Tristan got up and when he made his way outside of the Queen's Wood he was greeted with a slightly humorous sight – dozens of fairy dragons who were arguing over the best way to stack up various boxes, crates, and other containers. One of them was painting with some type of ink on a large board, and another two were trying to put together a cart under the supervision and with the assistance of Dorothy.

"Ah, you woke up! Come on, the markets open early!" she said to Tristan.

He walked over with a chuckle, "Decided to help out after all?"

"Yes, I did. These ones," she gestured to the fairy dragons, "are helpful, but need specific guidance."

One of them stuck their tongue out at her and blew a raspberry, whilst the other shook his paw, "Oh shut it, you old goat!"

Dorothy wheeled around on him, "Goat? Sheepkin! I told you!"

Both fairy dragons cackled, and Tristan couldn't help but smile at the seemingly over-the-top reaction of the grandmother-aged woman. "How is Meeshka doing today?"

"Oh. Well, she heard about this whole thing and wants to just get out of her head for a bit. If you don't mind, would you be willing to take her with you into town? She can lose herself in work a bit."

"Of cours-" Tristan began to reply. But he was interrupted as the half-breed Broxtar, Beatrice, ran over.

"I…I…Can I come along?" she asked in between breaths. "Sorry…was…out for…morning run."

"Sure," Tristan replied. "You two ladies can make the sales from this wonderful cart that these amazing fellows are helping with." He emphasized those two words as he looked at the fairy dragons hard at work finishing up the moveable stall, and both beamed with delight, redoubling their efforts.

"We'll leave the horses," Tristan said as the Foxkin Meeshka walked up to him and Beatrice. "I don't want to deal with stabling them and maybe having someone take them."

"Why?" Meeshka asked. "They're pretty horses, sure, but just horses."

Tristan shook his head, "Destriers. From the king of Bhant's personal stables – a gift to my father. Bred true from different breeders. Onyx is from that original sire given to my father; Midnight is from another breeder. They are as close to purebred as you can get."

"They're valuable," Beatrice said simply.

Meeshka nodded, "Well…thank you, Lord Tristan, for bringing me along."

"Sure. Get close." Tristan got next to the cart and when the two ladies had joined him, activated his ring. There was a flash of white, and the trio were standing on the beach with a cart laden with supplies. It was low tide, and the sand was still damp and firm. Tristan got behind it and pushed – not easy, but it was not laborious either. The two ladies steered the cart, and in a few minutes, they had arrived at Jewel's Point.

Meeshka spoke up, "We should start up near the Sapphire Citadel. There's a marketplace up there with standing stone shops and a small market square. But this wood-like gold? It'll make a killing in profit." Her voice was filled with some lightness and a little enthusiasm.

Tristan heard a flapping noise and glanced up, spotting invisible Felicity who flew down and landed on his head. "Hey there! I found out some interesting stuff!" She cocked her head sideways as she leaned over to look at him, "No disguise today?"

Tristan shook his head, "Not today. I want to be noticed in the market square – this is one way to do it."

"Lord Tristan, who are you speaking with?" Beatrice asked.

"Ah, Felicity. Only Elves and those who have Elf blood can see her while she is invisible. Same goes for hearing her." This answer satisfied Beatrice who kept piloting the cart while Tristan pushed.

"That might invite assassins," Felicity commented.

"Maybe, but I doubt it. I've kept a pretty low profile since leaving Bhant, minus helping out at Priam's Overlook. Word of me being here would take a while to travel, unless they already had agents in the city."

Felicity swiveled around and plopped herself on his head facing behind him, "I'll keep an eye on the rear, just in case. Oh! By the way, I got some nice loot! I stole a bunch of naughty statues from rich people's houses!"

Tristan chuckled as he kept pushing the cart.

An hour of navigating crowds and drawing attention brought Tristan and his two companions to the market square in front of the Sapphire Citadel. It was well named, as the whole building was made from stone but covered in blue, dried-out coral that was affixed to make it appear as if it were a castle under the ocean, minus the water. The market square was surrounded by well-to-do shops, and as Beatrice began to open up the cart and pulled out various pieces, a group of guards dressed in deep, silver armor walked over. They had a coat of arms on their tabards hanging down the front – a single, blue sapphire set upon a field of gold.

