I reincarnated in game

5 Fool me? No Way!

The rest of the trip down to badlands at the foot of the mountain was uneventful.  As he continued on his way, Hugh was able to watch how the terrain about him changed from the barren wastelands to one with a lot more vegetation.  The temperature, which had been hot and arid on the lee side of the mountain, moderated to a pleasant, mid-range, with a fresh breeze blowing in from the south.  He was confident that he wouldn’t get lost because Sdel, which was situated on an elevated tableland in the middle of the landmass, was a focal point, visible from every corner of the Third Level Land.

The road that he was on grew from a relatively small path to one which was broader and well-traveled.  At the base of the tableland, he chose the fork of the road which led up to a station built into the hillside.  The first station was brightly lit with signs advertising a quick ride to the top of the plateau on flying stones for just a few coins.  A sign on the right directed citizens who were transporting animals to the city, to a second, smaller station where they had industrial sized flying stones.  Hugh followed the path to the right and saw that a farmer was in the process of loading a small herd of cattle onto the flying stone docked at the station.  He waited until the farmer went to pay the operator, then snuck in, and hid at the back of the herd.

The flying stone lifted smoothly off the ground and rose steadily through the air to a corresponding station at the edge of the city at the top.  Actually riding on the flying stone was a totally different experience from what he felt when playing the game.  When the farmer went to negotiate for a wagon to transport his herd to the city market, Hugh slipped out, unnoticed.

He recognized the city of Sdel from the game, however, was not fully familiar with the layout … being here in person was a lot different than just having his character roam the streets.  Hugh hung back, and, when the farmer pulled out, he followed at a distance … he felt that the market place would be the best point to start looking for a place or person who could help him sell his herbs. 

The city was bustling with people going every which way.  He marveled at the towering buildings which gleamed in the sun.  All the shops along the way were elegantly detailed and artistically decorated.  The large windows displayed expensive art, furniture, and all manner of things for sale.   Shops offering the latest fashions were everywhere.  Overhead, and far into the distance, he could see airships, powered by crystals, crisscrossing the skies and traveling to the other floating lands.  Everywhere, a subtle vibration could be felt coming from the energy of the crystals that powered the city. This clean source of energy promoted a pristine environment, very different from the slight pollution levels in Valari, where his mother’s house was.

He knew the market was just ahead because he could hear the sounds of vendors, hawking their wares.  The streets were filled with people going every which way.  As he turned the corner, he spied a quaint little shop that was somewhat different but seemed to belong right where it was.  It was constructed of the usual building materials but there seemed to be more windows than you would expect.  The effect of the additional windows was that more of the natural light shone into the store.  Inside, he could see rows of fine wooden cabinets, with glass doors, lined against the walls.  Most importantly, the gilded sign above the door read, “Apothecary Shop”.

Hugh entered the shop and walked up to the counter where a middle-aged man in a black coat was writing in his ledger. 

“Good afternoon, sir,” Hugh said.  “I was wondering if you might be interested in purchasing some rare herbs that I have.”  He dug into his pocket and pulled out the herbs which were wrapped in the shirt fabric.  When he unfolded the material, the man’s eyes lit up. 

“Let me see what you have there,” said the shop owner as he bent over the herbs with a magnifying glass with multiple lenses.  He selected the highest-powered lens; picking up one of the plants, he turned it over in his hand, examining every aspect of it.  “Where did you get these?”

“I found them in a cave in the mountains of the Punished Land.  Are you interested in buying them?”  Hugh waited for an answer; he hoped the man would be quick to buy them so he could be on his way as soon as possible.

The shop owner looked down at the herbs on the counter while he seemed to be sizing Hugh up; he definitely wanted the package.  “Would you take three thousand gold coins for the lot?”  He had recognized the herb as being Flameborn and knew he was undercutting the value; he hoped that Hugh had come across the herb through dumb luck and didn’t realize the actual value of what he had.

Hugh shook his head.  “I know this is Flameborn, and that this herb is an essential ingredient of the potion of Dragon Fire.   I am your only chance to get Flameborn because the cave where it grows is protected by a powerful Dire Beast.”

“My apologies … you are right; you deserve a better offer.  But can you tell me more about this potion of Dragon Fire?  I have never heard of it.”

Hugh looked at the shop owner’s facial expression to see if he was being deceitful; he appeared to be genuine.  As such, he replied, “Dragon Fire is a very powerful potion which allows anyone who drinks it to breathe fire for a short time.”

The apothecary was immediately interested and exclaimed, “Can you give me the formula?  I will pay you to double!”

Hugh said, “The formula is from an alchemist master; I am sworn to secrecy so can’t tell you.  I can brew it in front of you, however, but for that, the price will be ten thousand gold coins!”

The owner considered Hugh’s counteroffer, then said, “It’s a deal.  Follow me; I have the tools and materials you will need in the back room.”

Hugh brewed the potion with great skill, winning the owner’s admiration.  He thought that Hugh must be the young student of an alchemist master, and kept flattering him on his knowledge and skill.  When the process was complete, the old man happily paid the agreed-upon price.

Hugh felt elated that he finally had some money … his first thought was that he needed to get himself some new clothes and something to eat.  With that in mind, he set off down the street, back to the market.