The next morning arrived with a quiet gray sky and Kane woke with the uneasy feeling of someone who had not fully rested His hand moved to the note from the Royal Commerce Guild before he even opened his eyes The wax seal had cracked the night before and the words inside still echoed in his mind We know about the frostroot We do not like surprises

Kane set the note beside him He was not foolish He knew the Guild controlled most trade routes inside the empire They had the wealth the guards the caravans and the eyes to see everything Kane was a small merchant with a secondhand wagon and a single horse Yet he felt a steady fire rise in his chest He would not let fear decide his path

He packed his camp loaded the new sacks of dried berries and guided the wagon out of the small town The road ahead was a winding trail leading east toward a larger trade hub called Riverbend Crossing Kane had heard stories about it It was a place where deals were made fortunes built and caravans from north and south met like crossing rivers

The wagon wheels rumbled over uneven dirt Kane listened to every sound The world seemed bigger today as if the sky stretched wider and the hills rolled farther He passed other travelers Some greeted him Some ignored him But every new face reminded him how long the road truly was

Around midday he saw a guard post ahead Two men in leather armor stood beside a wooden signpost They waved at travelers checking wagons and cargo Kane slowed his horse The guards stepped forward one with a calm expression the other with a heavy stare

What goods are you carrying one of them asked

Dried berries cloth rope and basic supplies Kane answered evenly

The guard nodded then circled the wagon He lifted a sack glanced inside then dropped it back into place He moved with the easy confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times When he returned to Kane he asked Is this your first time heading toward Riverbend

Kane hesitated before answering Yes first trip

The guard’s expression softened slightly Many young traders head that way Some return with profit Some do not Watch yourself The Crossing has opportunity and danger in equal measure

Kane thanked him then continued forward His mind replayed the guard’s tone It carried warning but also a hint of respect

By late afternoon Kane reached a wide field where caravans rested A group of merchants had created a temporary camp Horses grazed wagons formed rough circles and fires crackled Kane guided his wagon near the edge and decided to join them for the night

He greeted a woman arranging bolts of cloth beside her wagon She looked up with a friendly nod Are you traveling alone

For now Kane said

She gave a thoughtful hum Careful on the road A solo wagon attracts attention from those who want easy coin

Kane understood She pointed to a tall man hammering a wheel rim That is Dorn a wagon repairer He saves lives more often than healers Go ask him to look at your wheels He will tell you if your wagon can survive the Crossing

Kane approached Dorn who lifted his eyes with mild curiosity You want a check

Please Kane answered

Dorn inspected the wheels the axles the bolts even the boards at the bottom of the wagon He grunted several times sometimes with approval sometimes with concern Finally he straightened and wiped his hands

She can travel but the left wheel will need a new peg soon The road east is rocky Keep that in mind Do not push her too hard

Thank you Kane said genuinely

Dorn shrugged Pay me with information if you hear anything interesting Trade rumors are more useful than silver sometimes

Kane returned to his camp feeling a little more prepared He cooked a simple meal and listened to conversations floating across the camp Merchants whispered about shortages in the north a sale on iron tools in the west and a rumor that the Royal Commerce Guild was cracking down on independent traders

Kane felt a cold ripple at that He looked again at the note

When night settled the camp fires dimmed Kane leaned against his wagon staring at the sky A shadow approached from the darkness A young boy no older than twelve held a rolled piece of paper in his hands He spoke in a hurried voice A message for the wagon with blue paint Are you Kane

Kane nodded The boy handed him the paper then dashed away into the camp his steps quick and nervous

Kane unrolled the paper His eyes scanned the lines written in simple ink

If you wish to avoid conflict with the Guild meet us at the old mill before reaching the Crossing Come alone Bring no guards

Kane read it twice The old mill was known among traders It stood near the riverbank abandoned long ago He had no reason to trust this message and every reason to doubt it But ignoring a Guild summons could be worse

He folded the note placed it inside his vest and breathed deeply If the Guild wanted to question him he had nothing to hide But if they wanted something else He would need to be careful

As the fires dimmed and stars brightened Kane felt the weight of choice settling on his shoulders The world of trade was not simply buying and selling It was a place of power risks shadows and decisions that could shift a future

He lay down beside his wagon wrapped his cloak tighter and let sleep come slowly He would face the mill tomorrow Whatever waited for him would shape his path

And he would meet it head on