The heavy wooden door of the Frosthorn Trading Company creaked open, releasing a gust of warm air and the scent of burning wood. Justin was grateful for the brief reprieve from the cold. They had endured the harsh elements for so long that the warmth almost felt painful against his skin.
Inside, the space was bustling with activity. The room was lined with shelves filled with furs, crates, and various goods, while orcish clerks rushed back and forth, managing paperwork and inspecting inventory. A large stone hearth crackled in the back, filling the room with a cozy warmth that almost made Justin want to sit by the fire and forget all about caravans and travel plans.
They approached the counter, where a burly orc with a thick fur collar and a gold nose ring looked up from his ledger. His sharp, amber eyes sparkled with interest as Eldrin stepped forward.
“Afternoon,” the orc said, his voice gruff but friendly. “What can I do for you lot?”
Eldrin cleared his throat. “We’re looking to sign on with a caravan heading east, to Draegor’s Pass.”
The orc raised a bushy eyebrow. “You don’t say? Always good to have more hands. Do you all have a class?”
“All five of us do, yes. You won’t find more capable guards,” Eldrin replied confidently.
The orc’s gaze swept over the group, lingering on Kargan’s mage staff and Bohemond’s sword and armor, and more doubtfully on Justin and Lila. “You lot look…capable. But I’m afraid we’ve got nothing going east right now.”
“Nothing at all?” Eldrin’s tone was polite, though a trace of disappointment seeped through.
The orc shook his head and flipped through some papers on his desk. “Nope. Since Thalgar’s Tunnel was opened up, it makes more business sense to send everything south. Easier, faster, and safer. We haven’t had a caravan go east since early autumn.”
Justin’s heart sank. They had come all this way, and now their best option seemed blocked by the very success of the tunnel reopening.
“Are you certain?” Eldrin pressed, clearly unwilling to give up so soon.
The orc nodded firmly. “Absolutely. I’d hire you on the spot if you wanted to go south. We have so many caravans going out these days that I can’t keep up. Wages have never been higher. I imagine in a season or two, Kaldrath will be flooded with people seeking their fortune. But if you’re really set on Draegor’s Pass, there’s not much I can do. No one’s using that route with the tunnel back open.”
Eldrin frowned slightly but maintained his composure. “Is there no way to convince you to send a caravan east? We’d be willing to negotiate our rate.”
The orc leaned back, crossing his thick arms. “I’d love to help, but business is business. Even if you were to guard for free, it doesn’t make economic sense. If you want my advice, you’re better off heading south. Less trouble. Maybe try one of the other companies. Some of them might be mad enough to go that way, though I doubt it.” He offered an apologetic grin. “Still, good luck. If you change your mind about heading south, come back before we close. I can have you on the next caravan leaving tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Eldrin said.
With that, they stepped back out into the cold. Eldrin’s brow furrowed as they regrouped outside.
“That was a dead end,” Justin muttered, pulling his coat tighter. “What now?”
Eldrin’s expression remained thoughtful. “That worries me about the eastern route. Crossing the tundra on our own would be far too dangerous.”
“But is it doable if push comes to shove?” Lila asked.
Eldrin didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he gave a curt nod, signaling them to follow. “Let’s see if we can find another company.”
They continued down the street, the bustling market growing busier as dusk approached. A few minutes later, they found themselves in front of another trading house—this one marked by an intricately carved sign that read The Silvercrest Syndicate.
Justin quickly took stock of what they were up against. The building’s façade screamed wealth—silver inlays, gleaming polished stone, and even magical lanterns burning with enchanted green fire, while every other building relied on simple oil lamps.
Glancing down at his somewhat ragged appearance, Justin decided it was time to clean up. In the wilds, he rarely used the Ring of Hygiene unless he really needed it, keeping it as a backup for emergencies. But before entering a place like this, he knew he needed to look the part.
He set his thoughts on the ring and activated it. In an instant, the dirt and grime on his clothes vanished, leaving his hair and face looking immaculate. He stood up straighter, feeling like a different person entirely.
Lila’s eyes widened in surprise. “I can never get used to that.”
“At first, I thought this thing was useless,” Justin said, grinning. “Turns out, it’s a lifesaver.”
“Let’s move,” Eldrin nodded, already pushing open the doors. The group followed him in.
