The Empires Rise

It takes me a little while to calm down from Gwilana's blatant disregard for my reputation in the reception room. Trying not to think about it, I look around the room we are now in. It is relatively small because Narus is with us, but from what I can tell, the room adjusted its size to fit her, Eleanor, and me. The oddity I find is that there is one opaque wall that I can only assume will clear as the auction starts. Interestingly, we cannot see where everyone is seated, but maybe that is for the best.

There are three chairs, two that would fit Eleanor or me and one that would only fit Narus. A small coffee table is in front of all three, and next to each chair is a simple side table. A small pamphlet on the coffee table looks like it will show what is being sold. Next to the center chair, there is a small bell on the end table. Approaching the center chair and the bell, I sit down and lift the bell. Inside of my head, I hear someone talk to me.

"If you have any questions about what is being sold, please feel free to ring the bell, and we will have an attendant with you post-haste. Please wait while we get the other guests situated if you require refreshments, as higher nobles require our attention."

The sound of someone speaking into my mind that isn't Ritotorous is surprising, and I jump. Seeing my lack of composure due to the sudden invasion into my mind, Eleanor lightly chuckles, and Narus smirks. Seeing how composed the two are, I blush in embarrassment, my anger forgotten for the moment. Retaking my seat between them, we started to talk more in-depth about what we should expect or focus on using the pamphlet.

Another announcement is made shortly after the conversation starts: "For those who have already taken your seats, we thank you in advance. Please go to the auditorium floor or your corresponding viewing box for those who still need to sit. We will begin the auction in the next five minutes."

We continued the conversation this time, slightly less surprised by the announcement. Eleanor and I both decided that we shouldn't be the ones to call out our bids just in case Gwilana recognizes our voices and tries to increase the price of something out of spite for me. "What do you think we should expect? And we need to take a moment to call one of the attendants to see if we can add anything to the pamphlet?"

Thinking it wasn't a bad idea, I rang the bell on the table beside me. "Thank you for calling an attendant. There is one guest in line ahead of you. Please give us a moment; someone will be with you shortly."

Letting them know what the situation is, we sit and wait for the attendant to come. Like the message said, it isn't long before someone knocks on our door. Eleanor stands up and lets them in through the door to the room.

"Hello, my Lord and ladies. How can this humble one assist you?" A tall man walks through the door. He is wearing a red suit, which I can only assume is the symbol of the auction house emblazoned on his jacket. The logo depicts a hammer coming down on a bag of coins, an apt symbol for any auction house.

"Hello, we have several items we were hoping to enter in the auction, or if you prefer, you can purchase directly from us," Eleanor answers the man.

"Sadly, my lady, we cannot take any items into the auction. After the auction, there will be a gathering for the different lords and ladies attending to discuss and potentially make trades. Is there anything else that I can help you with?"

Hearing this, I feel down, knowing I won't have any more funds to use during the auction. I think of another question: "What sort of security do you have for those who win items?"

Smiling at me, he replies, "All items won by a party will not be released into their care until after the gathering at the end of the auction. And from what someone has told me, there is a bet between your party and another; if you would like, we can make a list and cost of each item you have won to prove you have won the bet."

Hearing this, I nod, "That would be wonderful if you could provide that for us."

"Anything else?" he asks one more time to ensure we don't have any other questions.

"Would it be possible to get a list of refreshments?" Eleanor's eyes glow.

Looking directly at her, he nods, and out of what my eyes could believe was nowhere, he pulls out a menu. From what I can see, it isn't a long menu, and there are no prices. As Eleanor looks down the list, I glance over her shoulder.

- Golden Hammer Auction House Drink Menu:

Wines:

Merlot

Pinot Noir

Riesling

Moscato

Rosé

Beers:

Pale Ale

Stout

Sour

IPA

Porter

Mixed Drinks:

Martini

Whiskey and Ginger

Mule

Margarita

Non-Alcoholic:

Any Carbonated Beverage

Milk

Water

Lemon or Limeade

Tea

For any special requests, please ask the attendant, and we will do what we can. -

Seeing Eleanor point to a blank space on the menu, I look at her curiously. "What are you ordering? There wasn't anything at that spot on the menu."

She turns to me and gently pats me on the shoulder. "It's a magic device; it can identify your race and offer different options. For me, I got a choice of a magical blood wine. Oh, how I have longed for my blood wines." I picked the rosé as my first beverage as she considered the wine she hadn't received yet.

I look at Narus and ask if she wants anything to drink. She takes a moment to think and then says, "Could I get a large tankard of water?"

Hearing our orders, he took my offered menu and made it vanish. "I will be back with your orders shortly, " he says before turning around and heading out of the box.

With that out of the way, I return to my chair. Glancing back at the pamphlet, I closely examine the auction schedule.

- Golden Hammer Auction House Schedule:

Lots 1 - 30 Low-Tier Combat Items

Lots 31 - 60 Low-Tier Crafting Items

Lots 61 - 100 Low-Tier Settlement Items

20 Minute Intermission

Lots 101 - 130 Mid-Tier Combat Items

Lots 131 - 160 Mid-Tier Crafting Items

Lots 161 - 200 Mid-Tier Settlement Items

20 Minute Intermission

Lots 201 - 230 High-Tier Combat Items

Lots 231 - 260 High-Tier Crafting Items

Lots 261 - 300 High-Tier Settlement Items

Gathering in the Ballroom for 2 hours -

I can only shake my head, not seeing anything specific about what we seek. "The good news is that there are settlement items and individual items. Let's hope that we can afford some of the higher-tier items."

The other two agree with my assessment, and it isn't long before the attendant is back with our drinks. With drinks in hand, we see that the opaque wall is slowly becoming more see-through. Looking at our position in the auditorium, one set of boxes is a tier below us, and then there is the main auditorium floor. Looking around, I can't see where that witch of a woman, Gwilana, is located. Feeling a gentle tap on my shoulder, I turn to see Narus trying to be subtle while pointing in a specific direction. Following the general direction down and to the left, I spot her and Throsdurgrash in a box a tier below our own. Snickering to myself over having one up on her, I quickly duck my head back in hopes she doesn't see me.

Looking around further, I can make out several more tiers above my own. Curious about how to get into a higher tier, my thoughts are interrupted by a jab to my side and Eleanor pointing towards the stage.

Looking to the center of the main stage, I see a woman waiting patiently for everyone to settle down. She is wearing a long dress that covers down to the floor; the is a slit up the side of the dress, showing her long legs. It takes a minute for the crowd to quiet down, but they all shut up once they realize the woman standing on the stage is waiting for them before she starts.

"Welcome to the 12th Decennial Auction held by the Golden Hammer Consortium. We welcome all those who are new to our auction house and welcome back those who have visited us before. First, let me explain the auction rules to those who haven't been here before. 1. No fighting is allowed during the auction or in the gathering after the auction. If you are seen drawing a blade or swinging your fist at another guest, you and your party will be ejected from the auction. 2. Using your station to intimidate other participants will not be allowed. We are a business, and some of the items donated to our auction house in good faith should go to the proper homes without fear of reprisal during the auction. And 3. Please feel free to partake in the refreshments during the auction. They are all covered by your participation as long as you participate. Those who don't expect a bill to be sent to you or the lord of your settlement after the auction ends. And without further ado. LET THE AUCTION BEGIN!" She shouts while a storm of confetti showers over her, and she vanishes.

"Little tricks," Eleanor says beside me. "I could have done what she did before I was brought to the settlement."

Looking closer at the confetti, I notice that it simply vanishes from existence once it touches the ground or another guest. "At least no one has to clean up all that confetti." I retort with a small smile.