After the long-felt, but in actuality short, carriage ride I had learned more about the hierarchy and what a duke essentially was. A rank directly below the King himself, and apparently neutral because of that position.
The shopping district was a place with multiple buildings filled with items sold for profit. I was still getting a grasp on currency, so I made sure to pay close attention to what people used to pay close attention to what people used to pay and the worth assigned to it. It sounded similar to trading, so it couldn't be too bad... right?
We visited several bookstores first, wandering through the district before finally settling one that caught Varien's attention. The was painted a deep red with a blue tiled roof, and a round white sign with black script hung from its side.
"Charming Books," Varien read quietly for me, keeping his voice low enough that it reached no one else's ears but mine.
Inside, he gathered the necessary for school- history, magic basics, mathematics, botany, a general bestiary, and multiple language texts. In a surprising move, Duke Caelren selected several additional volumes and added them to the stack.
"These are essential if you intend to life up here," He said evenly. "Economics, currency, law, geography, and sociology. You must be well versed if you wish to avoid appearing as ignorant as you currently are."
Irritation surged through me as I absorbed his words. What had initially felt like consideration quickly soured. I couldn't tell if the man was simply blunt or deliberately rude but I disliked his tone.
"A sound idea, Your Grace" Varien said with a sigh, pinching bridge of his nose-what I assumed was feigned annoyance. "But let's try not to overwhelm my new student and recruit all at once."
There were eleven books in total when Varien added one more a beginner's grimoire/
"This should come in handy," he said.
That made twelve. A bag was purchased to carry them, and then Duke Caelren produced seven silver coins. The shopkeep froze.
"Y-Your Grace, these items only come to five silver," the man stammered, sweat gathering on his brow as though he might flood the floor.
Varien had already turned, motioning for me to follow him to the next store before I could watch further. Perhaps the duke was feeling generous and left extra for future business. That seemed unlikely but I couldn't think of another reason. As Caelren rejoined us, we continued from shop to shop. At the dwarven smiths, I was fitted with a sword and light armor. For clothing, both Varien and Caelren insisted I needed different outfits for different settings and occasions. I didn't see the necessity, but I had to admit my current attire was noticeably more worn than most.
At an apothecary, they purchased several healing and stamina potions for training. Then came large bottles of something called body wash, along with shampoo and conditioner- cleansing solutions specifically for the body and hair. They bought 3 of each bottle spending about 2 gold coins.
"Nyx will explain," Varien said.
I knew how to clean myself. The dungeon had a lake, home to kelpie, and I had bathed there often. Still, I was learning that humans were far more sensitive about scent than monsters ever were.
By the time we were wrapping up the outing, I had a decent grasp of currency. It was divided into copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins. One silver equaled ten copper, and one silver equaled one hundred silver- meaning a single gold coin was worth a thousand copper.
That was what I gathered not just from observing, but from Nyx whispering explanations through the shadows. According to Varien, copper coins were most commonly used by farmers and laborers. Silver coins circulated among merchants, knights, skilled workers, and lower clergy, useful for larger purchases. Gold coins, however, were rarely seen reserved for nobles, high ranking clergy, and major trade guilds. They were used for things like land, taxes to the crown, and military funding.
"You don't have it yer, as it's still being created, but the Guild Arcane Office will be expecting you," Varien continued. "They're preparing your guild card. It serves as identification wherever you go and stores currency and valuables such as gems. Its tied to your identity and the central guild ledger."
He paused, then added, "Since you're starting at copper rank, your card will hold up to ten gold in value. Bronze holds fifty, silver one hundred fifty, gold three hundred, and platinum has no cap"
I blinked. This was all news o me. I almost forgotten that adventurers actually got paid.
"Duke Caelren," Varien said, as if remembering something himself, "how about we stop for lunch before heading back?"
It had been a while since I'd eaten. I hadn't had anything this morning.
"Indeed," Caelren replied. "Do you have any recommendations?"
I was surprised he agree so easily. I had half-expected him to refuse, he didn't seem the type to eat out. Perhaps he was letting his guard down, even if only slightly. We ended up at a tavern that doubled as an inn. It was a rustic yellow building with a curved red roof, and a wooden sign stood planted in the front lawn: Rosey's Inn and Tavern.
"Welcome to Rosey's Inn and Tavern! Take a seat anywhere!" a bright eyed elf girl, who looked to be around ten, greeted us warmly."Mom! We've got a party of three!"
"Make that four," Varien said, glancing toward the entrance. "Someone else is joining us."
As we settled into a table off to the side, Nyx entered through the front rather than the shadows, no doubt to draw less attention.
"Welcome!" the girl said again with a wide smile. Nyx nodded and took a seat beside us.
An older elf woman with the same bright brown eyes approached. "Welcome to Rosey's. I'm Tara. What can I get you all to drink while you look over the menu?"
I asked for water. Caelren ordered wine, while Varien and Nyx both chose beer.
"How about Duke Caelren and I order for you?" Varien suggested when he noticed me staring at the menu, unable to recognize most of the words I was supposedly reading. I really needed to learn this newer script, thankfully I had books now.
I nodded just as the girl returned.
"Here are your drinks! I'm Rosey, by the way- nice to meet you," she said cheerfully as she placed them on the table.
I watched her for a moment. She looked just like her mother when she smiled.
Do I look like anyone, I wondered.