Steven
_Almann chuckles._

"What? My pipe? This isn't for sharing. I gave you compensation for your time in the form of the copper at your feet."

_He points at the ground._

"I'll give you more if you tell me an interesting story. I want to hear a story."

_He crosses his arms._
Patricia
**Mercy crossed her arms at his rejection to share, and didn't even bat so much as an eye at the copper he mentioned.** "Hmph. I don't want your copper. I don't need your... Pity or your rewards, what are you some sort of wizard? What, are you going to grant me one wish if my story intrigues you? Well guess what wizard, I just told you everything. There's no more. Nothing else!"

**Mercy lied. In the eighteen years that she's been alive, more than a plethora of Interesting little events took place, memorable ones worth sharing. The problem is, she didn't think about sharing them at all, and cared little for this encounter so far.**

"You want a good story... You should read my book." **Mercy picked the book up from earlier, and showed it to Jek.** "My mother was writing it before she vanished." (
Steven
_Almann shrugs._

"It's not pity. I gave you pay, and you give me a story. I promised you more pay if your story was interesting. I am merchant: I don't grant wishes, I deal in coin. But, I suppose your uncle wasn't a merchant, so he wouldn't explain to you the difference between charity and trade. I will tell you, one of the perks of being a merchant is also being able to tell when someone is lying or cheating you out of a deal..."

_Almann continues to nurse his pipe as it got darker. The orange coals from the smokeleaf he loved illuminating the the area around the end of the pipe. She would end up taking the copper in the morning he'd bet. Someone who lives in squalor and clearly is worse for wear would appreciate any sort of coin from his experience. Unless of course, they are a stubborn and emotional young girl._

"...But as for being a 'wizard', yes girl, I am a mage. There are no spells I have will grant you wishes you could possibly desire, however. As for the book, I'll be happy to read it with camplight and tell you what I think. Say, if you bring wood for the fire I'll light it for you."
Patricia
**Almann's words filled Mercy with an unexplainable feeling of bitterness. She glared at him, the type of sulking stare a little child would cast on their parent during a scolding lecture. He was right somehow, she** ***Was*** **Lying about not having another story to regale him with. And she hated that he was right.**

"I'll let you... Take a look at it then. Under one condition, okay?" **She began to stand up, leaning against the tree with her back facing Almann, she forcefully arched her back and leaned against the tree, stretching her body, popping her joints to satisfy her wearyness.**

"Ahh..." **She quickly sighed and turned back around. If she was to go out, she'd do it comfortably.** "You tell me *Your* Story. In case you weren't already. And I get to ask questions until I'm satisfied!" (
Steven
_Almann raises his eyebrows and grins. He'd sort of hoped she said that. It would make it easier to open her up to conversation. Though it was no guarantee, people developed this sort of superficial trust in people after they've offered something up of equal value first. He didn't ask her name, and he didn't really care to ask._

"Sure. Ask away."
Patricia
"Okay... Well, first... Here." **She approached him slowly, holding out the book with both hands. At first glance it looked incredibly old and worn, most of the cover was withering away and coarse. It had a title etched into the center and underneath it were the initials of the author,** ***M. F.***

"Please be careful with it. Remember uh... It was supposed to be finished before I was six. I'm going to be right back, I'll go... Find some wood."

**With that, Mercy turned around and waltzed away at a leisurely pace, toward a brush of trees and bushes. Almann's advanced hearing capabilities could probably pick up the sound of Mercy snapping branches and collecting sticks, as well as murmuring to herself.**

"Gods... I wonder if the chocolate's still good to eat."

**If Almann opens the book, he'll be able to tell just what kind of story it was. Clearly the Mother was a seasoned writer, the pages were well written and told a story similar to a young children's novel;** ***To my beautiful daughter Mercy.*** **Is written at the beginning of the first page.**
Steven
_He would pick up the sounds of the girl as she gathered firewood. She didn't seem too motivated. He wasn't that surprised though. Almann inspects the binding and material of the cover, looking at the craftsman ship of the book and anything which might lead to the identity of the author or the girl besides the initials._

_Almann decides to flip through the book anyways and begin reading. He had learned how to read and speak common tongue of the empire from a young age. Almann began to read through the prologue, careful not to spill any ash on the book. Burning it would be a shame. Books such as these are hard to come by, and this is possibly the only copy of this story in existence._