The morning had a light rain which wasn't uncommon after an ash fall. The rain streaming down streets and off rooftops was stained black due to the ash from the previous day.

Aerin watched out her window listening to the soft tapping of the rain on the stone streets and tiled roof. There was something peaceful about the sound of rain. Aerin never could tell someone why she loved it only that she did.

With a sigh Aerin stood up and made her way downstairs from her room to the small pub portion of the inn. The innkeep was a monster of a man he lacked horns like most Draakin had, but he was Wyvern descended and had a large tail and could breath fire which is rare among the non dragon descended.

The fact he was so intimidating and large made Aerin question why he was not sponsored to be a warrior by a clan.

As Aerin pulled up a seat at the bar the man turned to her with a frown.

"Sorry missus, but I am not serving drinks to youngsters prior to the games tomorrow. I wouldn't want anyone to miss it with a hangover."

Aerin shook her head with a smile "no I was hoping you could tell me where the bazaar was. I was hoping to find some small trinkets to bring my parents back from the city.

"If that be the case. You will want to go to the six levels up from our own. That is where you will find the bazaar. Careful for scams miss it is not uncommon for merchants to prey on country folks from out of town." He gave a gentle warning as he washed a pint sized mug in his large hands.

"Thank you for the warning." Aerin bowed and made her way out of the inn.

The Flamespire mountains in spite of their name was a quite wet climate. The ash fall and frequent lava flows from various mountains is what gave them both their namesake and their riches.

The Draakin could for most part withstand immense heat of lava and designed their homes and cities to naturally redirect the lava down tubs below the water canals going directly into moats and veins beneath the city.

It was this lava and ash that gave the Draakin immense trading power with other races. The fertile farmlands mixed with the precious metals spewed from the earth was a combo that made other peoples green with envy.

After walking for some time Aerin came to the bazaar district. Whole one could.find stores on all levels; it was this level which functioned as the hub for all resident's of.the city. Even with the light rain the bazaar was packed and covered in various tarps making the rain nearly unnoticeable.

"Fire Grass root for sale!"

"Exotic perfumes from the far eastern kingdoms! Don't miss out on the latest trends!"

"Custom order weapons!"

Various merchants called out to passersby particularly high born as their physical natures screamed wealth or at least strong backing.

Aerin found a small stand with various small jewels and colored stones fashioned into jewelry.

"How can I help you, young one?" An older Draakin with a long well kept beard approached.

"I was looking for something for my mother. She loves green and was hoping to find a hair clip or necklace of some kind."

"A truly dutiful daughter! If only my grandchildren were as thoughtful." The man was clearly trying to break down her walls and flatter her.

Aerin eyes landed on a small green white hair pin that ended in the shape of an odd elongated dragon.

The merchant saw her looking and quickly grabbed it from behind his glass shelf. "This is a stone called jade primarily found in the far east, something it isn't rare, but crafting it is a tedious process."

"How much for it?" Aerin asked as he examined it. The look would compliment her mothers dark reddish brown hair.

"For you young miss ten crowns." The merchant said as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Aerin froze for a moment before recomposing herself ten crowns was something she could afford, but it would eat nearly half the money she had left and she still needed money for her return trip.

"I am sorry I cannot do more than four crowns." Aerin said, shaking her head handing the jade piece back to the man.

"Aye! Don't be so hasty we can haggle! I can do seven crowns."

Aerin smiled inwardly; she knew she had him where she wanted with her next offer.

"How about six crowns and you throw in that obsidian ring?" Aerin knew obsidian was not a precious stone, but her father was not a particularly picky man and would love to have a more inconspicuous item.

The merchant smiled slightly defeated. He did not notice that Aerin had been looking at the ring from the start, not just the jade piece.

"Girl if you ever need an apprenticeship you got one here! I will take that deal. Though you are forcing me to sell the ring at cost."

The old man quickly packed up the two pieces carefully wrapping them and handing them to Aerin who bowed and put them into her satchel.

Aerin had learned to haggle properly as a young girl from some of the merchants who passed by annually through her village. Most of them knew her parents who bought their crops and sold them in various bazaars around the kingdom.

The city so far was far better than she expected. Everything was going far better than she expected.