Chapter 31: Fenian Faintleaf

Chapter 31: Fenian Faintleaf

Theo vowed never to rely on the stimulating properties of his [Lesser Stamina Potions] unless absolutely necessary. He made an exception in his mind regarding the tea he brewed from the moss. He rose from his soft bed and stretched. The storm was gone, and he sat on the edge of his bed for a long time before getting up. Light filtered through the window, pale orange sun shafts cutting through the bedroom and signaling the dawn. The sound of clanging cookware issued from the lab.

The alchemist emerged to find Tresk cooking more wolf steaks on her new pan. She must have just plopped the considerable strips of meat down as the smell wafted his way. He made his way to the table, sitting down and sipping on the tea shed provided. Long moments passed before he said anything to his companion.

No more stamina potions, he said, shaking his head. Feels like I have a hangover.

You just need to be tired like the rest of us. Or put some points in [Vigor], Tresk said.

Find anything in your dungeon with [Vigor]? Maybe a ring? Theo asked, grinning.

Tresk waved him off, flipping the steaks with another satisfying sizzle. That necklace of yours is high-level stuff. We wont find anything like that in the first few floors of the dungeon.

Theo leaned back in his chair, looking out the window at their impressive backyard. He would have to confront the reality of establishing his stone working venture today and feared that it might be too much for him to take on. With the town leveled enough for a wall, he saw no need to feed [Monster Cores] into it, anymore. He hoped Fenian would pay him in coin, alongside the cores he requested. If he was lucky, the Elven trader would have seed cores for the quarry and workshop.

There was also the promise he made to Tresk to find more [Rogue Cores], so she could upgrade her crummy one to a better quality. Theo often forgot that not everyone was running around with two legendary cores inside them. He also didnt know how to remove a core from himself, not that he wanted to. They seemed like rare things that cost a lot of money, and he was already up to his eyeballs with investments and debt.

Fenian should be here today, Theo said. The quest claims that I have zero days left until he returns. Im guessing he has a magical way of transportation now.

Or some mount, Tresk said, shrugging. It takes 7 days to get to Qavell, or so Im toldIve never been. Ive heard of magic carriages that can zip across the countryside. If hes rich enough, he could have one of those.

Well, Im thinking of changing my deal with him. We dont need as many [Monster Cores], and I was going to get you some [Rogue Cores], Theo said.

That would be lovely, Tresk said, nodding to herself and smiling. She flipped the steaks one last time, moving to prepare some plates. How much money do you still owe?

Well, Ive promised a few gold in investments, Theo said, shrugging. I owe two gold to Miana for this place, maybe two more gold for the stone operation, and another for Luras leatherworking operation.

So, youre going to spend all your money as soon as you get it, Tresk said, nodding. Gotcha.

Honestly, Im going to work out a deal with Fenian, Theo said. Buy a bulk of things from him, hoping for a discount.

Whats your budget, and whats on your shopping list?

Ill get five gold from Fenian for his order. I need a stonecutters seed core, quarry seed core, and leather workers seed core. If I can get those seed cores for around a gold, Ill be in good shape. Then I need your [Rogue Cores], some artifices, and [Monster Cores], Theo said. How many [Rogue Cores] do you need to get a legendary one?

Tresk pushed the steaks onto their respective plates, squinting her eyes and staring up the ceiling for a moment. 36? 24? 16? she asked, screwing up her face. I really dont know.

Well, how does it work?

You feed your current core like a building core, Tresk said, taking a seat at the table and handing a plate over to Theo. So, I dont really know the experience drop off.

Its problematic to go into a negotiation without knowing what you need, Theo said, grimacing. Well, Ill do my best.

Theo learned that morning that steak was an excellent option for breakfast. With a swamp filled to the brim with wolves, it was a viable option. It wasnt as tender as the Karatan steak, but it was still delicious. By the time he finished his tea, he was feeling much more like himself. The grogginess faded away, and he found himself ready to complete Pergs order. The companions talked as he prepared the stills, aiming to run a double batch of [Ogre Cypress Bark] for the essences required to make [Stripping Solution].

Tresk tried to hide her excitement, but failed. She chomped at her steak with abandon, tearing large chunks off and talking with a mouth full. Thats the thing. These traders can be a real boon to small people in trades. Fenian likely wants something from you. A long-term deal.

Theo had the stills prepared, and the [Ogre Cypress Bark] mashed. He planned to run 400 units total, 200 in each still, focusing the first still on the [Cure Ailment] property, and the other on the [Cleanse] property. He dumped the last of the mash in and thought about it, unable to find where he landed on the subject. A deal with Fenian would be great. He didnt mind the absurd production quotas, and the gold was good.

Is this a negative thing? Theo asked. Should I be cautious?

You should always watch your coin purse around a trader, but I think I know this guys angle, Tresk said, wiping her mouth off with the sleeve of her leather jacket.

Whats that? Theo asked, starting the [Flame Artifices] and stepping back.

Imagine youre an upstart trader in the northlands. Most of the trade routes are claimed, and every alchemist in Qavell has century-long deals with the established merchants. You find a diamond in the middle of the swamp. Do you milk him for all hes worth, or do you entice him to strike a pact? Tresk asked.

You think he wants to be my merchant? Theo asked.

Yep. He wants you to keep bulk orders with him, Tresk said. Before the big trade guilds pick up on it. Theyre usually slow to respond. Or so I hear.

I see absolutely no downside for us, Theo said, shrugging. That would be an enormous win.

