‘Thirty-two Crowns should soothe your nerves.’
‘But how can one put a price on a true bond with, after all, a friend?’ Horvater dramatically shielded his eyes, pretending to hide a tear. ‘Sixty Crowns might ease such pain.’
‘You can't lose such a dear companion for the glitter of gold coins.’ The dragon sighed heavily, trying to draw inspiration from Gizel. ‘Thirty-four.’
‘Sir, you have no idea how awful I feel having to consider such a cruel thing. I can barely bring myself to say it.’ The merchant wrung his hands in despair, looking like a beaten dog. ‘Fifty-five.’
‘Suffering for the greater good of our loved ones is a noble thing and a value that money cannot measure.’ Draco looked at the beast with sorrow. ‘Thirty-six.’
‘Wise words, truly wise. Therefore, we must grit our teeth and do what we must.’ He nodded vigorously as he spoke. ‘Fifty.’
‘However, one cannot rely solely on bonds; character matters too, and from what I’ve heard, he has plenty of that.’ The reptile struck a slightly different note. ‘Forty.’
‘When there is the strength to work and the determination to prove it, the motivation will follow.’ The merchant pointed at the bess as if to say, Look, isn’t he majestic? ‘Forty-five.’
‘I don’t have the heart to separate such close friends, but for everyone’s sake… agreed.’
A broad, genuine smile returned to Horvater’s face. The merchant held out his hand, which the dragon shook to seal the deal. It seemed that both were equally pleased with the transaction.
‘I understand that we’ll finalise everything through the Central Bank.’ Only now did the merchant take note of his interlocutor’s financial standing, having previously assumed that he might ultimately ask for help with the purchase of his master.
‘Of course.’ Draco nodded and immediately began searching his inside pocket to pull out a small box. He took it out and opened it, then wrote on the card:
Purchase of a mount (bess)
Price: 45 Crystal Crowns
He channelled mana into the cardboard, which glowed with a green light, then burst into emerald flames and
