Dusk envelopped the world, bathing the city of Synoro in the last embers of sunlight, painting the wooden walls of houses in pink, orange and yellow light. The inhabitants of the city were starting to retreat into their homes, no longer lingering outside once the dark claimed the streets. Outside the pallace, servants lit torches, illuminating the surroundings in the dancing light of the tamed flames. Herodotos and Telamon waited for a few moments, after which the servant girl came out again, ushering them in. Telamon grabbed the sack of shells from the cart and followed after the girl. Another servant took care of the cow and cart, ensuring no thieves would have their way.

  Herodotos nodded thankfully at the servant and hurried after his brother and the servant girl. The girl brought them into the pallace, navigating the winding corridors with confidence. While following, Telamon tried to memorise the path they took, creating a mental layout of the pallace. The halls were made of stone, though they lacked decoration and still had quite a few rough edges. Everything also appeared very new, as if it had been built only a few years ago.

  Finally stopping before a heavy set wooden door, the servant girl gestured at the door. "His lordship awaits you inside." Just when the girl was about to knock upon the door, Telamon stopped her. "Before you knock, could you please tell us, if there is anything we should keep in mind when meeting the lord?" The servant girl frowned, her small nose scrunched in confusion. "It's the same as meeting any other of the city lords." Telamon chuckled akwardly and spread his arms slightly. "You see, this is a bit embarresing to admit, but until now, we have only ever dealt with the advisors of lords and not the lords themselves. I would be greatly thankful if you could run down the most important things to keep in mind." The servant wore an incredulous look upon her face, before lightly touching her forehead. "Alright, where to start? First, when you enter make sure to bow to the lord and only get up or make eye contact when he allows you to. Second unless he gives you his name, you are to adress him only as 'your lordship' or 'your highness'. Third, you only speak when spoken to. I hope I don't have to remind you, to always have a respectful attitude when speaking with the lord." Telamon nodded diligently, while commiting everything to memory, meanwhile Herodotos' head was spinning from the sudden onslaught of information.

  The servant girl let out a breath and turned once more towards the door. "Are the two of you ready?" Telamon grunted affirmitive, while Herodotos stiffly nodded. Three loud thumps came from the heavy set wooden door, as the girl's knuckles rapped against the firm surface. "Yes?" A gruff and somewhat tired voice sounded from the other side of the door. The girl opened the door slightly, creating the smallest crack, allowing the occupant to see the ones who disturbed the peace. "My lord, the two merchants have arrived." Telamon peered over the shoulder of the girl, seeing a thin and guant man with a trimmed beard and rings around his eyes, seated at the far end of the study in a large wooden chair, over which several furs and pelts had been draped. In front of the man stood a wooden table, the surface of which was littered with wax tablets. Telamon didn't recognize them, for he had never seen such tablets before, but he recognized them to be implements to store knowledge. On one side of the room, carved into the stone wall, were several strange lines and shapes.

  The man beckoned the girl to enter, while sizing the two brothers up. "Please enter, merchants from distant lands. I heard you've got a few wares that would be of use for me." Saying so, the man beckoned the brothers in. After entering, Telamon bowed, leaving his brother scrambling to match the gesture. Telamon spoke up while still bowed. "It is indeed as you say, your lordship. We hope to be of assistence in your expeditions." The young girl, who was now standing in a corner of the room, furrowed her brows, while the lord let out an amused chuckle. "Is that so? Then let's speak clearly. What is it you've brought and what is your price? You may rise now." Telamon and Herodotos straightened their backs, only now noticing the icy glare coming from the servant girl in the corner of the room. Telamon flashed an akward smile and spread his hands in an amicable gesture.

  "The price of a merchant's wares fluctuate depending on the location and current needs of the people. Let's not talk about price for now and talk about something else." The lord narrowed his eyes and a slight glint appeared within his eyes. Raising one hand, he stroked his beard while answering. "I see that you're truly a merchant. Very well, I shall indulge you. What is it you wish to speak of?" Telamon's mouth curved ever so slightly, yet he made sure to hide his expression quickly. The servant girl, who was still standing in the corner, deepend her frown. Telamon spoke up with a theatrical flair. "When travelling through your city, my companion and I couldn't help but marvel at your city. Considering how young it is, it has grown at an incredible rate." The man sitting in the wooden chair motioned for Telamon to hurry with his statement with a roll of his hand. "If you wish to simply lay flattery, then I'll have to stop you right there. I don't need another yes-man." Telamon did a small bow and apologized.

  "Of course, your lordship. While it is undeniably impressive how grand the city has become, it is also true that there are still... issues that need to be resolved." The lord dropped the hand from his chin and glanced at Telamon. "If you're referring to the mass immigration, then I'm afraid to tell you, that I've already signed an agreement with a different merchant, to provide all of their needs. I only require the materials to host another expedition, nothing more." The lord placed special emphasis upon the last two words. Telamon nodded his head solemnly, before once more continuing to speak. "I've heard that the settlers come from the capital and northern city under her Majesty's order. What is your opinion of that?" The lord glanced briefly at the servant, still standing in the corner, now practically sending nonverbal death threats with her glares, before looking pointedly back at the disguised merchants.

