Clay led Orn through the quickly waking city. As they walked, the older boy explained that the holiday was an opportunity for knight students to earn some money, and gain a few connections. Some were saving for blades and others wanted to send money home. Local trade path families also used the holiday to test the skills of boys if they need help over the summer.

“That is also why your friends scattered. They are heading to parts of the city where tradesmen might be looking for skills they have. I doubt you need to bother thought,” Clay said as they continued down the street.

“Does everyone need money that badly?” Orn asked considering the rush his peers were in.

“Very few, and the barracks tries to help with that.” Clay made a noncommittal gesture. “The rest are just trying to save up for a blade since the barracks has contacts that make it a lot cheaper to buy one. In fact we are headed to meet one of those contacts since I think you will want to dispose of your winnings.”

“Winnings?” Orn looked at the other boy in confusion.

Clay responded by unwrapping the end of the bundle he was carrying. A sword hilt caught the sunlight as the burlap was pulled aside “You won these off of Bron. The first successful raid of our first Raid officer.”

“I do not need them,” Orn replied, then thought about what Clay had said previously. “Why not give it to one of the students who do not have a sword?”

“I had a feeling you would say that,” Clay shook his head and clasped his hand on Orn’s shoulder. “There are a few reasons. First and most simply, it is because they will not need it. We make sure that everyone can earn one. I was tempted with these, I will admit. But the second issue is the silver work. It is distinct enough that Bron or his friends would recognize it, making whoever got it a target.”

“Tack and I both assumed you would not want them, so I am taking you to to the trading company our barracks uses. They will not steal from you, but if you want the best price you have to negotiate for it yourself,” Clay smiled at him. “Also, every time one of use them, they kick a bit back to the barracks. You are allowed to go other places of course, but they will probably just give you half what your items should sell for.”

The pair turned from the main street onto a large plaza filled with peddlers were setting up their carts. Clay led Orn through a maze of carts to the far side of the plaza and down a couple side streets. The last of these emptied onto a narrow road surrounded by storefronts built into warehouses. Clay immediately head for one of the nearby buildings.

“Here we are” Clay said. He passed the burlap bundle to Orn, then ignoring the closed sign, jiggled the door handle until it unlocked. A small chime rang loudly as the door creaked open.

Orn assumed the older boy knew what he was doing and followed him in. Various goods were arranged on tables around the room. Orn could not find any real pattern to what the store sold. A bolt of cloth sat on a one table while the next had bags full of seeds. Orn followed the older boy to a pair of stools set in front of a wooden counter dividing the front of the store from the more expensive goods on the shelves in back.

Clay sat and gestured for Orn to take the other stool. Orn heard a movement and mumbled voices from behind a curtained doorway. A moment later footsteps could be heard approaching.

The cloth hanging over a doorway shifted, and he heard a young woman’s voice. “I will take care of it. The only people who can enter like that are friends of the family anyway.”

A girl stepped backwards through the curtain caring a small crate. “You will have to wait for a bit, Papa s busy getting the wagon ready to head out..” The girl then proceeded to unload the crate onto the display selves without looking their direction. Once the last of the items were placed on the shelf, the girl wiped her hands on her overalls. She then tightened the handkerchief holding her light brown hair back as she turned.

“What can it do for….” She said smiling at as she turned. Then recognizing Clay the overly cheery voice and expression disappeared. The young woman’s eyes narrowed, and she watched him closely. “What do you want?”

Clay looked genuinely shocked. “What did I do to deserve that?”

The girl pointed a finger menacingly at Clay. “Really, Clay? You mean all the times you would put toads in my apron or when you tired to convince me the back room was haunted. It is a long list and if you have forgotten, your memory is bad.”

“That is unfair Lissa.” Clay protested, “I have not done anything like that since we were kids.”

“Maybe,” she said lowering her hand but keeping her narrowed eyes on Clay, “but father said to be careful. Said you may be up to something. I want you to know I am watching you. Just when I thought you grew up too.”

“I do not know what he said, but I do not have any ill intent,” Clay glared at the room behind the curtain before pointing at Orn. “In fact, I came all this way to bring you business. Orn has a couple things he needs to sell. Though they are probably better no being sold with the whole town watching.”

Lissa took a moment to look over Orn. The look on her face as she turned back to Clay, made it clear she was dubious at best. She replied flatly, turning her glare to Orn. “We do not deal in items of dubious ownership.”

Clay lifted his hands in exasperation, “It is nothing like that. Orn show her.”

At Clay’s instruction Orn laid the bundle on the counter. “I am selling these.”

The girl unrolled the bundle slowly on the counter. Then she slowly pulled out the sword breaker and rapier looking over each item carefully. “I see what you mean. They are nice blades, but they have a coat of arms on them.” She looked at Orn, “Since you are with Clay I doubt they are yours,” her tone made it clear she was not convinced his ownership was not particularly honest.

“Won them in a duel.” Orn replied flatly. Then looking at Clay added, “She does not trust you. I thought you had an agreement with the barracks.”

“We do. As for why I am singled out in this way. I cannot imagine why.” Clay shrugged, but Orn noticed the annoyed look Clay gave the curtain.

“Like I said, you have a bad memory.” Lissa countered, “Clay is right though. With a coat of arms it would be hard to sell them, at least with a crowd watching. Most places will not touch them. But if Clay’s barracks is vouching for you, I guess I can give you a handful of small golds for them.”

Orn looked at Clay in shock. From the way his room mates redacted to his blades, he assumed these would be worth a more. The older boy just shrugged. “I told you you would need to negotiate for the best price.”

“That is much lower than I expected.” Orn replied realizing that Clay’s acquaintance wanted him to negotiate.

Lissa seemed to light up as he rejected her offer. They haggled back and forth a few times as orn tried to remember what his roommates said about his sword. Clay silently watched the back and forth with an amused look on his face.

“A half gold and three small silvers,” Lisa said crossing her arms again. “and that is my final offer.”

Unknowing what the actual price should be Orn focused on judging Lissa’s reaction. He had a feeling that she probably would not go higher. “Acceptable,” Orn said as he tried to imitate his father at the jewelers.

Lissa snorted at his response, “Acceptable.”

The curtain moved, and a thin man wearing spectacles entered carrying a crate. He laughed as he sat the crate under the counter. Smiling he turned to Clay and gestured at Orn, “He haggles like a fishmonger’s wife and then tries to sound like some inbred high noble’s son.

Clay’s expression became one of horror, and in a harsh whisper he said, “that is Count Blackthorn’s only son.”

Lissa froze, her eyes racing back and forth between the two boys. “Count?” She muttered looking at Orn.

Orn nodded, causing the man to pale. From the corner of his eye, Orn saw Clay wink at him.

“I think he could be convinced to let the matter drop though…” Clay began.

...

A few minutes later Lissa, Clay and Orn were walking to the merchant’s guild. Clay had convinced Lissa’s father to let their company introduce Orn at the guild for dropping the matter. It took half the walk toward the guild before the pair could convince Lissa that Orn was never actually insulted.

“I cannot believe you bullied papa like that,” Lissa sighed as she led the group through the streets.

“I can,” Clay replied flatly. “Every time I come in, he treats me as if I am going to take something. Besides Orn needed an introduction at the guild, and I though you could use a break. The fact I can talk to an old friend while doing it, is a win for me too.”

Lissa shook her head but Orn noticed the slightest of a smile starting to appear. He quickly turned away, to see Kao walking with them. The awkward feeling he had started to get dissipated as Kao looked at the pair then rolled her eyes. At least he was not alone in feeling awkward around them.