Most things that glitter are gold (private)

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

Brightening 37, Ioannes


Money. It just burned a hole in your pocket sometimes. Why keep it when you could spend it? Though Steve wasn't looking to waste any crowns, he had some special use for them in mind. He'd been playing with a idea for a short while, and while he wasn't about to do anything unexpected soon, he decided that its always better to have something ready in reserve. For a pre-emptive strike perhaps. When the time was right anyway. Usually such words were used by beardy types who didn't wear much clothes and believed firmly that people diserved to be pillaged, or alternatively, by military strategists, who were perhaps little different. He wasn't thinking about stealing something either. No, his preperations weren't for winning a castle or a city. They were for ensuring total victory over a certain womans heart. Having considered such things should be put in a poem of some kind, Steve decided to get on with the task ahead. He was on the road of Shvakkim, a name he tended to pronounce wrong now and again, looking for some kind of shop or peddlar.

He was looking for someone who didn't look very suspicious, because he didn't want something that had, eh, fallen off the back of a trade wagon? He ruled out anyone with hoods up for a start. Jewelry was what he seeked. He himself didn't wear it, although he did have a ring with DUO on it, which linked him eternally to Celethor in friendship (who he hadn't seen for ages). He wasn't looking for jewelry for himself, he was looking for something more feminine. There had to be someone around here trying to flog rings and other glittering golden treats, surely? He didn't know what to look for specifically, but he thought something in a white metal would be nice, but silver wasn't as valuable as gold. He knew nothing about such things really. So he'd just have to look and be lucky. He expected to end up talking to some wise guy who wanted to make him pay too much. The problem was he wouldn't actually know how much something would be worth. So he wouldn't know if he should haggle or not. It certainly wasn't safe to assume merchants prices were fair and they weren't always trying to con people, though. First to find someone through the crowd...

[S'Lon]

Ah but it was a difficult quest that Steve had set for himself. For some reason it appeared that Narim was very light on places that sold jewellry. Perhaps the sailors bought their rings and other items elsewhere for Steve spent a long time trudging up and down the streets of Narim without finding what he was looking for.

The backstreets had some characters selling out of bags, and they kept an eye out as they sold for anyone official looking or perhaps just anyone from a rival gang because for all their sales bluster they seemed a little nervous.

Eventually after he had walked most of the length of the Shvakkim he caught sight of a wooden cart, but it was the man pushing it that caught his attention. The man who pushed the cart wore a large cloak, with obscurely sewn pockets that was over-large for him, probably at least by a size or two. Atop his head was a wound turban of sorts, something a person might have expected more towards the Arkamatian province. Nevertheless, there he was.

Peering around, the man would stop at what he thought was a good spot and begin to set up his little movable shop. Glittering items attracted the attention of little children, mothers pulled them close and gave the man a cold stare. His voice was rather enchanting, though, and not unlike a person who was a seasoned seller of wares.

This was not exactly the reputable seller that Steve had been looking for, but then again, he had been looking a long time, so perhaps it was worth a look? Only Steve could decide.

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

He walked for a long time with no end in sight. Narim didn't seem to have any places to sell such things. Steve didn't feel like buying anything from the nervous dodgy salesmen who had obviously stolen it in the darker places of Narim. On a better day he might have bothered to steal their swag and give it to the guards, who would probably keep some of it anyway. He didn't feel like going on 'holiday' just to buy a ring. If he had too he would. Sighing he was almost ready to give up as he tired of the walking and walking and looking but not finding. He was drawn to a cart, however, pushed by a man with a odd cloak and a turban on his head. Steve had seen people like this in Arakmat before, since he'd been there three times now, but not often all the way on the other side of the empire like Narim was.

When he caught sight of all things shiny and glittery, well, he had to investigate, despite all the people giving him unfriendly stares. This may have not been the person he was looking for, but with only one egg in the basket he couldn't choose somewhere else. He approached, looking over the wares he had on offer, looking for rings in particular. Nothing large. He didn't like overstated things and he didn't think Zo would either. "Serale." he said politely to the man. Since he was obviously quite interested, he hoped the salesmen would pick up on that and try and entice him into spending money. Money which he guarded with a Iron resolve, since he wasn't going to be conned. Hopefully.

[S'Lon]

The man had observed Steves approach, as he watched all the surroundings with the attention of a hawk. His focus zoomed in though he did not crowd him, for prey such as this were to be hooked with delicacy, and then played.

Steve did not appear to be a man who had a great interest in personal jewellry, so perhaps he was buying for someone else? It was a fact to be determined for it would change the sales tactic somewhat, though it wouldn't be the first time that the customer had bought more than they had planned.

Serale, and welcome, welcome to Pierres knickknacks and pennyweights. Here you will find all that your heart could desire. Things to sparkle around the neck of your sweetheart, keepsakes to keep you in her heart whenever she sees it, and things for her to make her proud to have you as her man.

