A Hard Bargain

Writers: AmajoS, Emma
Date Posted: 1st August 2007

Characters: I'lan, Lynson
Description: I'lan proves himself quite adept at bargaining, but Lynson doesn't mind.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 4

}:There we go,:{ remarked the bronze as he and his rider emerged from the bitter cold of /between/. }:The Vintner Hall.:{
**I know, and if we can just find a clear space to land.**

With that, the bronze spiralled down to the ground, and backwinging, gently landed, allowing his rider to dismount.

"Papa!" Five turns old Vanson called out to his father before chasing after his canine pup. The canine wasn't quite a full turn old yet, and was full of energy. One his favorite pastimes was to chase the Hall's flits. It was a game the flits enjoyed as well, and young ofttimes Vanson did his best to keep up as well.

Unfortunately, now the daffy canine had gotten it into his head to go after larger game. Lynson swore as the sight of his son's large young canine and his son running right toward a bronze dragon.

}:He's just like yours,:{ commented the bronze as he stood his ground.

**Bigger than Bubbly though,** I'lan held his hand out to the canine cautiously, wanting to let it sniff him first.

After a quick sniff, the big canine practically shoved his head under the bronzrider's hand, demanding to be scratched behind his large ears, his tail wagging wildly. "Bad Rocky!" The little boy who'd been chasing the canine yelled when he finally caught up.

The boy hadn't hesitated in getting close to the bronze dragon, though now that he was right next to it, he appeared awe-struck. HIs head tilted back as far as it could without him toppling right over, trying to take in the sight. He looked toward the bronzrider and asked, "Is that your dragon, mister?"

"He's mine," replied I'lan calmly, as he scratched the canine where he so clearly expected it. "Rocky here is yours?"

"He is!" Vanson wrapped an arm over the big canine's back. "Papa got him for me! Isn't he somethin? Not as big as your dragon, course." The boy tilted his head back again.

Rocky, for his part stood relatively still as soon as Vanson came up.
He'd been trained since he was a very small pup to be careful around the young boy. Though it didn't stop him from licking the bronzerider's hands in appreciation for a good scratching.

Neither boy nor canine noticed Lynson approaching from behind, a rueful grin on his face.

"He's a good canine no doubt," assured the young bronzerider.

"A right menace is what he is!" Lynson replied as he closed the distance between the small group. He laughed when his son squawked an outraged denial and ruffled the boy's hair as he continued, "These two mischief-makers aren't giving you any trouble are they bronzerider?"
He cast a mock-glare at Vanson who tried to look serious, but couldn't quite keep from giggling.

"No Journeyman," said I'lan after a glance at the shoulder knots. "I'm used to canines, have one myself."

"Ah good," Lynson nodded his approval. "What brings you to the Hall then, bronzerider?"

"I'm after some cider," he explained.

Cider wasn't Lynson's specialty, but he happened to know that there was a particularly good batch recently. "How much're you wanting?"

"A couple of skins, my friends and I are planning a party."

"Ah, that sounds nice." Lynson nodded before beckoning the dragonrider to follow. "I think you'll be pleased with this batch of cider. I'm a wine man myself, but even I can admit when something's good!" He laughed before shooing his son and canine off to play while he took care of the bronzerider.

"I hope so, and especially if the price is right."

"Two skins?" Lynson considered how much to ask for. The brozerider would likely want to haggle, so asking high - but not too high - to start wouldn't be amiss. "I think one and a half marks should do it."

"That might be a little steep," he'd been advised that about a mark was a good price. "I was thinking around half a mark."

Grinning at the low counter-offer, Lynson said, "Come now, bronzerider, it isn't swill concocted in some cotholder's bath-basin.
One and a quarter."

"Three quarters, and not a thirty-second more."

Lynson laughed, but agreed to the price. It was less than he'd have accepted for two bottles of his wine, but the young bronzerider wasn't haggling over wine and as the profits of the cider sale weren't going into his purse, Lynson didn't feel like pressing the issue.

"You do drive a hard bargain, bronzerider! Come on, let's get your cider." He clapped the young man on the shoulder and led him into the Hall.

Last updated on the August 2nd 2007

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A Hard Bargain