Inside, the contrast to the busy street was stark. The room was pristine, with elegant silver-trimmed walls and a counter behind which stood three immaculately dressed humans—two women and one man. All of them had a statuesque quality, and each could have been a model back in Justin’s world. Clearly, The Silvercrest Syndicate cared deeply about appearances, so Justin was grateful he’d used the ring.
Behind the counter lay an assortment of enchanted artifacts, glittering crystals, and high-end gear, all locked away securely in glass cases. It couldn’t have been more different from the rugged Frosthorn Trading Company.
The three clerks gave the group a once-over, their expressions less than welcoming. It was more like they were sizing up livestock than potential clients.
“Good afternoon,” Eldrin said, ignoring the cool reception. “We were hoping to sign on with a caravan heading east, to Draegor’s Pass.”
The tall man behind the counter, with his slicked-back hair and impeccably tailored coat, barely looked up from his ledger. His tone dripped with condescension. “We don’t hire just anyone. We only employ the best here at Silvercrest.”
Eldrin, undeterred, tried again. “I can assure you we’re more than capable. We’re looking to offer our services, and—”
The clerk cut him off with a raised hand, his eyes sweeping the group dismissively. “I see a ragtag Ranger, a scuffed-up Warrior, a bedraggled Bard, a disheveled orc, and…” He’s eyes looked at Justin, seeming to see him in a different light. “And who exactly are you?”
Sensing the opportunity, Justin stepped forward, flashing a confident smile. “Apologies for the oversight, my good man. I’m Lord Justin Talemaker, Gentleman. You’ll have to forgive our state of dress—traveling the Frostplain Path was dreadful! We were ambushed by a pack of dire wolves, a troll, and a maddened mage, but we handled them all easily. I assure you; we are professionals and only wish to work for the finest company in Kaldrath. Perhaps we could discuss our qualifications?”
The clerk’s expression softened slightly as he noticed Justin’s polished appearance and presentation. He gave him a more serious look. “You seem better presented than your fellows, at least. I shall entertain this request but I make no promises. As you know, the job interview starts the moment you step through the door. A posting as a Silvercrest Caravan Sentinel isn’t a mere job—it’s a career. We vet everyone thoroughly, and if hired, you’d become full employees, signing a magical contract to bind you to our terms. After that, you’d undergo a month of training before even being considered for a position.”
Justin forced a smile, despite knowing this was a dead end. “I understand your standards are high. But perhaps there could be an exception?”
The clerk raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Exceptions aren’t made here, Lord Talemaker, whatever your station. If you want to work for Silvercrest, you follow the process like everyone else. Besides, we no longer send caravans east. We have one heading west to Kulrath Pass in several days, but there’s no way you’d be trained to the Syndicate’s standards in time.”
“Very well,” Justin said, offering a charming smile. “Might you suggest another company, then?”
The clerk’s disinterest didn’t waver, but one woman with auburn hair, who had been eyeing Justin since he stepped forward, leaned in. “You could try Frosthorn, just down the street. You’ve got an orc in your party, so that might give you a leg up since they mostly hire their own. Whitepeak Mercantile is another option—lots of volume, if not much quality. Stormgale Alchemical and Sundries is small and specialized, but it can’t hurt to try. And then there’s the Ghostwater Collective, run by the Qilungit. They rarely hire outside their own kind, but if anyone’s sending caravans east, it would be them.”
Justin nodded, his people skills having at least earned them some valuable information. “Thank you for your time.”
She batted her eyes a bit. “Anytime. You should come back if you’re looking for work. We might have a position opening right here in the trading house. Much better than working next to those dirty frosthorns.”
Justin chuckled. “I’ll…keep that in mind. Good day.”
With a nod to the others, they left the trading house. As they did so, Justin caught the two female clerks exchanging a look.
[50 Experience Gained! Your Experience stands at 119/2070].
Justin smiled at the notification. Maybe he should be taking the lead on this job hunt. After all, it was what his Charisma was made for, and he was nearly equal to Eldrin in level now.
As they stepped back into the cold, Kargan sighed, shaking his head. “Another dead end.”
“At least we got something out of it,” Justin said. “Onto the next one.”
Lila, walking beside him, shot him a smirk. “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble getting a job offer wherever we go—if the ladies have anything to say about it.”
“What can I say?” Justin asked, pulling his coat tighter. “They just recognize talent.”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Talent?” Lila teased. “Maybe we should just leave you here to fend for yourself. See how long that charm lasts when you’re fighting off wolves for table scraps.”
