It's not a bad option after all... but the owner miscalculated with the auction, because he could have figured out such an obvious solution himself. After all, the Ottar doesn't care about auctions.
– If we sell it for twenty and split it in half, it comes out to ten each, – Blooddrinker whispered to his companion. – How about selling the book for the same ten, but you keep all the money? And instead of silver, I'll take one small item for medical purposes as a token of gratitude. And I won't have to run around the city anymore...
Mathematically, the offer should have sounded beneficial to the book's owner. He wouldn't lose anything compared to the original plan.
Added 3 minutes later
-- Just don't die, or I'll be the first suspect...
Voldemar sees a couple of shaggy men beating each other with swords on a pedestal, and another ten have gathered around, encouraging the fighters.
e si ieu muoir, er mi grans deliuriers