Emuri

The man holding a fish was startled momentarily, but realizing what Anak was up to he quickly responded, "Just one is more than enough. Thank you." In all honesty a single Kazur gem was worth more than a boatload of fish, but Anak didn't mind.

Anak smiled and tossed the fisherman a gem. "The fish, if you please." The exchange went neatly, as Mammon watched on with interest. "Now, use that gem to buy the bread." Anak instructed and gestured at the baker's stall.

The fisherman approached the stall, gem in hand, and boldly asked, "How much for a loaf?" He was certain to get the better of these unscrupulous merchants with Anak's help.

"One Kazur gem," The baker mercilessly demanded, displeased with how the hero of the city, Anak, was siding against them.

"What?!" The fisherman barked, knowing the bread was certainly not worth that much. He shot a desperate glance at Anak, but Anak just gestured for him to pay. The fisherman morosely set the gem down, and took the bread from the outstretched hand of the grinning merchant. The man looked up at Anak. Perhaps he was just helping the people understand the system? Maybe he was on their side, after all. He nodded at Anak, who then approached him.

Anak reached behind him and pulled out something wrapped in a large leaf from his cloak. From within the leaf, a divine smell wafted out, captivating the nostrils of all those nearby. The baker salivated inadvertently as Anak drew closer, eventually coming to a stop before him. Anak pulled away the leaf, revealing a high quality bread that far surpassed anything this baker had for sale.

"I would like to conduct a trade with this." Anak proposed to the baker.

A flash of annoyance crossed the merchants brow. "Weren't you listening? We don't do barter."

Anak smiled amiably, "I think you misunderstand me. I wish to sell this to you."

"Wha-?" The merchant uttered, baffled.

"This delicious loaf, I will sell it to you for one Kazur gem." Anak continued to smile as he stared at this merchant.

The man declared obstinately, "A Kazur gem?! That's not worth even a sliver of a-" The merchant baker caught himself midway, but he was too late. He was caught up in his greed, and allowed it to take possession of his mouth just long enough to fall for Anak's trap.

"Oh? But your loaves cost one Kazur gem, do they not?" Anak pushed him deeper into the carefully laid trap.

"Well... my loaves are worth it!" The merchant desperately asserted.

"Ah, I see. Well, I'll just have to find a different customer then." Anak turned away with a disappointed expression. At this point confusion entered the baker's eyes. Why did Anak back off right when he had him in a corner? The next scene clarified everything.

Anak held the bread up high, and called out in the market square, "One loaf of bread! I'll take any fair trade! It's not worth the one Kazur gem my high class friend over there claims his bread is, but..." Anak let out a sly smile, "It does taste better."

A clamor arose amongst the formerly enraged customers after the declaration. After a young boy traded a shiny seashell for the loaf, they came to a realization; If these merchants would only sell for profit, then they could simply start the exchange themselves. They didn't have to pursue excess-seeking businessmen; when they needed to trade, there were plenty of individuals with items that they wouldn't be loathe to exchange fairly in a trade of mutual benefit.

After noticing the shift in the atmosphere, some merchant's who were suddenly afraid of losing their customers began under-cutting their fellow merchants, leading to a bidding war within the merchants themselves for the lowest price. Unknowingly, Anak had just introduced the concept of competition, something that Mammon had desperately wanted to avoid, into the new market.

Mammon had already slipped away unnoticed somewhere, leaving to plot more greedy schemes. It wouldn't be for some time after this that Mammon found a new way to exploit The Manuscript of Mercantilism though.

Anak returned to Tzipora, who had been watching bemusedly this whole time. She teased with a smirk, "You're just cheap, isn't that it? That's why you made these poor merchants so desperate to reduce their prices." She poked him in the ribs as she was making fun of his display, but she felt admiration in her heart for what Anak had pulled off. He'd cleverly and calmly averted a potential disaster.

"Yeah, I'm cheap." Anak smiled at her as he began to tease back, "In fact, I just realized, I'm so cheap, I don't think I want to buy you anything today." He winked at Tzipora.

