The girl squinted up at the sky as she trudged through the narrow, filthy streets of Stabber's grave, one of Oldtown's less prestigious areas. The sun was low, its pale light just beginning to disappear behind the towering walls of the city, casting long shadows over the muddied ground. The air was thick with the smell of fish and waste, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and children shouting as they played in the muck filling the air. It was another dreary day in a life full of them, but she had something special to do today- something that had been planning for days.
"Helly!" a woman's voice suddenly called from behind. "You get back here this instant, girl!"
Helly paused, her shoulders slumping as she turned to face her mother. The woman, a large blonde with rosy cheeks, was standing in the doorway of their crumbling hovel, hands on her hips, her face twisted in that usual expression of disapproval.
"Where you think you're goin', eh?" her mother demanded, her voice sharp. "Ain't no good gonna come from stickin' your nose where it don't belong. You're too curious for your own good, you are."
Helly bit back a retort, her mouth pressed into a thin line. For some reason her mother always worried that Helly would get herself into trouble, on or without purpose. But what did it matter? Trouble was all around them, every day. Stabber's grave wasn't named as such for its peaceful nature. And it's not like she wanted to do anything wrong. She was just trying to find something different, something new.
"I'm just goin' for a look." Helly muttered, her voice sullen. "Ain't doin' nothin' wrong."
"Lookin' leads to wantin', and wantin' leads to stealin'," her mother shot back. "You know we don't have nothin' to give if you get caught."
"I ain't going to steal, Ma! And I'll be careful." Helly declared heatedly, making her determination clear to the older woman.
For a moment they looked at each other in silence, but then her mother sighed, the sound of more tired than angry. "Be back before dark, then. And don't you go bringin' any trouble back with you."
She didn't look back to see if her mother had returned home. After all, if she had, there would be no point in looking, and if she hadn't, Helly would probably just see the woman shake her head and mumble something about a foolish girl who should find a man instead of roaming around.
It was a reasonable expectation for your daughter, but unfortunately Helly wasn't like the other girls in Oldtown, the ones who were content to grow up, marry some grubby dockworker, and spend the rest of their days scrubbing clothes and chasing after children. No, Helly wanted more. She wanted to see what was out there, beyond the grimy walls of their world. She wanted to be rich, she wanted to be important and she wanted to use that riches and importance to carve her name in history.
And that was why she was heading to the Perfume Quarter.
The Perfume Quarter was a place that had sprung up almost overnight just outside the city's walls, a strange and wondrous place filled with things that Helly could scarcely imagine. It was where the new arrivals had set up shop, the ones that everyone in Oldtown was whispering about. They weren't like the merchants and peddlers she was used to—these folk were different, with long limbs and strange accents, their stalls overflowing with goods that glittered and glowed in ways that seemed impossible.
The thought of it sent a thrill through Helly, her pace quickening as she neared the outskirts of the city. She'd heard the rumors, of course- everyone had. They said the Perfume Quarter was like another world, a place where magic was real and you could find anything if you had the coin. But Helly didn't have any coin. She was a peasant, or as these stuffy nobles would call her- a smallfolk, a scrawny, brash girl in tattered clothes. What could she possibly do in a place like that?
Well, maybe nothing. It didn't matter though, as she was going to see it anyway, if only to understand what exactly everyone was so excited about.
The city gates loomed ahead, the massive stone structure standing in stark contrast to the rickety shacks that clung to the walls like barnacles. Helly slipped past a group of laborers hauling crates of fish, her small frame weaving through the crowd with ease. The guards at the gate barely gave her a second glance as she passed her during her journey- just another street rat passing by, not worth their attention, especially a one leaving the city.
Once outside, the smell of the sea and meadows hit her full force, the tang of salt and flowers so different from the stench of smoke and shit she had long since become accustomed to. But there was something else in the air too- a sweet, delicate scent that drifted on the breeze, unlike anything she'd ever smelled before. It drew her forward, down a dirt path that led to the Perfume Quarter.
The place was surrounded by grey stone walls, making it difficult to tell what was inside, but once she passed them, crossing an open wooden gate, and the Quarter itself came into view, Helly's breath caught in her throat.
It was like stepping into a dream.
The Perfume Quarter was a riot of color and light, the stalls and tents made from silks and fabrics that shimmered in the dying light of the day. Banners fluttered in the breeze, emblazoned with symbols she didn't recognize, and the air was filled with the sound of music—strange, lilting tunes that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. The air was thick with the scent of spices, flowers, and something sweet and smoky that made her head swim. It was a place of colors and sounds, a world away from the grimy streets where she usually spent her days.
