"I'm not looking for any particular item of yours Wilhelm. I'm a little
more interested in what you know. Rumor has it that you're an
information dealer as well. I happen to be in need of information and,
of course, I'm willing to pay for it."
Wilhelm raised an eyebrow.
Not everyday that someone came to him asking for information rather
than his one-of-a-kind products. On one hand, it held the possibility of
being far more dangerous than just dealing rare goods. Whenever he gave
information away, his clients always had an intention to do
something with it, usually something that wasn't always good. Last time
he helped gather information for a client, he was almost thrown into a
scandal with a noble's family. More than he wanted to deal with in one
lifetime. On the other hand, information was material-less. It was
almost like trading air for money.
Lorena continued, "Her name is
Phsara Ikarvoi. She's a potion maker as well as a philosopher. Perhaps
you have heard of her?" She leaned forward, tossing a book to the table.
"Phsara
Ikarvoi." Wilhelm knitted his eyebrows together as he took the book up
in his hands. He opened it, scanning through the pages while his mind
tried to decide whether or not he should go ahead and take this job.
"Not
a very popular author, I'm afraid. Last I heard, she retreated into
some mountain somewhere and disappeared from the face of Gaea. I'd like
to have a nice long chat with her. Would you happen to know where she
is?"
Wilhelm lifted his head from the book, locking eyes with
Lorena's smiling face. The words 'nice long chat' usually inspired
thoughts of violence, but Lorena didn't look anywhere as fit to pummel
anyone. He could only assume she was being honest with her wish.
He
returned her grin with a practiced one of his own and returned the book
to the table. "Phsara Ikarvoi. She's not a popular author because she
only releases one copy of her handwritten books. Among philosophers,
she's become a must-read, though most don't even know of her name. This
book is one of the first where she actually printed her name on the
spine. Among chemists, she is a master. It is most practicioners of
medicine and alchemy's dream to have a chance to speak to this woman."
His grin became more genuine, but not quite as warm as a smile would be.
If anything, he started to have that mischievous look in his eyes.
"Fortunately, you've come to the right place. I do know of an Ikarvoi.
The Ikarvoi I know of is a hermit. Would this be the same Ikarvoi that
you are looking for?"
He sat up straight. "Given the rarity of
this information, the price is 300 gold." He crossed his legs, folding
his hands over his knees and leaned back in the couch. It was
exorbitantly expensive for so little information, but Wilhelm had his
own reasons for charging such a high price for the location of the
philosopher. That and the key to bargaining information was to set the
price high. If the client wanted it badly enough, she wouldn't have much
choice but to accept the terms. If the client wanted it badly enough.
"Oh,"
Wilhelm cocked his head, tapping his chin with one finger. "But
unfortunately, information alone will not be enough to get you to her.
She knows the perfect way to hide her home from people. The only reason
no one knows where she is is because of those very wards. For an extra
bonus, I can guide you to where she is."