The harpy listened to the orc's explanation with interest, though, she had no context as to why someone was assassinated, or why the Knights were using it as a vie for power. Marking it as an example of human strangeness certainly didn't seem to be applicable, simply because this was the first she had ever heard of such a thing, let alone experienced it. She was even further confused when the Knight threatened to interrogate the blacksmith, who had so kindly granted them sanctuary, in a more violent manner than previous. The way that Knight acted was both unbecoming and undeserving of the title of Knight, and she knew full well that, whoever that man was, he was a Knight by title alone, and, despite her usual willingness to cooperate and aid the human law, she would not help him in his cruel endeavors, and, to ensure such a thing, Cecielle made a mental note of his voice, and all it's nuances, just in case.

However, her worries seemed to melt away the moment a talk of business and mercantilism was introduced into the conversation, and she turned to the orc, a smile plastered along her naturally alluring face as her eyes ignited with an almost-frightening passion, explaining, [color=FF0030]"You see, Mr. Orc, I'm not actually bringing anything by this season, I'm starting my rounds here. At the beginning of last season, I traded away the salt I had gotten from Stonecrest, a preservative that was in high demand during the colder months, when fish were scarce, and the need for keeping food from spoiling was far greater than it would be otherwise, for the money to begin again this year. I actually just got back from visiting my family in the mountains, taking a season off from the civilized world, and spending it with family. It was also the first time I didn't trade in some form of credit, so, I've got plenty of coin to start this year with."[/color]

She was careful not to reveal to much information about her route, as to not garner even further competition, but, other than that, Cecielle was happy to discuss the nuances of her travels, from her horse's favorite food, to the things she had seen across the lands of the Kingdom of Ebonfort. As they walked, she told them, rather excitedly, of the time a few years back when she had nearly lost everything during a crash in the tools market, where she had gotten greedy and believed the tales of the incredible harvest, which turned out to be mediocre at best, and how she was able to bring herself out of debt by a doing a trade which took her, not along the known roads, but through hunter and bandit trails between Ebonfort and Green Falls. It was her first trade in gold alone, and the first time she had played debtor. All in all, she loved the experience, but quickly informed them that, despite her enjoyment, she much rather preferred being a merchant.

Once they had arrived at the auction house, Cecielle's lack of non-talon weaponry would have been fairly apparent, though, she did allow them to check her pack, only to find a tightly-sealed lockbox with a master-crafted lock, and a few other mercantilistic devices, such as a scale, a ledger, several blank and signed contracts, a magnifying glass, a mirror, and so-on. Nothing that could be used as a weapon of any effectiveness. She paid her own silver as well, entering the auction hall, letting the sound and smell of business cascade across her, all the while sighing with the content of someone who had just arrived home. Her trance, though, was broken by the orc's question.

[color=FF0030]"Particular? No, not really. If I find any really good deals, then I'll probably pounce, but, if not, I'm still debating my next move. If the quality of the live fish market is good, I'll probably capitalize on that for the springtime fish markets in the capital, but, if it's lackluster, I might just skip Azure Strand. I got some good insight from my former master when I visited him last year about a great starting point. And, I still need to get my horse and cart from the place I paid to keep them. Dancing Goat, if the contract and I remember correctly. This auction, for me, anyway, is just a wonderful little detour, as I've never been to an underground auction before."[/color]