Spirit Taming

"We are going out right?" The two rooms were actually one divided room. It was made for the exploring tamers such as Clark’s group. The middle was connected by a locking door that could be or could not be blocked off completely.

"I never said we would stay here. I just thought we should change clothing and try to clean up. The journey was a little rough." Clark was looking at the three girls and felt that he was still losing.

He had tried to volunteer to find another room but the argument that it would be a waste of money from Isa was strong. Then Ella had chimed in with him staying in the rooms with them not being an issue because if they were really a group traveling together it would be better to be closer.

Finally, Maria had chimed in by saying that she had to make sure he didn’t go and get himself hurt again. If Lit and her didn’t stay nearby she expected Clark to run in to some trouble. She just had a feeling. It was all hard for Clark to argue with making him feel like he had been put in a trap.

"We should check out the markets first. We don’t need to head to a coliseum for battle training and watching the first day." Maria changed the flow of the conversation easily. She wanted to see what they could find for basic sales materials. She knew Isa was worried about the basics versus the auction items. There was also the curiosity factor.

"I agree, I want to choose some items for my personal research. I can gain rarer materials at the auction that will be held tomorrow." Ella seconded Maria’s desire so Clark just nodded along. He still didn’t want to push the girls any which way. He was outnumbered.

Devi was closely examining the notebook that Ella was using. He was watching the diagram that Ella had made of him become more and more detailed. For him, it was very curious. He had seen a mirror but this was different and interesting. It also helped that every time he let out a laugh of small hisss, Ella would look up and make notes.

"Devi, if you get too close you will get the charcoal pencils all over you. How will you be invisible then?" Clark thought it was funny to see this aspect of Devi. he had not been able to interact with many other people. Clark had a small fear that Devi would be uncomfortable doing so. However, Devi did have the time around people. He was just always invisible and not directly in contact.

"Well, I will wait downstairs for you three." Clark left the rooms while Devi took an invisible form and followed. Clark had Crim resting in the taming space because he was too unfamiliar with the city. It was better to bring Crim out when the streets were less crowded. Devi could better hide away in plain sight.

"Oh, the young man from before. Don’t tell me you are trying to leave already?" The woman that had checked them in was still downstairs at the front counter.

"No, we are going to check out some of the markets. We have never been to the city before so it should be fun." Clark’s genuine response brought the woman a smile.

"Then you have to go to my brother’s materials stall. He buys from free tamers. They aren’t affiliated with any groups or families. They go out alone to hunt for materials every day." This sounded interesting because there were a few tamers that were solo in Clark’s city. But it was more normalized for them to be involved with a large family.

"Or you could go to the waterside forge. They have plenty of apprentices trying to sell the new works. They might not be the best but they have some odd ideas." This was the insider information that would help Clark to grab something interesting.

"I will suggest both to my team. Thank you!" Clark didn’t hesitate to be as polite as possible. He was staying under this woman’s inn and he couldn’t be rude. He had learned well from his parents as a child.

"Let’s go! We have money to spend and business to do!" Isa was the first down the stairs. She had Ella and Maria held by the hand and being dragged out the door. Clark just waved to the woman at the desk before leaving. He could hear her sigh and comment about kids and their energy.

"So, I was able to get a little information. There’s a freelance tamer shop nearby and a waterside forge that has a lot of student made items." This was enough to attract Isa’s attention. Ella didn’t hide her interest either.

"It’s this way." Clark pointed in the direction that the woman at the desk had mentioned. It took them only a few minutes before they saw an opening to a small market square. This was clearly not the main merchant square. However, there were plenty of tables and a large tent to keep the goods safe from the sun.

The main tables in the center were covered in beast materials that had been freshly harvested. Some were in temporary storage items while others were going to sell fast enough that they didn’t need to be in a storage item at all.

"Come on up, check out what you see before you and buy it all up! The best and freshest herbs harvested today! The newest monster materials! Fair prices! Everything must sell today!" the calls by the merchants were enough to draw a crowd every time they placed new items for sale.

"Now if you don’t look like young tamers looking for the freshest and newest we have, I would have to quit right here. What can I help you with? Need some large carp scales? How about a creeping vine tendril, or we have some earth potatoes right here. Not even cut at all." The tall man that came up to them was already pitching ideas.

"Show us water type materials. The purer the better. If they have spiritual energy too, that’s accepted." Isa was completely serious. She didn’t give an inch for the merchant to change what she might want. Ella whispered in to Isa’s ear a little. "And bring some materials that have to do with water dragons if you have them."

"Water dragons? If you wanted a thousand crab shed shell, or a flowing mantis wing I would say it’s tough but I can do it. But a water dragon material? That’s only ever in the waterfall pavilion auctions." The merchant laughed but it was the information that Isa was after.

"Well, being from another city, we have yet to attend the waterfall pavilion’s auctions. But having a connection here might make things flow smoothly. Especially since we need research materials in a package." This offer was more than just an offer to purchase materials.

Isa had watched her father do this many times. When in a new location it was best to offer a hand to a local. That way information could be traded and the deals would be a little cheaper. It was a way to establish trade and trust between those of the same trade.

"Ah! I know exactly what you might want to see. Follow me, follow me."

Isa was pulled away. The quick conversation that followed made Clark glad that he was not involved. He could examine materials free of money talks. Isa was a force to be reckoned with right now.

"Maria, Ella. I bet I can find something more interesting than you two." Clark decided to have a little fin while waiting for Isa to bargain a deal. Ella and Maria were already going to look at things. So, why not make it a game?

"Lit and I will find something sooooo much better than anything you can find!" Maria found the challenge acceptable. She had to learn to analyze materials and beast eggs sooner or later. The better she got the better she could record down information.

"Of course, I need rare materials to use for a unique growth plan later." Ella had every intention of leaving with something she might be able to experiment with. She didn’t use the wisps as experiments. She had detailed plans that would work without causing damage to the wisps’ existence.

"Devi, look for something with spiritual, water, and poison energies. I know you have an idea of what they feel like. Maria will need some rare items to get Lit to a queen jellyfish." Clark sent this mental message to Devi because he was trying to plan for the future. That also meant that he would have his eyes out for items that Crim and Devi could use.

The tables were very basically organized by what was brought in earlier and later in the day. Therefore, Clark avoided the crowd and started with what was on the less populated tables. The items that had been ignored and might have some secret value. Clark had a massive advantage with his system.