Chapter 1

Light sounds of the nib on paper could be heard around the overcrowded room. The smell of varnish from the walls permeated everywhere along with the slight smell of seawater. It was a small room, below the deck of a merchant's vessel, a newly built one at that, which was made especially for the trip of which it was now returning. A few barrels and sacks were scattered in this small place... and at the center of it, there was a desk made of massive wood with only a candle and an opened ledger on which Zephyr was writing. 

He looked at the numbers and a wave of satisfaction washed over his face revealing a pleasing smile. His first trip to the southern domain was a bright success which made himself and his associates a lot richer. He invested five thousand gold crowns and was now returning with a cargo full of spices worth twenty-five thousand. The investment was risky but, in the end, paid off very well. This feat would make him known in the city and with the connections he made back in the south, he could establish a permanent trade route that could make him hundreds of thousands over the years. All he needed now was to convince his friends to invest. Normally it would be a hard thing to do, but with this trip and this profit convincing them would be a piece of cake.

He kept staring at the ledger until a light knock on the door woke him from his daze. 

“Come in!” Said Zephyr while adjusting his voice. 

The door opened and a black-clothed man, about the size of Zephyr but clearly older came in. His robust build would have one think that he was a warrior and not a sailor, but Zephyr knew better. His smile hidden beneath the gray beard was noticed by Zephyr and he asked. 

“Is everything alright Captain?” 

“Yes milord. “ Responded the old man. “I came here to notify you that we already have spotted land ahead. We should reach Nan shortly.”  

“Oh!” Exclaimed Zephyr. “It seems that we arrived earlier than expected.”  

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“We are two days early milord. It seems that the winds favored and the gods blessed.”  

Zephyr nodded in agreement. ‘the winds favored and the gods blessed’ it was an old saying used by sailors when a journey went well. Hearing the old captain saying it remained him of the time he meet him. His name was Metaro and Zephyr met him four months ago when he was preparing for the journey and needed a crew. The old man was much more interesting than he let out on the surface. He was a  rank 2 gold plated warrior that used to serve in the royal navy of the eastern empire.  He was definitely good at the job.  

Zephyr closed the ledger and stood up. “Come with me on the deck!” 

Hearing this old  Metaro followed him until they reached the front of the ship. 

The sea was calm and peacefully which relaxed Zephyr. 

“It is beautiful. Isn’t it?”  

Zephyr felt lost for a moment, he didn’t know what the old man referred to, but then his eyes stopped on a city in the distance. “It is, Indeed.”  

“It is true that Nan is the biggest city in the world? “ added him trying to chat with the sailor. 

“I traveled in the entire eastern sea and along the eastern coast before my retirement from the navy and, to tell you the truth milord, I never saw another that even came close.”  

Zephyr was a little surprised but he wasn't really that shocked. It was rumored that Nan was the biggest in the world, and he inclined to believe as he saw the city from the distance.  

He smiled and asked with a trace of mockery “ What about the Magocracy? I heard that even Nan pales in comparison with their capital.”  

“I would not know milord. I only sailed on the eastern part of the continent. the magocracy is too far away and I never got the chance.” 

‘Actually even if he sailed west, the magocracy would still be off-limits for many.’ thought him. 

“Don’t you miss the days in the navy?” asked Zephyr. 

A smile formed on Metaro’s face as he gazed at the sea for a few seconds before responding.  

“Not really. I’m old already and all  I want is to live the rest of my days at the sea in peace. “ Said him before he continued. “Actually this job that milord offered was very welcomed.”  

“Well, I’m glad that I could help. Maybe in the future, there will be more work for you.”  

Hearing this, old Metaro felt a warmth in his chest before frowning and yelling at a young sailor some distance away. “Oi! We are approaching land. Prepare the ship for docking and the cargo for unloading.”