Or perhaps you are looking for something for yourself? A ring for your finger possibly?

He waved his arm at Steve, loaded down as it was with bracelets and rings glistened on all of his fingers, some even wearing more than one, the summer sun sparkling and glistening from the polished metal and jewels.

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

The mans initial response was a sales tatic in itself. Assuming he was looking for something for a woman straight away, the trader had tried to make him feel like he needed to buy some Jewellry. Well he kind of did, and he was hoping that, if he played his cards right, he wouldn't be ripped off. He certainly wouldn't be pressurised into buying more than he wanted. Admittedly he was only looking for rings though suddenly he had thought a neckless would like quite nice on Zo. But unless he saw something really nice that wasn't going to destroy his pot of money, he wouldn't.

The salesman suggested a ring for himself was what he was looking for, but as it would seem he'd correctly guessed, Steve wasn't really into jewellry. The Arakmaten man waved, which must have been difficult, due to the sheer weight of metal on his arm. Polished gold and gleaming gems. Well maybe at the least his wares were of good quality, and the things on his arm certainly gleamed and looked impressive, although the guy would obviously try and overcharge him. "I'm looking for a ring for a very special girl." He said. Instead of being shown hundreds of rings he tried to be more specific. "Something not too large and obvious, more delicate but still beautiful?" Steve wanted something she'd really, really love. Although he admittedly didn't want to make himself poor again in the proccess. He hadn't thought about how much he'd want to spend, better not to set such limits. He'd deal with that when it came to pricing time.

[S'Lon]

A special girl eh? Pierre smiled knowingly and nodded.

I take it that you know her well then? Now I have a few things here that any woman would find beautiful indeed, but if you want something that will melt her heart then perhaps some more detail might help.


Pierre held out his hands in front of him and narrowed his eyes as he scanned the rings that he wore.

She sounds like a rare catch my friend if she will value delicacy and beauty above mere ostentation and show. Now think my friend about her and what she wears, if she already wears such things.

Does she have preferences for metal? Does she prefer the silver colours or gold? What of gems? You need not spend a fortune on a large gem of the most expensive sort if she prefers one of a cheaper sort, but a certain colour. Does she love any particular gems, or do you wish to match it to something, such as her eyes?

While he waited for Steve to answer, he dug his hands into one of the odd pockets that were sewn onto his overly large cloak and fingered the things that were concealed there, checking the extra stock that he had hidden.

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

Steve wasn't actually sure about any specifics. The problem was he didn't think she had any jewellry, and he therefore had no idea what she'd like. It wasn't the kind of think he'd be likely to ask her, unless for a reason which would give it away. But actually the merchant was able to provide some inspiration for Steve during his little speech. He didn't know what she would actually like, but he did think a gemstone the same colour as her eyes would be nice. And white metal would match her Esh'lahier skin. Of course this wasn't match making jewellry. Gold would probably make for a noticable contrast, as it did with most skin tones. He was just trying to think of what would be good, what she'd like. "The colour of her eyes would be nice. Thats violet. I'm not so sure about the metal, but I think gold." This was going to be a bit hit and miss. But he hoped if he thought it looked good, then she would love it.

[S'Lon]

Ah, well let me see what I have here then.

Pierre flashed the rings on his fingers and stripped them off, putting the rings into one of the pockets on his cloak. He wiggled his fingers to demonstrate and then fished into another pocket. He took out a handful of glitter and sorted through it, picking out some items and then sliding the residue into the pocket again.

He placed the rings that he had chosen onto the fingers of his right hand, and held it out so that he could see the three rings that sat there. He pursed his lips and frowned then smiled and knelt down by his cart and opened up a compartment. A smile broke onto his face and he took out a ring, placing it too onto his hand.

Standing he held it out to Steve to get his response. Would he see what he wanted? The rings were all delicate and the stones were violet, but they varied from one ring that had a large single stone through something similar but with a ring of smaller gems around it, one that was smaller violet gems set into wavy lines and finally a fancier item with the stones set into an open fretwork.

The stones, they are all set in silver mountings, which you can see if you look closely. If they were set in gold, the colour would bleed into the stones. He smiled encouragingly and watched closely to see what the reaction was, letting the product sell itself.

Or not....

