"I appreciate you coming so far out to the mountains... Not many are willing to go through the trouble of trading with our village."
"Although your village is a tad rural, your village has the finest wheat this side of the continent."
Merchants and their clients often concluded their deals with meaningless praise and flattery. Sieg was a seasoned merchant who knew common, everyday conversation could create strong bonds over time. What may seem like useless pleasantries to others was a business tool Sieg had used to create connections all over the Vantis Empire.
"Silver tongued as always... one mustn't let their guard down near you."
The farmer said with feigned anger. Although the Farmer acted unfazed, anyone could tell he was pleased with Sieg's praise."
"Stay for a drink, you must be tired from moving all over the place."
"I would love to take you up on that... Unfortunately I'm due elsewhere."
"Right... maybe next time."
The life of a travelling merchant was a difficult one, accentuated by loneliness and the never-ending pursuit for riches. Time was precious, for a travelling merchant every second was important. In a blink of an eye a merchant could lose his youth with nothing to show for it. Drinking with friends may seem tempting, but dying penniless and alone was far more frightening.
Sieg left the rural village around noon, his next destination was Slostad. By foot it would take a day's travel but Sieg was fortunate to own a wagon and a carthorse to pull it. Slostad was a bustling trade city of considerable size and power, even the Church was apprehensive on its growing influence. It was common knowledge that the Church discouraged the hoarding and exchange of money. However, no matter how hard the Church preached it was useless to stop the growing power of merchants.
It could be considered the changing of eras, the Church no longer held the absolute influence it once wielded among the people. The fact that philosophers could openly debate the existence of the Church's omnipotent God was proof. Half a century ago anyone who dared to voice such blasphemy would be burnt against the stake.
The mercantile city of Slostad was also an example of the Church's slipping influence. Unlike most cities in the South, Slostad did not discriminate against foreigners. The local merchants even welcomed foreign merchants to visit and trade.
It wasn't only Slostad rejecting the teachings of the Church; the church hadn't made enough from tithes and had to request the Emperor for more funds. Years ago the idea of the Church coming short on donations would've been absurd.
The Church's financial situation weren't the last of the Clergy's issues. Rumors had circulated that the villages of the eastern plains had returned to their pagan deities and rituals. Naturally this infuriated the Clergy to no end, they even petitioned to the emperor to lead a campaign against the easterners.
Of course the Emperor staunchly refused, many Emperors had fallen by disregarding ethnic groups in their empires. He funded missionaries but an armed campaign was out of the question.
Many of Sieg's friends suffered great losses after they bought armor and weapons to sell to the crusaders heading east. It was a great disappointment for the young knights eager to win honor in battles. An even greater disappointment to merchants who nearly went bankrupt after the price of armaments dropped to an all time low. However, such was the life of merchants. One smart purchase could propel one to heaven, but also down to hell.
Befitting of spring there was a light wind; the sky was an unbelievably clear shade of blue. The picturesque scene was visually breathtaking, but Sieg was more focused on the fort some distance away.
"Halt! What's your business here?"
An armored knight stood by the gates of the fort, judging from his young face and slim physique Sieg could tell he was either a squire or newly anointed knight, either way both would be a hassle to deal with.
"My name is Emery Sieghart, but people call me Sieg. I'm but a simple merchant; I've concluded business with a village west of here."
"West... I have no knowledge of matters here... however, I think I shall trust you on your word. My name is Yves Aldus. You may call me sir Aldus."
It was normal for knights to assume a haughty attitude when dealing with commoners. It still peeved Sieg however, that a boy half a decade his junior was assuming such a high handed attitude.
Sieg had been walking upon the world for around twenty two years; it was his tenth as a merchant. Any merchant worth his salt wouldn't let such a golden opportunity for information to pass.
"What brings sir knight so far out to the country side?"
The knight grinned, obviously satisfied by his title.
"There's been recent sightings of bandits and brigands, the knights order couldn't ignore such scoundrels and dispatched me to oversee the southern region."
The young knight said proudly, his young face pleased with the opportunity to show off. Sieg doubted that the regional lord would send only a single boy to oversee the entire southern plains. But there might be truth to his statement; if the boy was right then it wouldn't bode well for a travelling merchant by his lonesome.
Although the young knight still spoke haughtily he was much more amiable than their initial encounter. Despite the boy's pomp he must feel lonely standing by a gate the whole day. Perhaps only a slight push was needed to loosen his lips.
Sieg rummaged around his bag beside him and tossed the young knight an apple. Fresh fruit would be hard for a young knight to acquire; most of their coin was used on armor and weapons after all. The youth thanked the traveling merchant, not to profusely however as that behavior would not be befitting of his stature.
"Much thanks... fresh fruit is hard to come by in this godforsaken backwater. Do you have news the north merchant?"
