Storyboards: Fereia

Joining Merchants | Czrel and Fereia's first meeting | Fereia's introduction to business

Joining Merchants
"But dear, I can't ever be a merchant. I'll be useless! "
Czrel sighs, "Look at it this way. When I’m away, they'll be people wanting to deal. So they'll turn to you. If you refuse, I'll lose my business and worse, my reputation. So you must learn."
Fereia was silent. Then, "Look. If you were that worried about your so-called-business, why did you marry me in the first place?"
His face softened. "Because I loved you." A pause. "and still do." She cuddled closer to him.
"I love you too, dear. It’s just that, you're so busy . You hardly have time..."
"If you're willing to try, I can take you along for some of my dealings. Then we don't have to separate so often."
Silence.
"Are you sure I could do it?"
"Well, you're frugal... And you do shop around to get the cheapest deals." She laughed. "You have much to learn though..." he continued, "you're still too naive"
"I don't think I can manage..."
"I'll help you, I promise."
"Well......"
Czrel tries again. " Please? For my sake?"
Fereia shrugs, then nods. "So, what do I do?"
"Join my clan."

Fereia stepped into the clan hall, looking very unsure of herself. Her first day as a Merchant has just begun...

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Czrel's and Fereia's first meeting
On the move yet again, Fereia wondered when she would ever be appreciated. On the way to Sthiss Tor at the request of her current boyfriend, she brooded on the thing he wanted her to do.
According to him, the job would be simple. All he wanted her to do was to pass a letter to one of his... acquaintances. HE couldn't go himself because he had to hide. There was a price on his head.
"When was going to Sthiss Tor ever simple?!" Fereia thought. Having travelled for days in an increasing bad mood, her thoughts turned to her boyfriend. And what had HE done for her? Nothing. Yes, he was handsome, but... he had never lifted a finger for her, while using her as a slave.
However, she had promised to finish this for him and she never broke her promises.
'After this, I never, ever want to have anything to do with the useless idiot again,' she vowed as she struggled on.

Fereia became increasingly lost in Sthiss Tor. His directions were vague. All she had to go on a blurred picture of him, which she kept hidden and a name. Merchant Czrel.
In the end, she decided to ignore his orders not to use any magic whatsoever. Because Fereia was NOT going to blunder around for another minute.
She tried to cast a portal to Czrel, focusing on what little she knew of him. It failed. She tried again. And again. And yet again. On the next try, it worked. She stepped through it...
...and landed onto the most disgusting creature she had ever seen. Her yelp of surprise was enough to wake the creature. The thing vanished and next, she was attacked and badly wounded.
"RUN!"
She staggered away and passed out.

When she came to, a man was standing over her. Her wounds had been bandaged passably well.
"What was that... thing?!?" were the first words she uttered.
"What? Not a word of thanks? Well, that’s gratitude for you.." was the joking reply.
"You did this?" she motioned to the bandages. "Oh. Thanks. Well… so, what was it? And where’s this?" when her surroundings came into view.
Puddles of slimy, stagnant water. Mosquitoes, fleas, rats. The tunnel… well it looked like a tunnel, curved to the left in front of them.
"This charming place is the sewers. Yes, you're still in Sthiss Tor. And that, little one, was a giant leech." Fereia shuddered. "Why were you so desperate to find me? And so foolhardy too. You could have been killed." the merchant continued after a pause.
She explained her errand, with much complaints thrown in, and passed him the letter. He glanced at it then threw it down in disgust. "What was it about?" He looked angry and would not say.
After a few moments, she asked, "How do we get out of here?"
"How much are you willing to pay for my services as your guide?"
She slapped him. "How DARE you be so... mercenary! GO then, leave me here. And if I die, on your conscience be it! "
He laughed, and taking her arm, led her away....

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Fereia's introduction to business
"The fastest way you'll learn is if you do it yourself."
"Huh? Do what?"
"Business. Buying. Selling."
"Buy what? Sell what?"
Czrel glared at Fereia. "Stop acting dumb. I've already given you the stuff you are going to sell." Fereia glanced into the bag that Czrel gave her. Trinkets and baubles... It all looked worthless to her.
"This?!" she asked, shocked. "This is all junk! Who would buy stuff like this?"
"Hush. This is not junk. It'll make some girls very happy. Especially those who dream of wearing pretty jewelry and never had a chance to. Few people here know the prices of these, therefore, you can overcharge and no one will know the better. "
Fereia nodded. "If they haven't enough gold and wants to trade?"
"For now, just deal in gold. I'll be near if you need me. Just call. And remember, sell as high as possible."
After Fereia and Czrel finished setting up their stall in the small farmers' produce market, Czrel gave her a quick kiss and left saying that he had something too attend to. "I'll be back."

Selling worthless bits of colored glass in Sendar was not Fereia's idea of a good time. Pretty soon however, the first customers came. A young, strong farmhand and his girl hanging on his arm.
"Dear, do you want this?" he said, as he was browsing the collection.
"The red one's nicer."
"This?" he asked picking up a red pendant. She nodded.
"How much for this?" enquired the boy.
"75 silver pieces." Fereia said, knowing full well that the whole bagful of jewelry cost less than 30 gold, or 3000 silver.
"That's far too much. I'll pay 20."
"No, my price stays. You can't get this from anyone else. Surely your pretty lady over there is worth it?"
"30 and not a bit more."
"50, and a matching chain for another 50. Take it or leave it."
A pause.
"Here, I'll let her try it on," Fereia said, placing the set around her neck and showing the girl a mirror. Her desire clearly shown in her eyes, she shot a pleading look at the boy. He gave in.
Fereia was elated. -MY FIRST SALE!- she thought.

Business was brisk. Fereia learnt a few things.
Haggling. How to tell when a customer was on the verge of giving in. How to set prices. To offer 'package deals' which only looked cheap. Knowing whether or not the customer had gold to spare. To keep a poker face. Not to appear too eager. She was surprised. These items, which, in Tol Honneth, would be almost impossible to give away, were selling like hot cakes here in Sendar. Mothers buying for their daughters, husbands for their wives. Also, they were being treasured and cherished.
After 2 hours, everything was gone. After closing the stall and clearing up, Fereia turned around and saw her beloved husband, Czrel, observing her.
"How long were you there?" she demanded.
"Long enough. So, how much did you get?"
Fereia gestured at the container holding the gold and silver coins." About 150 to 200 gold."
"Not bad, not bad. Of course, I'd have gotten twice as much" he said, smiling.
"Show off."
"Come along, I'll take you to a place to rest."
The pair walked hand in hand away from the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.

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