I woke up early in the morning to prepare for the journey to the city for the market.

The air was crisp and cool, and the sun had just started to rise over the horizon. I took my time getting dressed and making sure I had everything I needed for the day.

My most precious possessions were my herbs, and I could feel their weight pressing against my skin. But I didn't mind the discomfort, knowing that it was a small price to pay. They were my ticket to riches.

We set off on the road that led to the city. The journey was long and treacherous, winding through dense forests and rocky terrain, but I was determined to make it to the market.

My father and I walked side by side, our footsteps echoing off the surrounding hills, our nerves strained from the constant danger that lurked in the shadows.

But finally, we caught a glimpse of the city walls looming in the distance, and we felt relief wash over us.

As we approached the city gates, I looked in awe at the imposing fortress that stood at the center of the city.

This was the seat of power for the de Santis Family, which was what our Lord's Family was called, as my father told me. The walls were tall and thick, and I was left wondering what they were defending against.

We entered the city, and I admired once again the grandeur and majesty of the architecture. The sun beat down on my skin, and my father walked beside me, his face stoic as always.

Once we entered the market, I asked my father if I could explore a bit. He warned me to be careful and not to wander too far, then went off to negotiate with the merchants.

I carefully looked around as I made my way through the market, making sure nobody saw me and quickly made my way to the familiar alley where Isadora's shop was located.

The sound of the bell announced my arrival as I cheerfully entered. Isadora was standing behind the desk. At first, she didn't recognize me, but I didn't take it personally. It had been a whole year since we last saw each other.

"Hello, little one, what can I do for you?" She asked with a smile.

"Good day, Isadora," I said, my voice tinged with excitement. "I bring you the herbs we discussed last time," I added.

"Herbs? Oh, you are the energetic little boy from the frontier village. I never thought I would see you again. What was your name again?"

"I'm Darian, and I'm sorry I made you wait so long. I can only come here once a year."

"Don't worry about it. I'm quite aware of how hard the journey here must be."

"So, what did you bring me?"

I carefully laid all the herbs on the desk, and Isadora widened her eyes in surprise.

"So many! How did you manage to gather this much?"

"Well, the other villagers are too afraid to come near the forest, so nobody gathers them."

"And how did you manage to dry them so well?" she asked, carefully examining each herb.

"These are extraordinary! You can even see the slight green glint."

"These can even be used to make high-grade potions!" Isadora exclaimed, clearly impressed.

"I just followed your instructions. I think I was just lucky," I replied, trying to sound humble.

"Lucky doesn't even begin to describe it. You have a real talent, Darian!" she said, beaming at me.

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"So, how much are these worth?" I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.

"Hmm, except for these, which are average, the rest is perfect and will sell at a premium price."

I understood why the first batch was average; I was just learning how to dry them. But I was surprised at how well the others turned out.

"I can give you four copper marks for the average and five for the good-quality ones."

"That makes three marks and four pennies of silver in total."

My eyes widened in disbelief. That was a lot of money. I had never seen any silver coins at home, so they must be quite valuable here.

"I'll take that," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Isadora smiled and disappeared into the back of the shop. When she returned, she presented me with a small pouch of coins.

I maintained a poker face and accepted it.

"Thank you, Isadora. Can I bring you more herbs if I come across them?"

"Well, of course!"

"I rarely come across herbs of this quality; you are welcome here anytime!"

"Great! farewell then"

I exited the shop, walked for a while, and when I had gone far enough, I stopped and examined my coin pouch.

Several small and large silver coins presented themselves.

I shouted internally, 'I'm so freaking rich!' Then I once again pretended like nothing happened and went back to the market to find my father.

We made our way to my uncle's house, where we were welcomed with open arms.

As we sat around the table, savoring my aunt's delicious cooking and swapping stories of our travels, I couldn't help but notice how much Konrad had changed since we last saw him.

He looked taller and more muscular, and his way of talking had become more confident and grown-up. It was clear that his apprenticeship with our uncle had been successful, and he was well on his way to becoming a great carpenter.

As the night wore on, we laughed and drank. The following morning, I woke up early and immediately checked my pouch of silver coins.

They were still there, safely tucked away in my clothes. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of accomplishment that I had never felt before in this world.

On the way back, Father noticed my change of attitude. "You look quite happy, Darian. Did something happen?"

"No, not at all. I'm just happy that I was able to go to the city. I quite like it there."

When we got back, I carefully hid my pouch, which I decided to call my "get out of the village fund," under my bed and happily went about my day.

Winter had come again, and with it came the snow that engulfed the whole village. Despite the harsh weather, my family managed to make all our winter preparations on time. We had stocked up on firewood and enough food to last us through the season.

Myra had been kind enough to lend me one of her tablets so that I could continue practicing my reading skills even when I was stuck at home.

I spent hours poring over the letters and words, my mind struggling to comprehend the intricate letters that were slowly revealing their secrets to me.

As the days passed, I felt the excitement building up within me. It was almost my birthday, and I was about to turn five in this strange world.

It was a significant milestone since most peasant children died from diseases that ravaged our land before they turned five.

I knew that my sister Helga had fallen ill last year, and my mother had been so worried that she had even gone to the temple to pray for her recovery. But luckily, Helga had pulled through, and all was well.

I couldn't help but wonder why I had never fallen ill. Perhaps it had something to do with my magic?

As my birthday drew closer, I found myself becoming more and more excited. I wondered what surprises awaited me on this special day and whether my family had planned anything special for me.

But most of all, I felt gratitude for having made it this far in a world that was so unforgiving and harsh. For me, turning five was not just a milestone but a victory over all the challenges and obstacles that lay in my path.

My mother had made me a real feast this time. She had prepared for me a big piece of roasted meat, fresh bread, and a rich, savory stew, making my mouth water.

Both my parents, Rolf and Helga, and I sat around the large wooden table, sharing laughter and stories as we indulged in the delicious food that my mother had prepared.

After dinner, my parents presented me with a precious gift—a whole copper mark. It was a tradition in our village to give money when a child turned five as a gift of fortune.

The coin was meant to be kept with me at all times and not spent until I started my apprenticeship. It was believed that the coin would bring me good luck in my job, and I should use it only for something important.

I felt a twinge of guilt as I looked at the shiny copper coin in my hand. It seemed like spare change for me, especially since I had a whole bunch of silver hidden away under my bed.

For just one silver penny, I could get up to ten copper marks. But I knew better than to let my true feelings show.

I made an effort to act grateful, knowing that this was still a significant amount of money for my parents.

I slipped the copper mark into the small leather pouch that hung around my neck, feeling its weight against my chest.

It was a tangible reminder of the responsibility and expectations that came with growing up in our village.

I knew that I had to take my future seriously, that I had to work hard and make something of myself.

The coin was just the beginning—a small token of the hopes and dreams that my parents had for me. It was now up to me to make those dreams a reality.