No less amazing were the people and creatures who were running the stalls and walking the roads. Although the majority of them were still human, even these humans seemed to be plucked straight out of a fairy tale, most of them taller by a head than even the tallest inhabitants of Oldtown, their clothes completely unfamiliar to Helly.
Humans, however, were not the only ones present in the Perfume Quarter. Next to them, walking as equals, one could see all sorts of creatures, from crystals moving on their own, to terrifying beasts on two legs, to huge wolves being ridden by pale-skinned women.
It was as beautiful as it was terrifying, making the entire thing feel like a dream from which Helly would wake up any moment.
Helly wandered through the Perfume Quarter in a daze, her eyes wide as she took in the sights, until she reached one particular stall. There, on the display, she could see countless wonders, each one even more marvellous than the last. Glowing stones, trinkets made of gold and silver, jewels that sparkled like stars, all of them incredibly mesmerizing and enticing for the young girl.
"See something you like, girl?" a voice suddenly called out, snapping her out of her reverie.
Helly raised her eyes to see the merchant in charge of the stand looking at her with an amused gaze. He was a strange-looking man, tall and lanky with long, graceful limbs that seemed to move in ways that didn't quite make sense. His skin was a dusky yellow, and his eyes glinted like golden embers from behind the scarf on his face. Despite his odd appearance, there was something almost friendly in his gaze, though the unnatural colour of his eyes caused her some discomfort.
Helly hesitated upon hearing the question, glancing around to make sure he wasn't talking to someone else, someone who could actually afford his merchandise. But there was no one else nearby, so she had to assume he was talking to her.
"I'm just lookin'." Helly muttered in response, suddenly feeling very small and out of place, not to mention somewhat ashamed for giving the merchant false hopes. Then again, why would he even assume she was a customer in the first place? She didn't even have shoes, for the Seven's sake! "Nothin' worth trading."
"Surely, you've got something." The Merchant said encouragingly, his voice lilting in a way that made the words sound almost like music. "Everyone has something of value."
Helly frowned, unsure if he was mocking her. It wouldn't be the first time someone wealthier than her did so, but it was too hard to judge the man's expression from behind his scarf.
"All I got's some bits o' trash and a few swigs o' the stuff." she said eventually, deciding to entertain the man, pointing at the small pouch hanging from her side and touching the leather flask that hung from her waist, its contents sloshing faintly.
"Well then, let's have a look. What's in your pouch?" The merchant declared, his eyes for some reason shining in curiosity. Helly bit her lip, unsure of the man's intentions, but something about the merchant's gaze made her reach into her pouch and pull out its contents.
She spread them out on the counter: a half-eaten carrot, a bruised peach, and a few scraps of cloth she'd found on the street. To her, it was just a collection of worthless odds and ends, a proof of her lowly status, but the merchant's eyes appeared interested, the man carefully separating the carrot and peach from the rest of the rubbish and placing them gently in front of him.
"And what about the flask?" he then asked, leaning forward eagerly towards the girl.
"Just a cheap wine." She said, shrugging her shoulders. Seeing his expectant gaze, however, Helly unhooked the flask from her waist and handed it to him. "Ain't even the good stuff."
"Wine, you say? Interesting…very interesting." The merchant uncorked the flask and sniffed the contents, his expression thoughtful. Contrary to the girl's expectations, he didn't seem disappointed by the sour smell. If anything, he seemed…hopeful?
"You think that's worth somethin'?" Helly asked slowly, watching the merchant closely to see his reaction. She still wasn't sure if he wasn't just mocking her, but if he wasn't…
"You'd be surprised. Most of the wine in my lands has long since spoiled, with almost no one left alive to make more. I suppose the artisans would have been the first to fall during the Shattering..." The merchant nodded slowly, still examining the flask in his hands. He seemed a little distracted, seemingly reliving some memories.
Helly's eyes narrowed as she considered his words, her mind working at top speed.
Somehow, she still didn't really understand why, the merchant was interested in her trashy wine. For her, it was nothing special- just something she traded in exchange for a loaf of hard bread baked by her mother. But the merchant seemed genuinely interested, as if he didn't realize how common and cheap it was, if even she, of all people, could get it.
And what did he say? That they didn't have any wine in their place anymore? That… felt like a huge opportunity, actually.
"And the plants?" Helly asked innocently, her voice carefully neutral, pointing at the carrot and peach in front of the merchant. After all, it wasn't just a wine he was interested in. He was also quite curious about the plants currently lying on his counter.
