The emerald blazed like green fire in the shop window, drawing Railstor's attention from the fine lunch he'd been contemplating. He pushed open the door and went directly to the necklace. "It'll match her eyes perfectly," he murmured.

"My name is Tobias, sir, may I be of assistance?" the voice of the clerk broke his reverie.
"Let me see this necklace closer," Railstor demanded.

"Certainly, sir," Tobias stammered. He reached over and brought out the gem encrusted necklace and laid it on a bed of black velvet on the counter. "Beautiful, isn't it? You're Legate Railstor Tertion, aren't you? I must say, it's certainly an honor to have you here. Your wi-"
"Yes, yes. How much is it?" interrupted the Legate.

The clerk named a price that would have bankrupted the average man, but Railstor was no average man. As Legate to the city of Bromean, capital of Medolia,he controlled the financial affairs of both the city and its governing body. His salary alone would have made him one of the richest men in town, but business and real estate deals elevated his fortune to a princely figure.

He reached for his purse, and counted the coins there. "I don't have quite enough on me," he said. "Can you start me an account?" he asked, confident that his name alone would bring him credit.
"Why yes sir," Tobias said. "As I was saying your-"

"Fine. Wrap this up, and send the bill to my office. My office, mind you, not my home. I don't take care of business at home," he said, taking the package and leaving as abruptly as he'd come.

Tobias looked at the other clerk. "So that's Carmendria's husband," he said. "I tried to tell him she'd had an account here for years."

"Doesn't she have blue eyes?" asked the other clerk.

"She does indeed. And she only wears sapphires and diamonds."