The mist that evening rolled through the forest like drifting silver cloth. Rynn led Mira and Joss along a narrow dirt path far from the main merchant road. She moved with swift steps, always watching the trees and listening to the wind for warnings. Mira held a small pack close to her chest containing measuring tools, labels, and the basic training sheets. Joss carried ingredient jars sealed with wax and the small charter scroll Evan had prepared.

They traveled quietly. No one wanted to attract attention. The Bureau riders patrolled the main road, and Black Claw scouts hid in the shadows between trees. Rynn’s chosen path bent around old ruins and rocky ridges. It was slower but safer.

After half an hour of silent walking, Mira finally whispered, “Do you think they will accept us in North Road Village”

Rynn answered without turning. “Villagers do not decide trust in one moment. They decide it over many small actions. We show honesty. Patience. Fair trade. They will warm up eventually.”

Joss added, “They are known for avoiding outsiders. Maybe they will not give us supplies.”

Rynn shook her head. “We are not asking them for favors. We are offering something simple. Work. Trades. Predictable buying. Villagers value stability.”

They continued walking until the trees thinned and the hills grew wider. Rynn raised a hand for silence. Ahead sat a tiny cluster of wooden houses with dim lanterns hanging from the eaves. Smoke drifted from a single chimney. A few villagers stood outside chopping firewood or repairing nets. The air smelled like pine and cool earth.

Rynn turned to the apprentices. “Follow my lead. Speak respectfully. No promises we cannot keep.”

They walked toward the village entrance. An older man with a heavy beard stepped forward holding a staff. “Strangers arriving after dark,” he said. “State your business.”

Rynn bowed politely. “We come from Oakedge. We wish to buy dried herbs and simple raw materials. We wish to establish a stable trade route.”

The man frowned. “Oakedge is full of outsiders and trouble. Why should we trust travelers at night”

Joss stepped forward nervously and held out the sealed jars. “We brought samples of our work. These are for you to examine.”

The man looked suspicious. “Are you alchemists”

Rynn spoke quickly. “Workers from a workshop. Not masters. We follow structured rules. No dangerous experiments.”

Mira quietly added, “We pay fair prices. And we return on schedule.”

Something softened in the man’s expression. He looked at Mira’s steady eyes and saw she spoke honestly.

“Follow me,” he finally said. “We speak in the meeting hut.”

The hut was small with wooden walls and dried moss between the planks. Inside, several villagers gathered. A woman with braided silver hair studied the jars Joss placed on the table. She sniffed the contents and watched the glow.

“This is clean,” she muttered. “Cleaner than anything I have seen from traveling sellers.”

Rynn nodded. “Our workshop uses a repeatable system. Every mixture follows the same steps.”

The silver haired woman eyed the group carefully. “What do you want from us”

Mira stepped forward nervously. “Only dried root bundles. River moss. Wood ash. And small amounts of softleaf plant when available.”

The woman crossed her arms. “Those things are cheap. Why not gather them in Oakedge”

Joss answered honestly. “We want predictable quality. Your village produces steady and clean materials. That matters to us more than price.”

The woman blinked in surprise. “No merchant has ever cared for quality. They care only for profit.”

Rynn shook her head. “Profit comes from stability. Stability comes from trust. And trust starts here.”

Silence filled the room.

At last the silver haired woman nodded slowly. “We can accept a trial partnership. You return in three days. We prepare samples. If you buy consistently, we discuss permanent trade.”

Mira nearly smiled with relief. Joss bowed in gratitude. Rynn kept her posture calm but inside she felt the first piece of expansion settling into place.

But the peace did not last.

When they stepped outside, Rynn froze.

Tracks in the dirt. Fresh prints. Heavy boots. Too many for villagers.

Joss whispered, “Black Claw”

Rynn crouched to examine the marks. “Three. Four. Maybe five. They passed here not long ago.”

Mira’s voice shook. “Are they here for us”

“Not yet,” Rynn said. “But they are watching these roads. Move quickly. We need to return before the Bureau riders see us.”

They departed the village quietly and slipped into the forest again. But before they reached the halfway point, Rynn signaled for them to stop.

A faint whistle echoed through the trees. Low. Rhythmic.

Black Claw signal.

Rynn whispered, “Stay behind me. Mira keep your tools close. Joss hold your pack tight.”

Shadows moved between the branches.

Rynn placed a hand on her dagger. “They are not attacking. They are tracking. They want to know where we came from.”

Mira swallowed. “Then they will find the workshop.”

Rynn answered with calm steel in her voice. “No. Not tonight. We go the long path. The cliff route. Harder but safe.”

They moved along a rocky ledge overlooking a wide river. The path was uneven and narrow but Black Claw would not risk chasing them here.

Two hours later they finally saw Oakedge lights in the distance.

Joss whispered, “We made it.”

Rynn exhaled slowly. “Node One is alive. But trouble is following.”

They hurried back to the workshop unaware of the scene waiting for them inside.