The company caught the attention of a well muscled soldier that was standing sentry at the tunnel exit. Nick, Zander, and Urzak began to pass the line of orc warriors to inquire about what was needed to pass through the town. Nick panicked momentarily as he realized Zander’s identity as a station avatar may be compromised. He quickly glanced over to Zander and let out a relieved breath as he found his Identify skill shifted from identifying Zander’s class as [Station Avatar] to simply [Financial Advisor]. Certainly a strange class to have traveling with a mercenary company but not a danger to Nick’s anonymity as the holder of a special skill.

“Greetings travelers. Welcome to Mountain’s Watch.” the guard said as the three approached while motioning to the town spread out behind him.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. We are the Solis Trading Cooperative. We are making our way south for the frontier contract we received word of.” said Nick with a friendly wave despite his slightly strained nerves.

“Ahh. You are the first company to make it through the pass heading toward the frontier. We weren’t expecting any companies for another few weeks considering the season. The kingdom administration will surely be pleased to have you. If you are looking for a place to make camp there should be plenty of space in the mustering grounds just outside town.”

“That sounds like just what we need.”

“I will need you to fill out a permit and you can be on your way. If you can follow me to the sentry station I can have you sorted in a few minutes.”

Nick and Zander walked with the guard to get the paperwork sorted and Urzak took initiative to get the rest of the company out of the tunnel and ready to make the final march of the day to their temporary camp. As promised Nick and Zander were back with the company within a few minutes, having briefed the guard on the trouble they encountered in the passage. He seemed worried about the breach and assured them it would be investigated the following day. The town kept a mage on hand that could shift stone and address any issues with the passage due to the importance it held to the kingdom.

Nick and Zander soon joined the Nightfall sisters and Urzak in leading the company to a cleared and flattened area that had seen little use based on the weeds sprouting between the packed earth. The company traveled light with canvas tents and little else for shelter but the weather on the south side of the mountain range was pleasantly warm.

The warriors had begun shedding layers and thick muscled orc arms were on display by the time the company finished settling into camp. Nick speculated that the difference in temperature could only be explained by the size of the mountain range. He looked back to the North and the mountains were still too tall to see the peaks. Reaching out into the sky farther than his eyes could discern.

It was on that warm night around some small camp fires that Nick was able to really appreciate how much he had ahead to explore in his new world. The frontier was only a day away and he was anxious to see what it held for him.

Zander joined Nick by the fire while he ate dinner despite Zander’s own inability to eat food.

“We will need to start thinking about auxiliary company members soon. We can’t eat off of rations indefinitely and will need cooks, general labor to help with camp and all manner of support staff the larger the company becomes.” Nick said thoughtfully before taking a bite of some tough salted jerky.

“There are many such individuals that can be hired. There are some species like orcs that culturally tend to lean into warlike classes but there are others that have found a niche in support classes. If you support hiring a variety of species we are likely to find high leveled specialists willing to join a company in the frontier. Reputation will be important to maintain as it reflects on a company's ability to protect auxiliary and support units. They will not be expected to participate directly in any combat.” Zander explained.

“I prefer to judge people on their skills and merits rather than their appearance. If we can find some of these specialists willing to join then I am more than happy to hire them.”

Zander nodded. “I will begin assessing the market over the next couple of days for affordable options.”

“Excellent. I expect once we make it to the frontier we will have more opportunities to add new employees.” Nick said with a grin.

The sun set shortly after Nick finished his meal and the company settled into their tents for the night with only a few sentries posted to keep an eye on camp. Mountain’s Watch kept a vigilant watch for any suspicious activity but Urzak was a professional and took no chances. Larissa was more than happy for the assistance in keeping a constant watch as she had taken her new role of protecting the executive members of the company with gusto. Nick had frequently caught her having quick conversations with Urzak over the last day indicating they were working already together smoothly.

—

The morning brought another warm dry day and the camp was quickly broken down for the final march to the frontier city being used as the staging area for the larger push south. Nick learned the city was named Crosston and was established during the last frontier push. It contained the furthest southern station in the kingdom and was well suited to organize the expansion further into unclaimed lands.

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Nick felt the excitement in the air as the company began a rapid march down the well worn road from Mountain’s Watch. They were now sharing the road at times with other travelers coming from other surrounding villages or traveling between Crosston and Mountain’s Watch. It was in stark contrast to the almost desolate roads they’d traveled between Frellon to the mountain pass. It seemed the warmer weather made for much better commerce and trade no matter the time of year.