Agreed. In this case, it works well for us because hes desperate, Tresk said. But, my bet is that he took those potions to the big city and blew everyones minds. He didnt tell them where this new alchemist was, but made a tidy profit. You sell him a potion for 20 copper, and he resells it for 50 copper. Maybe more.

And he can do it, because hes a traveling merchant with all the connections, Theo said. The Marshlings logic made sense, and he wondered why he hadnt thought of it. He knew that Fenian was reselling the potions, but didnt think that the Elf thought of him as a resource, rather than a simple supplier.

Theo looked over his lab, the glaring flaws of inefficiency fouling the scene. What he needed was better equipment that cut out the grunt-work of the process.

So, my point is that Fenian is going to make you a deal. Youll agree to take his bulk orders over everyone else, and hell give you a break on supplies.

That sounds like a sweet deal to me, Theo said.

I agree. I think you should take it, Tresk said.

A knock came from the door downstairs. It was Azrug, waiting to do his shift at the shop. Theo got his attention before the boy sat down. Fenian is going to be here today. Let me know when he arrives.

Azrug went pale, swallowing hard. Yes, sir.

Theo returned to the lab, leaving the Half-Ogre boy to deal with his fear of outsiders. Tresk passed him on the stairs, pressing her forehead against his before departing for the day. She planned on prodding Luras into action, trying to get his head back in the adventuring game. The alchemist suggested that she find another adventuring partner, a suggestion that only drew exasperated sputtering from the Marshling.

The condensers were doing their job, slowly filling the flasks up. Theos nerves were getting to him while he waited for the Elven trader. If Tresk was right, the deal he had to offer would be irresistible. He took stock of the equipment he had, focusing with his high [Wisdom] stat and determining what the best artifice would be. The mashing process took far too long and something that ground the reagents for him would be amazing. He had a feeling that the stills werent as optimal as they could be, either in production volume or capacity. There were no simple solutions for that problem, though. The distillation process was delicate.

That sounds like a deal to me, Theo said, nodding. What do you have in terms of [Rogue Cores]? I need 30 of them, or something.

Looking to upgrade your Taraheks core? Smart move, Fenian said. A grin spread across his face as he withdrew something from his inventory, holding it out for the alchemist to inspect.

[Assassins Core]

Legendary

Assassin Core

Unbound

2 Slots

Level 1 (0%)

A specialized [Rogue Core] which focuses on assassination techniques. Can slot either [Rogue] or [Assassin] skills. Equipping this core unlocks the [Assassin] class. Equipping this core over an existing [Rogue] core will consume the [Rogue] core, setting this core to its current level.

Effect:

Increases the effect of all [Rogue] and [Assassin] skills.

+2 Dexterity.

Theos eyes glittered. It was an absurdly nice core, but he had a feeling that it was unapproachable, in terms of cost. He narrowed his eyes on the Elf and feigned a smile. How much?

Oh, about 10 gold on the open market, Fenian said, shrugging. But for your Tarahek, and the strength of our relationship, a gift at 1 gold 50 silver.

Azrug let out a yelp, clasping his hands over his mouth again. Fenian smiled at that.

Done, Theo said. Thats not even a question.

You owe me 3 gold, so far, Fenian said. Anything else?

What kind of [Monster Cores] do you have?

Level 30, mostly, Fenian said. A gold for fourthey should give you five levels apiece at your [Alchemy Labs] current level.

Ill take four, Theo said. Any interesting alchemy artifices?

Ah, my other gift, Fenian said, withdrawing four items from his inventory. The first three were the same, large discs with clasps on the side. There was a slot on the side to feed motes, and an ominous-looking grinder on top. The other item was another [Flame Artifice]. [Alchemical Grinder Artifice]. This will allow you to grind your reagents directly into your stills.

Fenian gestured again, withdrawing a small mote from his inventory. But wait, theres more.

Theo inspected the mote, shocked at what he saw.

[Glassware Artifice Upgrade Mote]

[Upgrade Mote]

Uncommon

Feed this into a [Glassware Artifice] to expand its features. Allows for the production of multiple glassware items at a reduced cost directly into your inventory.

The alchemist was at a loss for words. Fenian must have been making a killing off of the potions if he would part with so much valuable stuff.

This is incredibly generous, Theo said, scoffing.

Everything Ive provided you increases your output, Fenian said, shrugging. Its a self-interested move. Ah, one more thing.

Fenian produced one last item from his inventory. It was a small, purple communication crystal like the one in Mianas house.

So we can stay in contact? Theo asked.

Exactly, Fenian said. If Im honest, youre my one hope for greatness. Well, is there anything else?

How much for the house seeds? Theo asked.

Fenian waved a dismissive hand. Six for a gold.

Then thats the last thing Ill buy. Six of those, Theo said. A plan was forming in his mind about selling, or renting houses. It wasnt fully formed yet, but it was getting there.

Right. The [Assassin Core], the workshop seed cores, four [Monster Cores], and six house seed cores, Fenian said, opening the trade window and placing the items inside. The total is 5 gold.

Theo happily put the gold into the window, accepting the trade and flooding his inventory with new things. The excitement was overwhelming and exhausting. He was left with 1 gold, 23 silver, and 31 copper after the deal.

Now, if youll excuse me I need to head back to Qavell, Fenian said, straightening the ruffles on his coat. Ill contact you with a new order when I arrive.

The Elven trader turned on the spot and departed, leaving the pile of articles on the counter. The bell jingled and Azrug shouted, jumping on the spot repeatedly.

You just made more money than Ive ever seen in my entire lifethen spent it! Azrug shouted.