บท 14: Chapter 13
A/N: Current Rings
•Eloquence - Silver Ring [Equipped]
•Advance Archery/Sword - Black Ring [Equipped](merged)
•Horseback Riding - Copper Ring [Equipped]
•Tracking - Copper Ring [Unequipped]
•Field Dressing - Copper Ring [Unequipped]
•High Valyrian/Old Tongue - Copper Ring [Unequipped]
•Intermediate Business Acumen - Black Ring [Unequipped](with Marlena)
Note: Remember that all of these skills are already learned, ingrained in his brain. Not wearing only slows proficiency when performing such skills. There's no unlearning.
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'Intermediate Business Acumen' is a skill that enables a person to understand and manage various business situations. It involves a wide knowledge in trade industry.
Auron savor the knowledge he received when he slipped the ring in his left index finger. Fortunately, Alihad stood up to check on his supplies so Auron and Marlena was left alone in the camp fire.
After acquiring the knowledge, he beamed with smile and said to Marlena.
"With this, we will be able to easily accomplish our goal. Hehehe."
However, he saw the bewildered and confused face of Marlena.
"What?" Auron asked.
"I don't understand what you are saying, Master Black."
"What do you mean, it was literally what I just said." Auron said.
"That's where it's confusing. I don't see anything in your hand. Is there something in it?" Marlena look every corner of his hand but didn't find anything.
"You can't see this?" I dangle the ring infront of her own eyes.
"There's nothing in it Master Black. Are you referring to your finger? You are scaring me now, are you?"
Auron was dumbfounded. It seems he was the only one who can see the ring.
'Okay, this is weird. It's getting more kinda like Lord of the rings but instead of me being invisible, it's the other way around. Minus the wraiths. '
Thinking about it carefully, he actually heaved a sigh of relief. From the very first day he acquired the ring, he was actually afraid that someone might stole his rings. It seems his worries was for naught.
'I wonder what will happen if I slip a ring into her fingers.'
Auron managed to regain his composure and he looked at Marlena seriously. He looked around for moment while contemplating seriously.
"Master Black? Are you alright?"
"Marlena, what I'm about to tell you is a secret that no one must know. I want you to swear you'll never tell a soul about it."
"I swear I'll never tell a single soul about your secret Master Black." Marlena swore without hesitation.
"Very good. Actually, when I fell from the horse back from the camp, a god talked to me in my dreams after that. She was the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, her name was Athena and she chose me as her champion. She imparted me with incredible knowledge every night. As her champion, I might be able to do the same but I'm not sure of the results. Say, do you believe me?"
Auron lied through his teeth. He needed it. How was he supposed to explain where his ability came from when even him doesn't know the answer. In the belief of a mortal in this world, only a power of a god can do that. He doesn't want to play god as he might become a target in this crazy world. As far he know, the gods in this world are very real. The talking fire is an example. If not, how can it be explained on how he got here in this world.
Marlena looked at him for a moment trying to discern if he's telling the truth but with his change of attitude after his accident, it now all makes sense to her.
Marlena finally nodded answering him.
"I can sense that you aren't entirely convinced. It doesn't matter, it will be revealed sooner. Give me your hand."
Marlena held out her left hand as Auron parted her fingers and chose her middle finger.
'I hope this works.' Auron braced himself.
Auron lifted his left hand and place it on her head make her believe that the power comes from it. Slowly, using his right hand, he slip the ring on her left middle finger.
"Ahh!" Marlena gasp.
Hearing her Yelp, he knew that it worked. The skill that he imparted her was the 'Intermediate Business Acumen' skill he got from Alihad. He got excited with the fact that he can impart skills to his subordinates.
After a few moments, Marlena opened her eyes. There's a glint in them as she looked at Auron. She bowed her head solemnly and said, "I'm at your service, o champion of Athena."
Auron looked at her and he noticed something different in her vibe. It's as if anything he demand of her, she will do it. His heart skipped a beat.
'Does the ring invoke loyalty?'
If that is true, then the rings are more powerful than he thought. He place the thought at the back of his head since he can't prove it. The most important thing right now is to confirm if the ring is effective.
Auron didn't remove the ring in Marlena's finger so she can improve quickly.
"Tell me, the knowledge imparted to you, was it for trading?", Auron asked.
"It was more than trading, Master. I think it involve a lot of knowledge on how to be a successful merchant."
Auron nodded and said, "With that knowledge, you are more than ready to take the helm of my business. We just needed to proceed as planned."
"Indeed, thank you for the blessing, Master Black. I will do my utmost to make you the wealthiest man across the sea."
--
A few minutes later, Alihad came back to check on them. He offered ale and bread but Auron declined even though they haven't had any meal since they stop over for lunch along the road. After all, it won't hurt to be more cautious and careful. Although they instantly hit it off with Alihad, it was still the first time they have met. Marlena didn't complain and just sat beside him.
Auron didn't sleep that night while he let Marlena lean on him sleeping. Thankfully, his endurance was competent enough to withstand an all night long watch.
When the first light came upon the horizon, the guards at the gate started to let the people in. Auron woke up Marlena and asked a guard at the Caravan to let Alihad know that they already left and that he was thankful for his hospitality. Then the two of them hurry along followed by their horses as they pay the entrance fee to enter the city.
--
The city of Volantis was actually divided in two and it is connected by a long bridge. Western part and the Eastern part where palaces and temples reside. The eastern part was surrounded by another black wall and it said that it is made of fused dragonstone. The western part, however is the the city's new district, and provides life to all other residents and visitors to the city.
Auron was surprised and mesmerized at sight of the busy streets in this early hours. Hawkers were selling different kind of goods left and right.
He wanted to go and browse some wares but their priority right now is to find an inn to stay. He secured his coinpurse, alert of any theft or pickpockets attempts. Eventually, they managed to find the inn without them looking like foreigners. They just followed a group of caravans and there they saw the inn along the way. He let Marlena booked one room with two beds for three nights to practice her confidence in dealing with people.
After placing their things inside their room for safe keeping, they came down once again to order some food to eat.
They eat their fill since they didn't manage to eat last night and decided to go to the nearest blacksmith to buy a sword. Without a sword, Auron feels like an arm of him was cut-off. He wasn't at ease without it as they could face danger anywhere, any time of the day.
They managed to find the blacksmith shop with the help of the inn keeper giving accurate directions. As he browse the swords displayed around, he checked the balance in each of them and finally chose a short sword that suit his taste. He paid for it right away and then he gave his dagger to Marlena for her own self defense. Speaking of which, he can actually let Marlena learn swordsmanship but he was worried that Marlena may someday betray him. He wasn't going to take the risk of imparting his sword skills easily just like that only to find her stabbing him in the back. Until he confirmed that his rings invoke loyalty to him, he won't let anyone around him learned his combat expertise. He also think that her current skill is enough for her for now.
Before leaving the shop, he was actually tempted to extract the 'Craftsmanship' from the blacksmith. However, he managed to held himself back cause he heard that there are more expert blacksmiths in Qohor who can even reforge Valerian Steel.
They decided to return to the Inn to rest and continue their stroll the next day.
They both slept soundly as they adventure their way through the Dreamland.
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