Tristan turned away for a brief moment, spinning his essence crucible, put his index and middle finger out, curled in the other fingers, faced the palm outward, and placed the middle finger in a line with the top of his eye. "Katsokaa kasvojani ja ihastukaa viehätysvoimaani." (Look upon my countenance and find yourself enamored with my charm). He felt the slight drain on his essence, and a warming flush hit his cheeks as he cast the Persuasive Charm spell.

Tristan turned to face them, bowing graciously at the waist. "Ah, I see the welcoming committee has arrived," he said as he mustered up all the cockiness and confidence he could. He knew that playing the part of an arrogant, powerful noble would earn respect in a foreign land – at least if his father's few lessons were anything to go by.

The lead guard, identifiable by his pendant pinned above the sapphire symbol on the tabard, walked up. "You are?"

"Tristan Winterbloom, the ruler of the Fey Realm." Tristan stood upright and smiled broadly. "I have wares from another Realm to peddle. Is that a problem?"

"Pff. Fey Realm?" One of the guards said.

But the one in the lead shot a glance at the underling and he went silent. Turning back to Tristan he frowned, "Setting up in this marketplace without a permit is illegal."

Meeshka walked over and put on a frown, "There's no sales permits in Jewel's Point. The whole of the Sapphire Coast has no such system. It's a shakedown, Lord Tristan."

Tristan looked at the man who appeared slightly flustered but kept remarkable composure. "I see you recruited a local to advise you about affairs," the man commented. "Then we'll do this the plain way. You pay me to leave you alone. You pay extra? We make sure others don't interfere in your business. But only for today."

Tristan walked over to the cart and pulled out a small box with three sapphires cut in the Baguette style – long rectangles with inner rectangles that seemed to reflect the other sapphires on the sides. "I trust this will do."

The man looked down and his eyes went wide, "Well…Lord Tristan…welcome to Jewel's Point. With this type of stock…you may wish to speak to Queen. She loves sapphires."

Tristan looked back at the ladies who were finishing up setting their wares. "I trust my donation is enough to warrant protection for the day?"

The head guard nodded, "Yes, Lord Tristan. We'll keep our eyes out for bandits and other unsavory folk. Just make sure your merchants here do not leave the market square." He hiked a thumb over his shoulder, "There is a place around the corner for merchant carts overnight. We guard that, and with what you gave? You get a night free."

Tristan smiled and bowed once more, "You are too kind." Standing up, he walked over to Beatrice, "How expensive were those sapphires?"

"A hundred gold coins apiece. Not the most valuable piece we have."

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"What is the most valuable piece we have?"

Beatrice produced a small, thin box. Sliding it open, she revealed a golden chain with dozens of Barion cut gemstones intertwined between the golden leaves and branches along the length. "This is around a thousand gold coins if sold outright. But I'd expect haggling."

Tristan closed the box and took the item, "Great. You two, start selling. I'm going to visit a Queen and give her a gift."

Meeshka and Beatrice both nodded and finished setting up the cart, placing out sample pieces of cheaper quality to show the style and uniqueness of the wood-grain gold. Felicity tapped Tristan's head, "I'm going to stick around the ladies just in case. Plus, I can pick some pockets of these rich folks who probably have way too much money."

"Sounds good to me," Tristan replied as he headed to the towering edifice at the north end of the market square. He spotted several guards who were stationed along the entrance, which was a large, vaulted doorway that was currently propped open. He walked up to one of them and dipped his head. "My name is Tristan Winterbloom, lord of the Fey Realm. I seek an audience with your Queen and have a present." He pulled out the wooden box, opened it briefly for the guard to see the contents, and then shut it.

The guard nodded, "I saw you talking with the captain. Let me fetch a castellan. You will need to leave your weapons."

Tristan nodded and walked back to the cart, "Felicity, put these into the storage dimension." He began placing them into the cart's bottom compartment – his knife, sword, bow and arrows, and the maul.

"Got you covered!" Felicity replied as she flew down and into the compartment, poking her head out for a moment. "No one Elf blooded I can smell. Good luck in there!"

Tristan turned and headed back to the guard, who was chatting with a tall, slim man dressed in a fancy outfit with buttons. A proper suit that one would wear in courtly engagements. The man looked at him, scanned up and down, then nodded. "Lord Tristan?"

