Run: 2026-02-22-01KJ39VMQGEWZ0KWHBS77CK0C9

The market square buzzed with the sound of a hundred voices. Elena pushed through the crowd, her satchel clutched against her chest. She knew the merchant would not wait — he never waited for anyone, least of all a girl from the outer ring. "You're late," Gregor muttered, not bothering to lift his gaze from the ledger as his thick finger traced a column of numbers. A frown creased his brow. Elena set the package on the counter. "The bridge was out. I had to take the long way around." "Not my problem." With brusque precision, he unwrapped the cloth and lifted the crystal to the light. Tiny rainbows danced across the stall's canvas roof as he scowled harder. "This isn't what I ordered." This was expected. The old man always managed to find something to complain about, perfect goods or not. Elena crossed her arms, holding her ground. "It's exactly what you ordered." Her tone was firm. "Blue quartz, uncut, from the northern mines. I watched them pull it from the rock myself." Gregor rotated the crystal, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny. He brought it close to inspect it, then extended his arm, appraising it much as a jeweller might, though his interests lay in stranger wares. He set the crystal down and released a weary breath. "Fine. But next time, wrap it properly. The edges are exposed." He rummaged beneath the counter and revealed a small leather pouch, sliding it her way, the coins inside clinking softly. Elena scooped up the pouch and tested its weight in her palm. It felt light. She loosened the drawstring and counted: eight silver crowns. They had agreed on ten. "We agreed on ten," she remarked, her voice flat. "That was before the bridge fee went up." Gregor’s lips curled in a thin, practised smile that never touched his eyes. "Take it or leave it." She accepted the pouch. There was hardly another choice. The outer ring offered precious few, and Gregor understood that as deeply as she did. Elena walked out of the market and into the narrow lanes beyond. The sun hung low over the rooftops, and the shadows stretched long across the cobblestones. She slipped the pouch into her satchel and quickened her pace. If she hurried, she would reach the bridge before dark.