The Night Rose

"But Gloin, here is the list of the items I need of you can give all of them today. Let's say, in a few hours, then I can possibly think about recruiting you for my crew. Do you understand?" Arwin didn't want to let the chance go and maybe get free items from a good smith.

Since she was handing the list, Gloin had no choice but to let go of her leg and looked at it.

He was pondering for a moment before answering, "Yes, I can do that. It will cost twenty gold coins for you, not less, not more."

"Five gold coins and the chance to join the crew," Arwin replied seriously. The dwarf wants to rob her? No way. She could haggle until he bleeds.

"Do you think I was born yesterday? It's at least fifteen gold coins, and that's the best I can do." Gloin angrily puffed out as if offended.

"Ten. Plus, additional items. After all, if our plan succeeds can get out of here, and that's the last offer. Take it, or I leave. I also guarantee that when I walked out from here, there was no way I will accept you, even if you beg for it. I don't need you that much." Arwin gave out her last counter offer.

"As I said fifteen, but now the additional items top of it and the getaway form this cursed town, and I promise to make these items and not say to the guards of your little plan or warn the guild," Gloin said while smiling innocently at Arwin.

With arms crossed over her chest, Arwin then silently stared at Gloin expressionlessly. She then shook her head before she started to step towards the door.

"Wait! Wait! Fine, I will get it!" Gloin wanted to cry from frustration. Can't he get a little more at least?

Arwin nodded her head. "Good. You know what is best for you." She knew that money was important to dwarves. However, dealing with Gloin this time was more than just money. Since he wanted to join them, she will become his captain, might as well establish authority as early as now.

The dwarf smiled dryly, before he chucked humorlessly, "Hehehe, I'm sure that you will be satisfied with the items. So come back after a few hours, and I will have all of the items you need." Gloin said before counting the money that he received three times before looking at Arwin a smile.

With a snort, Arwin said with narrowed eyes, "I better be satisfied since you took most of my money. If I am not, I think I know one dwarf who will find himself from a barrel full of water."

"No need to threaten this dwarf. As I said, they would be done and in excellent quality. I will swear it by all of my ancestors," Gloin said proudly before he pocketed the money to his own pockets.

"Oh right, the plan is happening tomorrow as I think we forgot to mention that. So I hope you have already packed up all of the items that you need by that time. There is also limited space at the airship, so good luck with that and have fun." Arwin said dismissively before walking away from the shop to explore what the rest of the black market would offer to her.

Before she was far the shop thought, she was sure that she heard some swearing and shouting coming from behind her.

Arwin, of course, ignored that even though she knew who it came from. "So where did Mark to? Tsk. If he is a gentleman, he must give some money to me," She said while still looking around for him.

But Mark had disappeared to who knows where. Arwin released a heavy sigh and started to think ways to stea… erm… make money legally, easily, and fast.

Arwin continued to look around alone. She then walked past of a store and saw wooden mugs being sold out, that made her remember a good a good ancient game that might help her earn money.

She bought the wooden mugs and then asked the shop owner, "Can I set a simple game up to your stall? Whatever I earn, we will share half of it, of course, as I'm not a greedy person." Arwin offered smilingly.

"Game? Show me your skills first, and then we talk about it." The shop owner said as he was a simple craftsman who used wood as his material. Though he likes new customers, it was completely different from business partners who just show up out of the blue.

"How about we make a bet? If you choose the right cup, I will give you the gold coin, and I am out of here. But if you can't, then, you let me use a part of the stall, and you won't get any share." She offered instead.