Each of the employees had a small two-wheeled cart loaded to the brim with packages. The young arcanist couldn’t avoid overhearing the conversation between the merchant and the guard.

-Do you have your papers?- The guard asked. -We need the authorization from your Vicus Magister, the signature, and seal of the Highborn sponsor of your business, and the travel pass signed by all the checkpoints from… where did you say you were coming from?-

-From Ora, we bring many important products requested by Chalearii Aemil- The merchant attempted to talk but was quickly interrupted by the guard.

-Shut it, I don’t want to hear your life story, I want your documentation.- The guard’s tone was cutting. And he seemed he could be down to cutting down whoever didn’t comply. 

-Sorry, h-here you go.- The merchant rushed to produce the paperwork, extending it to the guard who reviewed it, passing each paper to his partner who also read them through.

The first guard pointed out a section in one of the documents and extended it towards the merchant, right on his face. -Why are you missing the signature and seal of the Luto’s checkpoint?-

The merchant grabbed the paper, checking it himself as the guard gestured his comrades behind his back, catching their attention. All slowly placed their hands over their weapons and looked towards the merchant group.

-But I… it’s just a single checkpoint. We passed through the city at night, nobody that could sign was awake, right?- The merchant looked back, trying to get support from the carriers, who couldn’t do anything. 

-I don’t care, go back and get the checkpoint signature, then obtain the signatures of all the other checkpoints again on the way back, those are the new rules, I didn’t make them, I just enforce them.- The guard spoke coldly.

-I’m going to lose a fortune. I need to deliver this, I was commissioned to do it before the second week of Viridis.- The merchant lamented to the guard, trying to convince him. He even went to his knees, pleading. -Please, I need to deliver this or I will be ruined.-

-I think you didn’t hear me the first time.- The guard loomed ominously over the merchant, his hand grasping the hilt of his sheathed weapon. -I don’t care, now scram, before I make you regret coming here even more.- 

The merchant gasped and fell backward, crawling away. -Sorry, I’m leaving, sorry, don’t hurt me.- Sniveling as he backed off, the merchant finally stood up with the help of his laborers and began to leave, his head down while mumbling. But somebody stopped him from leaving.

The leading man of the second group in the queue, a tall and lean man with black hair, white on the temples, and a bushy beard walked over the merchant and placed his hand over his shoulder.

He was dressed very elegantly, but without being ostentatious. He had a slight limp, walking with a simple wooden cane with a bluish metallic handle. 

-My friend, a moment of your time, please.- He spoke with a strange accent Novus couldn’t place, his voice sounded more like a song than just plain speech.

-Sorry, but I can’t spare a second here, maybe I can go back to Luto and back fast enough to reach my deadline.- The merchant shook off the hand of the man with the cane.

-I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, but I think I can give you a solution to your problem.- The man with a cane smiled, brimming with confidence. -Are you interested?-

-Yes?- Hope shone brightly in the eyes of the merchant. This delivery would make or break his fledgling business, mining materials out of the stone spires of the Harisse Sea, quite the costly and dangerous task, as the stone spires were surrounded by unpredictable whirlpools and currents.

-I’ll buy your stock and deliver it myself. My paperwork is perfectly fine, so I’ll get in.- The man with the cane offered his hand to the merchant who rushed to grasp it.

-You will?- He shook the hand of his savior with both hands, he couldn’t believe his luck.

-For 20% less of the actual price.- The man with the cane added, his smile widening slyly. The merchant’s enthusiasm went down a couple of levels

-20%? Maybe just 10%? I really need as much money as I can right now, this is my first big sale.- He pointed at his laborers. -I don’t even have money to buy Acrillas to pull my carts, I had to recruit my family.- The merchant was pleading, hoping that his benefactor would have a surplus of kindness for him.

The man with the cane let out a nostalgic sigh. -I remember those times, like when I started in the business.- The merchant smiled, thinking he hit a soft spot. -But alas I’m also working, so I cannot just take a risk without a chance of making a profit, you understand that, right, my young friend?-

The merchant stroked his chin, meditating on his savior’s words. -How about 15%?- He asked smiling innocently.

-You know what, just because you crossed this whole Kingdom on your first big delivery, I’ll buy it at 15% less and not a Monet more, because I respect your entrepreneurial spirit.- The man with the cane extended his hand, this time as a way to seal the deal. The merchant couldn’t be happier to shake it.

-Thank you so much, sir…- The Merchant left it hanging, so the man with a cane would introduce himself. 

-I’m Sema Taxidi, my good sir, it has been my pleasure making business with you.- Sema took a small bow as the merchant quickly drafted a contract on parchment, using a fancy pen, unlike any Novus had seen before.

As the merchant and Sema signed the contract and exchanged money, the laborers carried the carts towards Sema’s crew.

Novus, who unlike the merchant could see the big picture from his position, noticed when one of Sema’s men slipped a bag to one of the laborers, who quickly hid it inside his jacket.

It didn’t take long for the merchant and his workers to vacate the area, leaving Sema right in front of the line. The merchant was all smiles as he approached the guard, who attempted to ask for the paperwork, but Sema just gave him a slip of parchment.

The guard read it and without losing a second allowed them to pass, opening the gate.

-Nice day we’re having, right sir?- He asked cheekily to the Ensis sitting atop the watchtower, who just replied with a smirk and a nod. Sema looked as if he had done this a hundred times, ignoring the tense atmosphere and the high alertness of the guards.

Novus, after witnessing such an underhanded deal, wanted to say something, but he wisely decided he had more than enough drama for one day and just approached the guard, showing his permits, and was allowed passage towards The Chain, to begin the ascent towards the Royal Castle.