“Uh-oh,” Kargan said with a sharp, orcish grin. “Someone’s sounding jealous.”
Lila raised an eyebrow. “Jealous? Please. If I wanted to bat my eyes and get us a job, we’d already be on the road with a caravan. I just prefer not to lead with a hair flip.”
Justin grinned, playing along. “I’d love to see that. Lila, the hair-flipping bard. You have to admit, it’s got a nice ring to it.”
“I thought I told you not to let it go to your head.”
“Not to worry. Those two aren’t my type, anyway.”
Bohemond looked puzzled. “You must be joking. If two pretty lasses like that aren’t good enough for you, then who is?”
Justin stroked his chin for dramatic effect. “Hmm. I’m into experienced women. Moms, mostly.”
“Moms?” Bohemond’s brow furrowed. “I don’t follow.”
“Moms.” Justin nodded, as if imparting great wisdom. “Experienced, caring, plus they always carry snacks.”
Kargan and even Lila chuckled while Bohemond scowled. "Well, you're entitled to your tastes. Just keep away from my mother."
"Already too late."
Even Eldrin, usually stoic, burst out laughing. “There is something to be said for experience, I suppose.”
Lila crossed her arms. "This is what I get for traveling with a bunch of men." She turned to Eldrin. "By the way, you never told us how things went with Mira the Barmaid.”
“A barmaid?” Bohemond said, cracking a rare smile. “Eldrin, I didn’t know you had it in you!”
Eldrin gave a coy smile. “A Ranger’s path may be lonely, but we know how to find good company when it matters.”
They all laughed as they headed down the street, but soon they were back to business. After asking a few random passersby, they learned the locations of the remaining trading companies in Kaldrath.
It didn’t take long to find Stormgale Alchemical and Sundries, though unlike the other two trading houses, this one wasn’t on the main street of Kaldrath Island. Instead, it was tucked away in a narrow alleyway, wedged between a tavern and a smithy. Its modest, weathered exterior stood in stark contrast to the polished grandeur of The Silvercrest Syndicate.
The door creaked as they entered, revealing a small, dimly lit space lined with shelves filled with bottles of alchemical ingredients, vials of colorful potions, and strange herbs hanging from the ceiling to dry. The smell of various concoctions filled the air—sharp, earthy, and pungent. There was no fireplace here, only a small, enchanted heater in the corner that radiated a low warmth.
Behind the counter stood a late middle-aged man with thinning gray hair and a pair of round spectacles perched on his nose. His weathered face gave off an air of wisdom and experience. The room was cluttered but orderly, clearly the workspace of someone who valued precision over presentation.
Justin, taking the lead this time, approached the counter with a friendly nod. “Good afternoon. We’re looking for any job openings with your caravans. We were told you might be hiring.”
The man glanced up from the mortar and pestle he had been grinding herbs with. “Caravan guards, you say? We’re a minor operation, but we might have something going out within the week. Not much traffic this time of year, though.”
“Would that be heading east or south?” Justin asked.
“South, like everyone else. No one’s doing the east route anymore, not since the tunnel reopened. Too much risk and too little reward.”
Justin sighed, nodding. “So I’ve heard.”
The man offered a sympathetic shrug. “If you’re looking for work heading east, you’re not likely to find it. Not around here, anyway. Kaldrath’s trade has shifted south, and that’s where the money’s flowing.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
He was about to leave say no, when he remembered the potion he’d received from Glamshara. If this company mostly dealt with potions, maybe they had an Alchemist on staff to appraise it.
Of course, doing so carried risks. The pro was that he might learn what the potion did that much more quickly. After all, there was no guarantee that he’d ever make it to Belmora to use Eldrin’s contact. The con was that this place wasn’t vetted, and even if they could tell him what the potion did, it might place a target on his back if it was truly valuable.
Justin would talk to Eldrin about it later. The Ranger always had a good perspective.
But even if he wasn’t comfortable talking about the All-Encompassing Draught, he was more than willing to talk about the Alchemist Core. Justin had already spied a few of them protected behind the counter in enchanted cases.
“I see this business deals in Alchemist Cores,” he said. “I have one to sell, possibly.”
“I see,” the clerk said. “But if we’re to be trading such a high value item, we had better exchange names. He offered a hand. “Erik Stormgale. Owner.”
