The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the rolling hills as we crossed the border into the Northern Empire. The air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and the distant murmur of a flowing river.

  The journey from Syronea had been fraught with tension, but here, the landscape seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The border villages we passed through were surprisingly well-kept, their cobblestone streets lined with sturdy timber-framed houses. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the sound of children laughing echoed through the air.

  It was a stark contrast to the ragged, war-torn settlements we had encountered between the Aserai and the Western Empire in the past.

  Sora rode beside me, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "These villages are too peaceful for border towns," she remarked, her voice tinged with suspicion. "Something feels different."

  I nodded in agreement. "Perhaps the clashes between the Northern Empire and the Southern Empire have eased up in recent years."

  Abda, being the pragmatist one in the group, grunted from behind us. "Peace or not, we’ve got goods to sell and a contract to secure. Let’s not waste time."

  The city of Myzea loomed ahead, its high stone walls and watchtowers standing as a testament to the empire’s might. The gates were bustling with activity—merchants hawking their wares, soldiers patrolling the perimeter, and travellers from all corners of the realm seeking refuge or opportunity.

  The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread wafted through the air, mingling with the less pleasant odours of sweat and livestock. Myzea was alive, a city that thrived despite the chaos gripping the northern lands.

  We dismounted at the city gates, where a pair of guards scrutinized our papers. One of them, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, eyed our caravan with suspicion. "What’s your business in Myzea?" he demanded.

  "Trade," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "We’ve come to sell goods from the Southern Empire."

  The guard grunted, his eyes lingering on Nathanos and his imposing frame. "You’ll need to pay the toll. And don’t think about setting up shop without the proper permits."

  I handed over a pouch of coins, careful to include a few extra denars as a bribe. The guard’s demeanour softened slightly, and he waved us through. As we made our way into the city, Sora leaned in close. "Daylight robbery," she muttered. "These officials are no better than the Hidden Hand."

  I couldn’t argue with her. The corruption was blatant, but it was a necessary evil if we wanted to operate within the city’s walls. We found a suitable spot in the market square and began setting up our stall. The process was tedious, requiring more bribes and paperwork than I cared to deal with. By the time we were ready to open, the sun was high in the sky, and the market was teeming with potential customers.

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  Our goods—tools, silks, and grains from the Southern Empire—sold quickly. The Northern Empire’s scarcity of food had driven prices up, and the people of Myzea were eager to stock up. As I haggled with a merchant over a bolt of fine silk, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. We were turning a profit, and that was a rare win in these uncertain times.

  But our success was not without its challenges. The constant raids by the Sturgians had left the northern farmlands barren, and the empire was struggling to feed its people. The government had implemented measures to address the crisis.

  They put up a maximum selling price restriction on all the food items. Even after the restriction we were making profits. The government was purchasing grain at fixed prices and hiring escorts to transport it to the northern towns. It was a system ripe for exploitation, and I intended to take full advantage.

  As the day wore on, I found myself reflecting on our journey. We had come a long way since our misadventures in Syronea, but the road ahead was still uncertain. The Hidden Hand’s influence loomed large, and our enemies in the Southern Empire were never far from my thoughts. We needed a plan, a way to secure our future in this volatile world.

  That evening, as we gathered in a dimly lit tavern to discuss our next move, we estimated that it will take us hardly a couple of days to sell our goods in the town. We then started discussing about the future plans.

  Sora laid out a map on the table. "If we want to attend our friend’s marriage we have two options," she began giving Nathanos a teasing look while her finger traced a line from Myzea to Elefethroi Castle. "We can take the direct route through Syronea, but that would mean risking another encounter with the Hidden Hand. Or we can take the longer path through the East, where we will have to move through Khuzait territory."

  Nathanos leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "I say we avoid Syronea. We’ve made enough enemies as it is."

  I nodded in agreement. "The eastern route it is. But first, I wanted to let you guys know about an opportunity to earn easy money. I am sure Abda would like to explain it in detail"

  Abda, who had been quietly sipping her ale, spoke up. "I’ve heard the merchant guild in Myzea is hiring mercenaries to supply some aid in a castle in north East. We could approach them tomorrow to get that contract".

  I continued “We might have to travel a little more but it's easy money as sturgians won’t raid a settlement that’s already been raided.”

  As the conversation continued, I found my thoughts drifting to Silvana. She had been quiet since we entered Myzea, her sharp eyes always scanning the crowd. She was like this since we left Syronea. Probably the encounter with hidden hand left a mark on her. I made a mental note to speak with her later, to ensure she was holding up under the pressure.

  The tavern grew louder as the night wore on, the air thick with the smell of ale and the sound of raucous laughter. But amidst the chaos, I found a moment of clarity. We were a team, bound together by circumstance and necessity. We had our strengths and our weaknesses, but together, we had a chance to carve out a place in this unforgiving world. I raised my tankard in a silent toast to my companions,