Marcus and Old Vine quickly settled on the auction price and completed the remaining paperwork without further delay. Once everything was finalized, Marcus left the rest of the arrangements to the auctioneer. He then reached into his inventory and took out the Mythic Artifact, the Ironwood Staff.
"Old Vine, this is the Ironwood Staff Firebrand mentioned," Marcus said, holding it out. "I was supposed to give it to them after the fight yesterday, but we had a small disagreement that got in the way."
"No, Stone," Old Vine replied immediately, waving his hand. "I know Icefall and Firebrand's temperaments well. They're spoiled, both of them. They must have been in the wrong. I can't let them take something like this from you for free. Name a price, you absolutely have to be compensated."
His refusal was firm and sincere, his tone carrying a clear sense of generosity rather than negotiation.
