Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

I don't sit down with the elder right away. First I make a quick trip to the inn, which is indeed called The Prancing Pony. The place is quite busy, but despite that fact I don't have to wait long until it is my turn to get something to eat.

For two bronze Crowns I get a piece of buttered, toasted bread with some bacon, pickled vegetables and cheese on it. For another bronze coin I could have gotten a sunny side up egg on top of it all, but since I'm eating on the go I don't want to risk making a mess of myself by accident.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the price. I initially expected that I would have to pay more. Well, maybe I won't have to raise the prices at the shop after all. I'm pleasantly surprised by the flavors of the ingredients blending together as well, as I take my first bite. Oh! What a treat!

When I return to the elder under the old oak, he is still busy with that letter. By the sounds of it, it might just take a little while to sort everything out. I don't mind though. After all I have something tasty to keep me occupied and pass a little time.

It is, strictly speaking, none of my business, but I decide to listen in a little anyway. It doesn't take me long to get the gist of it. Apparently the farmer's son is getting married some time soon and the men were discussing whom of the extended family from Hollow Oaks to invite and what presents to suggest they bring.

Getting married. Well that was a thought that hasn't really crossed my mind in ages. Not since I was a little girl. Hearing the men discuss some of the particularities doesn't exactly endear me to the idea again either. Well, whatever. It isn't my wedding, thus these aren't really my problems.

Except, it seems even just thinking that particular thought jinxed me, as the groom's father moves a away from the others, while the rest keep discussing matters, to address me.

“Ah, excuse me Miss. Please forgive me for disturbing your morning meal, but you wouldn't happen to be Iwona's granddaughter?”

I look up at him with wide eyes, shove the rest of the bread, bacon and pickles and all, into my mouth and swallow hard. It is almost too much, but in the end I manage not to choke on anything. As I get up to shake his hand I nod.

“Uh yes, I am. The name is Valeria.”

He smiles and shakes my hand. His hand is rough, as is to be expected from a hard working man, and his grip is strong.

“Good! Good! You wouldn't mind talking business once you have all the formalities taken care of, would you?”

Talking about business sounds good. I just hope I'm not putting the cart in front of the horse.

“Sure! What were you thinking of?”

His smile brightens up even further.

“Well, you see, we are still missing the most important gifts for the bride and the groom.”

I blink in confusion. The most important gifts? I run through the things that come to my mind but before I can actually come up with something he continues.

“Two girdles of fertility.”

“Oh.”

I'm speechless, even if just for a moment. Those are indeed a central part of most wedding ceremonies. Not all but still most. In the end I feel that I need to ask for clarification though.

“I assume you do not mean a simple, symbolic length of rope groom and bride tie around each other much like a belt would be worn?”

He shakes his head.

“No, no. I know that is how many of the city folks do it because they can't afford actual enchanted girdles. We will have none of that around here though. We are all free men and women. We own the land we work.”

He gets worked up more and more with each word. Thankfully he realizes it though and finishes only after taking a deep breath and calming down a little.

“Its a matter of pride for us.”

I, in turn, nod along with his words. They do not come entirely unexpected, even if I'm a little surprised. It is like he said after all. Most city folk, mostly those who are unskilled labor, wouldn't be able to afford an actual enchanted artifact, never mind two. Those usually were reserved for nobles and patricians or in rare cases successful adventurers.

“Very well. I know the enchantment. I'll just have to make sure I have everything I need first. Why don't you drop by the shop in the evening or sometime tomorrow when you are free?”

He smiles and shakes my hand.

“I'll drop by tomorrow. Should be able to make a little time once the cows have been milked and are out on the pastures.”

Well, apparently adventurers would not be the only ones bringing business my way. Good for me!

After that it doesn't take them long to finalize the letter they have been arguing about. A few coins change possession, then it is finally my turn, as the farmer and his small entourage leave to go about the rest of their day.

The elder motioned me over to sit a little closer.

“Welcome to Clear Brook, dear! Don't worry, this won't take long!”

“It won't?”

I am both relieved as well as a little confused and wary.

He just nods though, pats a leather bound book he pulls out of the chest at his side and continues.

“I already closed your grandmother's ledger and prepared a new one for you. Essentially you only have to put your seal on the document that you accept the inheritance and you are good to go.”

I blink. Could it really be this easy? Despite his reassurance I'm not quite ready to believe it.

“But what about inheritance tax?”

He listens politely but shakes his head in the end. His smile suggests that he doesn't mind the question though. I'm probably not the first one to ask.

“Lord Antek exempt us from the usual inheritance tax since we are a frontier settlement. He is about as fond of bureaucracy as anyone else except career bureaucrats.”

He pats the thick, leather bound book again.

“You will only be taxed on any sales you make. One tenth for the lord and another tenth for the temple. Just make sure your ledger is well kept and in order. You can pay your tithes either at midsummer or at midwinter. What would you prefer?”

I sigh a big sigh of relief. Of course, bureaucracy is kept to a minimum in frontier settlements. That explains it. There probably is some kind of flat tax for adventurers operating from here as well, but that isn't something I need to concern myself with.

I rummage through my pack in search of my seal.

“Are there any other things I need to be aware of?”

He ponders my question for a moment and nods.

“Since you will own land, even if its just a little, you will be required to be able to defend yourself and the rest of the village, or aid the defense in some other way, should we ever be attacked. We had an agreement with your grandmother that she would supply us, within reason, with healing potions to fulfill that requirement. Would you like to do the same?”

The search for my seal takes me a little longer than initially anticipated as I listen to his explanation as well. That sounds reasonable enough. It certainly sounds better than wasting time learning to wield a weapon I would hopefully never have to use. In the end I find the little block of jade with my seal carved into it and nod.

“That sounds good.”

As he sees me producing my seal he pulls a neatly folded piece of parchment from his chest.

“Take your time and read it. We aren't in a hurry after all. Once you are done just place your seal at the bottom next to mine.”

I do just that. Once I'm satisfied that there will be no unpleasant surprises I prick myself in the finger and wet the seal with a few drops of my blood before placing it on the parchment next to the old mans'.

[You sealed a deal that has the potential to change your life! The Sun Mother is your witness and gifts you 4 points for the Wheel of Fortune Arcana as a reward.]

I perk up at the divine message whispered into my ear. The second in two days!

The old man must have guessed it as well. He chuckles.

“A divine message, yes? We tend to receive them more often when embarking on a new path. Anyway, congratulations!”

He offers me his hand and I shake it.

“I'm mighty glad we have an alchemist and enchanter in the village again! I'd wish you the best of luck with the shop, but by the sounds of what I overheard you won't be relying on luck much.”

He chuckles once more.

“Don't hesitate to ask if you need help with anything though and take some time to get to know the rest of the village!”