The company only stopped for a short lunch and so by early afternoon they crested the final hill before getting their first look at Crosston. The city was not what Nick expected. It featured a large stone keep in the center but otherwise contained relatively small buildings and the walls protecting it were made of thick timbers instead of stone. It was clear the city had not seen significant investment but it was teeming with activity that could be seen even from the hilltop over a mile away.

The wagons of traders and other companies were lined up outside the walls and the amount of soldiers seen on the walls appeared to be more than a standard detachment. Nick concluded the kingdom was being proactive against troublemakers with the frontier contract being issued. There was sure to be an uptick in crime in the city with criminals looking to mix with the newcomers entering the area.

The final march to the town walls took less than half an hour due to the well packed gravel road. The company split at the gates, with the martial forces being led by Urzak to a staging area set outside the walls for companies to make camp. Zander, Nick and his diligent bodyguards headed into the town to get more information about what to expect further south and register for the contracts being offered for monster subjugation.

Nick was impressed by the efficiency of the town and traffic flowed smoothly inside. There was a steady stream of carts, wagons, and pedestrians traveling toward and away from the keep at the center of town. As Nick's party passed under the large gate built into the northern wall he got his first glimpse of the importance of the location where all the traffic seemed to be focused.

The second station Nick had ever seen stood before him at the center of a large roundabout at the foot of the keep. The station structure was on a different scale than Frellon. It was easily two or three times the size with many more entrances. It was still only a few stories tall but it was the size of a small warehouse as opposed to the small home sized station he had seen in Frellon.

Nick turned to Zander to inquire about the unexpected sight, “Are all stations different sizes?”

“The station owners have some flexibility in the size and configuration of stations, but there are limitations based on the amount of commerce that passes through the station. A lightly used station will be limited in the changes to the structure compared to a station that sees heavy use.” Zander replied.

Nick was intrigued by the explanation and it made sense for Crosston to have a larger station based on the almost non-stop activity around the station he observed. He put aside his other questions and the small group continued deeper into the town. They made a couple of inquiries with the local guard and confirmed the local nobles had set up a station contract that could be accepted by companies looking to assist with the frontier campaign.

Nick took his time walking through town in order to take in the sights and sounds. It was obvious the town was experiencing an economic boom from the announcement of the frontier campaign and locals had set up stalls to sell their wares and food right along the streets. There were all types of goods on display including arms and armor of many varieties. Nick paused at a particularly gaudy stall and saw swords and shields that outshined all the others.

“Don’t be fooled by the polish. Those blades will shatter as easily as the rest of the junk they are selling in this market.” Nira said after catching Nick’s stare.

“I can’t pretend I’m an expert but they look like quality metal.” Nick replied.

“That is who they hope to sell to I’m sure. The quality weapons won’t be sold in the streets of a backwater town. The station market will be where the best stuff is found for sale unless you hire forgers and metal-smiths yourself to craft you something.”

“Another department to add to the list. We will certainly need quality smiths to maintain our weapons and armor sooner rather than later.”

“The large companies keep many on staff. The trick is finding good ones.”

Nick sighed as they moved on from the street stalls and made their way closer to the station. As they entered the large roundabout he took in the oldest part of the town. It was clear the town had been built around the station and keep built to defend it. There were mostly squat wooden structures on the outskirts of the town closer to the walls but the closer to the station the more stone buildings appeared. There seemed to be a number of government buildings at the intersections leading to the station as well. Nick reflected on the wisdom of having them placed there for both convenience and protection if it ever came to an attack on the town.

The group didn’t loiter on the outskirts long as the traffic kept them moving. There was little reason to delay so Nick and his retainers approached the closest station entrance. As they got to the doors Nick was fascinated to see people slip inside the doors and simply vanish. The doors opened and closed but all that could be seen inside was a dim light that would flash as people appeared or vanished as they crossed the threshold.

“Will we all appear together inside?” Nick whispered.

“Yes, the station will keep groups traveling together connected when they enter. Individuals may state different intentions as they cross into the station either verbally or mentally if they wish.” Zander answered.

“Station’s can read minds!?” Nick gasped.

He received a few strange looks at his small outburst but people seemed to be focused on their own tasks to give it much notice.

“Surface thoughts are the limit to its capabilities. It allows the station to support non-verbal species and individuals.”

Nick’s face changed to a thoughtful expression as the group reached the entrance. He pushed the door forward and stepped through trying to keep his mind clear of anything that would be interpreted as wanting to be separated from his group and with a quick flash of light he vanished.