Disceroa, 28th of Rainwane, year 179 BN

As Richard stood outside the tavern, his attention was drawn to the bustling street life of Disceroa. However, unlike in Evergreen, women were present on the streets, albeit with their heads covered by cloths. The few women he saw with uncovered heads had their hair neatly braided, a cultural or fashion detail that piqued Richard's curiosity. Could it be a marital indicator, or simply a local trend? He filed the observation away as a cultural note to explore further.

What truly captured his interest, however, were the makeshift stalls lining the road. The term 'road' was generous, as it was little more than a flattened dirt path. Yet, it was alive with activity. Vendors at their simple wooden setups shouted prices, beckoning passersby to examine their wares.

Among the various items on sale, iron utensils and cookware stood out to Richard. This sparked an idea. He had no desire to delve into crafting long-term, but the opportunity in quality cookware was evident. He recalled how even Roxanne's kitchen in Evergreen lacked efficient and durable cooking tools.

Pulling out a piece of folded paper, ink, and a pen from the carriage, Richard began to jot down his thoughts. He wrote 'cookware' and 'blacksmiths to hire' at the top of his list. While he was aware that his designs could eventually be replicated by other blacksmiths, he recognized the advantage of being the first to market. With simple eating and cooking tools, the barrier to entry for copying was low, but initial market capture could be significant.

Swords and fine weaponry involved a level of craftsmanship that was hard to replicate without skill and experience, but cookware was a different matter. With some experimentation, any competent blacksmith could produce functional items. However, Richard's edge lay in introducing and establishing his products first, setting a standard for quality.

Introducing quality knives, forks, and spoons would do not only this city but all other cities well. As of now, most people eat with their hands or a spoon, with meat being cut up with large knives. Ordinary citizens didn't have their own knives, that was also something Richard suddenly realized as he was out here observing the people of Disceroa.

Richard's gaze drifted to several stalls offering an assortment of foods, including dried meats, fruits, and grains. He chose not to approach, instead opting to observe and listen from a distance. The prices for fruits and grains in Disceroa were noticeably higher than in Evergreen, marked up by two bronze tales. It was clear to him that these stalls weren't attracting many customers.

He pondered over the grain he had brought with him. In this market, it seemed unlikely to fetch a profitable price. His best bet would be to transport it to the next town, where demand might be higher. Selling it in Disceroa now, even at a lower price, wouldn't yield much gain. He decided to reserve it for the return trip, should he fail to find a better market elsewhere.

Among the various vendors, one particular merchant caught Richard's attention. The man, young and clean-shaven like himself, stood confidently in front of two wagons, guarded by a pair of watchful men in leather armor with swords at their sides. Richard noted the steady flow of customers approaching his stall.

The young merchant was selling an intriguing mix: Dragon's Pepper, a spice unknown to Richard, along with salt, willowbark, and feverfew. The steady line of customers meant there was a strong demand for these items. Curiosity piqued, Richard decided to engage the merchant directly. Leaving Dave, his verlpax, to its leisure, he made his way towards the stall.

He felt good about the safety of his own merchandise, concealed in a hidden compartment in the back of the carriage. Unless one knew exactly where to look, the items were safe from prying eyes.

"What can I get for you? I've got exotic spices from Thartian, rare healing herbs from Ghorth, and," the young merchant leaned in conspiratorially towards Richard, his hand half-covering his mouth, "I even have blue silk from Kraven."

Richard's interest piqued, not at the mention of silk, but the spices and herbs. He positioned himself to the side of the stall, careful not to obstruct other customers – mostly individuals in moderately fine attire, neither impoverished nor exceedingly wealthy.

"I'm curious about your spices. What varieties do you have?" Richard inquired, showing genuine interest.

"The prized item here is Dragon Pepper," the merchant replied with a hint of enthusiasm. "It's so fiery, you might find yourself craving the entire Nortian Ocean to quench the heat. But beware, a little goes a long way. Too much, and you're in for quite an... experience."

Richard examined the Dragon Pepper, noting its striking appearance: ebony black with a crimson stem. It reminded him of the hot peppers from his previous world, albeit with a unique twist. He observed several customers, particularly women, purchasing the pepper for six bronze tales each – a price point that was accessible to most.

