"How did you learn to tame these beasts, my lord? I've never seen them behave so docile, even those that are tamed usually only let their owners ride them," one of the gnoll soldiers accompanying Alex on their journey said.

"It's not as mystical or complicated as you might believe. These are sentient, noble, and powerful creatures. If you treat them with respect and show that you're willing to help them, they will help you," Alex replied.

Of course, none of the five followers believed this for a second. It was clear to them that Alex had a power over the beasts that he himself didn't fully understand, and to some extent, this was true.

"I hope we can return soon. I don't like the idea of being away for too long," another soldier said to the wind.

"Well, I'm sorry to tell you, but it will probably take us some time to take care of our business," Alex said as he stroked his mount.

"Why, my lord? If we're only going to sell herbs and buy weapons, it should be easy. There's no need to waste more time than necessary," there was a sense of urgency in the soldier's voice; he personally feared that Alex might abandon or betray them. It wouldn't be the first time a human had sold out a gnoll, after all.

"It's not that I want to spend time there; it's more that to get a good price for our items, we'll first need to survey the market and connect with some people. Otherwise, we might not even get the necessary weapons by selling everything," Alex explained.

"That's right, we not only need weapons but also provisions, tools, and other camp supplies. We can't rush things too much, or we won't have a way to maintain our camp," another soldier interjected.

"Do you have any experience in trading, my lord? Unfortunately, that's a task that none of us can assist you with,"

"Very little, actually. Although I know the basic principles of economics, I only have theoretical knowledge, but I might know some tricks that could help us. For that, I'll need your help," Alex responded.

"Of course, my lord, don't hesitate to ask. If we can help you get a better deal, we'll do what's within our power, right, guys?" the first soldier said.

"Aye," the other four replied.

The calm atmosphere continued for days as they crossed different parts of the forest. Alex noticed that there were clearly marked sections of the forest, and although the transition between most of them was smooth enough to be unnoticeable, he could feel it. Furthermore, they narrowly avoided entering a highly dangerous area. As soon as he stepped into that particular sector, he felt his hair stand on end. The group had to detour for at least two days to completely avoid that section.

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Finally, after nearly ten days of travel, they emerged from the forest, and the city was in sight, requiring just one more day to reach it.

"Whew, I really thought I would die; that lynx ambush was really dangerous," one soldier said.

"What are you talking about? It was hardly an ambush since Lord Alex perfectly warned us in advance. I'm more surprised by how he repelled the black-clawed bear," a second soldier scolded the first.

"True, to think we were completely a burden in that situation, in almost every situation, to be exact," the third soldier said with a dejected look.

"At least Lord Alex found several points of interest and abundant resources while rescuing us," the first soldier responded.

"That's hardly something to be proud of," the second soldier scolded the first.

"Maybe it would be better if we hadn't come. I don't want to continue to be a burden to our savior," the third soldier said sorrowfully.

A brief silence fell among the gnolls.

"Enough of that pessimism. We're called soldiers, but the reality is that we're just pawns. Our purpose here is to help Lord Alex transport the resources he obtains. Now he has also assigned us the duty of listening. I trust that you're not useless enough to not be able to do that," the fourth gnoll, who seemed to be the largest of those present and often acted as their leader in Alex's absence, said.

The rest of the gnolls listened to their leader, and although they were still somewhat downcast, he dedicated time to each of them to convince them of why their work was important and to assure them that with effort in the future, they could become better.

The group rested for the remaining part of the day, and finally, early the next day, they set out. Alex led the group while the others walked alongside the animals, as the beasts didn't allow them to mount after a certain incident in the forest.

After a day of travel, they reached their destination, an independent city on the coast with a natural harbor. As they approached, they could see the high walls surrounding the city, built from grayish stone that contrasted with the blue of the sea. Watchtowers rose as imposing guardians, and flags fluttered on high, displaying the city's colors and emblems.

The natural harbor extended along the coast, filled with ships of all sizes and shapes. Sailors worked on the dock, unloading goods and preparing ships for new voyages. The sound of seagulls mixed with the bustle of the city, creating a lively atmosphere.

As they neared the city gates, they encountered guards who asked for their identifications and purposes for entry. After a brief conversation and a check of their belongings, they were allowed into the city.

The air was filled with a mix of scents: the salty smell of the sea, the freshness of the surrounding meadows, and the echo of worked wood in nearby workshops. The city teemed with life, with bustling markets, cobblestone streets, and buildings of various sizes and architectural styles.

Alex's group had arrived in a place full of opportunities and challenges. The independent city of Nyxhaven offered the promise of trade, contacts, and the possibility of advancing their mission.

Now, they needed to locate the markets and make contacts. However, as they wandered through the city, Alex felt a small hand reaching for his bag. Due to his quick reflexes, Alex was able to grab the young boy's arm and lift him off the ground. The boy kicked and screamed for help, and in a matter of moments, the group was surrounded by a large number of children from a variety of races.