"You're human right?" asked the dark-skinned woman. "That means on average you live three quarters of a century or so, right? By that age you haven't even gotten a clue as to how cruel and vicious someone can get."
"Earth has had its share of dictators and madmen with political power," said a representitive of the British press.
"Perhaps," allowed Duara. "Yet the society we fled had been steeped in cruelty, ruled over by a demon-goddess whose name we will not speak of aloud - save for her title of the Queen Of The DemonWeb Pits. It is a society where those not in power are put through tortures daily, whether of the mind or body or spirit - for the amusement of those in power. All this talk of my old homeland is depressing though, and I've other tasks to tend. Though - might I interest one of you in this bauble? Something of my old homeland I've held onto for sentimental purpose, but would be willing to part with on this occasion."
"It's beautiful," admitted one of the female reporters, openly admiring the crystal decanter sculpted one side to resemble a slender elf leaning back against the curves of the rest of the bottle. Closer inspection revealed that the maiden was actually chained in place with the chains becoming seam-lines on the far side of the container. All in a smoky black material.
"Yes, it was put to less than beautiful work once, but all traces of the poisons it once held have been removed." Duara tapped the crystal with one enameled nail, producing a faint ringing noise. "Crystals shaped from the very heart of an empire of dark elves and brought to you. It would cost far more, but I am letting go so cheaply because it brings back unpleasant memories. Which is why one of you could have this for a mere forty crowns."
"Ahem," said General Tchon.
"Did I say 'forty'? Why how silly of me," said Duara. "I meant to say twenty-five crowns."
"How much is that in Earth currency?" asked Les, admiring a little piglet made of the same material.
"That is five crowns, I don't get much call for miniatures except from some spelljammer sailors and mages," admitted Duara. "I'm not familiar with Earth currency."
"A crown," said Tchon, holding up a gold coin about the size of a thumb and shaped like a lozenge. A silver triangle of about the same size was a "duke", the copper disc was a "hog".
Les thought about it and traded his watch for the crystalline pig. Duara was less interested in the ticking part and more in the band of metal links that slid back and forth to expand and contract.
The others began looking around at the various stalls and signs.
A Clothier whose signboards proclaimed the latest fashions from distant Waterdeep!
Rajiin's Potion Emporium, whose simple signboard proclaimed 'Philtres, Potions, Lotions, & Oils For Everye Occasion'.
"Hey, I can read all of these," said a Chinese reporter.
"So can I," noted Les before he went back to admiring his new acquisition.
"More magic?" Jerald asked the big General who nodded in reply.
"This isn't part of the tour though," pointed out the General. "There are many races who pass through this mall area and very few of the merchants would let a potential sale go by just because of a language barrier."
"I see," said Jerald, eyeing a store whose sign declared the presence of "Madame Oushka, Herbalist."
"How interesting," commented Nuke Usagimaru as he directed his cameraman to film the sign of the 'Drowsy Dwarf Inne & Tavern'.
"Fascinating," said another reporter - looking over the sign of some curio shop.
The dog seemed to whine as it looked in the direction of "Mari Saen Pail, Abjurist. Dispelling - my specialty." General Tchon was about to go over the interesting points of what he deemed a 'safe' store here, which was "Kendraki's Rations & Fyne Foodes", when:
(Posted Sun, 28 Mar 2004 10:25)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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