His gaze then shifted to another item drawing attention. A bundle of thin, hollow wooden sticks bound tightly with rope caught his eye. Counting quickly, he noted there were five sticks in each bundle.

"Ahh, you're looking at the willowbark," the merchant noted, following Richard's gaze. "It's a reliable pain reliever. But if you're seeking something more potent, this Feverfew might interest you." He held up a small wooden cup filled with greenish-brown leaves. The herb's appearance was reminiscent of marijuana, Richard thought, though its medicinal properties were clearly different.

Richard extended his hand in greeting. "I couldn't help but notice the steady stream of customers at your stall. These Dragon peppers seem particularly popular. What sort of dishes does it go well with?"

The young merchant appeared comfortable with Richard’s question, appreciating the break in his routine as the locals already seemed well-acquainted with his offerings. "As I mentioned, the pepper adds quite a kick. It's commonly used in rice for an extra zing, or in stews — that's a favorite around here. Dragon stew, they call it, famous in the local inns for its rich, intense flavor. Works well with meat, too, and a bit of salt enhances the taste further."

Richard nodded thoughtfully, already envisioning how he might introduce new dishes like chili using these peppers, especially during the colder months. The idea of selling a novel dish at a premium price lingered enticingly in his mind.

"Any chance you stock something on the sweeter side?" Richard asked, shifting the topic slightly.

The merchant shook his head, a hint of regret in his tone. "I wish I did. The closest I had were sweet potatoes from Ghorth, but I sold them all before even reaching here."

"That means the areas you traveled through dont have much sweets? Or atleast sweet potatoes." Richard probed further. It would be nice if he could get a semblance of understanding about the broader market.

"Exactly," the merchant confirmed. "Places like Serthroian and Heatherhill had terrible harvests this year. I sold out of everything well before leaving Serthroian lands."

"Any idea what happened?" Richard asked, his interest piqued.

"Rumors say locusts devastated the crops. I can't confirm it personally since I didn't encounter any on my journey, but that's the word going around," the merchant replied.

Nodding his head Richard was glad to see some things haven't changed even in this new world he found himself in.

"Well, I've got something you might be interested in," Richard offered. "Delhar fruit, straight from Evergreen. It's not a sweet potato, but it's definitely special."

"Delhar? From Evergreen?" The young merchant's eyes widened in surprise. "I've heard of it, but... Evergreen? Isn't that place notorious for its monster tides?"

Richard nodded, a light chuckle escaping him. "That's right. I left shortly after the last tide."

The merchant whistled appreciatively. "Brave of you. My father always said Evergreen was too dangerous. Where are you headed?"

"Valewater. I'm on a supply run before heading back," Richard explained.

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The merchant's eyebrows shot up. "Going back? To Evergreen? If it's thrills you're after, why not head south to Brecilian? They’re dealing with an infestation of rock-chewing bugs. Dangerous, but there's profit in it if that's what you're looking for. Heard their shells might tough and the lord there is paying for any you can collect."

Richard took note of this and crossed that place off of his cities to visit. He honestly didn't know where it was, he'd have to look at his map to see. He's only been studying the area's around Evergreen, not anything too far south or west. "I prefer starting with familiar territory," he said. "I know a little about Evergreen, and that counts for something. Better than starting in places I'm unfamiliar with."

"I get that, but man, you're gutsy. What, did it take you eight, nine days to get here? Unless you took the river route, maybe three or four?"

Richard's laugh was light and genuine. "Actually, just a day."

The merchant's laugh joined his, incredulous. "A day? What, do you have some flying beast or something?"

Richard gestured towards Dave, his verlpax, still harnessed to the carriage. The creature looked disinterested, drooping amidst the wary stares and whispers of passersby. "Not flying, but fast. That's my verlpax. Surprised they're not more common around these parts."

"Yeah, that's a first for me," the merchant admitted, eyeing Dave curiously. "A verlpax, huh? That thing must've cost a fortune." He began to eye Richard up and down for a moment, not sensing anything special about him. It was a bit odd for Richard to have a verlpax with the way he was dressed that's for sure.