"Yes, that is me."

"Please follow me." The man turned around and walked into the large structure, illuminated with brilliant, glass-covered torches. The glass was blown into vibrant seascapes of waves, and the dull, subtle, green glow from the coloration gave a sense of ease to the ambiance. Tristan was led down several hallways and eventually was brought to a large, metal door with intricate scrollwork of oceanic scenes – dolphins leaping out of the water, whales in the depths, and turtles swimming lazily about. "Wait out here, please." The man knocked four times, then stepped inside.

Tristan saw a bench across the hall and sat down. Time to remember, Tristan thought, everything that mother taught me about dealing with nobles. But this lady isn't a real noble, just a rich person styling herself as a queen. So I should go with flattery, for sure. Play up the angle that she is this rich, powerful business magnate.

The door opened and the same man who had escorted him to this place bowed, "Lord Tristan of the Fey Realm? She awaits."

Tristan walked through the open door and entered a large, circular conference room. There was a circular table with the center cut out, and a wedge missing from the outside, with six seats around the exterior. All were occupied, and he saw six sets of eyes judging him. He bowed at the waist, "Good day to you all. I am Lord Tristan Winterbloom, ruler of the Fey Realm. I come bearing a gift for the Queen of this Realm."

There was some muttering, one chuckle, and then a faint, calm, and sure female voice that spoke. "Lord Tristan, we welcome you. Whilst I appreciate the thought, I do not rule this Realm. I merely head the merchant council. I am Queen Maryanne Waveclinger."

Tristan stood up and walked with confidence right to the center of the circular table, up to her, and held out the box. "Apologies, your title led me to think otherwise. My gift, as a token of my respect for your position."

She took the box from him, opened it, and Tristan saw her eyes glitter with greed. But she kept her composure steady as she pulled it out. The other council members were muttering in an impressed fashion, and one of them even let out a slight gasp. "This is lovely," she whispered. Looking at Tristan, holding the item in her hand, she smiled gently. "This gold looks like wood."

"It is," Tristan replied. "I have gold that grows from trees, sapphires that grow upon bushes, all manner of wonders within the Fey Realm. In fact, two of my underlings are minding a cart outside in the market square nearby with a large amount of this style of jewelry. Granted, none are as prestigious as this item."

One of the council members, a thin man with a lengthy, well-oiled moustache, spoke up. "This is an unprecedented gift! And you did not think to bring similar objects for the rest of the merchant council?"

Tristan feigned innocence, "I only heard you had a queen, so I did not bring multiple gifts. My apologies for the lack of awareness." On the inside, Tristan chuckled and thought, I just have to play up the naivete a bit. Make them think that they can manipulate me and my lack of knowledge of the Mortal Realm and its workings. Make them think they have the upper hand.

The male councilor grumbled a little and then stood. "If you'll excuse me, then. I must buy one of these amazing pieces of jewelry." He left rapidly, followed by the other councilors. Leaving Tristan alone with Queen Maryanne and a few guards.

She smiled gently and put the bracelet on her wrist, "Your gift is greatly appreciated. May I offer for you to come sit with me on the veranda and have a glass of wine."

Tristan smiled, "I am open to that offer." He followed her and was tailed by two guards, but the duo made their way to a covered area on the ground floor that was awash with greenery and flowers. A set of couches were in the midst of a trellis of vines, and a few servants brought forth glasses of wine. Tristan waited for her to sit first and then took his seat after.

"What is it you seek, Lord Tristan?" Queen Maryanne asked as she swirled her wine glass.

"Coin, for one," Tristan replied. "I know that the Mortal Realm uses coinage for currency, which the Fey Realm does not have. Second, I seek rare minerals, gemstones, and the like. Items I do not produce in the Fey Realm."

"Trade, then," she said as she crossed her dainty legs and took a sip of the white wine. Tristan took a sip of his as well, savoring the slightly sweet, cold beverage. "Well, you have a stall in the markets, and two underlings who are selling your wares. I think you will be able to cover those two items handily. But…did you really think I would believe that you came here with such a manificent gift just to make an introduction?"

