The twelve carts were ready for Sam when he arrived at the warehouse. There were six guards along with them. An assistant was waiting for him.

“You need to get this paper signed from Sicily when you return.” Sam kept the paper in his paper box. Soon, the merchant caravan was ready. Sam and the six guards took the carts to the desert outpost 332.

Sitting in his cart, the rest of the journey was straight. Since within the province, there were very few bandits due to tight security. Outpost 322 was the final border of the asura kingdom.

Sam was more delighted with the journey. He wanted to buy desert salt from the village Sicily mentioned ever since he found out that it was an alchemical ingredient. It sold for many folds outside the Singala province.

In just three days, they arrived at the outpost. Sicily was waiting near the gate as if she knew they were coming.

“She sent you back?”, Sicily didn’t appear surprised.

“I got paid a silver for it.”

“Just a silver? You should have asked more. The least commission is 5% of the products transported.”

‘5%?’. Sam stared at the cargo that was behind him. There was at least 3000 silver worth.

“It can't be helped if you helped you are new to this. Don’t get tricked next time.”

‘No wonder she trusted an F class merchant with the delivery.’

“Here, I signed the content. The carts are still sealed, so there is no need to check the count.”

‘Sealed?’

Looking at Sam’s confused appearance, Sicily continued.

“You didn’t know? Since it’s our guild, we don’t fool the new merchants but verify the content next time. A lot of merchants went bankrupt due to false loss claims”.

“Thank you.” ‘You still tricked me of 150 silver’. I kept that to myself.

“I assume you are heading for the village with your cart? Do me a favor and take these carts with you too. Fill it up, seal it, and drop it at the warehouse. You can collect the commission from the warehouse. This should help you recover some of your lost money.” Sicily pushed another paper towards Sam. I went through the contract. It has a few blank spots that were to be filled at the salt warehouse.

Sam thanked Sicily and pushed his cart south. The rest followed. The path carved through the desert was narrow. Often it became too small and the cart rocked due to uneven terrain.

The few guards he had were never interested in talking. They mostly kept to themselves. In two hours, they arrived at the warehouse. The salt looked like common sand but finer. It had a small glow. Sam gave them his merchant employee card and asked them for the carts be filled. Seeing Sicily’s seal on the contract, the manager filled the twelve carts immediately. The cost of a sack of salt was one silver. With each cart carrying 20 sacks, that was worth over 240 silver.

’12 silver in commission’. Sam had a happy smile. He bought two sacks for himself and paid an extra 2 silver. He went through the contract and made sure everything was correct. On her way back, Sam said goodbye to Sicily and thanked her for the offer. The return journey was as boring as before.

He left the cart at the warehouse of the merchant guild and received his commission of 13 silver. The rank on his ID updated to class D. this allowed him to take a commission up to 8%.

Finally free of his obligations and with 21 silvers in his pocket, Sam decided to explore the city.

Fermore was not a civilian city. There were too few civilians in the city. Most were here to visit family or request aid. As such the city wasn't pretty. Being a military city, almost no one could enter it without an official pass. Further, there were strict restrictions on trade and most of it was dealt with by the merchant guilds.

For an aspiring merchant like Sam, this isn't ideal. He had an urge to move as fast as possible. With such thoughts, Sam went looking for the merchant guild.

On the way, he was stopped again, this time by someone from the cathedral.

"Lady Lucy requests your presence."

"I was going to meet her."

'What's this about?'

While it sounded polite, the attitude the guard had meant it wasn't optional. With almost no choice, Sam was forced back to the cathedral with his cart.

This time Sam was escorted to the inner chamber. Lucy was waiting for her dressed in another sky blue gown.' Was this a dress code?'

"Sam, when did you last bath?"

'Do I stink?' Sam's face twitched as he started smelling his shoulder.

"Don't tell me you forgot! I asked cause you had the same clothes on. At least, get another pair".

After a short pause, Lucy continued. "Sam, I am a diviner. Yesterday I got a message. It asked you to travel to otto city as soon as possible."

"Otto City? Where is that?"

"It's in the northern part of Singala. If you are fast, you could take a month by cart."

"Any idea who requested it?"

"No. I can't tell that apart. But most of the ones that communicate with us are diviners. It might be your God."

Otto was a civilian city. It was also the largest in the province apart from the capital. Otto was a favorite place for traders.

"I will start as soon as possible. I was planning to travel east today. I even bought two sacks of desert salt."

"Desert salt? They usually sell for 8-10 silver a sack in Otto. Wait a second. I will write an introduction for you. It will help you to make connections fast. Also, meet Silvia when you are there. She is an alchemist so she will buy it off you straight."

Sam after a few minutes collected an introduction letter and the address from Lucy.

'Why are they all women?'