The crowd around me buzzed with excitement after Elder Foster departed. The merchant who had just moments ago been ready to reject my Breakthrough Pill now looked at me with something approaching reverence.
"Mr. Knight," he said, bowing deeply, "I must apologize for doubting you. Please forgive my ignorance."
I tucked the Best Thin Armor securely into my bag, feeling its lightweight material fold easily against my other possessions. "No need for apologies. You were simply being cautious."
"Still, I nearly made a terrible mistake." The merchant wrung his hands anxiously. "Had Elder Foster not appeared, I would have rejected a masterpiece of alchemy!"
People crowded closer, trying to get a better look at me. After Elder Foster's endorsement, I had become an overnight sensation at the Herbs Convention.
"Is it true you refined that pill with your bare hands?"
"Are you really not a member of the Celestial Apothecary Guild?"
"Would you be willing to sell some of your pills?"
