Austin returned to his shop with his boss waiting for him. “ Were did you go kid it’s almost time let’s go fast. Carry those carefully.” Austin carried a large bag and followed Mark.

“so this is the black market.” Said Austin as he watched various things selling in with high prices and common goods sold at very low prices. Most people came in cloak and masks hiding there real identity.

“Kid at night black market is the safest place to be in the entire city. Don’t looks so weary of everything. There are really strong people protecting this place to control any fight and use of magic that can affect the traders and buyers in this place. If you are inside the market you can’t kill anyone and no-one can kill you . And if you are worried about city guards it’s an open secret that most of the bribes go to the higher ups as well. But some people above don’t like it so black market only operates in certain intervals .”

Market was located at the bare land with ruins in North part of the city. The waste land where even a fly is hard to find in normal days becomes den for all sorts of criminals and cunning traders. With how much money Austin had now he couldn’t buy anything and only look around.

That’s when he saw the symbol which he used to misdirect guards was inscribed in someone’s hand. Austin remained calm and turned somewhere else acting perfectly normal exploring the market. But the person in cloak still followed Austin trying to not look suspicious which was futile as Austin had been keeping tracks of him since the beginning.

‘why is he following me did he find out that I saw the mark? Anyway it doesn’t seem like I can deal with it let’s go to boss.’

“hey, kid did u check the market? Or are you bored? Want to borrow some coins? I will charge low interest rate for you.”

“Boss I am not that stupid. Anyways do you remember the mark the guards talked about? I saw it in the market and he is following me.” Austin said smiling. “such a trouble maker let’s finish our business first and buy some things for battle. First thing you should know as a mage, A mage always acts prepared. he won’t let us live now that he knows you saw his mark” said Mark smiling as well trying to look less suspicious so the cultist doesn’t do something stupid attracting guards and making him famous as well.

Both of them started shopping with money just earned from selling potions through the market buying some darts, scrolls of different types, and small storage pouch. “tsk.. damn you kid I have to spent most of my earning just to save your sorry ass.”

“Our asses boss what can I do if my luck is just that good. Don’t worry though if that person came to black market he must have a lot of money or something to sell. I doubt it that people coming to black market are penniless like me.” Austin turned his head to make sure they were being followed. He quickly started Lacing his knife and 10 darts with poison from his bag making sure it was all done in blind spot of the cultist.

“ Kid just hide and watch it’s not something you can stick your nose in. Let’s hope he is rich.” Mark took 3 darts for him self and applied different poison from his pocket that looked black and also released black smoke but before Austin could say any thing he walked off towards the exit.

Both of them walked out of the market walking towards less crowded and desolate place with the cultist following them. Austin was bit excited to see mage fight but also little worried his neck was linked with this mad man now if Mark dies he dies. ‘tsk... Such a romantic relation we have.’