"Well, they are interesting as well." The merchant replied after snapping out of his thought, his voice warm because of whatever happy memory he had just had. "These fruits don't exist in my homeland, so I would actually be interested in getting some samples. What are they called exactly?"
Helly felt a surge of excitement engulfing her completely, a revelation hitting her like a bolt of lightning. This was her chance. She might be dirt-poor and uneducated, but she certainly wasn't stupid.
This merchant, owner of trinkets and artifacts worth more than her entire life, was actually interested in buying something from her. He was willing to pay for things as ordinary as a carrot, peach and some cheap wine. If that wasn't the sign from the Seven, she didn't know what it was.
Wait, didn't that mean that she had the upper hand? That felt… very, very weird.
"The orange one's called a carrot, an' the pinkish one's a peach. I can sell 'em to ya, but what would ya give me for 'em?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the nervousness she was inwardly feeling. If she played her cards right…
"Well, obviously I won't pay for the half-eaten samples and the peach seems to be in a rather poor condition…" The merchant started, his voice clearly amused by her audacity. Helly's heart sank upon hearing these words. Of course he wouldn't buy it. After all, why would he? Just as she thought, she was just a gullible girl who let herself be mocked by some foreign merchant. She was about to grab her things and run away, but at that moment the merchant placed a small, glowing stone on the counter, its gentle light instantly stopping the girl in her tracks. "…but I suppose I could give you one glowstone for the wine and the pink fruit, peach was it? After all, I was the one who wanted to trade in the first place, so I probably shouldn't be too demanding. "
"You're offerin' this 'glowstone' for my things?" she asked, disbelief clear in her voice. Looking at the stone, a glowstone according to the merchant, it was clear that the thing was worth a fortune. Item that creates light on its own and can be safely held in your hand? There was no way it was an equal trade.
"I don't see why not. Your items don't seem terribly valuable, but so isn't the glowstone. For some reason the local merchants are not overly interested in actually buying it despite how easy it is to make." The man said, shrugging his shoulders, then added, his eyes softening after looking at her tattered appearance. "Tell you what, how about we make a deal? If you bring me some other samples of the local food and beverages, this time in a good shape, I'm willing to pay you one glowstone for each sample. I know it isn't much, but…"
Helly's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the 'glowstone', which was apparently hers now. It was probably worth more than she'd ever dreamed of having, and she paid for it with essentially nothing. She actually had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from grinning. This was the opportunity she'd been waiting for—a chance to claw her way out of the gutter and into something better.
"Alright," she interrupted the man, doing her best to keep the excitement out of her voice. "I'll bring ya some samples, and we can trade. But I'll want more of these glowstones to be waitin' for me."
"Of course. I look forward to our future dealings." The merchant's smile widened, amused by her boldness, and he gave a small bow.
Not wanting to give the man time to change his mind, Helly scooped up the glowstone and quickly turned away, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. As she walked through the Perfume Quarter, she kept her head down, glowstone safely hidden in her pouch, doing her best to avoid any attention.
As she once again entered Oldtown and made her way back to the small, dingy hovel she called home, the city's familiar stench and noise greeted her like an old friend, her mind was already racing with plans. Plans about what to take from her home, what to get at the market and what to gather outside the city. She didn't know how far she could take it, but one thing was sure- Helly wasn't just some poor smallfolk girl anymore.
The Perfume Quarter might be a place of wonders and magic, but it was no match for the sharp mind of a girl who knew how to play the game. And Helly, with her tattered clothes and too-curious-for-her-own-good attitude, was just getting started.
The door creaked as it opened, and the shopkeeper, Lonnel, glanced up from behind his counter. His brow furrowed as he saw a scrawny girl standing in the doorway, her clothes little more than rags. She looked like she'd crawled out of the sewers, her hair matted and her feet bare, tracking mud across his clean floor.
His shop wasn't the most prestigious in the city, on the very edge of the city's slums, but even he had some standards to keep and the girl didn't pass these standards.
"Ain't got nothin' for beggars!" Lonnel barked, his tone sharp, trying to chase the new arrival away before she could get near his goods. The last thing he needed was stolen merchandise. "Out with ya before I call the watch!"
The girl didn't move, her gaze fixed on him with a strange intensity that made Lonnel pause. There was something about her eyes—sharp, calculating, not the dull gaze of the usual street rats he was used to dealing with. Still, he didn't have time for this.
"Did ya hear me?" he snapped, louder this time. "Out!"
