Chapter 3.4:

We spent most of the night going from store to store to buy the appropriate attire. We settled on some blue dress coats and leather shoes. Abram also put in a request for matching pins from the jeweler.

The next few days was a whirlwind of etiquette lessons and familiarizing ourselves with the nobles and retainers that would be in attendance. Without portraits though, it was hard to keep track of who was who.

Paul told me that he’d whisper the noble’s name to me when we come across them so we could avoid offending someone. It turns out there were a hundred ways to offend the upper crust of society like using the wrong silverware or forgetting to bow low enough.

By the fifth day, my head was swirling with all the names and titles and I was really afraid I was just going to mess everything up.

“Dad…” I approached Abram on the night before we departed for the Capital. “Do I really have to go? I don’t think I’m ready.”

Abram stopped shining his shoes and studied me carefully. “Afraid you’ll mess up?”

I gave a small nod. “It’s just that you guys and Lord Chase might get into trouble because of me. I don’t want that to happen. What if I switch up someone’s name and you get executed for it?”

Abram laughed out loud. I started to get embarrassed and flustered. “Don’t laugh! Paul said some of these people were crazy.”

“Sorry, son.” Abram said while wiping away a tear from his eye. “I won’t lie. Paul is right that some nobles are really temperamental and quick to take offense. But it’s nothing to execute someone over. I have attended a number of banquets and I haven’t seen that happen.”

I pouted at him. “But can you be absolutely sure?”

Abram shook his head. “Nothing is ever absolute. But we’ll be there with you to help you along. We can manage anyone you might offend.”

“Okay…” I said unsure.

He ruffled my hair and sent me off to bed.

That night I had several nightmares. Faceless nobles throwing rocks at me for just breathing too loud.

I woke up with a start. I said a prayer to the Creator for some guidance and peace of mind.

The next day we left North Haven before day break since it took a couple of hours to reach the Capital.

Around mid-morning we arrived at the entrance to the Capital. The line was twice as long compared to when we came the last time.

When we got to the front, the guards double-checked our papers and our cargo. Eventually, we were allowed to enter.

Unlike the last time, the streets and the walls were decorated top to bottom so that it was almost like a festival.

I stared at the lines of small lights that hung over all the roads. “This is kind of amazing.”

Paul nodded in agreement. “Wasn’t like this last year, right pa? It’s definitely more lavish now. I wonder what’s the occasion?”

Abram only nodded.

This time around, we accompanied Abram to the local stables to park the caravan.

On the way back, we stopped to sample some of the food stalls that were set up along the sidewalks.

“Get your fried noodles here! Only one silver!” A broad shouldered man hollered.

“One silver? That’s really expensive.” I remarked. “The bowl it comes in looks really small.”

“Buy or get lost, kid!” The man growled at me.

I nodded in apology and hurried to catch up to Abram and Paul in the next stall.

“That guy got really mad when I mentioned that his noodles were really pricey.” I shared with Abram and Paul.

“Aye.” Abram shook his head. “They’re really jacking up the prices right now because of the Banquet. It’s the only time of the year that the Capital gets this much foot traffic from other cities.”

“But who would buy them? It’s a rip-off.” I asked.

“Only for people like us, little bro.” Paul explained. “For people like them, it’s a novelty.” Paul pointed to a well-dressed couple that was sampling almost every stall they pass by. “Nobles just have a different price point mentality. And for the nobles who come from East Watch or West Port, a lot of this stuff are things they can only get here. The importations that arrive in both those cities don’t cross over to one another. They’re only ever traded to the Capital. So a lot of the things seem exotic to them.”

“So why do we have a lot of this stuff in North Haven?” I asked.

“Well, you see…” Paul whispered quietly as he looked around, “this is all part of the Capital’s plot to keep itself relevant. By prohibiting the major cities from directly trading their goods with one another, the Capital is able to remain an economic powerhouse. It’s able to set the available supply and can generate or curb demand. It’s all a conspiracy.”

Abram chopped Paul on the head. “Don’t fill your brother’s head with insane theories.”

“But it’s true, pa!” Paul whined while rubbing the top of his head.

“The Capital’s central trading policy is due to the treaty in effect among the City Lords and the Royal Family. It’s to prevent any one city from crippling the other by withholding the supply of essential goods. South End, as an active fighting zone, is in constant need of magic ore and enchanted weapons. They also rely heavily on the imported medicinal herbs that come in from East Watch.” Abram explained. “Imagine if Lord Xander could decline supplying them with medicine, countless lives would be lost. It’s a system borne of necessity. But admittedly, it’s not a foolproof.”

“I think my explanation makes more sense…” Paul said under his breath.