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

Steve looked carefully at the four items the man had arranged on his hand. It was a difficult decision. All of them were quite nice he thought, but quite nice wouldn't cut it. He looked over all of them two or three times, and soon he had picked out the one he liked best. The ring with the gems set in a wavy pattern reminded him of Zo especially, since violet was her eyes, and the wavy lines made him think of the sea. She'd been washed up on a beach, with stormy waves far out at sea behind her. Other than that, he just liked it. Steve studied this ring in particular carefully, looking for any flaws in the gemstones, how they shined, just anything. He accepted the merchants explanation about the stones being set into silver. This made sense to him, and he didn't feel like he was being conned yet. Pointing at the wavy ring, Steve asked Pierre "How much would this one cost me?" He was somewhat cautious, since he expected a overblown figure, although he truthfully didn't know what a fair price would be. Hopefully commen sense would prevail. He kind of hoped it was worth a fairly large sum of money though, because he did want something valuable that would really show she was important. That probably worked in the merchants favour.

Ooc: Can you describe the one I picked out a bit more please?

[S'Lon]

Pierre smiled as Steve's expression contorted slightly as he squinted at the rings, but the smile smoothed into a slightly more professional one before Steve glanced back up.

Ah, that one! Well, it seems that you have a good eye indeed my good man, your lady is certainly lucky to have found you.

He slid the ring from his finger and held it between finger and thumb so that it could be seen more easily.

The gold is not of high purity, and that in a ring such as this is an advantage, as well as reducing the cost slightly. As you can see, the gold is wrought into fine bands and this would not be possible if the gold were purer and so softer. The bands would have to be larger and it would ruin the delicacy of the piece.

Where he held it by finger and thumb; the part that would sit on the inside of the hand, the ring was a single solid ring, but where it rose up the sides of the fingers, the band split into three. Each loop of gold curved both over the top until they merged again on the other side, but also they swept into waves across the top. Mounted onto these loops were small amethyts, each slightly offset from the one to the side, the effect carefully crafted so that the whole ring gave the appearance of movement, a violet sea frozen in time.

Pierre's eyes gleamed as he looked closer at the ring and his smile grew more enthusiastic.

The work of a master jeweller this, it took many long candlemarks to craft this, and I have been keeping it for someone who appreciates beauty.

Did you know that the Governor herself was bought her engagement ring from this very cart? She was quite taken with it as I recall, though I didn't know she was the governor at the time. Quite the joke I realised afterwards, on me in any case. But this ring, now this ring was made by the very same master as hers.

Pierre's expression grew more mournful and he sighed. Ah, but one brightening I hope to find someone who truly appreciates the delicacy and refinement of this work, for such masterpieces as this are neither easily found nor are they cheap.

Now the Earl Du'Galle, he paid more than three thousand crowns for the ring he bought, and if you next get chance to see the Governor, no doubt you will see that ring gracing her finger. It was diamonds that I will grant you, but the work was no finer than this one.

He glanced up calculatingly at Steve. Now in Taralon or Medonia, this ring would cost you one thousand and five hundred crowns, but perhaps it is time that I sold it, so for you I could perhaps come down to one thousand, three hundred, though I will be sorry to see it go.

Pierre schooled his expression into an innocent one and wondered if Steve liked the ring enough to bargain on it.

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

It was certainly a beautiful ring. He noted how the man was cleverly pushing for a sale, with his stories and such. He'd actually met the governor long before she had claimed such a position. He was inclined to believe the merchant, despite the intention of the story. References to it being a masterpiece were obviously to make him want it, and he tried to ignore such things and focus on it purely as a ring, not as a artform, not as a huge bag of crowns either. And a huge bag of crowns it was. 1,300 the figure swirled in his mind after he heard it. Steve had to prevent himself from visably wincing. This ring would cost him over half of everything he owned. He'd have to go home and grab a heavy sack of crowns to pay for this. And, for some reason, he did have a large weight of coin, since he'd never changed it into banknotes. He wasn't sure if the man would go lower. It wasn't like he ever spent his money but, 1300?

That was alot for him. Steve wasn't on much of a wage, but since his food and accomidation was free primarily his money had built up nicely since the days of his royal waste, where he sold his house for a cool 5000 crowns and squandered it on a sword, which was his prize possesion. He could sell that fancy dagger of his if he ever needed some extra funds. But he suddenly felt urged to try and get this price a little lower.

"While I respect the fine work of this ring, I am not a rich man, and this would make quite a dent. Surely there are few else in Narim with the wealth to buy such things, and I doubt the Caperio's or Selestines are regular customers. Perhaps you could be persuaded to let it go for a little less." He would first make a low offer that surely wouldn't be accepted, and then work up. That was how haggling worked. "Could you be persauded to lower it for... hmm i don't know... 1,050? 1,100? Surely after all this time of holding onto it, you mights as well sell it today."

The bright side was that if he did get married, maybe his cousins could host it. Sometimes he wished he was full blown elfy, living in their mansion. He'd never really wanted money that much, but he probably would if he bought this. He'd need to go on some pillaging and adventuring or something. Summer had been fairly slow for him in terms of mad adventures afterall. He looked at the merchant, with a similarly innocent expression.

[S'Lon]

Pierre sighed and nodded as Steve explained that he was not wealthy man.

