As twilight approached, Jonn, Petyr, and Elia found themselves traversing the southeastern road, the setting sun casting long shadows behind them. Their journey was nearing its conclusion as they pressed onward, the day’s light gradually fading from the horizon.
The village’s animals had been garnering increasing attention from the villagers, thanks to their remarkable performance in daily tasks and their vital role as the community’s backbone. Today’s horses, in particular, demonstrated extraordinary stamina, covering hundreds of kilometers in mere hours without displaying any signs of fatigue. Though they had varied their pace throughout the journey, they had yet to require their first rest stop.
Elia and Petyr couldn’t help but marvel at the magnificent condition of their steeds. The horses now possessed an almost regal bearing, with lustrous coats that seemed to shimmer in the dying light and eyes that sparkled with vitality. It was as if the passing year had not only maintained their youth but somehow enhanced it.
The transformations, however, had occurred gradually enough that neither of Jonn’s companions felt compelled to question these changes. While the animals exhibited increasingly impressive characteristics, their evolution remained within the bounds of plausibility—at least for now.
Jonn seized the opportunity presented by these peaceful hours of travel to immerse himself in the texts he’d brought from Littlewood.
Since his return from Littlewood, he had established a disciplined routine of dedicating one to two hours daily to study. More extensive reading sessions proved impossible given his demanding schedule, which encompassed meditation, forge work, mining, animal care, and many other responsibilities.
Life in the village had grown increasingly demanding for all residents, including the esteemed Village Elder. With their modest population struggling to manage an ever-expanding number of animals and crops, everyone’s daily routine had become more intensive and complex.
Nevertheless, Jonn’s dedicated two hours of daily reading had proved fruitful, yielding valuable insights into both mainland magical society and the historical intricacies of the war. For instance, he discovered that in the aftermath of the many battles in the Barren Hills of Deepshadow, various states had launched expeditions to recover lost resources from what had been the war’s primary battleground.
This illuminated why, despite months of searching for caves similar to Count Francus Riverash’s, Jonn had failed to discover anything remotely comparable to it.
The continent’s powers had been thorough in their recovery efforts.
Despite this, Jonn had persisted in his exploration of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow, mapping over three dozen locations that showed promise for mineral extraction. While he had discovered several caves during his surveys, none had yielded the coveted Aether Tears, {Spells}, or enchanted weapons he sought.
“Looks like they’re ahead,” Petyr’s resonant voice suddenly cut through the evening air, drawing Jonn’s attention from the torch-lit page before him.
Looking up from his position, Jonn spotted multiple torches flickering in the distance beyond the river crossing ahead. The water there was shallow despite being flooded, making it passable for vehicles like their own.
Across the flooded bank, an expansive camp sprawled before them, its many torches and merchant vehicles laden with goods creating a beacon of commerce in the gathering darkness. The settlement was large enough to be visible from a considerable distance, its lights piercing through the evening gloom.
Jonn’s face broke into a relieved smile at the sight of the massive wooden-trunk vehicles, knowing that these materials would provide much-needed relief to his people.
In the current state of the Eternal Village, wood had become a precious commodity. The Barren Hills of Deepshadow had been devoid of plantations for decades, resulting in a severe shortage throughout the entire region. Most of the village’s existing wooden structures were remnants of the past, salvaged from old buildings.
The village fence itself had been reduced in radius, its dismantled sections repurposed for constructing new buildings within the reformed village boundaries.
However, there was a finite limit to what they could salvage and reuse, and they were rapidly approaching that threshold. While stone could serve as an alternative building material for some structures, wood remained essential for countless other, making this evening’s meeting crucial for their community’s future.
“We made the right choice,” Petyr observed thoughtfully as he guided their wagon’s horses, his eyes assessing the goods displayed around the torch-lit camp. “Ansure will prove to be our most valuable trading partner in the immediate future.”
Elia nodded enthusiastically, her smile even broader than Jonn’s, clutching a comprehensive list of resources they planned to trade and purchase that night.
The encampment, where Asher had remained after dispatching Eliot to alert the village of their arrival, spotted Jonn’s group approaching.
Their wagon, moving at an unprecedented speed, caught everyone’s attention, including the traders who couldn’t recall seeing such swift transportation in recent memory.
Ansure squinted through the dimming light, recognizing the red-haired warrior he’d negotiated with months prior.
The middle-aged merchant, his black beard, and mustache neatly trimmed, recalled his initial skepticism about Petyr’s proposals. However, the sight of that wagon before him confirmed his journey hadn’t been in vain.