The girl's hand moved to the small pouch at her side, and before Lonnel could react, she pulled out a stone that pulsed with a soft, warm light. It wasn't large, just a bit bigger than a chicken's egg, but the light it emitted was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. It seemed almost alive, the glow pulsing rhythmically, like a heartbeat.
Lonnel's eyes widened, and his breath caught in his throat. This…this was one of the glowing stones sold in the Perfume Quarter by these strange new arrivals! Lonnel saw them, as did any merchant in Oldtown worth their salt, but it was probably worth a fortune, far beyond the reach of ordinary folk like himself. He'd never expected to see one in his shop, let alone held by a dirty little street urchin.
"How much ya reckon this is worth?" the girl asked, her voice rough and unrefined, though strangely confident. Then again, who wouldn't be, having something like that in their possession?
"Ah, it's one of those…" Lonnel quickly schooled his features into a mask of indifference, though his heart pounded in his chest. Feigning nonchalance, he gave the stone, this precious, precious stone, a casual look. "Not bad, not bad. You know, they used to be incredibly valuable, but now there are quite a few of these around."
The girl didn't say anything in response, just kept staring at him with those sharp eyes, waiting. Lonnel smiled inwardly. She seemed smart, but she wasn't smart enough if she decided to sell the stone to him instead of some rich merchant in the upper city. They would be ready to pay thousands for the opportunity.
"I could give you… ten golden dragons for it." Lonnel offered, his voice smooth. He kept his face carefully neutral, hiding the excitement that bubbled inside him. Ten dragons was a pittance compared to what the stone was truly worth, but this girl had no way of knowing that. For her, these ten dragons probably looked like a fortune!
The girl nodded slowly, as if considering the offer. Then she placed the stone on the counter, pushing it toward him. "Deal."
Lonnel could hardly believe his luck. He quickly counted out the ten coins, his hands trembling slightly as he slid them across the counter. The girl scooped them up, stuffing them into her pouch, then turned and left without another word.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Lonnel let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He stared at the glowing stone, unable to wipe the grin off his face. Stupid girl, he thought. She had no idea what she'd just handed over. This stone could fetch a thousand times what he'd paid, maybe even more.
He carefully tucked the stone away, already imagining the profit he'd make when he sold it to one of the Oldtown's richest merchants. This was a stroke of fortune he hadn't expected, and he silently thanked the Seven for it.
Central Quarter was where Oldtown's respectable merchants made their mark. Neither as grand as the Hightower District nor as rough as the less prestigious areas of the city, it was a place where wealthier citizens conducted business, buying and selling goods that were of higher quality than what most smallfolk could afford. Tucked away among the cobbled streets and well-kept storefronts was the shop of Bernar, a shrewd man whose sharp eye missed little. He had built a reputation as a fair trader, though his fairness often depended on the ignorance of his customers.
As he rearranged a display of silver-plated candlesticks, the door to the shop opened and a young girl stepped inside. Her clothes were simple but well-made, a woollen dress of decent quality, and her leather shoes looked newly acquired. Her hair was neatly brushed, and she carried herself with an air of quiet confidence that made Bernar take notice.
"Good day, ser." she greeted him, her voice careful, as if she were trying to sound more refined than she was used to.
Bernar offered a polite nod, quickly assessing her. Definitely not a noble, as she wouldn't call him ser if that was the case. Some commonfolk marrying into wealthy family? Possible, though unlikely. Still, he wondered what she could possibly want in a shop like his.
"What can I do for you today, young lady?" he asked, keeping his tone welcoming but reserved.
The girl approached the counter, her gaze steady. From beneath her cloak, she pulled out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. She placed it on the counter with a deliberate motion, as if she was about to reveal something of great importance. Curious, Bernar leaned forward as she carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal a stone that emitted a soft, eerie glow.
His breath caught for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. In front of him was one of the stones sold by the inbetweener merchants, otherworldly goods created in the lands beyond the sunset sea. To think one of these stones would end up in his shop…!
"This here," the girl began, her voice slipping slightly into a rougher accent before she quickly corrected herself. "I mean, this is a glowstone. It, uh, creates light and lasts forever, I think."
Bernar forced himself to look unimpressed, though his heart was racing. This stone, if it really was what he thought it was, could be worth a fortune. But he couldn't let her know that.
"Hmm, interesting. I could offer you, say, one hundred gold dragons for it? Fair price for a stone like this." The man declared after a moment, doing his best to keep his face neutral. Hundred dragons? That thing was worth hundreds times more! Still, he couldn't miss the opportunity to obtain it, so he had to stay calm.