“Justin Talemaker,” Justin said smoothly, shaking his hand. “Socialite and Gentleman.” He quickly introduced the rest of his companions.
“A Socialite,” the man said approvingly. “Let’s see that core, Mr. Talemaker.”
Justin pulled out the Alchemist Core he had found earlier, its shining blue light illuminating the room’s interior and bathing everything in a bluish glow.
“First, Mr. Stormgale,” Justin said, “I’m wondering if this can combine with a Socialite Core. If not, would you be interested in buying it?”
Erik’s eyes lit up with professional interest as he examined the Core. “I’ll answer the second question first. I’m always happy to buy class cores off adventurers. I don’t just deal with Alchemist Cores, but any core, really. As for Alchemist Cores, they’re quite valuable; most crafting classes are. But any shop that deals with such things would buy it from you for about thirty golds, so my offer would be about the same.”
Justin arched an eyebrow. “That’s quite the discount. I’ve been told that the market price is about eighty golds. That’s a fat margin for you, if I might be so direct.”
Erik shrugged. “I’m running a business, not a charity.”
“Still,” Justin said. “If you won’t buy it off me, I’m sure The Silvercrest Syndicate or Whitepeak Mercantile could give me a better deal.”
“If they will, then not by much. You see, a lot of adventurers base themselves in Kaldrath. Given the isolation of this area, the Vaults here are quite high level. Cores drop commonly enough that, compared to most other places, the markets here are quite flooded with them.” He nodded back toward his inventory. “As you can see, I have three Alchemist Cores on hand and have yet to find buyers for them among the locals. I’m most likely going to send them to the southern markets, but of course, the caravans always want their cut. You’re welcome to travel somewhere the market rate is higher. But here, you’re trying to sell a diamond next to the mine.”
“I see,” Justin said, detecting no lie in his explanation. “What about for my other question? Does it combine with a Socialite Core?”
“It certainly does. You’d get the Mixologist Advanced Class.”
Justin’s heart raced. “Mixologist. What does that do?”
“It’s a powerful buffing and debuffing class, known for its special potions, elixirs, and unique ‘cocktails’ that even someone like me can’t make. You’d get access to skills and boons that allow you to enhance your use of a potion gauntlet, which launches prepared flasks from your wrist. The mixtures you create would have a variety of powerful effects, including healing, damage, buffing allies, and debuffing enemies.”
That sounded powerful. “I’d keep all my current skills and boons?”
Erik nodded. “You would. The skills and boons you’ve already gained would all get a slight boost in line with your Advanced Class, but any new ability you learned would be related to the Mixologist Class. It’s not a bad advanced class at all, but it depends on what you’re going for.”
“Interesting,” Justin mused.
He considered his options. The gold from selling now would be immediately useful. His Advanced Class was still ten levels away, so that was a long time to hold on to a core. It stood to reason that by the time he was ready for an Advanced Class, he would have gained enough money to get any core, not just an Alchemy Core.
So, the question was, did he want the money now, which would be more immediately useful, or did he want to hold on to the core and wait for a better deal? At the moment, Justin’s reserves were rather low after his spending spree in Windfall. Having that much gold on hand would be a game changer.
“I’ll tell you what,” Justin said. “Yours isn’t the only trading company dealing in cores, and you’re the first person I talked to. I’m good at reading faces, and yours is honest. Give me your very best price to save me the trouble of shopping around.” Then, thinking of the All-Encompassing Draught, he added: “Who knows? I might come back with more rare items to sell.”
Erik Stormgale considered this. “Well, a return customer is always good, but anyone can see you’re a stranger to these parts, and it seems you’re eager to be off, from your questions about joining a caravan. So, if you truly have something else to sell me, you had better strike while the iron is hot. If the item is of particularly high value, I can improve my offer.”
Stormgale was playing this well, and quite shrewd.
“I have such an item,” Justin said. “However, I’d still like you to make a strong offer before I consider doing further business with you.”
The ball was in Stormgale’s court. The man gave a resigned sigh. “I can offer thirty-eight golden crowns, and I’m confident that one will not be beat. Silvercrest deals in cores; it’s a specialty of theirs. But they are known for being stingy. Whitepeak is my strongest competition, and they might offer you a better price. And yet, unlike them, I’m known for my honesty, and you can ask anyone about that. Whitepeak has a…reputation, shall we say.”
“What kind of reputation?” Justin asked.