A satisfied smile spread across Ansure’s face as his men visibly relaxed, their grip on their weapons loosening.
Asher raised his arms in greeting, stepping forward alongside Ansure and three of the merchant’s personal guards.
The village wagon navigated the shallow river crossing with ease, arriving at the human encampment mere minutes later.
“Petyr… You’ve honored your word,” Ansure said, his distinctive accent immediately marking him as a foreigner to the residents of the Eternal Village.
Though Valorian shared a common tongue throughout most of the continent, its various dialects, and regional languages created a rich tapestry of linguistic diversity.
Petyr, Jonn, and Elia descended from their wagon’s front bench, taking a moment to adjust their travel-worn clothes and stretch their stiff limbs. While two of them showed signs of discomfort from the long journey, the red-haired made the introductions.
“I make it a point to honor my commitments,” Petyr responded diplomatically. “Allow me to present two distinguished members of our community. This is Elia, our Trade Advisor, and Jonn, our Elder and group leader.”
Elia offered Ansure a smile, while Jonn acknowledged the merchant with a respectful nod.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Ansure exuded an aura starkly different from Acelin’s. Where Acelin had appeared to squander resources frivolously in this chaotic, decaying world, the short-haired man before Jonn, dressed in practical hunter’s attire, seemed to embody careful deliberation in every expenditure.
This contrast extended to their entourages as well. Ansure’s group, nearly double the size of Acelin’s, comprised mostly armed warriors ready for conflict. In comparison, Acelin’s retinue had consisted primarily of servants rather than fighters.
Jonn, however, wasn’t there to pass judgment. He remained equally wary of Ansure as he had been of Acelin. The sole advantage Ansure held was his ignorance of their origins—a fact that sufficed for the moment.
“You may call me Jonn,” he said, extending his hand with an air of absolute self-assurance. The firm handshake that followed spoke volumes about Jonn’s character.
As an experienced traveler, Ansure quickly discerned that Jonn’s youthful appearance belied a more complex individual. He greeted the young man cordially, mentally noting the need for caution. This boy was far from ordinary.
“How was your journey?” Ansure inquired, gesturing for the group to join him around one of the crackling campfires. “Traversing these desolate stretches of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow is no small feat. The war’s aftermath has transformed this region into a toxic wasteland.”
Jonn nodded, his eyes reflecting the hardships they’d endured. “Indeed, traversing this area is fraught with challenges,” he began, his voice steady and measured. “Pockets of toxic mana still linger, capable of swiftly poisoning the unwary. Our animals struggle to maintain their strength as we journey through these wastelands, and the monotonous, desolate landscapes make even brief trips feel interminable.”
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing, “Yet, the difficulties of traveling through this region are a necessary evil. The situation to the north has become untenable. Conducting business with Lost Treasures and Arcanis has grown nearly impossible for us.”
Ansure’s expression darkened with understanding. The unsettling rumors from those areas had reached his ears as well.
Elia, ever mindful of revealing too much, interjected, “I imagine life is challenging everywhere in Valorian these days. The perils of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow are but one facet of our world’s current struggles.” She offered a pragmatic smile, steering the conversation back to its purpose. “But let’s not dwell on hardships. We’re here to conduct business.”
Ansure nodded approvingly, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Indeed, a most welcome topic,” he agreed, rising to his feet. With a sweeping gesture towards his caravan, he continued, “Petyr mentioned your interest in a diverse array of goods. I believe I can accommodate your needs.
“My inventory includes weapons and livestock, but my specialties lie elsewhere. I carry an assortment of logs, glass, components for magical systems, spices, precious minerals, and a selection of meats. While I have a bit of everything, these are my primary offerings and what I’ve brought with me today.”
Elia stepped forward and said, “We have 22 gold coins at our disposal, along with everything we’ve brought in our wagon.”
Ansure’s eyes lit up with interest, recalling his earlier conversations with Petyr. “Might my men examine what you’ve brought?” he asked.
The merchant’s particular interest was piqued by the promise of food—a commodity conspicuously absent from his own inventory. If Petyr’s earlier claims held true, Ansure knew he’d do everything in his power to secure a deal.
In a world where food surpluses were increasingly rare, such an opportunity was too valuable to pass up!
The group moved away from the warmth of the campfire, making their way to the back of the village’s wagon, just a few meters distant.
Jonn took the lead in presenting their wares. “We have 400 kilograms of food available for trade. It’s a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables, and some grains—though fruits and vegetables make up the majority. We’re still working on developing more export-oriented crops, but we expect to have a wider variety in the future.”