Yes, I can understand that the cost is high, but it is not like buying a meal where you spend the money and then after a brief moment of pleasure there is nothing but memories.

This ring is a gift that will last more than just a lifetime, it will be something that your sweetheart can give to her children if she chooses. And if the worst happens then the ring itself will always have value.

But even that is not the measure of it, for the truth is that every time your woman see's the ring she will be reminded not just of you, but the moment that you gave it to her. For you must know that women, they don't think the same as men, and actions and meaning are very important. She will repay you over the patterns far more value than the cost of this ring in extra little looks, kisses and gratitude.

Pierre humphed to himself for a moment, considering the potential for a sale and glanced shrewdly at Steve.

I tell you what my friend, I will give you a small box for the ring. I have just the thing, in a glowing redwood with a velvet lining, and since you look like the sort of man who will truly benefit from this ring then I will bring the price down to one thousand two hundred crowns.

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

He considered the mans offer. He would have worked his money back in just 4 months, which sounded like a long time but really it wasn't that long for him. He wanted this ring for her, even if it would cost him a lot and he didn't think the man would be willing to go any lower. Was this a fair price? Was he being made to spend a over the top sum? He understood the man couldn't sell it for less than it was worth. Steve finally nodded. "Alright then, I'll take it. But I don't have that much money with me right now. I'll have to go back and get some more, since I don't tend to walk around with sacks of money. I'll be back before the candlemark ends." Steve hurried away, hoping that the man would still be here when he got back, and hoping he could remember where exactly it was.

Returning a little later, Steve was now laden down with 4 months worth of wages, which he would get back as long as he spent less money on alcohol during the rest of summer and autum after that. He was looking forwards to loading all this off, and getting what he'd been looking for. He was wearing his sword this time, which implied 'Yes, I have money, and if you try anything I'll have to kill you.' Steve's earlier claim of not being rich could have been seen as somewhat of a lie as the sword was worth almost 3 of these rings. He also had some expensive clothes at home, but a certain married man had bought them for Steven. And he was related to a rich family. But personally he wasn't actually wealthy and he would be less so after this ring was his. He found the merchant in the crowd, and approaching as fast as he could he arrived at the wagon with a smile. "I'm back. Should have all the money you need." He said, casually unloading it from various bulging pounches that had been placed around his body. Anyone who had tried to stab him would have probably found their dagger coated in money, not blood.

[S'Lon]

Pierres was especially pleased to have Steve actually return. So many would say that they were coming back to avoid the embarrasment of not being able to afford the ring, and even more would have second thoughts and so avoid him.

But Steve it appeared was a man of honour and Pierre smiled broadly. His eyes did not fail to notice the sword which he appraised and valued automatically. His eyes did however bulge slightly at the sight of so much coin. Had the man never heard of a bank?

His smile which had slipped ever so slightly righted itself and he sighed for the additional weight that was going to be added to his cart.

Well, well my friend, there is going to be one very happy woman somewhere soon unless I am very much mistaken and I think that will make you happy too.

He drew out scale from the bottom of the cart and weighed the bags quickly, for counting that much coin out in public was scarely a safe thing to do even with the enchantments that protected him and his stock.

He nodded to Steve in thanks and tucked the bags down into a large box in the bottom of the cart and covered it over with a rag. From another box at the back of the cart he took some small wooden boxes and sorted through them until he found the redwood box that he had promised. In itself the polished wooden box was an example of the cabinet makers art with brass reinforced corners and a delicate catch to keep it closed.

Pierre flicked open the catch and then reached into the top pocket where he had stored the ring. Inserting the ring into the black velvet he blew to remove any lingering dust and then with a flourish held the open wooden box out to Steve, the sunlight sparkling from the gems.

And this is now yours. The smile that accompanied it was as broad as it was genuine.

[Steve Lionhart Gil'dae]

Steve took the box from Pierre with a grateful smile. Now that he actually owned the thing, the money he'd just spent didn't seem so important anymore. "Thank you, I'm sure she'll love it. And next time i'll visit the bank before I come looking for something like this." He said, with a somewhat apologetic grin. He'd just made the merchant better off, but he could imagine having all that would be a major pain. Still, it scarcely mattered anymore, and he was sure the merchant would cope with having money. Steve took one last moment the admire the gleam of the rising suns as they reflected off the facets and enlightened the clear violet gems. Then he flicked the redwood box shut and carefully did the catch. "Have a good day." He said warmly, and after pocketing the ring, he promplty vanished into the crowd, hopefully shaking any attention he'd gained from people who might be watching. You couldn't be too cautious in a world like this one. Especially not in Narim. He was pleased with this. He looked forwards to the right moment, the perfect evening. For now he'd simply behave as he always did, concealing his purchase and not dropping a single hint. Because he knew what would be special.