"Five hundred," she stated plainly in response, her gaze firm.
Bernar almost faltered upon hearing her offer.
Five hundred dragons was a significant sum, even for a successful merchant like him, so giving it away would be quite damaging. Still, he couldn't let the opportunity like this slip away. He needed to obtain that stone!
"Five hundred is quite…quite steep, especially for a single stone." he mused aloud, feigning deliberation. Inwardly, he was already counting the potential profits. Five hundred dragons was quite much, but it was nothing compared to what he could make from the right buyer. "But... perhaps I could manage that, given the rarity."
Bernar then reached beneath the counter, pulling out a small, locked chest. He opened it to reveal rows of gleaming gold dragons, their surfaces catching the light. He put all of the required coins into a pouch and gave them to the girl, who quickly swept them away with practiced ease.
"Thank you, ser." She said, her voice calm and composed. Not waiting for response, she turned away and left the shop, leaving Bernar as the only person in the building.
As the door closed behind her, Bernar allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. The girl had no idea just how valuable her stone truly was.
The Hightower District was a place where wealth was displayed as openly as the grandeur of the buildings that filled its streets. Here, only the richest merchants, noblemen, and esteemed visitors from distant lands dared to trade. Among the finest establishments was the shop of Jon Braxon, a man who prided himself on dealing only in the rarest and most valuable of goods. His shop, a grand structure with polished marble floors and walls adorned with rich tapestries, was a testament to his success.
Jon was in the middle of explaining to his assistants how exactly to arrange the newly acquired ivory figurines from Volantis when the heavy oak door of his shop swung open, a young woman striding confidently inside.
Her entrance was nothing short of striking—she wore an elegant gown of deep blue, the fabric shimmering slightly as she moved. A delicate gold necklace adorned her neck, and her hair, neatly styled, framed a face that spoke of newfound wealth. She was accompanied by two guards, their presence signalling that she was not someone to be trifled with.
Jon's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the young woman and her guards, but he quickly regained his composure, offering her a polite smile.
"Welcome, my lady," he said, his voice oily and smooth. "How may I be of service today?"
"Good day, master Braxon," The girl replied, her tone measured and precise, a polite smile on her lips. "I've heard you deal in rare goods."
"Indeed, I do." Jon declared, his smile widening slightly. "Only the finest and most unique items find their way into my collection. How may I assist you today?"
Without a word, the young woman reached into the folds of her gown and withdrew a small, carefully wrapped bundle. She placed it on the counter with a deliberate air, her gaze never leaving Jon's. Intrigued, he watched as she unwrapped the bundle to reveal a stone that glowed with a soft, otherworldly light.
Jon's breath caught for just a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. This was a glowing stone, one of the fabled items from the Perfume Quarter. He had been eager to acquire one, knowing that its value was beyond what most in Oldtown could imagine. Yet he couldn't let her see his eagerness; he had to play this carefully. Maybe the girl wasn't aware of its true value.
"That's quite a rare good, indeed. And what price might you be seeking for it?" He stated, putting on his most professional smile and acting like she wasn't offering him a priceless treasure.
"I'm thinking two thousand dragons would be fair." The girl replied, her gaze steady as she met his eyes.
Jon suppressed a grin. Two thousand dragons was a fortune, but this stone was worth even more—if he played his cards right, he could sell it for ten times that amount, perhaps more.
Oldtown was home to the Medici family, a name that commanded respect, fear, and envy in equal measure. Their merchant empire spanned across the known world, from the bustling markets of Pentos to the distant shores of the Summer Isles.
One particular member of this family, Theomore Medici, was currently standing behind the polished mahogany counter of his opulent shop, located in the Medici compound, his eyes scanning the room as customers browsed the fine goods on display. The walls of the shop were lined with shelves of rare books, exotic spices, and luxurious fabrics, while the massive braziers hanging from the ceiling were casting a soft, warm light that made the gold accents in the room gleam.
The door to the shop opened, and Theomore looked up with practiced ease, expecting to see yet another wealthy patron ready to part with their coin. A young woman entered the building, flanked by four guards and two servants- one male and one female. She was dressed in an elegant gown of deep blue, the fabric rich and finely crafted. Her hair was styled in a way that suggested a noble's upbringing, and the confidence with which she carried herself was unmistakable.
