“Adnan, do you know a lot about carriages?” Mehmed asked as the two stopped in front of Khaled’s Merchant Union’s branch.

“Not a lot, young master. Your family’s carriage is the only one I’m familiar with.”

“I see.”

The two walked into the branch and saw many people in a waiting room. Many merchants sat around waiting to be called up to the counters that adorned the wall of the room. Merchants were being called up one after another in the span of a few minutes, allowing the two to be quickly called up.

“How can I help you?” The clerk politely asked as he lowered his head to face the boy. A hint of annoyance was strikingly present in his tone.

“I’m looking for Hakim. Tell him that Mehmed Alkhadra wants to talk with him.” Mehmed turned around to leave and sit on the numerous waiting chairs in the room. Coachman Adnan took a seat right by the boy. The two waited and looked at some of the paraphilia scattered about the room’s tables.

Another boy rushed out of a doorway and scanned the room. Seeing the two familiar faces, he ran over with a big smile. “Glad to see you two again! Do you guys want to go out for lunch later? I still have some business to attend to.” Hakim lowered his head and apologized as Mehmed waved his hand.

“Not today, Hakim. In fact, I have some business I would like to conduct, and I would like you to be my agent.” Mehmed grinned.

Hakim pinched himself as a smile quickly formed on his face. He jumped with joy, attracting judgemental stares from some in the room. “An agent from a noble! Mehmed, I can’t believe you think so highly of me! After all, I’m still a merchant-in-training; many others are more qualified than me.” Hakim admitted as his cheeks flared from the looks others gave him.

“Nonsense, Hakim. Unlike the others, I think you will have my best interests at heart. Compared to the old farts, I’m sure you will put your very best in every transaction.” Mehmed heaped praise after praise, and the merchant-in-training could not help but do a second leap of joy into the air.

Hakim took a seat beside Mehmed and rubbed his hands together. “How can I help you, Mehmed?”

“I’m looking for some cheap carriages. It doesn’t have to be brand new. Get me something that will provide a lot of value for my money. Secondly, I’m also looking to procure cheap camels. I want to look at the prices to see if it’s any cheaper than the camels in Alkhadra.” Mehmed explained before dismissing him.

“Alright! I’ll immediately get working on it.” Hakim enthusiastically scampered back to his office.

“Are you sure that is wise, young master? The boy is still someone that is in training. To rely on someone like that seems foolish.” Adnan commented as they left the building. Mehmed entered his carriage as Adnan got in front of the coach.

As he took his seat, the boy explained,” As I previously mentioned, he will have my best interest at heart. After all, we did help him when he was in trouble. He will be looking to pay back the favour by working his hardest to prevent any mistakes.”

“Not bad at all. Is the next destination the central castle?” Adnan turned around to see the young master nodding. Shaking the reins, the horses began working.

“My apologies, Mehmed. Our forces are busy dealing with the bandits. I assure you; I will personally lead them to defeat the bandits in your territory!” Tarik began beating his chest as Mehmed passed by him.

“Thank you, Tarik. I hope to see you then.” Mehmed slightly bowed before moving on.

“I’m so sorry, Mehmed. Money is tied up in arms procurement to fight off these bandits. Especially his majesty’s firearms. They apparently stopped a couple of bandit attacks.” Salih pushed up his glasses as he apologized to the young master.

“Salih, do what you need to do.” Mehmed bowed once more before heading to a meeting room.

“It seems you established a spy network, and your men are fiercely loyal to you.” Halimah sipped her drink.

“Hah… not really.” The boy shook his head.

“Beating up a thief so badly even though they have no relations with the merchant. Are you sure you would consider that as not fiercely loyal?” Halimah elegantly placed down her teacup.

“It’s only a one-time incident. I’ll need multiple incidents to see if it holds true.” Mehmed placed down his teacup at the same time.

“So, what’s the task you need me to do?” The boy asked as he leaned back into his chair.

Halimah leaned forward and softly whispered, “Pledge your allegiance to me.” Mehmed shot forward from his chair and frowned.

“Become the Duchess, and we shall talk. As the son of one of the poorest counts, I can’t help with many matters.” Mehmed shrugged his shoulders.

