Riverbend Crossing greeted Kane with noise color and a sense of movement that swallowed everything in its path The bridge stretched long across the river wide enough for two wagons to pass side by side Wooden beams creaked under constant traffic Boats drifted under the bridge their sails brushing the morning air The shouts of fishers workers and merchants rose like waves

Kane guided his wagon carefully The road sloped downward and the wheels thumped over old planks He took in every detail The stone watchtower the busy docks the lines of caravans waiting to unload goods The smell of dried fish mixed with baked bread and wet rope

He crossed to the center of town where market stalls spread in all directions The place felt like a crossroads of the entire empire People wore clothes from frozen northern towns deserts in the south and mountain villages beyond the ridge Horses and mules passed in slow rhythm Merchants bargained loudly calling out prices that bounced through the air

Kane parked his wagon near an open corner A few merchants gave him quick glances judging him with silent curiosity He stepped down from the wagon and stretched his back then began arranging his goods He placed the dried berries in stacked baskets letting their bright color show He laid out cloth rolls rope bundles and small jars of herbs

He kept his movements calm but inside he felt an excited pulse Riverbend Crossing was several times larger than the towns he had visited before Here a small merchant could disappear in the crowd but he could also rise if he found the right deal

A woman with sharp eyes approached She wore a long vest decorated with leather strips and carried a ledger in her hands She stopped in front of Kane’s stand and looked over his goods with a level stare

New face she said Her tone was not unfriendly but held a confident weight Where did you come from

The north road Kane replied simply

She nodded once Name is Serra I manage supply routes for several caravan groups I like to know who joins the market every morning

Kane sensed she was someone with influence Maybe not Guild level but important in this town He kept his voice honest I am building a trade route slowly

Serra gave a small approving nod Ambition Good But this place does not reward the unprepared Are your goods fresh

Kane held up a handful of dried berries Firm bright They keep cold breath steady even in mountain passes

Serra pressed one between her fingers It cracked with a clean snap She nodded again then surprised him by saying I will take four sacks

Kane blinked He had expected interest not such a large order He loaded the sacks into her wagon She counted coins with precise movements handed them to him then said Return tomorrow with more if you can The caravans heading north leave at noon I can include your goods if the quality stays like this

Kane felt a surge of satisfaction He had made his first major sale in this big town He thanked her and she moved on joining another merchant who waited by his wagon

Traffic continued to flow near his stand Kane sold more berries cloth and herbs throughout the morning People liked his calm manner and simple explanations A few travelers asked about the wagon and whether he planned to join any moving caravan

He answered honestly Not yet But someday

By noon Kane had sold nearly half his goods He sat on the wagon seat eating a small loaf of bread letting the warm wind wash across his face He watched new caravans entering town and wondered what goods they carried A merchant with cages full of birds A wagon stacked with copper pots A group of miners hauling bags of ore The world moved in endless circles and Kane felt like he was finally part of it

But he also felt something else A faint sensation He glanced around and saw a man standing near a water barrel pretending to drink but watching him too closely The man wore plain clothes but his boots were far too clean for a traveler Kane noticed the subtle gold circle stitched inside the coat collar

A Guild observer

Kane looked away pretending he had not noticed He had done nothing wrong The frostroot sale was finished He had no hidden crates no stolen goods But the Guild still treated him like a threat or a potential problem

He forced himself to stay calm He continued selling goods until late afternoon when the sun dipped behind the rooftops of Riverbend Crossing

When Kane finally packed his items the market quieted He guided his wagon toward the riverbank where traders often slept under open skies The sound of the river brought steady comfort He tied his horse near a wooden post and set up a campfire using small sticks from a nearby pile

As he warmed his hands near the flames a man approached from the shadows It was the same Guild observer Kane had seen earlier His steps were silent but not hostile

You have had a successful day the man said

Kane kept his posture neutral A fair day yes

The man sat on a nearby stone watching the river The Guild does not care about small traders But it watches patterns You have potential potential interests us

Kane did not like the sound of that He waited

The man continued If you intend to grow you should know the rules The Guild open or quiet will appear whenever you make a large move Do not try to hide anything Transparency is in your best interest

Kane nodded slowly I understand

The man stood brushed dust from his coat and said Keep trading young merchant The Guild will be watching but it will not stop you unless you give it a reason

He walked away disappearing into the evening crowd Kane watched him go feeling a mixture of irritation and pride Being noticed by the Guild meant trouble but it also meant he was making progress The world did not watch people who failed

Kane fed the fire added another stick and let himself breathe in the river’s cold scent Tomorrow he would sell more Tomorrow he would learn more Tomorrow he would take one more step toward his first real trade route

Riverbend Crossing was a test and he intended to pass it