Interestingly, contrary to the man's expectations, it wasn't the woman herself who approached him. Instead, it was her servant, a young man dressed in plain, but well-made clothes. He was carrying some sort of small chest in his hands, its contents unknown. The mysterious woman decided to move a few steps behind the servant, content to watch the unfolding situation from some distance.
"My mistress wishes to make a transaction" the servant said as he reached Theomore, his tone formal and businesslike. Upon saying that, he placed the small chest on the shop's counter and opened it, revealing the soft glow of the stone inside.
Theomore's breath caught in his throat. He'd seen many valuable items in his time, but this was extraordinary. He forced himself to remain calm, though his mind was racing. How much would this 'mistress' want for such a treasure? He had heard about the ruinous price his cousin Allard had to pay for the warming stones bought from an inbetweener merchant, so he was already dreading this woman's offer.
"How… how much does she want?" Vayron asked, his voice tense.
"Ten thousand golden dragons." The servant didn't hesitate, instantly stating the price. At a distance, the woman nodded silently, seeming to confirm the servant's words.
"That…can be arranged." Theomore nodded, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. He knew that he could sell it for far more.
The Bank of Oldtown was a massive structure, its stone walls towering over the surrounding buildings. It was a place where the richest and most powerful citizens of the city came to store their wealth, a fortress of gold and silver guarded by men who took their duties very seriously.
Helly stepped out of her carriage, her gown trailing behind her as she approached the grand entrance. Her new guards were flanking her, while her servants, carrying several chests full of coins, were following right behind her.
As she approached the structure, the guards stationed outside immediately moved to open the doors for her, most likely assuming she was a noble or some wealthy merchant's daughter who wanted to make a deposit.
Well, they weren't exactly wrong. After all, she did want to make a deposit.
The interior of the bank was just as grand as the exterior, with high ceilings, marble floors, and rows of clerks seated behind polished counters. They all seemed quite busy with one thing or another, but the moment they saw Helly enter the building, one of the clerks immediately moved to assist her, his face full of polite curiosity.
"Good day to you, my lady," The clerk said, his voice utterly professional. He looked at the servants behind Helly with some interest, but then he moved his gaze back to the girl. "How may I assist you today?"
"I'd like to make a deposit." Helly said with a smile, her voice calm and steady.
"Of course." The clerk replied, reaching for a fresh sheet of parchment and a quill. "And how much will you be depositing today?"
"Fifty thousand dragons," Helly stated, her tone casual, as if the amount were nothing out of the ordinary. Inwardly she was shaking, the number still absurd to her (Her new servant had to tell her there was even a number that high), but she managed to keep a neutral face.
The clerk froze upon hearing that, the quill slipping from his fingers and clattering onto the counter. For a moment, he simply stared at her, certain he must have misheard. "I… beg your pardon, my lady. Did you say fifty thousand dragons?"
"Yes, that's correct." Helly nodded to the servants behind her, her expression calm. The clerk's eyes widened as they started opening the chests they were holding, revealing piles of gleaming gold coins in every one of them.
The clerk swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he once reached for the ledger. "I... I see," he said, his voice faint. "Very well, my lady. Under…under what name shall I open the account?"
Helly paused for a moment, considering the man's question. She needed a name, didn't she? After all, she was no longer just Helly, the poor girl from the streets. No, she was Kelly, the rich girl with servants and guards.
And a rich girl with servants and guards deserved a proper name.
"Helly Glowstone," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "That will be the name."
Author's thoughts:
I'd just like to say that the food Helly provided wasn't anything amazing or groundbreaking to the inbetweener merchant. They were just samples of different foods and drinks that he wanted to know more about.
He was interested in acquiring them (and he wanted to help the newly met urchin a little), but from his point of view he paid a reasonable price for these goods.
After all, the glowstone is one of the less valuable items in the Lands Between, worth only ten runes (which is virtually nothing). So from his point of view, giving the stones away was like paying five dollars/pounds/euros for an apple - Sure, the price is a bit high, but you are overseas and you are helping a poor girl get a new pair of shoes.
But that's from the merchant's point of view, of course. The Westerosi characters would see it a little differently.
Also, fifty thousand dragons is A LOT, but I think it's not totally impossible, considering the Hound got forty thousand dragons for winning the tournament and the Iron Throne is about six million dragons in debt. (I originally wanted to make it one hundred thousand, but it would probably be a little bit of overkill).
Anyway, the next chapter should be about some new guests arriving in Oldtown, both from the south and the north.
In other news, I have a patronite ( /Pemmil) now? Being a patron doesn't really get you anything other than my gratitude though, so whatever.