Halimah shook her head, “That’s where you’re wrong. Many noble heirs in the Duchy refuse to support me because of what is between my legs. Sigh, if only I were a man, I would not have to deal with so much trouble.” The girl placed her head between her hands before raising them. She brushed a strand of hair that covered her fringe.

“You will be the one who gets the ball rolling. If you announce to everyone that you will be supporting me, the other noble heirs will wonder why you would support me. I would pique their interest and flip their support away from Tarik and Salih.” Halimah grinned.

“Sounds like a lot of benefits for you and not a lot for me. If you, let’s say, lose the fight, wouldn’t I be screwed? Tsk.” Mehmed frowned.

“But I have so many things to offer you. Tarik and Salih are more concerned with the other nobles. What are you to them? When I become Duchess, I will bring prosperity to your lands. Not even that, I heard that you are recently in the market for some carriages and camels. I can get you that at low prices. Naturally, they won’t involve legal means, but considering that you listen to my advice, that isn’t a concern for you, isn’t it?”

“While that would be nice, I rather leave the matter to my… friend in the Merchant Union. How would you like my proclamation to be made?” Mehmed sighed.

“Later in the year when we are all invited to the capital to celebrate the kingdom’s founding. Make your declaration there before all of the other noble heirs.”

“Alright, sounds easy enough. Do elaborate further about the economic prosperity you would bring to the county, though….”

“Like how a noble protect the people of the land, as Duchess, I will ensure that my vassals will be protected. Especially those who are part of my early supporters. I may not look honourable due to my use of subterfuge, but my men are loyal to me because I honour my words.” Halimah ended her speech.

“I will take it into consideration.” Mehmed nodded before leaving the room.

Climbing down a dark staircase illuminated by a couple of torches, a prison guard led Adnan and Mehmed into the murky depths. They had climbed about five stories of steps before moving into a corridor filled with cells. It was a silent corridor, making Mehmed feel goosebumps. The light from the torch was the only source of relief, so he moved closer to its radius.

Stopping by a cell, the guard moved his torch to illuminate its contents. A feeble man hung by the wall. His feet and legs were chained to the wall. With his face facing the wall, his back was exposed to the newcomers. Mehmed turned away, repulsed by the sight.

The guard sent a sympathetic gaze before explaining,” He refuses to speak no matter what we do to him.” He shook his head.

“Well, you can enter the cell door if you desire. Your …” The guard rolled his eyes as he uttered the following words, “Big Sister will handle anything if a situation arises.”

Mehmed shook his head, and his eyes took in the deep wounds on the man’s back. Blood sprayed over the merchant’s back as the lacerations left by whips left a gruesome sight. “I have seen enough.” The guard began heading off with his two guests.

“Help… me…” A soft moan echoed in prison.

“A good coffee always helps when dealing with work.” Hakim cheerfully remarked as he sipped on his drink. His eyes looked towards the noble across the table. The boy’s face was pale and seemed traumatized by some matter. The young master was not even touching the food ordered, only drinking plain water.

“So…” Adnan looked towards Mehmed before turning to face Hakim.

“How’s the compilation of carriages and camels going?” The man asked, taking over the duties of the young master.

“It will take quite a while. I’m planning on retrieving the prices from all of the territories in the Duchy. I will send them over to Alkhadra County once I’m done. That reminds me of something!” Hakim uttered as he grasped a piece of parchment tucked away in his tunic.

Unrolling it onto the table, he passed it to Mehmed, who took the time to peruse its contents. “What is this?” The boy pre-emptively asked with relief as his mind shifted away from the earlier sights.

“As part of graduation requirements to become a fully-fledged merchant, we need to look for someone to serve as an agent. If you sign this, I will officially become your agent in the Merchant Union!” Hakim grinned as he tapped on the numerous clauses in the parchment.

“Look me up if you need any transactions to be done through the Union. When you go to the branch in Khaled, present this parchment to one of the guards, and they will fetch me.” Hakim grabbed another piece of paper and handed it to Mehmed.