Richard observed the merchant's glance at his verlpax and carriage. He knew the sight was something to see, even now people kept taking glances at it. Richard in no sense looked the part of a noble or well-known trader. His average attire made him seem like a common person, however, he owned a creature and a vehicle that were rarities in these parts.

The merchant's curiosity shifted to the carriage. "That's quite the setup. What is that, some kind of advanced wagon?"

Richard nodded, looking over at his carriage. "Yes, it's specially designed for ease of travel. The verlpax is the real star, but the carriage itself is a game changer compared to traditional wagons. Also," Richard glanced at the merchant's own wagons. "Don't have to haul my own goods."

The merchant chuckled, "Must be nice not to haul your own cargo. Evergreen sell those?"

Richard replied with a hint of playfulness, "For the right price, I might consider it."

The merchant leaned in. "And how much would that be? Five, six gold tales?"

Richard gave a half-smile. "Try fifteen. It's unique, after all. Worth every tale."

The merchant shook his head, weighing the investment. For that price he could buy a lot more than a single carriage, he could buy a small boat. Take it up and down the Valewater river to transport his goods. "Tempting, but I think I'll pass. But let's talk about those Delhar fruits. What's your price?"

Richard only paid six bronze tales per Delhar, and that was because there were a lot of them in Evergreen. The fruit was common there, so common that ordinary people could afford it after a few days of work. As a specialty item, it should have been sold for more, but the demand for such fruit wasn't high, and there were no travelers going to the city. Nor was there anyone exporting the fruit out, so the prices continued to drop.

Selling it for ten bronze would net Richard four bronze tales, a decent amount considering he had thirty of them on hand. Big Oar and the others wanted to eat them, but he told them those were off-limits if they wanted to be paid for their services. So, the fruit was left alone.

Thirty of them with four bronze tales in profit, Richard would net himself a hundred-twenty bronze tales or just a bit over one silver. But, he learned that this young man hadn't been to Evergreen so he didn't know the price of the fruit.

He had to set it to an amount that was reasonable, but not too low. Ten bronze coins might seem just right, but Richard figured he could squeeze out a bit more.

"Fifteen bronze tales each."

The merchant, intrigued yet cautious, hesitated. "Fifteen bronze tales each is a bit steep for something I'm not sure will sell."

Sensing the merchant's hesitation, Richard formulated a plan to entice him. "I understand your concern. How about this? I'll sell you the first one at half price – just seven bronze tales. If you like it and think it'll sell, we can stick to the original price of fifteen for the rest."

The merchant's eyes lit up at the proposal, a calculated risk now seeming more appealing. "Sounds good. I'll take you up on that offer."

In his eyes this was a steal. He's never had Delhar for himself because it was only grown in Evergreen. He didn't have to pay full price and would be able to judge the quality of the fruit. As long as it suited his tasted he would be able to sell it, the problem would be finding customers willing to fork over the amount he'd ask for. He had to sell it higher than fifteen bronze tales if he wanted to make a profit, anything less and he'd be losing money.

Richard excused himself briefly, walking back to his carriage hidden from the merchant’s view. He discreetly opened the hidden compartment and carefully selected one of the watermelon-sized Delhar fruits. Its unique blue-green skin still struck him as unusual, yet he knew its taste was exceptional.

Returning to the stall, Richard presented the fruit. The merchant observed it with interest before handing over seven bronze tales from a pouch at his side. He instructed his guard to peel the fruit, revealing the vibrant ocean-blue flesh inside. Richard couldn’t help but salivate at the sight, a vivid reminder of the fruit’s delightful flavor.

The guard, looking at it, sliced off a small piece and tasted it. His eyes brightened instantly.

Encouraged by his guard’s reaction, the merchant himself sampled a piece. "Oh, this is good. Very good. Fifteen bronze tales each, then?" He double-checked, already calculating the profit potential in his mind. Even if Richard raised the price slightly, the merchant saw a lucrative opportunity to sell the fruit to Thartian’s rich. This fruit would go for double the price he was paying now, he was sure of it.

Richard noticed his reaction and eagerness to buy the fruit. Fifteen tales might have been too low considering their reaction, but it was already more than double what he paid for it back in Evergreen. Should he offload all of the fruit here or save some for the next town? There was no telling what was in store at Suncrest and Valewater. Those places might have their own fruits for sale, and the Delhar while unique wouldn't be anything too special.