Elia continued the inventory. “Besides our food offerings, we have 300 kilograms of iron bars, 11 spears, 5 swords, and 4 daggers, all expertly crafted by our village blacksmith.”
At a nod from Ansure, his subordinates sprang into action. Some carefully opened the bags of food, inspecting the quality and variety of the produce. Others hefted the weapons and iron bars, assessing the craftsmanship and weight of each piece.
Ansure’s eyes gleamed with interest as he surveyed the group’s food. While the quantity of metal and the quality of the weapons were impressive, it was the food that truly captured his attention. In this world of scarcity, fresh produce was worth its weight in gold.
“This is quite an intriguing assortment,” he mused, his merchant’s mind already calculating. “I can offer 42 gold coins for everything you’ve brought. Combined with your existing 22 coins, you’ll have substantial purchasing power for my inventory.”
Ansure’s offer hung in the air as Petyr and Jonn stepped back, giving Elia the space to consider and decide on the matter.
‘It’s not an overwhelming amount,’ Elia thought, her mind racing through calculations. ‘We might negotiate for more, but there’s a critical factor to consider—some of our foods will spoil within days. He’ll likely need to consume or trade a portion quickly to prevent waste.’
She estimated that the metals and weapons alone should account for about half of Ansure’s offer. Considering that the merchant would need to profit upon resale, she deemed it a fair proposition.
With a slight nod to herself, Elia decided. “All right. We accept your offer.”
Ansure proved to be a accommodating trading partner, fulfilling nearly all of Elia’s requests. In a gesture of goodwill that surprised the group, he even offered to lend them wagons for a week. This offer would allow them to transport their newly acquired goods back to their territory and return the vehicles to this location, where some of Ansure’s men would remain to reclaim them.
As Elia continued her negotiations with the merchant, Jonn examined Ansure’s livestock more closely. He noted the absence of large animals for immediate sale, though Ansure mentioned the possibility of ordering cows and bulls for future transactions. Instead, the merchant’s current inventory comprised smaller, more manageable creatures: rabbits, hens, roosters, goats, sheep, and even some insects.
Intrigued, Jonn approached one of Ansure’s assistants, who was tending to the animal enclosures. “What are your prices for these animals?” he inquired, his eyes scanning the livestock.
The assistant, well-versed in their pricing, promptly said, “Rabbits are 2 gold each. A breeding pair of hen and rooster goes for 3 gold. Goat pairs are priced at 5 gold. Individual sheep cost 3 gold each. All insects are 1 gold coin per specimen.”
Jonn nodded thoughtfully. The prices were steep, but he recognized the long-term value these animals could bring to their village. After a moment’s consideration, he decided. “We’ll take a pair of sheep,” he said, then added, “And some silkworms as well.”
His choices caught Petyr and Asher by surprise, their eyebrows raising in silent question. Elia, however, glanced over from her negotiations with Ansure and smiled approvingly. She grasped Jonn’s foresight—sheep and silkworms could pave the way for textile production in their village’s future.
Despite the hefty price tag of 10 gold coins—nearly depleting their available funds for the day’s transactions—Elia firmly believed the investment was worthwhile. Her business sense told her that these seemingly small additions could yield significant returns for the village’s future.
As the transaction was finalized, Jonn was caught off guard by an unexpected system message that instantly updated a quest.
You’ve added 6 new animals to the village, altering the progress required to complete the [Magic Farm] quest!
Jonn’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Interesting, he thought, it seems even insects are recognized as target animals for the quest!
He hadn’t awaited that silkworms would be acknowledged by the system!
One of Ansure’s men gathered their new acquisitions. He handed Jonn a small, sealed box containing the silkworms, while gently guiding the two sheep to follow alongside the Eternal Village group.
The woolly creatures bleated softly, seemingly unfazed by their change in circumstances.
In short order, the Eternal Village group found themselves in possession of their wagon, brimming with resources from Ansure’s inventory. In addition, three additional wagons that belonged to the traders were temporarily placed under their care.
As agreed upon during their talks, Asher would remain behind. The group had a week to complete the round trip and return the borrowed vehicles—a timeframe that exceeded their actual travel needs. However, to maintain the secrecy surrounding their village’s location, they would adhere to this schedule for as long as necessary.
As the evening deepened, Jonn, Elia, and Petyr returned to the village, each of them in one of Ansure’s wagons. In an intriguing display that drew curious glances from the remaining traders, their original village wagon set off without a visible driver.