-24th day of the 10th month of 1519

Ferris, a newly registered merchant bites his lips as he searches for a merchant mission. Still in the process of building his clientele as a new merchant he needed to undertake a mission to build his merchant reputation. Suddenly, one of the merchant vice-leaders with an eye glass says, “Ferris, I have just the mission for you,” and handed Ferris a mission slip.

Ferris eyes gleam at the easy mission of delivering goods to Tora-Gorge, but best of all paid very well! With disbelief, Ferris says, “Can I really take this sir?”

“Of course, my lad, we at the merchant guild offer an equal opportunity to all,” the vice-leader cunningly replied.

Amazed at his luck, Ferris says, “I won’t let you down, sir!” And hurries off to undertake the mission. After darting through the capital, Ferris gathers his needed supplies shares the good news with fellow comrades. To Ferris shock the more experienced merchants burst out into laughter. Confused, Ferris anxiously asks, “Is there something wrong?”

One of the merchants chokes and says, “It’s a mission to Tora-Gorge, right?” Ferris nods his head in reply as the merchant continues, “That place is basically a death trap as you have to pass through Fern Woods which is infested with thieves and black wolves. So, you tell me if you weren’t made of a fool of?”

Ferris pales in understanding that he had been tricked. So late in the game it would be impossible to hire trustworthy mercenaries at a low price. Worst of all, if Ferris waited to find a trustworthy group, the fresh goods which he had bought might rot by that time. Stuck between a hard place, Ferris knew that if he didn’t deliver he would be unable to cover his debts incurred.

Ferris head drops down in gloominess but perks up at the merchants next words. “Well, you could always do that,” another merchant hesitantly said.

Ferris heads perks up and eagerly asks, “What?”

The merchants tentatively glance at each other until one of them says, “You could take the short cut through the Misty Woods.”

The blood from Ferris’s face drains at the thought of entering the most feared place in the entire kingdom. In an effort to cheer Ferris up another merchant says, “If you’re careful, you can even make it through the forest in just two hours’ time before sunset.” Ferris face is still damper as the merchant’s clap Ferris on the back to give him strength, before heading off to finish their own business.

Sighing, Ferris numbly returns to the stable that has the ready goods on the rented pack horses. With the aid of a stableman, Ferris manages to climb onto the packhorse and sits rather awkwardly. With a slap to the horse’s butt, the packhorse sets off as Ferris fearfully clings to. By the end of the day Ferris reaches the Misty Woods close to sunset. At the edge of the forest, the horses snort and shuffle uneasily back and forth.

Ferris patiently rubs their sweating necks until they finally settle down. With care, Ferris dismounts and winces at the soreness between his legs. Grimacing, Ferris hefts the heavy-laden travel bags onto this back and chest. Barely able to move, Ferris activates the wooden horse charms braided into the horse’s hair. The spell compels the horse home and allows the owner to know that the horses are on their way. In turn, the horse owner activates the protection spell on the horse’s saddle from his end. The protection spell will ward off dangerous animals and allow the horses to safely pass unseen from bandit’s eyes.

Ferris gloomily waves goodbye to the eager horses, who soon disappear into the distance. With a trembling chin, Ferris steps into the eerily quiet forest and presses forward. The most important thing to do was find shelter for the night as the forest darkens oppressively. A candle-mark later Ferris halts and climbs off the path at spotting a strange tree. The tree itself wasn’t strange, but rather that all the lower branches on the red oak trees were chopped away. Ferris eyes widen at seeing vicious claw marks that failed to reach the safety of the middle branches and gleam in understanding that a traveler had safely passed the night away in this manner.

Ferris almost skips in glee and hurriedly removes his laden bags. Using the coil of string tacked onto the travel bags, Ferris weaves the coils together, before tying the end to his chest. With a pained grunt, Ferris climbs the tree and tiredly reaches the middle branch. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Ferris huffs and puffs as he pulls the bags up by using the branch above him as a lever. Left with stinging palms, Ferris finally manages to pull his merchandise.

Wiping the sweat off his face, Ferris tightens the noose on the bags and leaves them resting on the branch, but still firmly tied to the branch overhead. Exhausted and hungry, Ferris reaches into the small purse at his waist and chews on dry hard tack. Ferris only pause to take a swig of water from the canteen at his waist before swallowing the dry biscuits down.

