Chapter 11: The Journey North (I)
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 17-22: The Days That Silently Passed
Five days had elapsed since their departure, and the journey had proven somewhat easier on their weary feet as they rode in the back of their newly acquired wagon. The roads here were markedly different from those near the bustling towns and cities—less maintained, with surfaces only partially hardened for easier passage. The imperial infrastructure grew sparse as they ventured further from civilization's heart, leaving travelers to contend with nature's whims.
There were challenging moments when the trio had to dismount and help push their wagon forward through particularly treacherous terrain. The rutted paths wound through uneven ground, testing both their endurance and the structural integrity of their transport. Fortunately, purchasing the wagon had been a comprehensive package deal that included an assortment of tools for repairs—hammers, spare nails, leather strips, and wooden patches that could address minor or major damages to the wheels and cart structure. Providence had smiled upon them thus far; they hadn't encountered any catastrophic breakdowns that would strand them in the wilderness.
Their pace had necessarily slowed to a steady 30-45 kilometers per day. On flat, well-maintained stretches, they could achieve the higher distance, but when confronted with steep inclines or rough terrain scarred by erosion and overgrowth, prudence demanded they proceed cautiously. These slower intervals also provided their six-legged horse—a hardy beast bred for endurance rather than speed—with much-needed rest periods. During these breaks, they would conduct thorough inspections of their wagon, checking wheel alignment, examining the axles for stress fractures, and ensuring their cargo remained properly secured.
August had established a daily routine of hunting expeditions that proved remarkably fruitful. While Marcus and Andy maintained watch over their wagon and tended to their mount, August would venture into the surrounding wilderness alone, his skills as a hunter serving them well. His magical abilities gave him a considerable advantage in tracking and subduing the various beasts that roamed these lands. The carcasses he brought back were expertly processed—meat carved and preserved, hides carefully skinned and treated for leather production.
Acting on Marcus's astute recommendation, August had also begun foraging for medicinal plants during his hunting excursions. Villages along their route often paid premium prices for such commodities in bulk, particularly to their herbalists and healers who relied on these natural remedies. In larger towns, where such medicinal supplies were considerably rarer due to distance from their forest sources, the prices commanded were even more impressive.
Their current route strategically followed the Great Central-West River, as the main Imperial thoroughfare had been wisely constructed alongside this vital waterway. Most major cities and towns throughout the empire were established near reliable water sources, making river-adjacent roads the arteries of commerce and communication. Deviating to separate inland paths would only lead them deeper into the vast forests that dominated the interior regions—dangerous territory best avoided by prudent travelers.
Their destination remained the Capital City of Gremory, seat of power for the Principality of Ogind. The distance was considerable, requiring patience and careful planning. By their current estimates, accounting for their measured pace and necessary stops, the journey would require at least a full month to reach Gremory's imposing walls.
The route would take them through several major and minor towns within the county, interspersed with numerous smaller villages. Each settlement represented an opportunity to sell their accumulated merchandise—premium beast meat, high-quality leather, treated hides, and valuable medicinal herbs. They had already conducted successful transactions in the villages they had passed, though the economics varied significantly based on local prosperity and demand.
Village transactions had proven modestly profitable but limited by local purchasing power. The settlements they encountered typically couldn't afford large quantities of high-quality meat, restricting purchases to single stacks at a time. Each stack, weighing 100 kilograms, commanded 100 local copper coins per kilogram—a fair price that balanced quality with village affordability. Over their journey, they had successfully sold five complete stacks, totaling 500 kilograms of premium meat, earning them 6 local gold coins, 33 local silver coins, and 50 local copper coins. For larger towns, they planned to increase their pricing to at least 2 local silver coins per kilogram, reflecting both higher local wealth and reduced supply competition.
The medicinal herbs had proven even more lucrative in village markets. Local healers and herbalists recognized the quality and rarity of August's carefully collected specimens, willingly paying four times the meat prices for these precious commodities. Each stack of 20 pieces commanded 200 local copper coins, and they had successfully sold 10 complete stacks—200 individual pieces of rare medicinal herbs—earning an additional 5 local gold coins, 16 local silver coins, and 100 local copper coins. The total amount of their combined earnings is 12 local gold coins.