It was relatively small and seemed more akin to a playing card. Rectangular, with sharp corners, it was emblazoned with the emblem of His majesty’s Merchant Union. It stated “Hakim Zaki” and the location of his office. A miniature portrait of the boy appeared beside the words.

“What is this?” Mehmed asked as he looked at the realistic portrait of the boy in front of him.

“The Union decided to copy some of the practices of the pale foreigners. They call it a Business Card, and they use it to introduce themselves to other people. The Guild has been mass-producing these for all its staff. If you want to confirm if anyone is truly part of the Merchant Union, ask them to show their card.” Hakim grinned as he took out another card and admired his dashing portrait.

Reading the clauses of the agreement, Mehmed nodded and took out a reed pen from a pocket. “I have an ink bottle here.” Hakim retrieved an ink bottle from a pouch of his and placed it on the table. Removing the cork, he passed it to Mehmed’s side. Dipping the pen into the ink, Mehmed began signing his name onto the parchment before handing it to Hakim.

Hakim bowed, clasping his hands together, “Thank you very much, Mehmed! I’m one step closer to graduating from my training. Anyway, I must go now! Still have much work to be done.” Hakim hurriedly dismissed himself and left the establishment.

“Are you sure that was the right move to be made? All business dealings with the Merchant Union will solely pass through Hakim. I’m not sure whether the decreased commission fee can offset his inexperience.” Adnan said his thoughts out loud.

“You were peeping.” The boy coldly accused.

“It’s not my fault that you’re much shorter than me. My eyes do move about, you know.” Adnan rolled his eyes.

“There’s another clause stating that the agreement will only hold for six months. Maybe a merchant who has much business with the Union would put more thought than me. But I don’t necessarily rely on the Union for transactions. There are many other third-party merchants I can procure the carriages from.” Mehmed shrugged.

“I assume that wraps up most of your tasks in Khaled, young master. Is there anywhere else you would like to visit?” Adnan began grabbing a couple of dates before shoving them into his pockets.

Mehmed took the time to ponder it as Adnan popped a date or two into his mouth. “That should be all; let’s head back home.”

As the carriage rolled into the Alkhadra, Mehmed did not expect much. A usual, peaceful entry into the city as dusk fell. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. Looking outside the windows, he could see shadowy figures crossing alleyways to get closer to his carriage. He grasped the handle of his blade, imagining the worst possible scenario to happen. He had not trained with Basil in a long time, so he planned to resist before finding an opening to flee.

The shadowy figures have coalesced into a line of figures in the castle’s courtyard as the carriage pulled to a stop. A line of shadowy figures stood with their chests puffed up proudly. The soldiers from the castle walls could stare aghast at the sudden appearance of the figures on the walls. Yet none moved and seemed a little too relaxed for what appeared to be possible enemies.

The boy stepped out of his carriage and relaxed, seeing no soldier moving to stop the figures. A lone figure stepped forward and removed the top of his hood. “We greet the return of our liege.” The man bowed, and the rest of the figures removed their hoods before bowing simultaneously.

“Taslim, no need for such a grand entrance. Let’s discuss matters while I was away.” Mehmed sighed as he followed Taslim to a meeting room. The rest of the grunts scattered and went off to fulfil their tasks, acting as the eyes and ears of the nobility. They caught any information, whether it be conducted in bright daylight or the seedy ones in the dark underbelly of the moon.

“You’re right, sir. Some of the merchants did have some items that were considered illegal. I have compiled a list of them.” The man handed a thick stack of papers listing individuals and the supposed crimes. They even contain information about the location of the items. Mehmed nodded, seeing how the penmanship improved. The handwriting seemed utilitarian, written by a merchant, unlike the flowery cursive of the nobility. At least it was readable by all.

“What about the staff in the… castle?” Mehmed leaned in and whispered.

Taslim also leaned in and whispered,” We have found that some of the guards took up bribes. Some men have compiled witness testimonies and found inconsistencies in their homes. You are welcome to do whatever you wish with the information.” The man handed over another thick stack of papers.

“What about the Marshal, Steward and Chancellor?” Mehmed asked, causing Taslim to lean back. The man kept silent, unable to explain.