The traders were first seen as a hazy dust cloud on the horizon. Soon, however, the wagons took shape as they trundled along the dusty road into Tappahannock. There were about 30 wagons and about 200 heads of cattle in the wagon train. The traders set their wagons in a circle outside of town in an unused field, and put their cattle to pasture. Then they took their goods to the village green and set up their booths and stalls to display their wares.

It was organized chaos. The stalls were packed close together, with fabrics, tools, livestock, and spices all competing for the attention of the townsfolk. The traders shouted out their wares and prices and haggled loudly with their customers. The pathways were clogged with people rushing to and fro, trying to find the best price on what they needed. Everyone who lived anywhere near Tappahannock was there. Young children ran shrieking underfoot while their mothers haggled for the price. Bright colors and smells had exploded over the normally drab town.

Nathanael hitched up the ponies to the cart as soon as the traders were seen, and carefully loaded all of his surplus grain and chaff in. Alfred and Matthew helped him, but as soon as the cart was loaded they sprinted towards the town. This was their own special tradition, to race each other to the market.

By the time they arrived everything was in full swing. The village green had reached a crescendo of sights and sounds and smells, and people were merrily partaking in trade.

Alfred and Matthew immediately merged into the crowd, wandering around looking at the different wares for sale. They noted where the needed items were, in case Nathanael couldn't find them, and also the smaller stalls that had more niche items that were less likely to be bought. There were quite a few art pieces and charms being sold on the side. Alfred nudged Matthew by a booth selling dreamcatchers before walking over to the woman who was sitting there.

As Alfred engaged the woman in a conversation about her wares, Mattie slipped around to the side. Quietly he pocketed a few of the dreamcatchers and a small bag of something. (They'd go over their spoils later.) He moved to stand back with Alfred and listened quietly to the end of the conversation. Soon, Alfred apologized for not buying anything and walked away. Matthew followed after him, and they continued on through the bazaar.

After swindling their way through a few other stalls they came to a decently sized crowd in the back surrounding a small stand. After wriggling their way through the crowd, Alfred and Mattie got to the front and saw what all the fuss was about. The stall had a myriad of outlandish items on it. Strange metal contraptions and oddly colored and shaped gems for the most part, though there were a few books marked with a strange alphabet.

The ancient woman who was selling everything looked at them and smiled. "Come closer, come closer! I bring wares from far off planets. From Silroth, Zeoboth, even Heillfold. Everything I sell has a story. Here son," she addressed Mattie, "Pick something."

Hesitatingly, he reached forward. His hands wavered between some gems and a leather book with gold embossing that looked valuable. He could feel everyone's eyes on him and wished he could disappear, but finally touched one of the gems. It was pale white, round, and small. It felt a little warm to touch and his arm started to tingle.

"Ah, that," the woman smiled, "Now that is a special item. It came from Heillfold, the planet of the Sages. It was supposedly used by the Sages to channel the air affinity. It is a rare variant of quartz that is found only in very few places and happens to be incredibly difficult to mine. The Kingdom of Strength, along with the Kingdom of Peace, destroyed most of these gems right after Shadowfall. This is the only one of its kind left! Truly a rarity."

The other townsfolk murmured amongst themselves in interest. It was, after all, an interesting story.

"Wait," inquired one of the bystanders, "If the Kingdom's destroyed all of its kin, won't they want this one too?"

"Oh yes. Everyone who knows about it wants it. It is a very powerful symbol. Stolen right from the heart of Heillfold!"

"Then what's to stop the Kingdoms from coming here? We've all heard of their cruelty. We don't want them to come here and massacre us. And even- How are you even alive?"

The woman began to defend herself, but the rest of the people began to frown in distrust and turn away. Alfred followed them, but Mattie hesitated, watching the woman. She carefully put the gem in a small bag and left it beside the book he had been eyeing before. As he turned to follow his brother he swore he saw her smile at him.

Some time later, Matthew broke away from Alfred and went by the stand alone. It was empty, the only things remaining were the small bag with the gem and the book. Almost instinctively he took the bag and replaced it with the small bag from the dreamcatcher's stand. They were different colors, but with any luck, no one would notice until it was too late.

After he rejoined with Alfred, they spent the rest of the day avoiding that stand. It was no good to get involved with the Kingdoms, especially if you valued your life. Matthew knew this. Nathanael talked to them briefly around noon to make sure that they weren't up to too much trouble, before heading back to the farm to sort through what he had bought. After he left, the two of them went to the tavern to get a meal and a drink. Matthias was in his usual spot slumped over a pint of beer.

As the twins set down to eat their meal he groaned slightly, "Ugh. I need another drink." As he looked around blearily he noticed the two of them watching him.

"Hey Matthias!" smiled Alfred cheerfully, "You're looking awfully sober right now."

"Yes. That's why I need another drink. Also to cure this killer headache."

Alfred laughed, "Eh, I'll imagine."

"So long as that's all you do Alfred," piped in Matthew.

The three of them quieted down a bit and Matthias got another beer. After taking a long gulp of the amber liquid, he spoke, "So. Anything interesting at the market?"

