World Witout Wizards: Guard

"What can I do for you, your honor?" a bald man of about fifty asked me. Though the devil knows how old he was. I could see the magnifying glass icon on his shirt, it helped me identify the stranger. Still I squinted, looking at his status, highlighted by the magic.

Pierre Dubnov. 48 years old. Human. Appraiser. No charges.

"Now you know all about me, I don't have to introduce myself," the man frowned. "I hope you are satisfied with what you have seen, and we can get down to business."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I need to get used to do without this."

"All right. Just try to do it more discreetly from now on. So, what do you want to appraise: real estate, land, weapons?"

"I'd like to ask you some questions. May I?"

"Yes, you may, if your questions don't contradict the laws of the HAND," the appraiser's tone was smooth and calm unlike all my friends'. Apparently, he was very educated. I remembered the word 'University', although I didn't know what it meant.

"Can I keep the things that you appraised? For example, if you examined my weapons or armor and valued them at ten silver coins and I wouldn't want to sell them."

"No problem. However, any trader that buys goods will rely on our expertise, to be sure of their quality. Otherwise, they are sold at the lowest price, regardless of real value."

"What is the price difference?"

"Let me explain. For example, an iron b.r.e.a.s.tplate can cost one silver coin. However, if you aren't an appraiser, you won't be able to determine exactly what kind of steel it's made of. The black porous steel of Free Miners clan looks like regular steel. However, the armor, forged from the steel of Free Miners, are worth several dozen gold coins."

I was astonished. "Is it possible for one thing to cost so much money? That's enough to live on for half your life or to buy a huge herd of cows."

"I understand your surprise, taking into account that the Sergeant's salary is one gold coin a year, excluding taxes."

Having seen my surprised look, he sighed and continued, "All the money, spent on you, will be deducted from your salary: for a broken sword, for damaged armor or a horse that died in battle. By the way, you can require a warhog. Do you know how to ride one?"

"No," I shook my head, dumbfounded, "is that necessary?"

"Of course, you're a junior officer of the cavalry! If you forgot to ask our master about it, I strongly recommend you to do it and ask him to give you the rank of an ensign. Your salary won't change or your duties, but you'll gain a very useful riding skill."

"Thanks." Suddenly I remembered the strange vehicle, I had seen the day before yesterday.

"Tell me, please, what vehicle was his Excellency using? It's not an animal, is it?"

"Quite true. This is a magic bike—a brilliant invention of the dwarves, masters of steam devices. However, let's get back to the matter at hand. Do you have any more questions about appraising?"

"Yes. The Baron set a ransom for my things. And it was much lower than they were worth. Is that right?"

"He's authorized to do whatever he wants within his domain," the man shrugged, "some Governors confiscate all property in favor of the Treasury. But you are lucky: The Baron is eager to obtain the status of a viscount. One of the easiest ways to get the favor of the Emperor and his HAND is to observe all the laws."

"Yes, I know. So, he's so noble, because…"

"He's a pretty fair ruler. But for the past two years, he kept strictly to the letter of the law. They say he has already received an invitation from the Emperor."

"Well, the Baron has very ambitious goals. Now I understand now why he was so kind to me. So, it would be better not to tell him that I own expensive things. Oh, I wish I haven't told that!"

"Don't worry. The master is not interested in material possessions. He wants only useful and important items, and doesn't care much about anything else. Do you have any other questions? Can we get down to business? I have a lot of work in the village: I need to appraise the cattle and the villagers' property."

"Yes, sorry. Can to sell my property? Traders, herbalists and blacksmiths live in the River village. There's almost no one left in our village."

"Don't worry, I am an appraiser, supplier and storekeeper at the same time. I'll buy anything you want to sell, with a two percent fee. You'll lose only two silver coins for each gold coin. Or two copper coins for each silver coin if the transaction amount is small. Are you ready?"

"Sure," I nodded, "but I'll need to buy a cart, or rather a covered cart, and a large barrel."

"They are available for sale and cost thirty-four silver coins, with a harness and a hog."

"Then let's go," I decided, "and let's see if I have anything valuable."

We went down to the bas.e.m.e.nt and I decided to sell only unnecessary things and to keep all the potions, seedlings of rare herbs and wild mushrooms growing in the small garden. But then I realized I couldn't take it all with me when I'd go. The plants needed to be cared for and watered.

The appraiser was slowly moving along the damp bas.e.m.e.nt inspecting every speck of dust and constantly recording everything in his notebook.

"You have here a unique collection of all sorts of curiosities. I wish they could be delivered to the market. But you need to pay for the services of our healer, so you can pay with this money. Let's look at the potions."

"I'll keep some of them for myself," I replied.

"It's up to you," the appraiser nodded, not lifting his head from his notebook, "but don't forget about the expiration date. Most of the potions from this bas.e.m.e.nt should be used within a week. But this is a unique potion." He froze in surprise, and I followed his gaze.

Intelligence Check

Base 0

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 3

Failure

Unknown potion. The effects are unpredictable.

What's he looking at? A small transparent bottle of bright green liquid, glowing in the dark. My mom and I never talked about it, and I've never seen it before. I wish I can appraise my parents' property as well as this man can.

"Have you found something interesting?" I asked.

"Indeed I have. Another amazing potion. I thought nobody had them. An elixir of the body." The appraiser sighed heavily, took it from the shelf and handed it to me. "I don't advise you sell it. Although it will cost more than ninety-five silver coins."

"What is it for?"

"I could now charge you extra for the explanation, but I won't. This liquid changes the structure of the body. Not right away. It takes a couple of days of excruciating pain. One small bottle will change you forever, making you stronger, faster or smarter. You only need to imagine what you want."

"Can it give me back my eye?"

"I'm afraid it can't. Only a mage is able to do that. Now, excuse me, I have to finish here."