Bonus reward: You are now Liked by Captain Roberto the Guard Trainer
Roberto offered him a cup of water, “Anything specific?”
Alburet dug the damaged book out of his bag, “Know anyone who might want to buy this?”
Roberto took it and flipped it open, his eyes growing wide. “Justice smiles upon you. This book will fetch a good price with the right people, even damaged as it is. I would suggest you take it to the royal auction house.” He closed the book and handed it back, looking at Alburet with pursed lips. “I won’t ask where you got it from, but I wouldn’t show it around.”
Chuckling, Alburet stood up, “I found it in a ruin and thought it might be worth at least a few coins. Well, I’m off to get some new clothes with Madam Theron’s coin first, as I doubt the royal auction house will deal with me in my present state.”
Shaking his head, Roberto walked him to the gate, “You are right there, Alburet. Take care and may the rest of the day shine down Justice’s light upon you.”
“Oh, just one more quick question,” Alburet asked before Roberto could leave, “which way to a tailor?”
Later, Alburet found the shop with needle and thread emblazoned above it. Walking in, he was greeted by the smell of cedar. A young woman sat behind the counter smiling as the door opened, her smile faltering when she saw him. “Can I help you… sir?”
Alburet chuckled, “I do hope so. Captain Roberto said you would be able to assist me with a new set of clothing. I do have some coin, fear not. My current dress is not indicative of my financial standing.”
Her lips pursed slightly at Roberto’s name, with a nod she stood up, “What exactly are you looking for?”
“Truthfully? Everything. I have only these old boots and this tattered robe to my name. So I will leave myself in your capable hands as to what you think I should be wearing.” He pulled the large silver coin he’d gotten from Old Lady Theron from his bag. “I hope this will cover the costs.”
Her smile bloomed as she took the coin from him, “Yes, it will indeed, mi'lord. Let me grab my measure and we will get this done quickly. I have a few items that I can alter, we can have you in better clothes inside the hour.” She darted behind the counter and came back with measuring rope. “Please stand with your back straight and your arms out.”
Alburet did as requested for the next few minutes as she took his measurements. She stood back up after having taken his inseam, “Alright, I can have you in a robe in a matter of minutes or a shirt and trousers in a little over half an hour. You could also wear a pair of slippers inside those boots if you want. It is normal to wear cloth under all kinds of armor.”
“I’m used to a shirt and pants truth be told, so let’s do that and I will gladly take a set of slippers as well.” Alburet said as she led him over to a chair in the corner.
“I shall get started at once. Please relax here, I shall send my son out with a cup of tea for you.” she said before she darted into the back.
Alburet wondered just how badly he was about to get fleeced here but shrugged, it had been found money after all. A few minutes later a boy of about eight came out with a cup of tea on a saucer. “Mum said this is for you, mister.” Alburet accepted the tea and sipped it as the child stared at him. “Are you a vagrant, mister?”
Almost spitting the tea out, Alburet managed to swallow it but coughed. “Not as such, no. I am an adventurer and just recently got to the city after a very long and dangerous task. I’m here to make sure people stop thinking I’m a vagrant.” His stomach growled, reminding him he needed to eat soon. Shrugging, he pulled the aged meat from his bag and tore a chunk off.
“Cor mister, that stuff looks ancient, you sure it’s safe?” the kid asked with wide eyes.
“Not at all, but what is life without some danger, eh?” Alburet said as he sipped some tea, hoping it would help moisten the meat so he could actually start to chew it.
The kid backed up shaking his head, “I think you’re looney.” The boy darted into the back, away from Alburet.
With nothing else to do Alburet kept eating, finishing the meat just as the tailor came back out with his items. “Here you are sir, trousers, shirt and slippers. Is there anything else you need?”
“A long cloak if that is still within budget, please,” Alburet said with a pleasant smile.
She darted into the back and came back out with a grey long cloak, “Here you are then, sir.”
Alburet nodded his thanks, “Do you happen to have a room where I can get changed?”
Smiling, she walked him over to a curtained alcove. “If there is any problem just let me know, milord.”
Alburet changed into the new clothing and felt better immediately about how he looked. He stuffed the robe into his bag as he exited the changing area. “I feel so much better now,” he said with a smile at the tailor. “Thank you miss…?”
Dimpling, the tailor gave him a curtsy, “Margret Wilson is my humble name, sir.”
Alburet paused, “I think I’m missing something. Either that simple silver coin is worth a hell of a lot more than I thought or it isn’t currency as such.”
Margret looked at him puzzled, “It is a noble’s marker coin sir. It is emblazoned with Lady Theron’s sigil, meaning she will cover all costs at the store you give it to.”
Covering his face with a hand, Alburet chuckled, “Ah, she fooled me right well. If that’s the case, I think turnabout is fair play indeed. I would like to commission a new full set of clothing from you, then. As well as a money pouch and a belt to hang it on.”
Looking puzzled, Margret pursed her lips, “You didn’t know what the coin was for? Why did Lady Theron give it to you?”
“I stopped a thief from taking her money pouch. She wanted to give me coin but I turned her down, so she insisted on giving me that silver coin.” He shrugged, “It seems like she outwitted me. I had thought it might be worth a bit more than a normal silver was all.”
A soft chuckle escaped Margret, “Oh, I see now. I will be glad to make you a whole outfit from scratch sir. I can get you a belt and money pouch right now, if you would like?”
“Please,” he said, which sent her dashing into the back room briefly once more. “Thank you. How long does a new outfit normally take?” He put on the belt, attaching the money pouch and dagger to it.
“I can have it done by tomorrow if you want simple, or a week if you want grand,” Margret said.
“Take your time, then. I shall return in a week to pick it up.” Alburet gave her a small bow, “Thank you for this fine clothing, I look forward to seeing what magic you’ve worked when I return.”
Margret walked him to the door with a laugh, “I wish you a pleasant day, sir.”
“Oh,” he said, feeling a right ass, “my name is Alburet.”
“I wish you a pleasant day, Alburet,” she replied.
Walking away from the tailor’s, he started in the direction Roberto had told him the Royal Auction lay in. Eventually he reached a gaudy building fronted with fluted, elaborately carved columns. Shaking his head, he noted the sign declaring it his intended destination. He walked through the main door and paused at the very richly appointed lobby. A man in silks hurried over to him as Alburet stood there taking in all the gold leaf and silk.
“May I help you, sir?” The man’s voice dripped with distaste as he looked Alburet up and down.
Pulling the book from his bag, Alburet turned his eyes to the painfully thin silk clad man. “I was told this was the place to bring such an item, to be sold to the right people.” He held the book out.
His head held high and with a sniff of dismissal, the curator took the book opening it to the title page. Alburet was watching carefully, but still almost missed the reaction. “Yes, this book might fetch a few coins here. I would be willing to spare you the time and hassle by buying it out right from you right now for five gold.”