Simon left the blacksmith's forge later, wearing his new sword on his hip, his bag of coins, noticeably lighter.
"Are you done, your highness?" Sir Trix asked him, sounding bored.
He had stayed outside the smithy since it was too hot inside, and now he is starting to get bored and hungry.
"I would like to go to a tailor next."
It took the two of them a while to find a tailor, where Simon proceeded to look around for a suitable vest.
"Is there something you are looking for in particular?" Trix asked when they got to their third shop.
"I am looking for something made of a thick material that would prevent others from stabbing me in the back," Simon replied flatly.
"Then we should have gone to an armory!" Sir Trix said impatiently. "A good chain mail would do, or a leather vest made of thick animal hide, much better if it's monster material."
Simon watched Sir Trix who was going through the clothes beside him. He stayed outside the first two stores, but now, he has decided to enter with him.
Obviously, the older knight was getting tired of waiting outside.
"Can you choose one for me?" he asked Sir Trix.
"Like I said, we would need to look for an armory first!"
"But the blacksmith I went to didn't carry any armor..."
"You need to find one who specializes on suit armor!" Sir Trix sighed.
"Is there a difference?" Simon asked with his head tilted to a side.
"Just follow me."
The two left the tailor's shop. Sir Trix looked around the area with his eyes up high.
"See there?" he pointed at a sign showing a hammer and a helm. "That's the store we're looking for!" He led the way to the shop and entered it with Simon. "Now hurry up and buy what you need, I'm starting to get real hungry!"
"Yes, may I help you?" asked a middle-aged man with a grand looking curled mustache who approached them.
"Good day, sir, I'm looking for a thick vest that could stop people from stabbing me in the back," Simon told the merchant who's smile wavered a little.
The merchant looked at the young lad in front of him from head to toe.
He looked clean enough, though the large sword on his back looked out of place, also, his chaperon looks like a knight, meaning he's at least from a good family.
"Well, you've come to the right place," the merchant replied, regaining his composure. "Please come this way where our finest vests made from top quality materials are displayed."
He led his customers deeper inside the store and towards a rack of clothes where he proceeded to showcase one article after another.
"This, my dear customer, is made of dragon hide, it is stain resistant and fire proof as well," he said, pulling out a vest made of shiny red scales. "This one is made of iron bear hide that's both soft yet tough as iron," he took another one with a deep brown furry collar scuff. "This is made from the bark of the world tree, and has high magic resistance," he continued, "while this here is made of silver snake skin," he said, pulling yet another one out. "It is light and comfortable to wear, yet is as tough as iron, which is perfect for your visage."
"How much is that one?" Simon pointed at the silver snake skin vest.
"Only 20 gold coins, dear customer," the merchant said with a big grin.
Simon took his small pouch and looked at the 5 silvers and 2 gold coins inside.
"Sir Trix, do you have any money with you?"
"No," was the knight's quick reply.
"My brother can pay you back when we get back to the inn."
"All I have with me are 3 gold and 5 silver coins," Trix said with a frown. "Didn't you bring your family crest with you?"
"I did, but why do you ask?" Simon questioned at his companion who gave an exasperated sigh.
"In some places, you can use your family crest as a credit assurance to pay merchants back at a later date or time..."
"Ahem..."
The two were interrupted as the said merchant cleared his throat.
"I beg your pardon," said the merchant, the smile on his face unwavering. "Your crest is good, but I need gold."
"I'm afraid I don't have enough money with me..." said Simon, "do you have anything worth 7 gold coins?"
"I'm sure there are other stores that can cater to your needs, then," said the merchant who patiently showed them out the door.
"Haa... where do you plan to buy good armor worth 7 gold coins?" Sir Trix said with an exasperated sigh as they left the armory shop. "And you even plan to use my money as well!"
"But, I was able to buy a new sword for 24 silver coins..."
"Let me see that."
Simon was surprised when Sir Trix took his newly acquired sword and pulled it out of its scabbard.
He braced himself when the knight lifted it up and unconsciously reached out for his bastard sword, but Trix simply raised it up to the light to look it over.
"This is just a beginner's sword," said Trix who brandished it in his hands. "The forging is good, but you can't exactly bring this to battle."
"Why would I need something for battle?" Simon asked him suspiciously.
"Well, I noticed you're looking for something to defend yourself with after what happened yesterday. This sword is good for training, but it would easily get chipped if used in actually combat." Trix handed the sword back to Simon.
"Is that so?" Simon took it back gingerly. "Can you tell me more about swords, then?"
"Why do you have to buy a new one anyway?" Trix asked him. "You finally getting rid of that bastard sword of yours?"
"I just find a smaller sword... easier to use..." Simon answered back thoughtfully.
Trix looked at his young master and remembered how the small, skinny boy killed the knights who were sent to assassinate him the previous night.
"Well, your highness," he replied, remembering his manners as well, "a good sword really depends on the wielder. Even a practice sword can kill, and the best sword from a master blacksmith would be as good as tin foil if you don't know how to wield it."
Besides, he wouldn't want the 9th prince to be armed with a better sword, lest his true master, Prince Juno, decides to get rid of him again.
"Why don't you just use one of the swords the bandits left behind last night?" he asked Simon.
"I wanted one of my own."
"Well, that sword will be good enough. Now, about that vest..."
"Can you teach me how to use it, then?" Simon interrupted him again.
Trix didn't know how to reply.
The first prince did tell them to do everything Prince Simon asked them to do, but he can't just teach the prince how to use a sword. He would need to ask Prince Juno about it first.
"If my brother agrees, I mean?" Simon added, as if he just read his thoughts.
"Oh... of course, if Prince Juno says so..." Trix was beginning to feel anxious.
"Now, I think that person over there is selling some armor," said Simon, pointing at a peddler whose wares were strewn over a blanket along the street.
Trix sighed as his ward walked towards a line of street vendors and had no choice but to follow along.
============
Go to Part 60
============