Two months had passed since I landed in this world, and with the end of winter, it was time to make my move. I'd picked up the Elyrian language and was getting the hang of life here. But my goal was clear – I needed to get to Willsden, the big town.

"Shawn, you talked to your friend about the ride?" I asked, grunting as I hoisted a heavy sack of grain over my shoulder.

"Yeah, they said two people can go, but..." Shawn trailed off, his hesitation catching my attention.

I dropped the sack into the wooden cart and faced him. "But what? What's the problem?" I pressed, knowing I couldn't afford any delays.

Shawn threw his sack down and let out a sigh. "They're asking for more – two silvers each."

"Two silvers?" I shot back, incredulous. "It's only a silver's journey from Sunhill to Willsden."

"I'm sorry, man. I tried, but they wouldn't budge. Four silvers or no ride," he said, looking downbeat.

I eyed Shawn, sensing something off. The price hike seemed too convenient. "Alright, Shawn, see if you can get them to lower the fare. I'll think of something else if it doesn't work out."

Shawn nodded and left, but as I watched him go, a seed of suspicion took root in my mind. Was he trying to squeeze an extra coin out of me? I decided to let it play out for now.

After a five-hour back-breaking loading sacks onto the carriage, I was ready to collect my dues. The deal was two copper coins – fair for a day's hard labor. I approached the village head, a stout man named Bertram, expecting a straightforward exchange.

But Bertram had other ideas. He handed me a single copper, his expression nonchalant. "Sorry, Edward, but some sacks were damaged. This is all I can give you."

I turned the coin over in my hand, feeling the heat of anger rising. "Damaged? I handled every sack with care," I countered, keeping my voice steady despite the growing irritation.

Bertram just shrugged. "That's the way it is. Take it or leave it."

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Frustration had been building up inside me, and it was about time I let it out. I had tried to play it cool, to understand the lay of the land before making any moves. But my patience had worn thin between Shawn's attempt to overcharge me and Bertram's stunt with my pay. It was time to show them I wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Facing Bertram, I let a sly smile play on my lips. "You know, Bertram," I began, leaning in with a feigned casualness, "I heard an interesting gossip a few days back."

His eyes narrowed, wary of where this was going. "Oh?" he said, trying to maintain his composure.

I nodded, my smile never wavering. "Yeah, a little bird told me that Melissa, you know, the hunter's wife, is having an affair."

Bertram's face drained of color. He knew exactly what I was implying. Without a word, he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside his house, quickly shutting the door behind us. His actions confirmed everything I needed to know.

Inside, I faced him, my expression turning serious. "See, Bertram, I don't like being played. And I especially don't like it when people think they can walk all over me." I watched him closely, gauging his reaction.

Bertram was visibly shaken now, the fear in his eyes unmistakable. "What... what do you want?" he stammered.

I leaned in, my voice low but firm. "I want what's mine, Bertram. The full payment, as we agreed. And a little extra for the inconvenience."

He nodded frantically, scrambling to get the coins. I accepted the coins he handed me, weighing them in my hand. "Good. And just so we're clear, I expect no more trouble from you in the future. It would be a shame if rumors started spreading, wouldn't it?"

"Four silvers and eight coppers," I counted quietly, slipping the coins into my pouch and then into my pants pocket. It was a good haul, thanks to Bertram's little secret.

Every day since waking up in this new world, I had been on a mission to gather information about this world. With only thirty-two people in the village, keeping tabs on everyone wasn't too difficult. Most worked the farms, and a few herded goats. What struck me as odd was the lack of children – the youngest was my supposed sister, Elina, earning a mere two coppers for a full day's work at the farm.

I made it a point to investigate a different house daily, seeking useful information. During one of these investigations, I discovered Bertram's risky affair with Melissa while her husband, Randall, was away hunting.

"Bertram's got some nerve," I muttered to myself. Entangling with Randall's wife was a dangerous game. Randall was a formidable man, scarred from battles with wild beasts, known for his temper and his survival against a brown bear. Melissa, the village beauty, was undoubtedly desirable, but the risk was immense.

The thought of Bertram getting caught by Randall made me smile. Should I let this little secret out?

“No, no, this will make a lot of mess?” I shook off the thought. I needed to focus on my future, and Sunhill, a small and limited place, was not where I saw myself settling down. Willesden was my goal – a larger town with more opportunities and people.

As I locked the carriage door, the sound of it closing echoed in the quiet. A thought struck me. "Isn't this carriage heading to Willesden?"