It was a gamble, but Richard decided to sell as many of them as he could here to this young man.

"Yes, that's the price. How many are you interested in?" Richard asked, his tone businesslike.

"How many do you have left?" The merchant inquired, eager to secure more of the exotic fruit.

"Twenty-nine, in total. That would be four silver and thirty-five bronze tales altogether," Richard calculated quickly. It was one thing he was good at besides crafting. He never considered himself a mathematician, but he was decent enough.

The young merchant whistled at Richard's rapid calculation. He was quick, but not that fast. In fact, he had to use his abacus to be sure the amount was correct, which took him quite a bit of time. Most of the time he kept it under his stall for any major deals, but this was the first time today he's had to use it. "Thartian have mercy," he exclaimed, his fingers deftly moving beads on his abacus to verify the sum. "How did you work that out so fast?"

Richard picked up on the phrase, mentally noting it as a religious reference, something he hadn't encountered much in his time here. Evergreen, didnt seem to have any churchs and hes not once seen someone pray. But then again, he had yet to explore all of the city.

"Are you wondering about the calculation?" Richard asked.

"Yeah, exactly! I've never seen anyone figure numbers that quickly without an abacus," Erik said, pointing to the counting tool on his stall.

Richard realized his quick arithmetic might appear unusual here. "I've always had a knack for numbers," he explained, offering a modest smile. "It's just something I'm good at."

Erik nodded, impressed. "I didn’t catch your name earlier."

"I’m Richard," he replied, extending his hand.

Erik regarded Richard's hand briefly before clasping it in his own. "Erik. If you ever find yourself in Thartian, look me up. I'll give you the grand tour. The women there... they're something else."

Richard chuckled. "And if you're in Evergreen, I’ll return the favor. Though I can’t promise the same about the women."

Erik laughed, taking Richard's comment in stride. "If these Delhar fruits sell well in Thartian, I might just take you up on that. But Evergreen? That’s a risk I'm not keen on taking. How about meeting back here instead?"

Richard nodded a little glad Erik wasn't going to Evergreen. If that were truly the case then he could just buy the fruit for as cheap as Richard.

Richard nodded, relieved in a way that Erik wasn’t planning a trip to Evergreen – it would keep his source for cheap Delhar secure. "Sounds like a plan."

"I usually come here twice a year, once in Rainwane and again in Leafall." Erik said.

As their conversation progressed, Richard found himself learning more about Thartian from Erik. One intriguing detail was about a local delicacy called Tres, mushrooms that made you feel like you were flying. Erik explained they were particularly popular among Thartian's elite, often featured at lavish parties.

Though Erik offered to bring some on their next encounter, Richard politely declined. He wasn’t interested in drugs, even if they might find a market in Evergreen.

Their discussion then veered towards the specialties of Disceroa. Erik mentioned Ice fish, a local favorite sold for just three bronze tales each. They were a bargain but required careful handling due to their quick spoilage – not ideal for Richard's extended travels. However, he made a mental note to possibly purchase some on his return to Evergreen.

Besides that, Disceroa also sold fine linen at a rate cheaper than the rest of the places in this region. Although Erik swore that Kraven had the best silk and linen if he was interested in buying that. All in all, Richard felt that he didn't lose anything by chatting with Erik and even managed to sell some of his goods.

For his first 'major' trade, he'd call it a success. What mattered is how he went forward with his newfound knowledge.

After parting ways with Erik, Richard retreated to his carriage, not to the tavern. He needed time to jot down everything he had learned. He briefly wondered about Erik's departure schedule; maybe he could have arranged more Delhar sales in the future. But banking on one buyer wasn’t wise – expanding his customer base was crucial.

It sucked that he didn't learn anything about Valewater, but with news of Suncrest being at war Richard planned on avoiding that city. It was the next on his list of towns to visit, but that was no longer the case. He'd rather not get caught up in a siege or raid. Worse, someone might try to take his carriage and verlpax.

For the next few days, Richard decided to remain in Disceroa. He hoped to find something valuable to bring back to Evergreen, other than Ice fish, which were impractical for his journey.