following straight for a bit. It’s not too far, easy to find, and best of all, the street is gorgeous.”

“Gorgeous? How so?”

“You have to see it by yourself. I can’t just describe it.”

“Why don’t you bring us there?”

She nods and starts walking towards the Governor’s mansion. “Oh, before I forget,” she suddenly startles us, “the stall would be just beneath a shop that’s up for sale.”

“Really!?”

“Yes! It’s a bit out of reach for our budget, 75.000 Rils, but I believe it would be worth the investment. Careful now, eyes wide open!” She exclaims as we approach an intersection.

We turn right and, oh my god. Beautiful wouldn’t do justice to the view. There are still quite a few stalls populating the street, but the scenery is dominated by flowers more than anything. Flowers of different sizes and colors. Hanging from terraces. Growing from walls. Arranged in carpets and forming arcs. Flourishing in the most unsuspecting parts.

“Ah you were right; this is so perfect!”

“Right! Right?” She says, clearly proud of her findings. As she should be, I can’t imagine a better place for our stall.

“There’s nothing more to discuss then, is there?” I look at everyone else for confirmation.

“No! Nope! No!” All of them answer at the same time.

“Then we better get to work! At our current pace, it would take us more than a month to have enough for the shop.” Something inside me, though, can’t avoid thinking about the rats. What if they invade us? What would happen with this street, our stall, and our shop?

“Mmh…” Rand hesitates for a moment. “Mark.”

“Yes?”

“It’s not like I don’t want to game, gain Rils, and so on, but maybe we should stop for today? I must go to work.”

“Uh. Wait. Is it already 9?”

“Almost…”

“Oh well, tomorrow it is then. We must go to the mines and clear the hell out of them.”