The caravan yard felt alive even at dawn Horses snorted as handlers fitted harnesses Traders stacked crates and repaired canvas covers Children ran between wagons carrying messages for their parents The yard was a place of motion and promise and Kane felt his chest tighten with anticipation He had enough coin to take a real step forward and he would not waste it

He walked slowly along rows of wagons studying each one with careful eyes Some were polished bright Some were loaded with fine cloth Some were guarded by armed escorts He knew he could not afford anything too new or too elaborate He needed something reliable with enough strength to carry goods across long dusty roads

After almost giving up Kane found a wagon with faded blue paint and wheels thick enough to handle rough terrain An old man with sun tanned skin sat beside it carving a wooden peg His beard was long and white and his eyes sharp but kind

You looking at my wagon or the scratches on it the man asked

Kane smiled Just the wagon sir It looks experienced

Experienced The man let out a gentle laugh That is a polite word for old But she is strong She has crossed deserts and mountains and she still rolls straight If you treat her with respect she will take you far

Kane studied the frame He pressed his hand to the wood and felt no weakness The wheels turned smoothly The axles had been repaired many times but each repair looked solid Kane knew this wagon had a story and he wanted to become part of it

How much Kane asked

The man looked him up and down measuring his sincerity Eight silver pieces and she is yours

Kane felt his breath pause The price was fair maybe more than fair but still heavy He checked his pouch then glanced at the old man again The man watched him with a sense of understanding You look like a young man who works hard and dreams far I will give her to you for seven silver pieces

Kane nodded with gratitude and paid The man placed the reins into Kane’s hands with a quiet sense of ceremony Take good care of her child And remember the road is patient but not kind

Kane loaded his belongings onto the wagon and felt a pride he had never known before He now had a tool A beginning A future on wheels

He bought rope empty crates sacks and simple supplies He harnessed a brown horse with the help of a stable boy The horse looked worn but steady like the wagon itself Kane whispered gentle words to settle its nerves and then climbed onto the front seat feeling the wood under him like a promise

As he guided the wagon toward the road he noticed again a man wearing the gold circle of the Royal Commerce Guild The man pretended to examine crates but Kane felt the gaze piercing him He did not know why the guild cared about a small time vendor He did not know the frostroot rumor had already spread

Kane took his wagon onto the open road The wheels rolled smoothly and the landscape widened Caravans passed him Merchants greeted him Travelers shared short conversations Each person carried a piece of the world with them Kane felt as if he were collecting knowledge with every mile

He camped by a river that night He cooked a simple stew then listened to the sound of water running over rocks The sky stretched wide above him full of stars He felt alone yet powerful He had chosen this path

The next day trouble found him A group of rough men stood across the road One raised a hand We take a toll for safe passage

Kane kept his voice calm I paid the bridge keeper already

Not his toll Our toll

Kane scanned the men four of them strong and rough They could easily rob him He needed to think fast He reached into the wagon pulled out a pouch of herbs and held it out These help with stomach sickness Useful for travelers

The leader acted suspicious but let one of his men test it The man tasted a pinch and nodded with approval The leader smirked We take this as toll Get moving little merchant

Kane drove the wagon forward keeping his pace steady Only after several minutes did he allow himself to breathe out He had saved his coin and protected his wagon with a clever trade

By dusk he reached a small town The lanterns glowed warm People gathered at market stalls and children chased each other Kane rested his wagon near a stable and explored the place searching for goods worth carrying north

An elderly woman selling dried berries caught his attention She waved him over You look like a trader child These berries help travelers breathe better in cold nights Good value if you take them north

Kane examined the berries They were firm fragrant and carefully dried He bought two sacks She added extra handfuls for good luck Kane thanked her sincerely

When he returned to the wagon night had fallen He was about to rest when he noticed a folded note tucked under the wheel His heartbeat quickened He pulled it out A seal marked with the golden circle of the Royal Commerce Guild pressed into the wax

Inside was a short message

We know about the frostroot We do not like surprises

Kane felt a chill move down his back but he also felt something else determination The guild had noticed him which meant he was no longer invisible His choice was simple Move carefully but move forward He folded the note and placed it in his pack

He sat beside his wagon under the quiet night sky letting the cool air settle his thoughts The road ahead would be full of danger risk and opportunity He had a wagon goods and a dream That was enough to begin

Tomorrow he would trade again meet new people cross new roads and push himself farther The world was wide and Kane would carve his path through it one deal at a time