Full and sore, Ferris leans against the tree trunk in a comfortable position and closes his eyes for a light sleep. The night swiftly passes by as the inhabitants of the forest pass by in inspection to only continue by. When morning comes, Ferris somewhat happily and well-rested climbs back down. Full of hope, Ferris sets down the marked path towards Tora-Gorge.

Two candle-marks later Ferris finally emerges into the slopes below that lead to Tora-Gorge. Happily trotting down the dusty road, Ferris greets the villagers. To his dismay, the villagers greet him darkly. “I’m here to deliver goods to Tora-Gorge,” Ferris stammered out.

The villagers instantly turn into a mob and surround him. “He lies burn him at the stake!” “He’s an evil apparition of the woods sent to destroy us!” “I say we hold him till the chief sees him!” “Hang him!”

Poor Ferris turns as pale as a ghost at the villagers’ words. “Enough!” A kindly old man said as the villagers instantly disperse. “I apologize for my flock, but they merely are just anxious of outsiders. May I know your name and business, young man?” The local village priest asked.

Ferris tremblingly relies, “I was sent here by the merchant guild to deliver goods to Tora-Gorge.” Ferris even holds out the merchant mission slip to the priest to verify.

The local priest smiles and says, “Welcome, young man.” Frowning the priest turns towards the villagers and says, “This here young man is a merchant and is merely doing his duty. You should all be ashamed of yourselves for frightening the poor lad.”

The villagers bow their heads in shame as they shuffle their feet. Not all the villagers accept the priest’s words and one shouts out, “But he came out of the Misty Woods, and no one travels the woods at night!”

The local priest turns an expectant eye at Ferris. With cold sweat dripping down his back, Ferris explains his journey through his forest and of the ingenuity of the unknown traveler’s safe resting method. Thrilled, the local priest invites Ferris to rest at the village heads home, before sending the local guard to the nearest knight post.

While Ferris cheerily converses and rests at the village heads home, the local village guard gallops at full speed towards the nearest knight post. With great solemnity the guard relay’s the information to the guarding knights who in turn relay it on up all the way to the Captain of the Knights. The Captain of the Knights naturally understood the true value of the information relayed and what it signified for the Kingdom. Excited, the Captain of the Knights in turn sent word through the knight’s magic crystals to the knight’s headquarters in the capital. Headquarters was thrilled to do the same and deliver the joyous discovery to the King of Leair.

The King of Leair ordered that the knights immediately present the merchant in front of him. Later during that same day, a frightened Ferris is escorted at full speed by a squadron of knights to the capital. All the while, Ferris was not told where he was being forcibly taken. Poor Ferris couldn’t help but wonder, what terrible offense he had committed?

Heavily guarded Ferris is presented before the King. Trembling in fear, Ferris prostates himself in front of the king as the King of Leair chuckles at the bow. Believing that Ferris was quite humble, the King says, “Rise my subject.” Ferris unwillingly complies as the King says, “Due to your great bravery we have a new travel method to safely traverse the Misty Woods! From this day forth, Ferris will be known as Baron Ferris Silia of Leair.”

Ferris is simply in disbelief unable to understand at being granted nobility and land. Still in shock, Ferris bows in thanks before being taken away the merchant guild. With envy and pride, Baron Ferris Silia became the toast of the merchant’s guild.

After that everything changed as it became possible for merchants and travelers to safely pass through the Misty Woods. There was still some danger, but tree house like structures were built high up in sturdy trees as resting places. Theses trails were named, "The Ferris Highways." Soon more and more pathways were made and the Kingdom of Leair steadily prospered.

A few months later in his manor, Ferris gazes up at the stars. “I don’t know who you are but thank you for everything. I am sorry that you didn’t get the credit you so much deserved, but it’s a bit too late now,” Ferris lamely said. “Instead, I will pray that the Gods may bless you on your travels and in your dealings.” Ferris sincerely added. Shivering in the cold with a happy sigh Ferris headed back to his manor as a shooting star crossed the vast dark sky glittering ominously.