Tristan smiled, "Perceptive, I see." He set the wine glass down and noted the guards seemed a bit on-edge as he made the movement. Slower, he thought as he exaggerated and slowed his movement to lean back in the couch. "I also seek information, but that is being dealt with. I was sincere in my intent to just bring you a gift; it is always wise to be on the good side of the rulers of a locale."

"This…Fey Realm…how do you get there?"

"A spell," Tristan replied. "I am an essence-weaver."

She smiled, "Ah, I had heard many Elves were skilled at essence-weaving, but I have not met many myself. They mostly stayed on Forsol, from what I understand, once their island nation sank into the waves."

Tristan knew that there was no island nation that had sunk, but he feigned ignorance. "Interesting. Well, thank you for the information. I do intend to purchase a ship and pay a crew in the coming days. Perhaps you could recommend a good merchant of repute, and someone who could hire a crew?"

Queen Maryanna smiled, "Ah, you did want something. Well, this gift is a kingly one – I bet that arrogant bastard up north would be seething if he learned of such wealth being gifted instead of purchased."

"The north? You mean the kingdom of Bhant? What qualms do you have with those…bigots?" Tristan asked.

She sighed and sipped her wine, "There are Demon Realm Incursions happening all over the Sapphire Coast. We have no standing army – just mercenaries, and towns have militias. The Pathfinders are doing what they can…and it has to be someone from the kingdom of Bhant who caused it. They are all half-breed Demonkin, granted, far down their line of heritage."

Tristan nodded, but he knew the truth of the matter – that Obadai's initial Incursion to bring over the demon dragon was causing ripples that were causing these Sympathetic Incursions. He kept his mouth shut on that matter, however, and shook his head. "Shame, that two kingdoms – sorry, merchant republic and kingdom – should be at odds when you could work together. I imagine their fertile croplands with your trade would be a potent combination."

"If they weren't bigots? I would agree. But sadly, they are rooted in their ways." She drained her wine cup and stood, Tristan standing up as she did so. "I will have my minister deliver a list of reputable ship sellers and captains who would be willing to be hired out as a crew. Is delivering to your cart attendants acceptable?"

"Yes," Tristan replied. "I am pleased that this meeting has gone so well, and I wish you nothing but the best in your mercantile endeavors."

She smiled warmly, "My thanks, Lord Tristan. You are a gentleman. But if you would permit me to make one request…" she trailed off as she stared at him, gauging his reaction.

"Of course," Tristan replied as affably as possible.

"I wish to see this Fey Realm you describe. Is it possible to arrange a visit?"

Tristan nodded, "Yes. I can return this evening if you like, and I would be pleased to host you in my Realm for the evening."

"Wonderful. Now, if you would please, my guards will escort you out. Return here this evening, and I will accompany you with a small escort to this Fey Realm."

Tristan bowed and then when he stood up, flourished his cape and left the veranda. Going outside, he saw the cart had been swarmed, and both Meeshka and Beatrice were quite busy with managing sales and inventory. He walked over and looked around for Felicity but could not find her.

The few councilors that Tristan had seen were done shopping and were sporting their own Goldwood and sapphire apparel and gave Tristan slight nods as they went back into the Sapphire Citadel.

Well, first step done, Tristan thought. We're selling product. He walked over to the two ladies, pushing through the crowd. "Beatrice, you think you two can hold down the stall while I go run an errand?"

"Sure!" she said, hurriedly as she turned to deal with another buyer.

"You can count on us," Meeshka added rapidly as she made change from an already large stockpile of coins in a chest atop the cart.

"Oh, and Beatrice – when we sell out our stock – put the cart where the guards instructed for overnight, and then take some of our earnings and buy the various items you want me to plant in the Fey Realm – that supply list."

"Will do," she replied. "Meeshka probably knows all the right vendors."

Tristan shot a glance at the guards nearby, "See if you can pay some of them to escort you about town as well. I don't want to have to go play hero and save you two from thieves or cutpurses."

Both women nodded, and Tristan looked up at Felicity, "Staying here or coming with me?"

"Coming with you." Felicity flew over and landed on Tristan's head. "Want your gear?" Tristan nodded, and she opened the pocket dimension as Tristan knelt to the bottom of the cart and grabbed his weaponry using the guise of their being stored in the cart. Standing up, he began to make his way down to the docks. To hopefully get the information about Bertram.

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