“It looks a bit dingy,” Saryth said when they eventually tracked down Master Zereel’s shop off the third market square they’d visited. It was indeed surprisingly shabby for a supposedly successful merchant, even a “tight-fisted old skinflint”. Cracks in the woodwork outside indicated a need for repair, and the shop interior was dim, the light filtering through the grubby windows impeded further by the piles of goods in front of them. Shelves bore cheap gems on display, the more valuable gems presumably locked in the drawers underneath.

“Hello?” Kite called from the doorway, and a voice came back from the depths of the shop.

“Can I help you?”

Kite squinted, and a shape rose from the dim jumble, becoming distinct as he came forwards, a short man wearing rich robes and a fancy hat, further at odds with his surroundings.

“I hope so,” Kite said, stepping into the shop. Saryth shadowed her, looking at the shelves with interest. “I heard of your process of altering fire gems. I’ve seen the flyers in Irshand and Eskandia.”

“Ah, and you would like some? I am expecting a delivery from the mine tomorrow. Refining it will take a day, but I can set aside some for you if you pay in advance.”

“Actually, I have a professional interest in the process,” Kite said. “Although I would indeed like to purchase such a stone -”

“I’m sorry.” Master Zereel folded his arms and glared at her. “I do not share the details. You are a competitor, or a spy for a competitor.” He turned his back. “Good day.”

Too astonished to be insulted, Kite stared at the merchant as he seated himself at his crowded desk, then gathered her thoughts and left the shop. A different approach was required.

“Oh well, seems like that avenue’s closed off,” she said, as off-handedly as she could manage.

“What now?” Saryth asked.

“Now... now we get to sight-see, I suppose. Do you have anywhere you’d like to visit?”

“I’d like to see the balloons,” Saryth said with enthusiasm.

“The best time for that will be tomorrow morning when they leave. But I do want to check out the market while we’re here.”

“All right.”

Kite went back to the largest of the three market squares they’d visited while looking for the gem merchant’s shop. The market filled not only the square but several of the surrounding streets, and a hubbub of noise, talking, bartering, laughter and the occasional argument, was audible from half a mile away. Stalls were arranged along the streets and in the main square, decorated with tablecloths and pennants hung from poles tied to the tables. The stalls in the square mostly sold food, from freshly picked fruit and vegetables on view in the farmer’s wagon to intricately decorated cakes and pastries carefully arranged on display, while the stalls that jostled together in the streets around sold toys and trinkets and second-hand garments. She made her way through the crowded aisles between the stalls, mulling over her plans as she went. Saryth followed behind, quiet and watchful.

That evening they ate at the Golden Duckling, now full of people. The innkeep and several helpers hurried back and forth, and the small room was noisy with general good cheer. Most of the clientele seemed to be sky miners, and Thurron risked his uncle’s not-very-serious wrath several times by hanging around and talking with the far table, presumably his crew. Saryth chewed on his stew thoughtfully, pondering the afternoon.

“Kite?”

“Yes?”

“We spent all afternoon in the market.”

“Yes.”

“You haggled for fifteen things in thirteen different shops.”

“Yes.”

“But you only bought a child’s trinket.”

Kite finished a mouthful and picked up the toy in question, a small wooden jointed donkey on a base. She pushed her finger into the base and the donkey collapsed, its strings loosened.

“It amused me.”

“You didn’t intend to buy anything, did you?” Not knowing what was going on made him nervous.

“No.” She put her knife and spoon on her empty plate and stood up. Saryth hurriedly finished the last few spoonfuls and did likewise.

“Don’t worry,” she said as they climbed the stairs to the promised room. “We’ll go and look at the balloons tomorrow.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about!”

Kite just smiled.