Tzipora turned her head away in a huff, chain collar rattling. "Who needs your things?" She stuck her nose up in the air like she was too good to even look on the same level as this fool in front of her.

Anak burst out in laughter, "Just where did you learn that posture." He couldn't believe someone who was forced into labor daily could hold such a proud stance so naturally.

"I am a princess, I'll have you know." Tzipora spat out like she was berating Anak, but she had a grin on her face. However, her face quickly fell. "Or rather...was-" her chin dipped slightly down as she began to mourn the fate of the Medith tribe her father once led.

Anak touched her chin, and raised her head until their eyes met, "Hey, no. You are." Anak smiled as he swept her bangs from her brow, revealing her stunning grey eyes in full. "More than that even. Do you know how many princesses I know?" This wasn't some mere boast, King Gel-ad had untold numbers of daughters, and his sons too had many daughters. Anak's eyes revealed a passionate gleam, "And not one of them can even count as a fart next to you." Anak was speaking from the heart.

At his rude comparison, Tzipora began to laugh. She chuckled lightly, then threw her head up and her laughter rang out like a bell, however before long, all the emotions she had locked inside over this long period of torment were unleashed. She bent over, howling like a baboon, and amidst her laughter were mournful cries and a face full of tears.

Anak pulled her into an embrace as she let out her cries onto his shoulder, tears soaking the lavish garment. He stroked her hair, and stayed silent, simply letting her vent. Some people who looked their way earned sharp dagger-like glares from Anak. After a while she finally exhaled deeply, looking up.

"I'm sorry." Tzipora raspily whispered. "I messed up your shirt."

"Its fine," Anak smiled at her, "It's just a shirt. Shall we go on?" He let her go and held out his hand.

A bright beam spread across Tzipora's face and she took his hand. "Yes. Let's buy some stuff."

Anak laughed as they walked towards some attractive looking stalls.

...

It was dusk when Tzipora and Anak strolled happily along the city streets back towards where she lived in the slave quarter. Anak was laden with several bags of varying size, and Tzipora wore a brilliantly shining artifact necklace with intricate carving. It was one of the artifacts of mysterious origin, and Tzipora had fallen for it at first sight. Anak was determined to obtain it for her at any cost, which is how he ended up paying a grand total of 500 Kazur gems for the item. The bags in his hands held mostly luxurious foods and delicacies that no slave could normally access, personally picked out by Tzipora.

At the door of their ramshackle home stood Yothr, waiting for his daughter to return home. "Tzipora, you're late. Did you forget the Emuri tonight?"

Tzipora sighed, "No, Dad. We were just out a little late, that's all."

"Hmph." Yothr snorted, "You seem to care more about this fellow than your own father lately." He complained, but inwardly he was pleased. If his daughter were to fall for anyone, it should be this young hero. He felt tremendously blessed that Anak had come to them, and cared about their situation. "Well, in that case why don't you invite him to the Emuri?" he cut off Tzipora before she could address his complaint.

"Eh...really?" Tzipora looked at Anak with uncertainty. "You don't have to. You probably wouldn't get it anyway."

"No, I'd love to." Anak smiled and agreed blindly. He'd never heard of a Emuri, but it seemed like some kind of ceremony or gathering. It piqued his curiosity.

"Wonderful!" Yothr laughed and clasped Anak on the shoulder. The strength he displayed shocked Anak. It seems he must've been quite the powerful warrior when he led his tribe. Pulling Anak inside, Yothr led the way. He swiped away at a patch of dust with his foot, revealing a roughshod trap door.

"What is this?" Anak asked in surprise.

"It means we trust you," Tzipora said from behind him, "Now be quiet." She gave him an encouraging nod.

Anak nodded back and tried to remain silent, only to let out a gasp of astonishment when the trap door opened up. Below, unlike the dark, dim atmosphere he expected, there was large well-lit space, packed with people. All of them were slaves; he noticed the collars chained to their necks. However, unlike most times when he came across slaves, these people were boisterous, raucous, and jubilant. They were dancing and singing and talking with a jovial tone all around.

"Welcome to the Emuri." Tzipora whispered, then pushed Anak into the party below.