These prices reflected the inherent dangers of forest foraging. Few villagers possessed the skills, courage, or magical abilities necessary to venture deep into monster-infested woodlands where the finest medicinal plants grew. August's unique capabilities allowed him to access resources that others could only dream of obtaining, justifying the premium pricing their goods commanded.
Three villages now lay behind them in their wake, each transaction building their traveling funds and reputation as reliable merchants. Ahead awaited another minor town comparable to Roka—the settlement of Bono. Here, they anticipated significantly better profit margins. Their planned pricing structure for Bono reflected the increased purchasing power typically found in established towns: high-quality meat would be priced at 1 local silver coin and 50 local copper coins per stack, high quality leather and hide pieces would command 5 silver coins each, while rare medicinal herbs would be priced at 3 silver coins per stack. These represented starting negotiations points, with flexibility built in for market conditions and customer negotiations. For true cities, they anticipated doubling or even tripling these already substantial prices.
As evening shadows lengthened across the landscape, they finally arrived at the small town of Bono. Unlike the riverside settlements they had grown accustomed to, Bono sat approximately one kilometer inland from the Great Central-West River's banks. However, it maintained connection to the vital waterway through a smaller riverside village called Sibon, which boasted a proper dock facility. This arrangement allowed Sibon to serve as a transshipment point, facilitating the movement of goods up and down the entire river system while Bono itself remained safely removed from potential flooding and river-based raids.
The town's entrance procedure proved more thorough than their previous experience in Roka, primarily due to their wagon and its cargo requiring additional inspection. August and Andy presented their copper identity plaques to the gate guards, while Marcus produced his silver identification—a mark of his affiliated trading company's higher status within the guild hierarchy. The head guard subjected each plaque to careful scrutiny using a magical verification device that maintained updated information from all guilds throughout the empire. This sophisticated system could instantly verify identities, guild affiliations, and current standing, providing crucial security for both travelers and local authorities.
Following their successful identification verification, they discussed accommodation strategies. As traveling merchants, they had two primary options for conducting business: they could establish their own temporary shop and sell directly to individual customers, or they could wholesale their goods to established merchants who specialized in their particular commodities. While August felt intrigued by the prospect of direct sales and customer interaction, practical considerations ultimately favored the wholesale approach. Established merchants possessed better knowledge of local markets, existing customer relationships, and the infrastructure necessary for sustained sales operations.
After paying the standard town toll of 10 copper coins per person for their planned three-day stay, they entered Bono proper and began searching for appropriate lodging. They sought an establishment that catered specifically to traveling merchants—one offering secure wagon parking, proper stabling for their six-legged mount, and attached lodging facilities. Such specialized accommodations understood the unique needs of their clientele and provided services tailored accordingly.
They located exactly what they needed: "Bono's Wayfarer's Stable & Inn," an establishment that advertised comprehensive services for traveling merchants. The pricing structure offered flexibility for different group sizes and needs. Individual rooms cost 10 local copper coins per person per day, while group accommodations ranged from 25-50 local copper coins depending on party size. For their trio, the three-day stay would cost 75 local copper coins total. Additional services included professional wagon maintenance and inspection for 70 local copper coins, plus 30 local copper coins for their horse's fodder and care. The comprehensive package totaled 1 local silver coin and 25 local copper coins—a reasonable investment in their equipment's continued reliability and their own comfort.
After settling into their shared room, they convened a brief strategy meeting to plan their activities for the coming days. Business concluded, they ventured out to explore Bono's offerings while seeking their evening meal. The town's riverside connections became apparent when they discovered a stall offering grilled fish, freshly caught from the Great Central-West River that morning. The meal came paired with three perfectly roasted potatoes, creating a satisfying combination that cost 15 local copper coins. The fish's tender flesh and the potatoes' crispy exterior provided exactly the kind of hearty sustenance their bodies craved after days of travel.
With their hunger satisfied and their first impressions of Bono forming, they returned to the Wayfarer's Inn as darkness settled over the town. Tomorrow would bring new opportunities and challenges as they began the serious business of converting their accumulated goods into coins, building their reputation, and preparing for the long road that still lay ahead toward the distant capital of Gremory.