Alfred smiled and began to tell the tale of that day's conquests. Matthias smiled along with him, giving out slurred pointers and comments at the appropriate moments. His whole demeanor changed, however, when Alfred told him about the old woman in the back of the market, and the strange gem she talked about.

"A pale white gem you said?" He sounded almost needy. "Describe it again."

Alfred looked at Matthias curiously, before conceding, "Sure. So it was this smallish gem, about the size of your first thumb joint. Teardrop shaped. It was pale white but opaque. Nothing too spectacular."

Matthias had slowly gone pale as Alfred described it, and by the time he'd finished, he looked about ready to faint.

"Are you alright Matthias?" Asked Alfred in concern. "You look awfully pale. Would you like another drink?"

"No, no, I'll be fine." Murmured Matthias. "Show me to the booth, please."

"Are you sure you don't want another beer?" cajoled Alfred, desperate to get Matthias back to normal.

"NO!"

Alfred and Matthew flinched back at his shout.

"Sorry, just, please. I need to see it."

Matthew looked on in pity. Perhaps he should tell him about the bag in his pocket. But...he felt oddly protective of it, it was his now, no one else's. And yet, Matthias looked so broken then, so shattered. His whole body was slumped, from the alcohol and this apparent grief.

"Alright," sighed Matthew, "Let's go then."

The three of them stood up and Alfred grabbed a hunk of bread to take with him. As they made their way back through the market, both twins could see how unsteady Matthias was. He stumbled and tripped over nothing, and swayed as he walked.

When they arrived in the back, the woman was still gone, but this time the table was completely empty. All that was left was that small table. Alfred rushed forward as if that could make her come back.

"She was here, I swear!" Cried Alfred, looking around in circles.

Matthew stood off to the side, oddly devastated that the woman hadn't returned.

None of this, however, could compare to Matthias' reaction. He stood stock still, watching the table. Slowly a look of rage and disgust overtook him, his mouth curled into an ugly, angry snarl. With an almost animalistic scream, he lunged at the table and proceeded to completely destroy it. After that table was demolished, he took one of the splintered boards and lunged at the stall to the left, scattering all of the wares.

The townsfolk, who had begun to shout when he attacked the first table, began screaming in earnest. Mothers frantically sought their children and fled to safer areas. The trader grabbed his weapon, a short sword, and moved to attack Matthias. Matthias shifted to engage the trader and swung at him with his board, before being dragged backwards by both Alfred and Matthew.

Frantically, the two of them dragged Matthias through the market and out of town. Some of the traders followed them half-heartedly, but as long as they didn't destroy anything they were let through with minimal resistance. They finally stopped to breathe behind a low fence along one of the outlying fields.

Gasping for breath, Alfred began to question Matthias. "What was that dude?! You could have gotten killed for fucks sake! God damn it, what were you thinking!"

"I needed to see it!" Matthias shouted in response, his voice oddly clear, "One last time. I need to know that something remains, that there is still some cruel hope in the world, that maybe I'm not-" he broke into violent sobs.

Matthew watched from the side, his breath choking him and tears blurring his vision. He fiddled with his sleeves briefly, before his hands drifted almost instinctively to the gem in his pocket. Alfred was busy trying to get Matthias to calm down, before looking hopelessly at Mattie.

He was about to speak when he noticed what Matthew was doing.

"Mattie," he said carefully, "What do you have in your pocket?"

"What?"

"Usually you fiddle with your sleeves when you're nervous, not with your pocket. What's in your pocket?"

"Umm. So I may have gone past the table beforehand. And, umm, I may have taken that gem?" Mattie got quieter and quieter as he spoke, but Alfred still heard him.

"You TOOK it?! Are you crazy?!"

"I don't know! Maybe I am! So what?"

"So you took it. Fine!" He sighed in exasperation, "You couldn't've, I don't know, told us before Matthias went on his rampage! Then maybe we wouldn't have the whole town after our hides!"

"NO!" Matthew shouted, before seeming to collapse slightly. In a quieter voice, he continued, "I don't know why I didn't say anything, Alfie. Honest. I guess… I guess I just felt sort of protective of it in a way. I don't know"

While they were arguing, Matthias was struggling to get himself under control again. His breath still came in choking gasps, and tears still fell down his face, but he was able to speak now.

"Matthew." Matthew met his tear streaked face with his wet eyes, "Please. I know you don't want to. But please, can I see this gem?"

"Sure Matthias." sighed Matthew pity dispelling any hesitation from his mind.

Carefully he withdrew the small bag from his pocket. Matthias' eyes never left his hands, following them like a bloodhound follows the scent. Slowly, Matthew tipped the bag over his left palm. The gem fell out and landed on his hand with a sense of finality.


A/N

wow so this took forever. I hope you guys liked it! If you did reviews and favorites are greatly appreciated. I really like feedback and theories and stuff :D and hey, maybe I'll update sooner than once a month

A big thank you to HelloJames, Croquet Grandma, and Lexi UWU for helping edit!