The next morning, the Vixens accompanied Jax through Solmere as he went about his business.
He didn't mind.
After the night they'd shared, their presence felt… right. Comfortable. Natural. They walked close, spoke easily, and more than once he caught them stealing glances at him when they thought he wasn't looking.
Their first stop was Grathok's establishment.
The door chime rang as they entered.
A moment later, the troll himself emerged from the back, dressed — as always — in a finely tailored suit that looked utterly out of place on his massive frame.
"Jax, my lad!" Grathok boomed. "You just might be my favorite customer. Come, come — today we finalize the dragon head."
Jax smiled faintly. He still found it amusing how someone so physically imposing could carry himself with such refinement.
"Good morning, Grathok," Jax replied. "I'm ready to finalize both the head and the body."
Grathok's eyes gleamed as he hurried to his desk, pulling up documents with practiced efficiency.
"You'll be pleased to hear," the troll said, tapping his system, "that the bidding war ended… very favorably."
The Vixens leaned in, excitement building. Bunny grabbed Zee's hand. Nyxian smirked, already sensing good news.
Grathok expanded his system display, enlarging it so everyone could see.
"The auction concluded late last night," he announced proudly. "Demand was… exceptional. It seems the Famed and Feared Flame Dragon of Solmere —Dante's Inferno— captured quite a bit of attention."
He glanced at Jax with a showman's grin.
"Final bid: 42,500,000 gold."
The Vixens nearly collapsed into one another.
Nyxian actually let out a laugh. Bunny's ears twitched wildly. Zee covered her mouth in shock. Even Llandra looked momentarily stunned.
Grathok continued smoothly. "At my standard thirty-five percent commission, your share would be 27,875,000 gold."
Jax nodded once — then spoke calmly.
"You know what I appreciate most about you, Grathok?"
The troll paused, curious.
"You recognize opportunity when it's placed in front of you," Jax said. "That's why I'm glad you'll be accepting a fifteen percent commission for this sale."
The room went still.
Grathok's smile didn't fade — but his eyes sharpened.
"Ah," he said slowly. "And why, exactly, would I be happy with that?"
Jax didn't hesitate.
"Because what you truly want isn't this dragon," he said evenly. "It's every dragon. Every unique beast. Every future haul I bring back."
The Vixens watched, silent now.
"You saw what I delivered on our first deal," Jax continued. "You're already wondering what else I can provide. So here's my offer — a Right of First Refusal. Every beast part I acquire goes to you first. No other broker sees it unless you pass."
Grathok folded his hands, considering.
"Would you consider twenty five percent?"
Jax ponders the question for a moment.
"Twenty percent, but we add that if another bidder matches your offer, YOU win all tie breakers."
Grathok leaned back, rubbing the thin beard that cascaded down his chin like a waterfall of coarse hair. It wasn't about the gold — it never had been. It was the game. The hunt. The prestige of selling what no one else could obtain.
At last, he chuckled.
"Twenty-five percent," Grathok countered. "My reputation wasn't built overnight."
The Vixens exchanged looks. Negotiating with Grathok? Unheard of.
Jax shook his head. "Twenty. For this sale and all future ones. With the tie-breaker clause and the rights of first refusal. If your opening offer is strong enough, I won't even seek other bids."
Silence stretched.
That did it.
Then Grathok grinned wide.
"I think you have yourself a deal, Mr. Darquebane."
He created the contract through his system and slid it forward.
Jax signed.
A notification chimed.
TRANSFER COMPLETE: 34,000,000 GOLD
Jax shook Grathok's hand, genuine respect in the gesture. The troll returned it firmly.
"A pleasure, as always," Grathok said. "I look forward to our future hunts."
After confirming the dragon body had been separated as requested, Jax promised inventory lists from his partners and left the remainder for future sales.
The Vixens followed him out in stunned silence.