Run: 2026-02-22-01KJ39TGJ88ZN0ZDGYS877YP0P

The bustling market square echoed with the chatter of a hundred voices. Mirabel navigated the crowd, tightly holding her satchel close to her body. She was aware that the merchant would show no mercy on her tardiness, especially as she came from the outer ring. "You're late," Aldric remarked, his gaze fixed on his ledger. He glided a thick finger down a column of numbers, his brow furrowing. Mirabel placed the package on the counter. "The bridge collapsed. I was forced to take a detour." "Not my concern." As he unravelled the cloth, he held the crystal up to the sunlight, causing miniature rainbows to dance across the stall's canvas roof. His frown intensified. "This isn't what I requested." Mirabel had anticipated this. The old man always managed to find something to grumble about, regardless of the quality of the goods. She confidently crossed her arms. "It's precisely what you requested," she asserted. "Uncut blue quartz, straight from the northern mines. I oversaw its extraction from the rock myself." Aldric methodically turned the crystal, examining each facet. He scrutinized it closely before holding it at arm's length. Mirabel noted his resemblance to a jeweller assessing a diamond, although Aldric's trade veered towards the peculiar beyond the realms of mere jewellery. Laying the crystal down, he sighed. "Alright, but next time, secure it properly. The edges are exposed." He reached below the counter, retrieving a modest leather pouch, its contents jingling as he pushed it in her direction. Mirabel grabbed the pouch, testing its weight in her palm. It felt lighter than expected. She loosened the drawstring and counted: a mere eight silver crowns. They had initially agreed upon ten. "We agreed upon ten," she stated bluntly. "That was before the bridge fee increased." Aldric's smile was insincere, never reaching his eyes. "Your choice." She accepted it. She consistently accepted his offers. Living in the outer ring left limited options, a reality Aldric was well aware of. Emerging from the market, Mirabel ventured into the adjoining narrow lanes. The setting sun cast lengthy shadows across the cobblestones while hanging low above the rooftops. She tucked the pouch into her satchel and picked up the pace. By hurrying, she would make it to the bridge before nightfall.