Abram shot him a look and he jumped back while covering his head.

“So… East Watch and West Port get different kinds of commodities… And the Capital restricts them from sending over those goods to one another. So that means the Capital sends us both kinds of food in exchange for ore?” I said, trying to make sense of the arrangement.

“Well, among other things, but essentially correct, son.” Abram replied. “North Haven and the Roost are mining centers so their primary resource are precious minerals. East Watch gets imported raw materials and ingredients from the East Continent and West Port gets them from the West Continent. On the other hand, South End doesn’t have a primary trading good because it’s a military zone where there’s active fighting on a daily basis. Although you can say that it produces soldiers and it’s often where the Heroes Guild sends its recruits to train.”

“Wait…” I realized something. “If the cities aren’t allowed to trade with one another, how come the Roost trades with North Haven and East Watch?”

“Ah, you’ll learn that more during your formal schooling, but the Roost is, in principle, an ‘independent city’.” Abram answered. “The Roost is the youngest of the four cities and was established when foreign seafarers decided to settle in the mountain ranges to the northeast. Eventually, their settlement became sufficiently large and they started intermarrying from citizens of both North Haven and East Watch. Once it became sufficiently populous, the most prominent family, the Valeras, sought to be recognized by the Capital as an independent city. There’s a bit of a hole in history on why the Capital allowed them to form a city, but eventually, it was agreed that it could freely trade with both North Haven and East Watch. However, the Capital levied higher taxes on the Roost compared to the other cities in exchange for its greater autonomy.”

“Things started to get tense when the Roost was given concurrent mining rights with North Haven. That’s what led to the trade ban we told you about before.” Paul added. “But the origins of the Roost is also why a lot of nobles dislike us.”

I really should just carry a small notepad with me everywhere I go. That’s a lot of crucial information.

“Aye, don’t worry about it lad. It’s good to know. But let’s focus on the task at hand. Let’s head back to the Fairy Lights Inn to wait for Lord Chase and Lady Vela.”

“And Lady Mina.” Paul whispered in my ear.

I blushed hard.

Chapter 3.5:

We waited in the Fairy Lights Inn for a couple of hours but eventually a carriage pulled up the front that had the Valeria insignia on its side.

When Paul and I spotted it from the window, we called Abram and rushed together to greet Lord Chase and his family.

Lord Chase dismounted first and assisted both Lady Vela and Lady Mina off the carriage.

We stood in a line and bowed low as they approached.

“Good evening, Lord Chase, Lady Vela, and Lady Mina. We hope that your journey was pleasant enough?” Abram greeted.

“Quite an improvement to last year’s journey given that we passed by East Watch this time.” Lady Vela said with a hint of tiredness to her voice.

“I agree darling. The cool fresh breeze from the Pearl Sea and the warm smiles of the traders there were a welcome change to the frigid airs of the Jagged Pass and the side eyes from Rudrick’s underlings.” Lord Chase said in agreement. “I think Mina found it a good experience as well, hmm?”

Lord Chase turned to his daughter who I just noticed was staring at me.

“Uh… hello again Lady Mina.” I said awkwardly repeating my bow. “Is there something on my face?”

“No. You just seem a bit different fromlast time. It’s good you’re still alive.” Lady Mina replied with a deadpan stare.

I laughed nervously. “I’m glad I’m alive too.”

STUPID. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING.

“Anyway! We’re glad to see you again, Lady Mina. I’m sure you’re all hungry. Father and I have arranged with the chef for your favorite meals.” Paul quickly interjected.

I shot him a look of thanks and kept my gaze on the floor.

“Ah splendid.” Lord Chase replied. “Mortimer!” He called out. Immediately, the carriage driver appeared from the side carrying several bags.

“Right here, my lord.” The man answered.

“Take the bags to our rooms. It should be the usual. Paul, kindly show him where to put our bags.” Lord Chase commanded.

“Ofcourse, Lord Chase. Follow me please sir Mortimer. Allow me to help you with some of the bags.” Paul replied with a smile.

“Ah, I can help too.” I offered.

“No need, little bro. You should escort Lady Mina instead to the dining hall.” Paul answered with an innocent smile.

I looked at Abram in panic but he only nodded. “A gentleman always offers to escort a lady.” Abram then turned to Lord Chase and Lady Vela. “This way to the dining hall, my lord and ladies, I reserved your preferred table.”

Lord Chase and Lady Vela then followed Abram into the inn. I was left there with Lady Mina who was still staring at me.

I tried to recall my etiquette lessons from the past few days. I gave a deep bow and held out my arm.

Lady Mina took it and I led her inside.

Please quiet down, heart. You’re being too loud.