Run: 2026-02-22-01KJ3A0BKDND4DAPBQF66J86SJ

The market square buzzed with the hundred-voiced sounds. Elena pushed through the crowd, her satchel tightly held to her chest. She knew the merchant would not play the waiting game — he was always a punctual customer, especially for a girl from the outer ring. "You're tardy," Gregor spoke, not glancing from his ledger. His thick finger scanned a column of numbers and furrowed his brow. Elena placed the package on the counter. "The bridge was closed, forcing a detour." "Not my concern." He unwrapped the cloth, revealing the crystal to the sunlight. As the gem caught the light, it projected mini rainbows across the stall's canvas roof. Gregor's frown grew deeper. "This isn't my order." She anticipated this response. The old man always had something to criticise, regardless of the merchandise's condition. Elena crossed her arms, standing her ground. "It's precisely what you ordered," she argued. "Blue quartz, uncut, sourced from the northern mines. I witnessed its extraction myself." Gregor rotated the crystal cautiously, scrutinising each angle. He brought it close, then held it at arm's reach. To Elena, he resembled a jeweller assessing a diamond, though Gregor traded in commodities far stranger than jewellery. He placed the crystal down and sighed. "Acceptable. But next time, ensure better packaging. The edges are bare." He retrieved a small leather pouch from under the counter, its contents jingling as he slid it towards her. Elena took the pouch, weighing it in her palm. Its lightness was evident. She untied the drawstring and counted: eight silver crowns. Ten had been the prior agreement. "We agreed on ten," she asserted. "The bridge fare has increased since then." Gregor's smile was subtle, a rehearsed expression devoid of warmth. "Your choice to accept or decline." She accepted, as was her habit. The outer ring didn't present many alternatives, and he recognised this as much as she did. Elena exited the market towards the narrow lanes. The sun lingered low over the buildings, casting elongated shadows across the cobblestones. She tucked the pouch into her satchel, picking up her pace. With haste, she could reach the bridge before nightfall.