The morning light arrived beneath clear skies, the previous day's rainfall leaving the valley looking washed clean and vibrant. Sunlight glimmered upon every leaf, while the streams winding through Bloodstone sparkled like ribbons of polished glass. Farmers returned to their fields and merchants reopened their stalls, allowing the village to resume its rhythm as though the storm had never passed.
Yet beneath this peaceful routine, careful observations continued. The merchant stood in the marketplace with a basket of fresh apples resting beside his stall, lowering his prices until they were nearly half of what every other merchant charged. Predictably, curious customers gathered around his wares, sensing an unusual opportunity.
