Their warrior followed behind as the rest of the party split up in pairs. First, they entered shops in the northeast district and took notes on what was available to purchase. Hours stretched on, and after about ten of them, they returned to the Tiny Ogre to compare notes and see what they had learned. Max was glad that the owner of the place ignored Fowl’s laughing each time he came close; the three-foot-tall red ogre was always more than happy to trade food and drink for gold. “So weapon-wise, I’m certain nothing there is of value to any of us,” Max said as he glanced through what Cordellia and Batrire had written down. “Everything you’ve listed and what I know the two of you have don’t even come close.” “Part of me hates how you just flip through a hundred pages so quickly,” their ranger stated. “Still, that means we need less time to discuss things.” “What about armor then?” Fowl asked, tearing off a piece of meat from a bone with his teeth afterward. Max shook his head and frowned. “So for you, no. The stats are too low, and the few that most likely offer skills like the weapons will be meh at best. Tanila and Batrire are in a similar position. Only Cordellia could use one or two pieces if we could find the right ones.” “Which takes us to rings, necklaces and earrings,” Tanila said. “Because we can rule out an entire section if the armor and weapons are similar. Even better, though, is the list of materials shops specifically seek. What they offer for these crystals is pathetic.” “The real game,” their mage muttered. “What game?” Fowl asked. “Go back to eating and drinking,” Batrire said. “You either pull your head out of your arse and be helpful or just do what you’re told later.” “Bah, have you tried this ale?! It tastes like… like… gods, I don’t know, but it tastes amazing!” Their healer sighe,d and Max shrugged. “He’s fine. With his limited ability to read and write, he would only slow us down. Tomorrow, we can hit the southwest section and see what they offer. If I’m right, that area and the northwest will be where we spend most of our materials.” “You’re enjoying this,” Tanila stated as she poked him. “I mean, I knew you liked this from how you spoke with every shop owner we met, but your smile grew as you discussed tomorrow.” “I never said I didn’t like to shop,” Max replied, trying to appear innocent. “I simply stated my desire not to go shopping for shoes and other items you and those two will spend all day looking at.” “A dwarf only needs three pairs of shoes,” Fowl stated. “Fighting, drinking, and a backup pair for when someone vomits on your first drinking pair.” “This is a fantastic item for anyone who needs to withstand getting smacked around,” the shopkeeper stated. Max nodded, still trying to understand how a flower talked to him. So many different beings exist all over the system. You keep forgetting that. I know… but it’s a sunflower… a freaking sunflower is trying to sell me a ring that Fowl could use. “And all you want for it is one shard?” Tanila asked, her voice not hiding her dismay. “Yes. Many will attempt to get two or three for something only worth one. I’m not one of them. No doubt you have encountered your fair share of them already.” Max and Tanila nodded. The plant laughed and a few seeds fell to the ground, quickly replaced by another as it pushed forward. A pink bird cawed, swooping down from one of the rafters in the shop and snatched the seed, returning to its perch before pecking at it. “There are two other groups in the city right now. Both have been here a while, and some have started making bets on whether they will ever leave. The longer one stays the harder it is to return home. Judging from your questions, you already have learned the game.” Max shook his head, still trying to figure out this one. “Tell me, Spouak, why tell us this?” “I have been here a long time,” the shop owner replied. “My roots run deep and my seeds are starting to fall more regularly. Soon, I shall have another grow in that pot over there to replace me. They will be wild, trying to take advantage of you, gain as much as they can for themselves, and then learn the truth the hard way.” “Which is?” Tanila asked. “That sometimes the easiest way to get ahead is to be honest and kind. Those who choose to do so are occasionally taken advantage of, but having stayed the course, all who find my shop while I am still here leave happy. Truthfully, I have sold far more goods in my wiser state than in my younger one. With age comes wisdom. Let your roots grow deep and realize this.” Max nodded and smiled as Tanila held out a crystal shard. “You’re right,” she replied. “We’ll take the ring and I’ll see if we can’t find the compost you are looking for. Even though I can’t trade this just yet, our warrior will be here to collect it.” Spouak bowed slightly, half a dozen seeds falling to the wooden floor. A squawk came from the pink bird who was still working on the first one. “No worries, they won’t take all of them.” “We can take one?” Max asked. “Please do. There are a few in the city who would like one. Perhaps they will help you find a better item or deal in doing so.” “Thank you,” he said, bending his neck. “I am glad we stumbled upon this place.” Spouak extended a long vine and shook Tanila’s hand, a few more seeds falling from the flower as it smiled. