"The frost-matted wax is thick, oh, it’s very thick! But look at these three—jagged tears and crushed ribs? A heavy hand or a very blunt hammer? Either way, the pelt’s ruined there! Can’t line a lord’s cloak with shredded skin and bone splinters! But those ’Ice-Pick’ claws? Pristine! Sharp enough to climb right up to the moon, they are! For the pack and the picks, minus the mangled-hide tax... 125 Silver!" The sight of Balkas basically on a rampage was quite unique. One moment, he was excited, joyful, and full of glee; the next, he jumped to shock, frustration, then eventually to fury and anger.

Basically, a rollercoaster of emotions, and Resven and the group had the better part of their minds not to try and pull out snacks and watch like they were watching a show. Needless to say, Balkas’ outbursts and screams attracted quite a fair amount of spectators.

A whole group of people had already surrounded the carts and were awed by the sheer amount of materials and how the small man conducted himself. That, however, was not the only reason, as Resven could see a few glances and stares heading towards the mountain of the group standing before them as a watchman, keeping his eyes on anyone who tried to do them dirty.

’Looks like we attracted quite a crowd.’ he mused with a smile, "Keren, Telarin, take points on each end, I don’t want no person trying anything funny. Mestin if you would please..."

Mestin grunted, and with a step forward, the crowd gasped and took a step back in sudden fright. "This is the property of House Osric. Any person trying anything funny will have a conversation with my steel." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The rumble of his voice shook the crowd, and many started to scatter at the threat; some, however, did stay seemingly interested in what would appear.

The vast majority did react as Resven had hoped for, and he gave Mestin a mental thumbs up as he walked towards Balkas and smiled, "So, how are we looking?"

"Ah, Resven! You’ve brought me a pot o’ gold, aye?! A fortune for me eyes, truly! Look at the sheen on those materials! Yes, Balkas likes it very much—oh, he likes it very, very much indeed! It’s enough to make a merchant’s heart do a little jig, it is!"

"I mean..." was about to speak when something caught his eye, "Wait, is that? Granite-Husk Skar-Grylls! Four of the hopping boulders! Oh, look at the lithic-shell on this one—it’s practically quartz-heavy! But this fellow..."

Balkas poked a finger into a pulverized faceplate.

"You didn’t just kill him, Resven, you tried to re-educate him back into pebbles! It’s a mess! A crime against anatomy!" he once more started crying out in righteous fury.

’This is going to be a long business trade isn’t’ He couldn’t help but sigh bitterly, a small smile tugging the edges of his lips.

"55 Silver for them, wreckage and all! No more! That’s 258 Silver for the first cart, and I’m already sweating through my vest! My fingers are tingling, boys—truly tingling! And what delightful treats have you got in those two carts? Tell me the next cart has a bounty as splendid as this once! Tell me there’s something in there that’ll make the High-Morvayns weep with envy!"

He grabbed Resven’s hands, and his eyes sparkled with hope and excitement.

"Well, you’ll have to see for yourself, won’t ya?" Resven gleefully responded.

Balkas’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull as he leapt from the first wagon to the second with the agility of a mountain goat on a caffeine bender. He gripped the edge of the second cart, his knuckles white, his breath coming in short, ecstatic hitches.

"Oh! Oh, my racing heart! Resven, you’re a cruel man to treat an old merchant’s ticker this way! We’ve moved past the snacks and into the main course, haven’t we? Aye, we have! True-Reds!"

He dived into the pile, his hands moving so fast they’re a blur of frantic appraisal.

"Scath-Cait! Five Highland Shadow-Lynxes! Look at this down-tuft fur—it’s like touching a cloud made of secrets! Beautiful!"

Balkas pulled a tufted ear that’s been sliced clean in half. "Oh, Resven! You’ve clipped this one’s wings, haven’t you? A bit of a lopsided trim! Can’t hear a heartbeat if the ear’s in two pieces! Still, the pelts are silent as a grave. For the five cats and their ears—minus the haircut penalty—92 Silver!" he chuckled, unconcerned with the crowd that started to glamor and grow even more dense.

"What’s all this fuss about? Why’s everyone gathered around here?" A loud shout drew the attention of everyone, all except Balkas, of course, who was all too happy digging around in the cart, appraising the materials.

From beyond the crowd, a group of guards appeared. The colors of blue and white are dazzling in the morning sun. The titan shields they wielded were held in one hand, and the broad-bladed spears in the other.

Leading the group was a man dressed like the commander who had questioned Resven’s group the last time they entered the city. They were clearly at a higher level of rank and most probably strength based on the way the others walked in a respectful manner behind him.

The crowd slowly parted ways for the guards to enter the inner circle and a one of the men in crowd came forward, "Sir, it’s Balkas and his business again... umm... this group of men had brought in quite the bounty and the merchant is going rampant as he conducts business..." the older looking man dressed in a finer set of clothes Resven had seen since arriving in the city explained hurriedly.

"Mhmm... I see, thank you, good sir." The lead guardsman thanked the man, and as if verifying the older man’s words were true, Balkas’ loud voice echoed out!

"436 Silver! My word! My soul! We’re sitting at nearly seven hundred silver and we haven’t even looked at the third cart yet! My hands are shaking—is it the adrenaline or the profit? Probably both!"