Now Laes, despite my doubts, had been true to his word. He had paid me the agreed upon silver every month. Half of which, however, went to sundry costs. But with the city so near now, those accounts would soon be closed.

The city in the distance also represented freedom, an escape from chains. And an escape from the incessant nagging that had been plaguing me of late. When had Catalina turned into such a fishwife?

When she was not complaining, she was generally pleasant company, but any further entanglement presented only a series of problems. I tried to imagine a life with her, and simply could not do it. The relationship had, unfortunately, run its course. Also, the single mothers of this world, like in my old one, had their fair share of problems that, quite frankly, I did not wish to deal with any longer. I wanted to see more of this world, and the last thing I needed was a premade family to hold me back.

Though how I would be able to bid farewell without causing a scene would be another matter. I would lose too much face if I left in the middle of the night… Perhaps it would be better to discuss things with Laes, nip this problem in the bud as it were.

Laes would make a killing on this trip, exchanging his goods for the rare commodity that was the Dust. More importantly, he could probably leverage some of the information from the outside world to gain favors within the city. I would have to make sure that he did not mention me or my companions to any relevant parties that might be interested. It called for a pointed discussion, a very pointed discussion.

Our destination was so close at hand, that I felt, keenly, the urge to pad my purse with more money. There was no longer a need to lose on purpose when gambling, for I was no longer trying to milk the games for Luck gains. Instead, I began to win steadily, but not at a rate that I could be accused of rigging or cheating. Indeed, it would have taken a brave man to put forth such an accusation. Still, there was no point in killing the golden goose.

While I kept playing out simulations of betrayal, I also made sure to plan for the future. Here and there, I pumped the people of the Raven for all they knew of the city, and most of them were happy to tell me what I wanted.

The city’s governance, in comparison to the rest of the world, was, in my opinion, a little different from the standard I had come to expect. Al-Lazar was controlled, essentially, by a group of companies who exerted control and influence over the politics of the city. These organizations in turn could vote on various edicts and policies of the city. Members of such companies were called Shareholders, as they shared directly in the vast profits of the companies. They were essentially the lords and ladies of the city, just under different names. There was no corporate meritocracy here, as power was handed down through familial lines.

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However, it hardly mattered, as even an incompetent person could reap the vast profits that were made from the annual harvest of the Dust. Despite the natural barriers of the Wastes, and the ongoing blockade of its sea routes, trade groups and caravans still found their way here to deal in the most precious of substances.

Approximately three hundred miles or so to the north was the port town of Narilmu. There, a trickle of trade came in by sea from those willing to brave sporadic raids from the Mer and was supplemented by another overland trade route from the North. These trade groups would then make the rest of the way south to the city of Al-Lazar, hiring adventurers or mercenaries for their escort. It was a far cry from the trading heyday of Al-Lazar before their war with the people of the sea, but it was a lifeline nonetheless.

What was worrying was the strong presence of the Church of Her Divine Radiance, the followers of the hateful Avaria, in the port town. If She had followers in the region, it represented a potential threat. I learned from Cordelia that, banned in Al-Lazar, they instead ran a collection of almshouses, orphanages, hospitals, and other charitable works in Narilmu.

It was a well-known fact that the majority of the dock workers, porters, and general laborers were of Aranthian stock or devout followers of the Church. All of this gave the Church great influence in Narilmu, and indirectly Al-Lazar itself. I decided it would be best to avoid the place as much as possible.

From Abas Yar, I learned that the land route to the north was as perilous as crossing the Whispering Wastes. Further north, you could travel until the desert became a jungle. Through this primordial jungle was a road made in ancient times from large blocks of white marble stone. You would think that this would be a safe thing to travel, but green skins had made their homes in the jungle. Barbaric tribes and clans of Orcs and Goblins fought each other under the dark canopies of the trees. The savages often fought each other as much as they attacked the merchant caravans.

Of some note, the Ravens and the Crows would be stopping at Narilmu before traveling this route.

Al-Lazar was ostensibly a city at war and under economic siege, its sea routes blockaded by the Mer. However, between the Adventurer’s and Mercenary Guilds' strong presence within the city, along with their private armies, the city was well defended. Between the city of Narilmu, and the other overland routes, and despite the dangers of those routes, the city was well supplied.

Indeed, the raids of the Mer had long ago been relegated to minor nuisances, as the war, for the most part, prevented marine travel into the city. Indeed there had been talk of suing for peace, but this had been vetoed at every turn.

There was also talk of a tournament that would soon be held in the city, and this certainly piqued my interest. These sorts of events in games were always fun and were a good way to raise one’s influence and earn rich rewards. Looking at my companions, I was pretty sure that even if I could not win it, perhaps one of them could.

Sitting high in my saddle, I saw a group of horsemen, coming from the direction of Al-Lazar. Laes seemed unusually calm, relieved almost, as if he had been expecting them. Was this the moment he had been waiting for? He would be the first to fall, if he was planning treachery.