The Black Merchant


Author: Liz Luthor (AKA Kiwi)

Disclaimer: Skies of Arcadia and all of its characters, plot lines, etc. do not belong to me. Cheers.

Author's Notes: I realize that at this point, it looks like it has nothing to do with Skies of Arcadia, but I have plans... ;)


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"There once lived a legend of a man, whose name was Vyse." Their wide eyes gleamed with excitement.

"His every step captivated the hearts of many. He was the first to sail the world, and, as of yet, the only one. Vyse accomplished more in one year than most men have their entire lives. His determination was unmistakable, his courage- inspirational."

A dramatic pause as they stared in awe and wonder...

"...He babysat me once," I shrugged passively. The kids burst into laughter and Raine stepped out of the doorway, shaking her head.

"Talis, how many children's minds must you poison with lies until it finally catches up with you?" she asked sarcastically, rushing the group of kids upstairs.

I grinned and replied, "Who said I was lying??" with a wink. She rolled her eyes, smiled, and waved good-bye from the top of the staircase.

Raine owns the would-be shop above mine in Nasrad. When she bought the place, she converted it into a daycare (you know the package-colorful walls, tacky rugs, little plastic tables that couldn't seat anyone over the age of seven). I guess she just really loves kids, because I don't know any other eighteen-year-old with the patience to single-handedly run the only daycare in Nasrad. Then again, there aren't many seventeen-year-olds with weapons shops, either. You'd think a daycare wouldn't get nearly as much business if it were situated just above a weapons shop, but the parents don't seem to mind. Well, we're not complaining!

Anyway, I live in a room I rented in Ms. Marion's house across the street from my store. The rent is cheap, but the woman's practically a slave driver. I do what I'm told and make swords when I've got free time.

I honestly thought they'd never suspect me.

I was way off.


It usually started the same way every morning: Raine would go pick up the children from their homes and bring them to the daycare just before I got ready to open up for the day. My merchandise never sold very well; people often preferred the other weapons shop, run by old Mr. Tane. I could understand why they would go there- the man had been selling quality weapons for quite some time- but I still felt bitter at the fact that my shop was neglected just because I was young.

Way back when I first moved to Nasrad, it didn't take me long to decide that my shop wasn't getting me enough income.

So I took up what became sort of...a night job, shall we call it?


I became a merchant-for-hire in the black market.


.:End:.



Please review!!! :) Anything is appreciated; just tell me what you think or if anything is wrong so far. Thanks! Oh, and I always put '.:End:.' At the end of my chapters... It doesn't mean the end of the fic! ^_^