Calmly walking through Melchior’s busy streets, avoiding the lively crowds, and occasionally glancing at the stalls, Renae was eating a candied apple she had just stolen from one of the many street vendors. Looking up, she saw tiny red flags hanging from one side of the street to the other. She spotted city guards unloading barrels and carrying them into nearby taverns and inns. Renae pulled her hood over her head, hiding behind her bangs, and clutched the strap of her bag as she carefully walked past them. She ventured further, entering a less reputable part of town.

Breathing in the foul smell of Melchior’s slums, Renae knew she was home. Walking down the dirtied streets, she quickened her pace and pulled up her sleeves, revealing sheathed knives. Renae had to make it to the outer end of the slums at any cost, and she could not afford to waste time. Like a shadow, she quietly crept through the alleyways. Every few steps, she’d glance behind her to see if she was being followed. She quickly rounded the corner, opened the first door she encountered and entered the rickety small building.

Looking around in the poorly lit room, she spotted a lone desk in the back with a sole candle lit. Shelves filled with books and other strange trinkets decorated the walls. Renae pressed herself against the closed door, catching her breath. As she scanned the room, she spotted an old man sat behind the desk. He focused with his gaze downward, focused on fiddling with some small, rounded contraption on his desk, matching those on the shelves.

“And what can I do for you, young lass?” the man spoke coolly in a thick foreign accent, putting away his trinkets and watching her intensely.

“Sera sent me, sir,” Renae spoke politely, which made the man laugh, “I’m here to make a trade.”

“Ah, yes, Sera! A very good customer of mine. It is nice to meet you. Call me Odel,” the man beckoned with a wave of his hand, “Let us see what you have brought me.”

Coolly making her way to his dingy table, she placed her bag on top of it, and took out the red silken pouch. “See for yourself.”

Odel raised his eyebrows hearing her bold words, opened the bag and began inspecting the rubies meticulously. As she waited, she began browsing in his shop. Her blood ran cold as she spotted two large, armed men quietly standing in the corners of the room, who were initially obscured by the bookcases next to the entrance.

“Well, what price will this fetch?” she asked, scratching her head.

Odel let out a whistle, “Well, well, little lass, you’ve managed to find quite the treasure. These rubies are worth 5.000 Gil.”

Renae blinked rapidly a few times upon hearing the amount she would receive from him.

“Just a meager 5.000 Gil?! I mean, it’d keep the three of us fed for a month, but still…” Renae thought.

“Alas, I do not have enough Gil here to complete this trade with you right now.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, narrowing her eyes, snapping back to reality.