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  "My allegiences lie with her Majesty. I do what I must." Telamon nodded emphatically. "And these expeditions are also orginized under order of her Majesty." The lord narrowed his eyes, while maintaining a brief silence. "I do as the Queen decrees. Now cease asking these questions, and get down to the heart of the matter." Telamon nodded hastily, before pulling out a small leather pouch. "Before we start, let me gift you something." Saying so, he extended the pouch over to the lord. The pouch floated out of his hands and landed in the hands of the city lord. "These are shells brought over from the far east. They can be found upon the border where the endless water meets the land." The lord nodded his head while listening to Telamon's explenaition and spilled the contents of the pouch out on his desk. Small white and sand coloured shells littered the desk.

  Telamon glanced at the servant girl in the corner of the room, before hesitating. Finally mustering the courage, he spoke up once more. "There is another thing we wish to gift you. It's a stone tablet from the far eastern shore, detailing the process the people there use to catch fish in large numbers. My companion always carries it with him." Herodotos was startled to be suddenly called upon and sent a questioning look at his brother. Telamon turned to his brother and sent him a meaningful gaze. He then glanced at his back, where he stored their father's stone tablets. Understanding dawned upon Herodotos's face, yet it soon turned to disbelief, however once he saw his brother's gaze and his subtle nod, he slowly reached beneath his cloak and produced one of the tablets.

  The lord watched on with slight confusion and spoke up. "If you're talking about the new practice of using large nets, then I'll have to inform you that we already possess this knowledge." Telamon glanced at the servant girl, who was still watching vigilantly, and spoke to the city lord. "The technology recorded in these tablets is something entirely new." The lord, still seemingly skeptical, floated the tablet to his desk and glanced briefly over the tablet. After a cursory glance, his eyes widened and his hand stopped mid beard stroke. The lord slowly exhaled, carefully placing the tablet face down. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the servant girl still in the room, before closing his eyes. He suddenly opened them and sent an intense glare at Telamon.

  "Do you know what this is?" Telamon nodded his head. "Advanced fishing techniques, your lordship. Nothing more." The last two words were said while subtly gesturing at the servant girl. The lord nodded his head, his movements careful and deliberate. "And where, if I may ask, did you acquire this tablet?" Telamon gestured to his companion. "It was his father who gave us the tablet. His father is also the one who wrote it." The lord's eyes narrowed. "And can you tell me more about your father?" Suddenly on the spot, Herodotos broke out in cold sweat. Telamon was quick to step in and continue. "You see, your lordship, his father isn't actually his blood father. His bloodfather was a good friend of his current father, so after his blood father's death, his current father took him in as his own. As he did with me." The lord let out a thoughtful hum.

  "And this father, is he here with you in the city?" Telamon helplessly shook his head. "We departed rather quickly, so we are unaware of his whereabouts. He told us to meet him here, but we couldn't find him anywhere within this city." The lord nodded his head while contemplating Telamon's words. Finally he stood up and walked over to Telamon and Herodotos. Standing before Herodotos, he extended his hand, startling both Herodotos and the servant girl. "A long time ago, before I was the city lord of Synoro, your father helped me and my own a great deal. I would recognize his writing anywhere. You may call me Zander. It's been rude of me, but I haven't yet asked for your names." Saying so, he firmly shook Herodotos hand, disregarding the protesting look upon the servant's face.

  After breaking out of his daze, Herodotos nodded his head and flashed a broad smile. "I'm Herodotos. And he is Telamon." Saying so, he gestured at his brother. The lord muttered under his breath, "So it truly is you." just quiet enough, so that the servant couldn't hear it. After shaking Herodotos' hand, he shook Telamon's hand. "Well now that we have introduced ourselves, let's talk about-" Before Zander could finish his sentence, a heavy knock interrupted him. Furrowing his brow, he called for the interloper to enter. Once the door swung open, a breathless Esdras entered the room, before hurrying to Zander's side. Leaning into his ear, he whispered, yet Telamon could faintly make out a few words.

  "Your lordship, His Highness Aster has come from the capital on a surprise visit. He is in the guest room right now, but apparently there are important things he needs to discuss with you." Zander's gaze flitted to the two brothers, before nodding his head. "Very well. Apologies, Herodotos and Telamon, but I must depart. We shall continue our talks tomorrow. I hope you understand." There was a deeper cadence to the last few words, as if lord Zander was hinting at something deeper. Telamon and Herodotos exchanged glances, before nodding and expressing their understanding. A feeling of foreboding overcame Telamon, but he did well to hide it.