Stormgale ignored the question, leaving it for Justin to figure out. “Would you at least tell me the nature of the item to see if we can work out a deal?”
Justin could give him that much. “It’s a powerful and rare potion, though I’m unsure of the effects. Unfortunately, I require the services of a high-level Alchemist.”
“Well, I am an expert at my craft, and have lived a long and storied history, all in pursuit of mastering my class. I may not be a Level 20 Alchemist, but I am Level 18. I can discern the qualities, and dangers, of most magical drafts. I imagine you couldn’t find someone with more expertise north of the Seraphims. Even the Qilungit come to me with their questions.” He paused, considering. “You mentioned your interest in joining a caravan. That can be difficult to do without a proper reference. A strong letter of recommendation from me will land you a job with any trading company here. I can throw that in as well.”
Justin knew the man had them. “All right. So, thirty-eight golden crowns, letters of recommendation for all five of us, and a chance to look at the rare potion I have.”
“Sounds good to me. My recommendation is to come back this evening. We close at five, but if you come just after that, I can ensure we have privacy for such a high value transaction. I can have the coin ready for you, along with the letters. Bring your Alchemy Core and this rare potion you have.”
“Sounds perfect,” Justin said.
Mr. Stormgale smiled. “If you need anything in the meantime, you can find me here.”
“Thanks for everything,” Justin said, turning to his companions. “I think we’re done for now.”
[50 Experience Gained! Your Experience stands at 169/2070].
Once outside, Lila let out a triumphant whoop.
“That went exceedingly well!” she said. “And now we’re practically guaranteed a job to boot.”
“Yes, it sounds very promising,” Eldrin agreed. “Assuming Whitepeak Mercantile or the Ghostwater Collective have caravans heading in the right direction.”
“It’s high time we checked ourselves into an inn,” Justin suggested, rubbing his hands together against the biting cold.
“You’re paying, right, Moneybags?” Lila asked with a teasing grin.
Justin opened his coin pouch, peering inside. There were hardly any coins left, just a few silvers rattling at the bottom. Windfall had completely cleaned him out, and surprisingly, they had found no gold in Drakendir or the wilds north of the Seraphim Mountains.
“Hey, I’m happy to cover everyone once I get my payout. But for now, I’ll be living on credit.”
“Let’s get ourselves situated first,” Eldrin said, his tone decisive. “We’ve all earned a rest.” He then turned to Justin. “If you need some backup when it comes time to sell the core, I can be there to help make sure everything goes smoothly and that your interests are protected.”
Justin almost wanted to say he could handle it on his own, but he understood the wisdom in Eldrin’s offer. He had a good read on Erik Stormgale, but for something as valuable as the All-Encompassing Draught, even an honest man could be tempted. A little extra caution never hurt.
“I’d appreciate the backup,” Justin said, nodding. “First, let’s warm up, grab something to eat that isn’t boar meat, and ask around about caravans.”
“Kargan, Bohemond, and I can handle the caravan inquiries while you two deal with the core,” Lila offered. “These trading companies are likely to close while you’re at Stormgale’s. His letter will be helpful, but if we can secure jobs without it, all the better.”
“Normally, I’d advise against splitting up,” Eldrin said. “Given the danger we’re in, it’s a risk. But in this case, it’s a wise move. Best-case scenario, you three find something heading east—ideally tomorrow morning. The sooner we conclude our business in Kaldrath, the better.”
Justin nodded, though the idea of being rushed meant he wouldn’t have time to shop for better gear. Hanging onto the gold wasn’t a terrible option; it would give him more flexibility. Still, he had hoped to be fully equipped with Silver Level items to improve his survivability.
And another thought nagged at him—once he got his money, should he share the newfound wealth with the group?
While the core had been given to him, hoarding the money didn’t sit right. After all, surviving the wilds had been a team effort. He wasn’t sure how to handle it, but an idea took root in his mind: perhaps he could use part of the gold to improve the group’s gear or contribute to their supplies. Thirty-eight golden crowns was a small fortune in this world.
Eldrin soon led them to a cozy, three-story inn built from black brick, called “Elara’s Star.” Justin smiled at the name, remembering Lila’s song from their second day together. He took it as a good omen, and the name was fitting, given the Star of Elara was the north star of this world.
But for now, it was time to rest, enjoy a warm meal, maybe a cup of coffee, and—best of all—a hot bath.