Huyana played with herself on the pasture surrounding our home. Me on the other hand, chopped woods I picked from the surrounding trees that dotted the place.

The place had long been abandoned and for the past years, there hasn't been any human activity except when I found it, and it resulted with trees and shrubs having overgrown.

I dropped the rusty hatchet that I picked on one of my trip in the dump. I swiped the sweat that dripped from my forehead, whilst I grinned at my work.

I've been piling and stocking woods ever since Spring in preparation for Winter. I don't want to quiver and suffer in the cold of tormenting Winter once more.

"Should I sell some of these for some coins?" my hand on my chin as I contemplated.

"I should also stock food. Should I grab one of those rodents that have been crawling around?" at the mention of rodents, Huyana perked up and hopped towards me.

She fell in love at the place ever since I brought her into here. She especially love the huge yard that we have and the other animals that are around. "What? Do you like the sound of mouse stew, Yana?" I asked the little kitten, who, in turn, stood at her hind legs whilst her front paws rested on my leg.

I scooped her up into my arms. "What do you say about lending me a paw? I sure could use one."

"Meow~!" she responded enthusiastically, the idea of chasing a mouse around probably excites her.

"But before that, let's patch our home first. Winter is just right in the corner, after all. Don't want to scramble to my feet when it came."

Setting Huyana down, I picked the fallen and broken parts of the building that I could pull.

After half a day, the open walls of the room I stayed in is now covered – well, not entirely. But it will do.

I also stored the woods inside and put them in a place where they wouldn't be drenched when it rained again.

"Huu~. Done!" I exclaimed. "Well, let's go to the city, Yana. We've got some selling to do."

Carrying the load of woods I set aside on my back, I headed off into the city.

With Huyana in my arms, I looked around for a potential spot to set up my makeshift booth.

After a series of strolling, I spotted an empty space amongst the line of merchant booths.

I set down the bag where the woods are. Taking them out, I sprawled them on the cobbled floor in an orderly manner.

Scrutinizing myself, I checked if there are any grime left on my body and clothes. I especially cleaned myself well and picked my most decent garments for today. I need to look presentable to my potential customers. No one would buy from a dirty person, after all.

"Kuhum, kuhum!" I cleared my throat before I advertised my products. "Good day, Sirs and Madams! A fine day we're havin' ain't we? Well, Winter is just right around the corner. And us folks would soon be quivering in our homes, asking for cuddles. Well, fret not! For this humble lad had brought fine woods to ignite your fire place and your families' hearts, keeping the cold at bay, and your home warm!" I preamble.

'Fufu. How's that? I especially prepared this speech for today. And for sure, Old Baba would be proud of me since I put a lot of manners into it.'

"My dear esteemed gentlemen and sophisticated gentlewomen! This fine woods came from a faraway Kingdom! And so, not only are they of high-quality, they also came from abroad!"

The people walking and passing by me giggled at my remarks, probably wondering what is a small child rambling on about.

'Okay. Maybe that's a bit of a stretch.'

But, nonetheless, it was a necessary thing on this field.

If you just straight up said that you picked it up in a corner, then that would be too bland. You have to add context, interesting enough that would pique and make the customers curious about your merchandise.

Besides, I wasn't the only one selling woods around here. Hence, I have to be more creative to gain edge to my competitors.

Besides, people love brands, rarity and the likes.

Imagine your next door mister, boasting about how fine his woods are… hmm. That doesn't sound right.

Let's change it.

Imagine your next door lady, boasting about how fine her man's woods are…

Ah, snap! You do get it, right?

Anyways, a blonde middle aged man approached me. His face amiable and the aura around him gentle.

"Good day, young lad. How much are you selling these for?" He asked, eyeing the merchandise.

"15 bronze coins for 20 pieces of woods, Sir." I answered succinctly.

"15?" he exclaimed. "Isn't that a bit much?"

"Well, these are not ordinary woods, Sir. They're oaks."

"Oaks?" he inquired.

