Seeker hurried back to his room, pulled a small pouch from his satchel, and emptied it into his palm. He counted: six gold, ten silver—plus the five silver from today. Seven gold in total. Then he headed to Jabal’s office and knocked twice.
“Come in.”
Seeker strode over and placed the pouch on Jabal’s desk. “Here’s the earnest money we agreed on for the land. Seven gold. It’s all there.”
“Yes,” he replied slowly. “You wanted Diligent’s land—on the edge of town?” He opened his binder, flipped to a page near the back, glanced at it, then looked up at Seeker. “I’m afraid that land is no longer available.”
“No. Longer. Available.” Seeker repeated the words slowly, as if trying to comprehend. “What do you mean, no longer available?”
“Just last week, a buyer purchased the land,” said Jabal. “He wishes to remain unnamed.”
“But…” Seeker stammered, “we had an agreement.”
“Yes, young Seeker, we did. Seven gold to secure the land—a generous offer for property valued at fifty. Things would have been different if we were having this conversation last week.”
“Surely, you can talk with the buyer. Make him understand how much I need that land—for Beautiful.”
“I am truly sorry, Seeker,” said Jabal. “I know how hard you’ve worked this past year. I only wish things could be different.”
“But you’re the mayor. There must be something you can do.”
“I’m afraid not. Even my hands are tied sometimes. But…” Jabal smiled easily. “This isn’t the only land in Delight.” He flipped to the next page. “There’s a plot right beside it—just as fine a view. Listed at seventy-five gold. Ten gold and eight silver would secure it.” He paused. “But for you, I’ll make it ten.”
“How do I know you won’t change the price again?” Seeker demanded.
“My dear sir!” Jabal sputtered. “Pray, control yourself. There’s no need to raise your voice.”
Seeker relaxed his hand—he hadn’t even realized it had clenched into a fist—and laid his palm flat on Jabal’s desk. “Forgive me, Jabal,” he said. “It’s just…”
Jabal waved a hand, then slid the binder across the desk and turned it to face Seeker. “Delight has other places to build.” He opened to the first page—neatly sketched plots of land filled the map of the village. He tapped a spot on the far side, away from the ravine. “I think you’ll find many lots suitable to your needs here.”
