The Mysterious Merchant
Destiny City was a metropolis that never slept. During all hours of the day and night, the city was alive and bustling. Even miles away, the sounds of the city carried on the wind. Forests hugged the city and hills of all sizes peppered the land the further out it went.
It was as much of a tourist trap as any major city could be expected to be--only, there was something a little extra special about it.
Destiny City was full of magic. So much so that their visitors came from all across the state, the country, the world.
The galaxy.
Atop a hill a mile and a half out of the major city and with a perfect view of the towering skyscrapers, Almadel has set up shop. It’s expected, of course. He does this nearly every year. Sometimes, he makes a production of it, sometimes he’s straight forward.
It’s always a good time.
Four tables surround him this year, each covered in a dark purple tablecloth with extravagant embroidery.
Each table has an array of oddly shaped trinkets and baubles on display. A briefcase lay on the ground, just out of sight, and close to his chair.
A stranger to some, but not all, the merchant sat, fingers laced and elbows propped atop the table, and watched the city glimmer in the night.
As he always did, he arrived with the meteor shower.
Almadel had been particularly good this year. He hadn't arrived with any trouble. He hadn't broken anything, hadn't lost anything. He had, in fact, thought he deserved a few pats on the back and pleasant little treats for all the work he’d help put in to make sure Earth survived.
Sure, there was still a giant monster trapped a bit too close for comfort, but the important thing was that it had neither eaten Earth nor continued a path of destruction through the universe.
So, Almadel was here for good, clean business. And all the food and good company he could manage.
His eyes twinkled nearly as much as the stars in the sky.
Almadel had no energy signature of his own, but then, he didn’t need one. He’d been to this planet and others, and it only took a little help to get his customers running. On the edge of the table, closest to him, a little box was open and a tiny star hovered a few inches above the open box. It had an unmistakable aura--and it was calling to anyone who cared to listen.
He had a barrier in place--a strange, watery bubble that spanned fifty feet in all directions. The strange shield reflects light and has the unique ability to make it appear as though there's nothing inside--and, more than that, if he doesn't want to be disturbed, he can adjust the barrier so anyone attempting to enter it will pass straight through to the other side, as if they walked in a straight line through empty space. If this extra defense is in place, no one can pass through the barrier, nor can any light or sound.
Almadel hasn’t come to Earth looking for anything in particular this year. He’s just glad to see things are as lively as he remembers.
He hopes the people of Earth are as eager to make a trade as he is.
Destiny City was a metropolis that never slept. During all hours of the day and night, the city was alive and bustling. Even miles away, the sounds of the city carried on the wind. Forests hugged the city and hills of all sizes peppered the land the further out it went.
It was as much of a tourist trap as any major city could be expected to be--only, there was something a little extra special about it.
Destiny City was full of magic. So much so that their visitors came from all across the state, the country, the world.
The galaxy.
Atop a hill a mile and a half out of the major city and with a perfect view of the towering skyscrapers, Almadel has set up shop. It’s expected, of course. He does this nearly every year. Sometimes, he makes a production of it, sometimes he’s straight forward.
It’s always a good time.
Four tables surround him this year, each covered in a dark purple tablecloth with extravagant embroidery.
Each table has an array of oddly shaped trinkets and baubles on display. A briefcase lay on the ground, just out of sight, and close to his chair.
A stranger to some, but not all, the merchant sat, fingers laced and elbows propped atop the table, and watched the city glimmer in the night.
As he always did, he arrived with the meteor shower.
Almadel had been particularly good this year. He hadn't arrived with any trouble. He hadn't broken anything, hadn't lost anything. He had, in fact, thought he deserved a few pats on the back and pleasant little treats for all the work he’d help put in to make sure Earth survived.
Sure, there was still a giant monster trapped a bit too close for comfort, but the important thing was that it had neither eaten Earth nor continued a path of destruction through the universe.
So, Almadel was here for good, clean business. And all the food and good company he could manage.
His eyes twinkled nearly as much as the stars in the sky.
Almadel had no energy signature of his own, but then, he didn’t need one. He’d been to this planet and others, and it only took a little help to get his customers running. On the edge of the table, closest to him, a little box was open and a tiny star hovered a few inches above the open box. It had an unmistakable aura--and it was calling to anyone who cared to listen.
He had a barrier in place--a strange, watery bubble that spanned fifty feet in all directions. The strange shield reflects light and has the unique ability to make it appear as though there's nothing inside--and, more than that, if he doesn't want to be disturbed, he can adjust the barrier so anyone attempting to enter it will pass straight through to the other side, as if they walked in a straight line through empty space. If this extra defense is in place, no one can pass through the barrier, nor can any light or sound.
Almadel hasn’t come to Earth looking for anything in particular this year. He’s just glad to see things are as lively as he remembers.
He hopes the people of Earth are as eager to make a trade as he is.
