บท 41: Negotiations
After a night in the barn of a generous farmer—for they thought a night in the open would be too risky—and another early morning, the group made it to the city of Obsequence. It was so named by one of Aurora's ancestors who conquered it. The town at the time not only didn't fight the invading force, but actually welcomed them, throwing out their own terrible leader to be captured. Now it was a bustling city full of traders and merchants. Junayd went ahead of them and bought new clothing for them to wear. The style here was in general less flashy than the capital, and the soldier returned with simple garments to help them fit in.
"What's this?" Aurora held up a long piece of light brown cloth.
"It's for your head. Some men and women wrap them around their hair and face to block the sun. I figured it would hide your appearance, Your Majesty." Junayd said. Aurora had seen nobility from the desert region southwest of Valiant visit occasionally, so she had an idea of what it should look like. Junayd had handed the other men wide brimmed farmer's caps. "This will hide our hair and obscure our profile."
Devrim smiled, "Surely no one will be looking for three bumpkin farmers and a desert maid." They found a hidden place in a rock outcrop and changed clothing. Aurora reluctantly packed up the Guardian cloak in her bag. It was the most remarkable part of her appearance when the assailant had found her, but it had also protected her at the inn. 'I'll put it back on in a couple days when we are further north,' she told herself.
Their new identities donned, they marched their horses into Obsequence. The streets were crowded, and walking would hide the four by giving them a lower profile. Obsequence was situated where a large inlet from the Tranquil Sea came close to an offshoot of the Great River that flowed through Valiant. This was one reason that it was a key point in the world for commerce. People from all over the world traded here. It was exciting to see all the different people and clothing that lined the streets. While most people dressed simply, a few were in bright colors adorned with feathers and beads. One particularly flamboyant woman even seemed to be carrying a small furry animal in a bag on her arm. Its beady eyes peered out at Aurora as she passed.
They reached the area of town where animal trading occurred. Unlike the places they had been before, where the negotiations were done quietly so that other customers would not know the deals the merchants were giving, the animal marketplace was full of shouting, presumably to be heard over the noise of the creatures being sold. Animals that Aurora had never seen even in the palace menagerie were being passed between stalls to eager buyers. 'There is so much I don't know,' Aurora thought.
They found a horse trader and Nurlan, who was the oldest and shrewdest of the group, jumped into negotiations. "I see you are running low on your supply of horses. Perhaps I can interest you in four superior specimens to increase your inventory." His talk was smooth and easy, hoping to catch the trader in an amiable disposition.
The trader squinted at him and stroked his chin. "I' have plenty of stock to get me through the week, but I will gladly take them off your hands if you are giving them away."
"Oh my friend, surely you will give a fair price for our trouble! We are doing you a favor." Nurlan smiled warmly, but the trader waved his hand in dissent.
"No no I am doing you a favor. 20 gold coins. Final offer."
"Then we will find another stall. Good day, sir!" Nurlan turned to usher the group away. Aurora was unfamiliar with the dance of haggling, so she was surprised when the trader stopped them.
"Of course, of course," he said hastily, "even final offers can be negotiated. I will give you 50 gold coins."
Nurlan barked a laugh. "These fine equines are easily worth 2,000 coins or more, but I will settle for 500."
The trader looked as if he had been choked, "Sir, you will put me out of business! I can go no higher than 100."
"I will not budge. I know what these are worth." Nurlan looked evenly at the trader. 500 was indeed a good deal.
"250. It is the cash I have on hand," the trader lied. He looked over at the girl in the group. She was stroking the dark horse sadly. "Do not fret. Trader Farbegn will take care of the pretty mare," he said with a tenderness that surprised himself.
She looked up with wet eyes. "Thank you sir. Make sure she finds a good home."
Devrim stepped in, "Excuse my sister, sir. She was injured on the road west of Valiant." Devrim indicated her leg, where her bandage could just be made out below the hem of her dress. "The Empress's caravan passed by and took pity on us. The Empress gave my sister that horse with her own hands and then gifted the three of us geldings to ride with her. We are nearly home, but cannot afford to keep such generous gifts. I am afraid my sister has become attached to her equine friend."
A single tear slid down Aurora's cheek. She would not meet the trader's eye. Trader Farbegn could not stand to see the girl cry. And the mention of the Empress made him take notice. If what they said was true, these horses would fetch a very high price. He decided to take a chance. "Very well, I will meet your price." He tossed a bag to Nurlan.
Nurlan weighed it in his palm. "I thought you only had 250 on hand."
Trader Farbegn laughed. "Ah, one hand perhaps…but I have two hands, so it wasn't entirely false!" he said proudly. They gave over the horses and collected their things from the animals' backs. Further down the road, they sold the saddles and other riding accessories. Aurora again teared up and the saddle trader gave the group their asking price. The two soldiers watched Devrim and the Empress with great interest.
As they walked away from the stall, Aurora wiped her tears with the edge of her headdress. "I had no idea you were so fond of that saddle," Nurlan commented as he stowed the coins for safe keeping.
Aurora and Devrim exchanged mischievous grins. They clasped hands and shook in self-congratulation. Nurlan raised his eyebrows, and Aurora winked at him. "I suppose we should have let you in on our little trick," she said. "You may be skilled in the art of negotiation, but I am far more skilled in the art of getting what I want." She contorted her face into a pitiful pout. "Do you have any idea what the Council will agree to in order to keep me from crying?" Nurlan's heart of stone wrenched looking as her eyes grew teary. Suddenly she brightened, "See? Works every time on you poor unsuspecting men. Don't worry: I use this weapon sparingly."
Aurora strode away from the men, tucking the headdress up around her mouth and nose as she went. "Well, that was terrifying." Junayd said.
"Yes, she is pretty magnificent." Devrim said with admiration. "Just hope you are never on the receiving end of that pout. It gets far more accomplished than her anger ever could."
Having not heard them, Aurora strode toward a stall and admired the jewelry. While nothing could compare to her father's necklace that sat against her skin under her dress, she still could appreciate pretty things. She picked up a shiny ring and admired the craftsmanship. "How much?" She asked the man next to the counter.
"Oh I don't work here," Gandr said as he turned around.
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