Master Of None

Avis strolled up the stage with comfort. With many years of experience a small interruption like this could never phase him. "Hmm well I surly did not appraise this tonight, Mia please look in to who accepted this item later." The woman on the stage, now Mia, looked deadly serious. She knew an order from the elder no matter how calmly said was final.

The auction did accept items the day of but most were submitted in advance by other members of the garnet family or their attendants. This item currently was one of the items another member had accepted. Most likely due to the church's standing did not properly appraise it either. This was sadly a common error made when people faced the church. Due to its status and overall good appearance most would automatically trust those representing them.

Avis had shifted through five different monocles on stage while circling the ring on display. "Hmm...ohh....Ugh...." at first he had seemed rather interested but the second he placed the last monocle over his eye and gazed at the gem imbedded he became disgusted. "My esteemed guests after proper appraisal I must inform you that this is indeed a cursed item. It seems the creator burned their soul to curse the user to do the same. Unfortunately we at the garnet family auction refuse to auction this item. It will be returned to the seller. If knowledge that they knew it was cursed and they sold it anyways is found they will be black listed from the auction house. In that you have my word. Furthermore as am apology I ask that those who wish to stay a bit longer tonight join us here and enjoy a seasonal dessert brought in from the demi humans lands." Avis always prepared a special delicacy in case things went poorly at an auction. He found that those in high society couldn't help themselves when rare and expensive cuisine was offered. To prove his point those nobles in the audience seemed rather cheery and impressed.

In complete opposition the man from the church looked incredibly angry. Not only had he failed to buy the light crystals but they knew item he was required to sell had been returned. He would be loosing greatly when his superior heard of this matter. He glared at the party making sure to remember their faces, he was not beneath revenge.

Walker almost missed it but Avis have a slight smile and nod to him. Avis had been impressed, it was not often he met another with an appraisal skill. He would surely be inviting the youth to dinner and future auctions, he did have some granddaughters who were in need or marriage after all. The thought of one marrying a hero was enough to tempt him, adding the skills was better. He was definitely fitting of the title sly old man.

A large breath was released, Gil sat back down "I know Remey is usually the one to cause trouble but holy lord did you have to pick a fight with the church." Remey punched Gils shoulder hearing this.

"Oh so you would have preferred to let it go hurt someone, I see" Remeys taunt back was enough to make Gil pale.

"Leader I'm glad you said something, it would sadden me to hear of a healer being unable to peruse their duty." This incident resonated with Su more than the others. She had met many healers due to her mother's illness and believed that they were exceptionally valuable to the world. Some healers possessed dangerous skills that would cost them years of their life to heal terrible injuries. Yet that was a choice, for someone unknowingly to get a cursed gear that caused their death was just plain wrong.

The party managed to witness the man from the church storm out of the auction house with two attendants in tow. The two attendants looked worried, walker also felt worried for their safety. He needed to accept early that he couldn't protect every single person he saw, in the end he would harm more than save.

"So are we staying for desserts?" Wanting to break the tension his question was met with a resounding yes. It was clear that they were all excited to try something they'd never had before.

Soon attendants began brining out small tarts made from a blended red fruit. It shined ever so slightly. "Excuse me can I ask the name of the fruit used?" Walker knew the others were just as curious as him to what this new flavor would be.

"Yes sir, this is a fruit called red cranberry. Demi-humans farm this in the wetlands of their kingdom. Apparently the fields are forced to be dry for the whole growth period and then once they hit peak ripeness they flood them. This causes all the fruit that's ripe to float to catch nets and the bad fruit to sink and become fertilizer. I hear it is a very amazing sight." This was definitely interesting, they had never heard of such a fruit needing these conditions. A very ingenious harvesting method.

They each took one tart and held it high, "to a successful night." Walker and the others toasted laughing by a bit while popping the whole tart in their mouths. Their faces immediately puckered. Sour! The shiny red fruit that had been blended with sugar was too sour! Many of the other guests were making the same faces as them however that didn't stop them from wanting another. This was a rare taste in their kingdom, most of the fruits they grew or imported were sweet in nature.

The party went to collect their new items and utilized the coupon they had gained from their spider hunting. Today had brought them new items, almost twenty five thousand gold, and even a new enemy. Hopefully the good would out way the bad. They still needed to check their daily quest to see what skills they would gain. Their power as a party could substantially grow just with these additional items and skills.