"Yup. Oaks! They burn-slowly and last longer compared to other woods." I picked one and held it up close for him to see.

"But, aren't these trees just around? The other vendor who sells woods also has these ones and they sell it cheaper."

"Uh-uh! Mine's imported, Sir."

His lips twitch and was about to laugh, but I held up a hand. "And! Aside from that, these ones had been dried for a whole year. My esteemed Sir probably knows that despite oaks being plentiful however, it has one caveat." I held up a hand to get the man's attention and to emphasize my point.

"Oaks are hard to ignite and for it achieve the aforementioned characteristics, a year is needed for the sap to fully dries." I stated confidently.

'Fufu. The far away Kingdom thing was just a bait to entice and pique the interest of these fat fishies. I have this trump card to reel them in and seal the deal.'

"Sure, they're just oaks that can be found anywhere. But these ones had been seasoned well. Hence, it burns brightly, last longer, burns evenly and hotter." I added. The man was about to open his mouth but I still had one last thing to say. "And… It's imported."

The man blink for a moment, before stifling a laugh. "Hahaha. Okay, okay, young lad. I get it. But isn't the price still high?"

Of course I expected that. I was originally aiming to sell these goods for 10 bronze coins per 20 woods. But added another 5 bronze coins for them to bargain on.

"14 bronze coins, 20 pieces of woods."

"13." He said.

"14, I'll give you an additional 5. What do you say, Sir?"

He contemplated for a moment – "Okay. Sure." – before relenting in.

And this one too, is planned.

Each of these oak woods had been originally cut 10 inches long. But I cut it in half, down to just 5 inches long. Now, 25 woods would look plenty, but if you put two and two together, it was just 10 woods and a half.

I just sold a supposedly 10 woods and a half for 14 bronze coins. When originally, I wouldn't even have gotten half of it.

I call it perception deception.

It was quite a common trick used by merchants and vendors alike. An example would be a sack of salts.

They would put a certain amount of salt in a smaller sack, and put the same amount in another bigger sack whilst the price between the two would just be a few coins.

And since buyers couldn't measure the contents, they could only see it's exterior. Hence, most people opted for the bigger one since it was just a few coins difference, and thinking that it was more.

On the other hand, the merchants didn't lose a penny and instead gained more.

Such is the principle behind my scheme.

25 pieces of woods are a large number, and it's quantity clouded the man's judgement. And to completely take out in his mind to ever question, I peppered him with more offers.

"And if esteemed Sir want something more easily ignitable, and more cheaper. Then, we have soft woods in here." I showed the man the bunch of soft woods. "They are pine and fir woods. Though, I have to remind you, despite being cheaper and easily ignitable, it also burns faster and leaves a lot of ash residue." I added.

"Lastly, if the gentleman wants to empress his family, friends, or guest during dinner while grilling meat. Then, I recommend these hickory woods in here. When you use it to grill, it can give a near perfect results. It's flavors are also excellent, for it can give a savory, hearty, with almost a bacony tang to your grill."

"Well, I do love myself some grills. How much would it be then?"

"Just 10 bronze per 20 pieces of hickory woods, Sir. But I'll make it just 8 for you if you decide to buy them as a discount for buying oaks. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me. I'll get one too then."

"Wonderful!" I exclaimed whilst I clapped my hands together. "A pleasure doing business with you, Sir."

And just like that, I spent the rest of the day selling woods. And the total income that I got from today's woody affair are 3 silver coins, and 20 bronze coins.

"Hwaaamm~>." I yawned whilst I stretched, my mood merry and satisfied. "Is this what it feels like to earn your keep by doing hard labor? It sure is different from thieving."

"Meow."

"You agree too, Yana?" I nuzzled Huyana's nose while in my arms, her little head looking up at me. "Well, we're rich now." I giggled. "3 silver coins could buy us 3 bottles of milk. You haven't tried milk before, right?"

"Meow!"

"Is that so? Then, surely, you would fall in love with it too, Yana. Let's go at Old Baba's place and buy us one. The rest, we will save it up for later. Let's go!"