74 The Market Distric (2/2)

Will's eyes went wide as he watched her drop the coins back into her purse. His father had to be playing on his affections. There was no way someone could gain such wealth just by training soldiers. He shrugged his shoulder and sighed. ”I guess if you don't mind.”

Will pocketed the money and went to the owner of the stall. He was busy with a customer that was buying some above average chairs and told Will to wait.

Waiting patiently behind the person buying the furniture, Will watched the exchange of coins for the purchase. He mentally counted the two silver and fifty copper which was counted by the owner before putting it in his own coin purse.

The owner then helped the wealthy looking customer load up the purchased furniture in a wagon which was parked on the street opposite of the store. The process took a matter of minutes before the customer got on the bench of the wagon and beckoned his horse to move. He waved at the owner in farewell before leaving towards the gate.

Now that business was done, the owner looked at the new tears to Will's shirt and smiled dully. ”I apologize if you tore your shirt on my furniture, but it's not something I take responsibility for. I'm sure you can understand.” He said as he rubbed his hands together.

Will didn't mind the comment. It wasn't made out of spite towards his appearance, he knew the man would say the same even to the wealthy man that just left. Will only nodded and smiled toward the man. ”I've decided on what I want to buy.” He said simply.

The owner raised an eyebrow at Will. ”Going with the regular wood quality furniture for your condo?” He smiled as he looked towards Maya who was looking at the cherry wood furniture. He couldn't help but stare. Will didn't blame him. Even with her leather training outfit on, her face was full of thought when looking at the new table set.

”Actually, I think my girlfriend has her eye set on the cherry wood furniture. How much is it?” He asked politely. He could almost see the mental eye roll the man gave him. Yet again, Will didn't blame the man, he was a business man and only worked with what he could see. What he saw was a poor man with a girlfriend who happened to be wearing leather armor.

Even with the armor that Maya had on, the man at the counter could guess that at most she had thirty to seventy silver on a knights salary. He had never seen a female knight, so she might even have less.

The owner made the calculations of what he believed Maya had, as well as what Will might have in his pocket and produced a fair number. ”Usually a set like that would cost around sixty five silver.” He had a thoughtful expression on his face as he looked Will over. ”I like you, kid. I'll make you a deal.” He said as he licked his lips and raised one hand. ”Fifty silver and you've got a deal.”

The generosity of the man struck Will. He had thought to quickly the type of business man he was dealing with. A smile appeared on his face as he reached in his pocket and took out one gold coin and put it on the table. ”You can keep the change.” He winked at the dumbstruck owner. ”I thank you for treating me fairly, as well as my girlfriend.”

”Who are you?” The owner asked as he picked up the gold in shaking hands. the money that was presented was more than he could have made in a year. Never had he gotten a customer with enough wealth that he could present a gold coin, not to mention telling him to keep the change.

”No one of consequence.” Will said as he put his hand out to shake the owner's. ”You will see me again soon. Until then, I'll have some people come by later to pick up our things.” The man shook Will's hand, his eyes still wide from the ordeal. The money presented would keep his family fed for months to come.

Will walked back to Maya with a smile on his face. ”We got the cherry wood.” He said as he put an arm around her waist.

”How much of the one gold did you get back?” Maya asked knowingly.

Will scratched head with a sheepish grin on his face. ”The man seemed nice enough, I felt like giving him a treat.” His face showed embarrassment, yet his thoughts were somewhere else. He remembered the day he had met Maya. She was going to Nearwood Village to sell the crops she had collected. From her earlier look, he knew she would have only gotten copper for the exchange.

Will's thoughts betrayed him as his eyes glazed over with the memory of the corrupt knights trying to take advantage of Maya on the road. ”I want people to be happy with the choices they've made in life. If they are good to their neighbors and are generous to those in need, I want nothing less than good fortune to find them.”

Will's words warmed Maya's heart. She knew that he was thinking of what she had to do before meeting him. She remembered the countless autumn days she and her father traveled to Nearwood Village. She remembered the deals her father made with those who needed food, yet couldn't afford the asking price. She smiled at the similarities between Will and her father. 'I won't let this one go.' She sent up a silent prayer to her father. 'I'm sure you would approve, father.'

”Ready to go, Maya?” Will snapped Maya out of her silent prayer. ”I told the owner someone will be by to pick up our belongings later. I forgot my bag at the castle.” He said as he remembered the bag he had originally came to Crystallia with. He could stick his hand in the bag and take out pretty much anything he needed at the time.

”Good.” Maya gave a disgusted look as she remembered the nights which they had beef jerky from that bag. It was hard enough to get the taste of the stuff out of her mouth, even more to forget it.

Will laughed at her expression and placed a hand on her back. ”I think we've kept the king waiting long enough.”

Together, they took off down the market street towards the castle. A grim expression dawned Will's face as he thought of the conversation that was to come. 'Please make him understand.' He thought as they finally made it out of the market district.

Finally at the gate to the castle, Will mentally prepared himself for what he knew was going to be hard for his father. Even though he knew the whole time what had to be done, it was still hard to come to terms with the decision of Ragnos.

As they walked through the gate, Will steeled himself. He was ready. Ragnos had given him his instructions. He was to confront the king on the current ways of life. He was to shed the title of the Prince of Ebonhart and regain the mantle of the Omni King.