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. “May you all find what you’re looking for at the top of the tower.” Fowl held the ring a moment before slipping it onto his finger. He stared at the twisted vines and the yellow petals that wrapped around it. “I still say it looks a little… uh… not like what I would normally use,” their warrior said. “Still, it’s hard to complain about something that gives me 150 Constitution.” “Hard to complain he says,” their healer muttered. “Like those things are growing on trees.” Max and Tanila both chuckled, and their healer groaned. “What about a flower?” “Sir, I think you’re mistaken. You can’t possibly have one of those.” Max smiled as the ten-foot-tall bearkin towered over him. She spoke softly but still carried a sense of power with each word. “Why do you believe it’s impossible?” “Artifact pieces are beyond rare. I can count the number of times one has been brought into my shop and I won’t bore you with numbers, but I’m much older than I look.” Max didn’t reply as Tanila bit her lip. Both could see the grey streaks and patches that stained the older bear’s fur. “Let’s just say we had one at our party. What would that get us, Nadetta?” The shopkeeper grunted and turned, moving to an ordinary box on a shelf behind her. Her large claws grabbed onto its sides, and she set it down on the wooden counter. “I would trade one of these for it,” she said as she lifted the lid. Max tried not to blink, knowing that once he did, he couldn’t stop. A potion like the one Batrire took! You need to decide who should get it. Remember, they can’t be traded. It’s a shame you have no more of them to trade. “Do you have only the one?” Nadetta began to chuckle, her immense body shaking as she did. “You are serious?! Do you even know what these offer? To think that–” The woman’s jaw stopped as Tanila held one of her artifact pieces in her hand. “You… have one!” she gasped. “Quickly! Let us trade!” Tanila stored it and Max shook his head. “No, we’re seeing what is out there. We know these are sought after and must be worth more than just that single elixir. After all, it only gives 250 to each stat.” Nadetta’s mouth opened and closed, sending saliva in a few directions and splattering upon the counter. “You say that like it’s nothing! Do you have any idea?! The things required to procure one of these things or create them is… impossible!” ‘Well, we’ll keep looking,” Max said, motioning at the door with his head. “I know what you have and we’ll discuss it with our friends. If they deem it worthwhile, we’ll be back.” She stopped, and Max watched as her shoulders rolled forward, both massive paws absorbing the weight as she leaned against the wooden counter. “I will talk with my sister. Perhaps we can offer more… just a little more.” “Well, I’ll return with my friends then,” Max replied, giving her a fancy bow. “Until then may your–” His voice caught in his throat as an idea caught in his head. “Nadetta… how would you like to have a solid black coat again?” She stood upright, her head almost touching the rafter above her. “Do not tease me like that or I may ban you from my shop and tell everyone what you said.” Max waved his hands and then had a rainbow crystal appear. “No teasing. Here, let me show you.” “Holy elf tits,” Fowl muttered. “You seriously let him color a bear's fur?” Tanila slowly nodded. “For a moment, I thought that woman might ask Max to marry him after she saw herself in a mirror. To think that she was so moved by such an act and not requiring payment, that we all know you will go there and trade an artifact piece with her.” “Two stat potions,” their warrior muttered. “Seems a bit cheap.” A grunt came from him as Batrire kicked his shins under the table. “Stop that woman! I’m just playing!” “No one’s laughing,” their healer replied. “Still, Max is right. The real value is in those two areas. We could procure various items that would make everything better for us.” “Imagine,” Fowl said slowly. “I could have more intelligence than any other dwarven warrior in history.” “Bah, you’d still do stupid stuff,” Cordellia replied. “Well duh, I’m a man, it’s in my blood.” “It’s been almost three weeks,” Max said as he pushed everyone toward the portal. “We’ve traded everything and it’s time to go.” “But… the ale!” Fowl replied. “I’ve got kegs of it!” “No!” Max exclaimed, cutting off Cordellia. “He’s right,” Tanila stated. “We were warned that the longer we stay, the harder it will be to leave. Besides, we’ve fleeced every shopkeeper of any item worth having.” “She’s right… I can feel it calling back to me to return to the inn,” Batrire said. “Like… that forest we were in. Somehow, it lulls you into wanting to stay here.” “But the ale! It’s so good!” Max grunted and continued to push his friend toward the glowing portal near the center of town. “Ahh, leaving?” Helk called out, moving toward them from the corner of the grassy area. “We are!” Tanila replied, almost tugging Cordellia’s arm to keep her moving. “Impressive… Most never trade as well as I have heard you did. Even fewer leave.” “The shopkeepers,” Max said as he stared at the treant. “They used to be climbers, didn’t they?” Leaves fell to the ground as Helk’s whole body shook, his deep laughter washing over them. “You’re smart, Max. Very smart. Perhaps you five will just do what most never do.” Grunting, he nodded and kept pushing his dwarven friend until Fowl reached the portal and vanished. Tanila, Cordellia and Batrire all followed suit, leaving him alone for a second with the treant. “I hope you enjoyed that, sap,” Max said as he waved. “Oh, I did. Good luck on the next floor and may the gods have mercy on you,” Helk replied as he touched the portal.