Ilinya loved the woods, as is almost a prerequisite for an elf, especially a dark elf. Rather than taking the road, she wandered through the trees on her way to Man-Ville as the elves called it. The men there called it Gildentor - meaning essentially Golden Gate. But there was no bridge, and it wasn't even near an ocean. It was in some sense a gate as beyond it lay large tracts of land controlled by men, all kinds of different tribes, fiefdoms and other man-made governing.
It had been a while since the goblin affair and though she could do without the creepy green little bastards, she would not at all have objected to their cocks. Just without the attachments. It was mentioned that dark elves are pretty horny creatures? She planned to sell some of her concoctions and regularly traded with one of the storekeepers in Man-Ville, and had other customers at random. Maybe she'd take a room for a night. She was wary of men though and while her pussy was asking for some attention, her mind was not on getting laid. Men were much too variable with their appendages and you could never tell if the giant you expected to provide a representative slab of meat wound up serving a little wiener.
Lost in thought, but knowing by heart where she was going, Ilinya poked around the trees into nooks and crannies to see what herbs, flowers or other specimen of interest she might find.
Out of the corner of her eye, something glinted. She turned her head and with a pointy branch she'd picked up along the way, starting poking at the root where the little speck of light had caught her eye. After spreading some leaves and pushing a bit of dirt aside, she found what had caught her attention. It was a small pendant with a red stone at the center. As she pulled it from the dirt and leaves, she was pleased to find a dainty chain attached by a small loop. The casing might have been copper, but whatever it was, it seemed a bit tarnished. It had obviously been there for a while. She spit on it, rubbed the dirt away. She could see some markings, but if it was writing, it was very small and didn't seem like any language she spoke.
Lucky me, she thought. This is really cute. Unlike the pendant, the chain came clean easily and glowed faintly of gold. Someone in town was sure to be able to tell her what the pendant was worth and she could be sure it would be double whatever value was quoted. She knew how tricky men could be. Taller goblins, really, and less green.
There was no opening on the chain, but it was long enough to go over her head and she was happy as it draped between her breasts. She smiled, the red stone fit pretty well with her dark green tunic, though it hung a little too low and she worried it might interfere with her movements if she needed to be quick.
Though she knew the woods, she also knew it wasn't always safe. She'd prepared, a sharp dagger tucked into the belt that held her tunic to her slender waist. A throwing star was tucked into a pocket of her knee high, suede boots. She had draped a long cape over her shoulder, one that could both be dropped or serve as cover for a makeshift shelter. She knew the woods and was prepared. Her little find made her smile and she speeded up her walk. Didn't want to lose too much of the day just hanging out with the trees. Less than a man hour later, she spotted Gildentor through the trees. Once she made her deals, she'd get something to eat and maybe learn what her find was worth. She increased her speed until she passed through the wall surrounding Gildentor. Everyone knows that elves live in forever medieval settings, and this was no different. All the accents were British, everyone had swords and shields and dirt was everywhere. Fortunately it had been dry, so it was dirt and not mud that she walked over. Of course there were the inevitable horse droppings, dog poop and other assorted little obstacles to maneuver past as well.
Gildentor was bustling. Vendors advertised their wares by shouting from their carts and stalls. Those who had actual brick stores, waved to prospective customers and tried to shout above the rest, or had some street urchin literally try to drag customers inside. Or steal whatever coin they might have.
Ilinya liked the place, despite all the men (or women) in it. There was always something new, some invention or innovation. Unlike the elves who tended to despise commerce, men were all about making some coin, and if they could, make even more.
She turned to the right immediately after the gate and went down the main market street that ran along the wall. A short ways along was the shop of her regular client. He sold all kinds of potions and appreciated Ilinya's skill at creating new ones. He was a large man in all ways, tall, wide, and thick. His hands were like sausages and when he shook her hand, it seemed to vanish in his palm. But he was as jovial and friendly as he was outsized.
"What magic do you have for me today my sweet and pretty elf."
"Maston, you old flatterer," Ilinya giggled. His nature always made her smile and she felt he treated her fairly. She unwrapped some of the smaller parcels she had stowed in her tunic and cape pockets. She always color coded her wares to make sure they remained distinct.
"This little gem you already know and have always been able to sell well. It's the cure for most pains from head to toe. Just a reminder, friend, only a few grains in a hot solution. Otherwise things might get worse."
Maston chuckled. "Always with the precautions. Maybe you should put a warning label on your stuff."
Ilinya frowned, "Come on, people aren't so stupid as not to follow instructions?"
Maston shook his head and a meaty paw held her shoulder. "Seriously Ili, you won't believe how stupid people can be."
She unpacked the rest of her packets, describing what each one was for and how to use it. Maston didn't write anything down, but she knew he'd remember everything she said. His mind was like a catalog.
Ilinya pushed the last packet across the table.
"This is a sample. I want you to try it out and see what reports you get back. I'm not sure it will work, but I think it may grow hair anywhere you try. I put some on my pussy - no," she paused seeing his look, "I meant my cat, and I am sure she has much thicker fur. Even one of the woolly cleaving bushes outside my house got woollier. But, not sure how it will affect people. Maybe you know a few who could use more hair."
Maston reached up and scratched his head and laughed. "As you can see, I won't be trying it. Got all the hair I need." He showed her the back of his paw which also sprouted plenty of fur.
The elf smiled. "Right. You are not a subject."
Maston quickly summed up all he was about to buy. "Three gold and 25 silver. But since you give me a sample, and you never disappoint, I'll throw in 15 copper, too."
Ilinya nodded. As usual, the price seemed fair.
"Deal," she said and her business partner counted out the coin.
"Anything else today, sweet little elf?"
"Just one thing. I found this in the forrest." She showed Maston the little pendant. "I found this in the forrest, know anyone that can give me a fair value what it might be worth?"
Maston studied the little gem closely. "Hm, the writing seems kinda familiar, but I'm not so learned. I think you might try Master Raxon. He's kind an old prick, but he knows his shit when it comes to languages and runes, and for sure he knows gemstones and precious metals. But be careful, I would let him give you a value, but don't sell to him. You'll find him up in the Green Square. His shop is under the tower."
Ilinya smiled. "Thanks Maston, glad to do business with you, as always."
Maston smiled down at her. He liked her just as she was, but he have loved to lift her up and just yank that tunic right off that ripe little body. Those tits would jiggle most enticingly, he was sure. But they'd been doing business for a while and the Mrs. wouldn't appreciate his lust for the nubile and buxom elf.
Heading up the wall, Ilinya had to cross quite a large part of the town to get to the Green Square. There wasn't nearly the same kind of bustle in this part as there was near Maston's shop. Today, it was almost vacant. Only a couple of drunks leered at her from a corner tavern. Piggy's Paradise, the sign read. She wondered what pigs hung out in there and it looked nothing like the paradise she'd imagined.
The green tower loomed over the square. Set within the wall rather than being part of it, the tower looked out over the town from narrow, dark windows. A single shop occupied the ground floor. It too looked run down and there were certainly no customers. Raxon's Metallurgic and Spiritual Center.
Center? It looked more like a dungeon. Ilinya began to have second thoughts, but Maston hadn't steered her wrong yet. She opened the door and looked inside. Like the exterior, it was dark and dingy.
"Hello?" she offered.
No response.
