"Stonehaven, the Appraisal skill is absolutely out of the question. We can discuss other possibilities, find another way."
The moment Marcus turned to leave, the Appraiser darted forward, catching his arm before he could take another step. Inside, the man was fuming, the urge to punch Marcus so sharp he nearly lost control, but he plastered on a bright, strained smile, refusing to let a single flicker of his irritation show.
'Discuss what?' Marcus couldn't imagine what other "possibilities" the man thought existed. If Appraisal was off the table, there was nothing to negotiate. He wondered if the Appraiser had lost his mind, or had always been this dense. As the only Grandmaster Appraiser on the entire Dreamland Continent, teaching one measly skill should've been effortless. Refusing just made him look completely insincere; especially when he still had the nerve to ask for the Dark Violet Sky Dragon's blood.