"As a matter of fact I do, I'm from the north and make it my business to return home at least once a year."
The youth's eyes widened from pleasant surprise. No doubt that he himself was also from the north.
"Do you know of the city Pascoe? Perhaps you have news about it?"
Even the most experienced of knights could get homesick from lengthy deployments away from home. Obviously the young knight here was no exception.
"Ah! Pascoe is but a day's travel away from my hometown, perhaps you're a native of Pascoe?"
"You should've said you're from the north! It's a pleasure seeing a fellow northerner!"
The people of the Vantis Empire never considered each other as fellow countrymen, in fact at times even rivals. The Emperor has had no small share of territorial disputes among the countless ethnic groups within the Vantis. The locals often felt a stronger connection to their side of the empire rather than the empire as a whole. The young knight was a perfect example, his haughty exterior instantly melted when he realized he was talking to a compatriot.
"I'll let you in on a little secret... we aren't really here to keep an eye on the brigands, instead we've been ordered to keep a watchful eye on the southerners. It's been a great waste of time however, most of these so called hicks are merely ordinary farmers, and what harm could they possibly pose. However the Church suspects they're performing pagan rituals and the like."
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Sieg couldn't help but be disappointed by the news, but his face betrayed no emotion. Merchants were taught to maintain a poker face no matter what situation befell them. Pagans were no real threat in the south; the dangerous pagans were further out east. It was merely a case of the Church overreacting to harmless farmers and their annual festivals.
Most villages would be preparing for their festivals now that the harvest season had concluded. The rituals could hardly be considered pagan, festivals were merely meant to provide entertainment after an arduous year of labor.
"Well I should get going, it was nice to meet a fellow northerner... sometimes I feel like a stranger among the locals here."
"Ha! I know the feeling all too well... It's a shame to see you part but I imagine that life as a merchant keeps you on your toes. Good luck and safe travels."
Although the youth seemed reluctant to part but his pride as a knight couldn't possibly allow him to detain a man for mere conversation. Although the knight was indeed unpleasant at first Sieg could empathize with him. Being away from home too long could make any man homesick; being in a "foreign" land away from familiarity was even harsher.
The knight let Sieg pass and thanked him once again for the fruit. Perhaps the boy would be worth remembering... if indeed the youth rose in rank Sieg in the future he could make an excellent contact.
The noonday sun was sinking; his conversation with the knight had taken more time than he expected. Unless Sieg found a village before the sun fell completely he would have to spend a night camping on the road.
The descending sun over the plains painted the skies a brilliant orange hue, almost like a mural painted by a master artisan. The fields were covered in green as far the eyes could see; very few trees or rocks obstructed the eyes view. Sieg thought perhaps sleeping under the stars wouldn't be so unpleasant.
Sieg couldn't help but feel melancholic. The view only reminded him of his insignificance, however much profit he made he was merely an ant compared to the lord who owned these lands. Half a year's worth of traveling probably couldn't compare to the profits a noble gleaned in a month. There indeed were times that Sieg imagined himself as a valiant knight, or perhaps an intrepid explorer for the Emperor. But such childish dreams were fleeting. He was but a merchant, nothing more, and nothing less.
Dusk was near approaching and if no village were to be found he would have to pull over. Traveling alone at night was incredibly dangerous. Brigands, wolves, and all manner of hazards presented themselves during the sun's absence. A single accident could rob him of his entire load, and it wasn't uncommon for merchants to go bankrupt after losing valuable cargo on the road.
Sieg caught sight of a shattered fence. What was more unnerving was the sky, smoke rose from the village, staining the sky in misshapen botches of smoke and crimson. Perhaps they were holding their festivals early, Sieg thought, but he couldn't shake the apprehension from his thoughts.
Sieg led his horse through the shattered gate, Sieg could no longer deceive himself, the smoke was no festive bonfire, but houses torched in flames. Corpses were strewn all over the blazing the village, Sieg was no stranger to death but this was the first time he had seen such violence.
"T-this... Shouldn't be... Possible" Sieg murmured in spite of himself. Bandits couldn't have pulled off such a raid, this wasn't the act of a ragtag team of deserters. An enemy nation couldn't have pulled a raid like this so far inside Vantis's borders. There was a chance that the conflict might have erupted in a trade quarrel with a neighboring village. However, the theory was implausible. It would be insane to attack fellow citizens over a trade dispute.
Sieg could see silhouettes fighting by the blazing village. Farmers and peasants armed with staves tried to fight off the raiders in vain. Their sticks and staffs were no match for the raider's swords and armor. The raiders were swift and cruel in their combat, they encircled the hapless farmers. In spite of his better self Sieg's eyes were glued to the battle. He cursed his powerlessness, Sieg was no warrior who could fight off the raiders and save the day, he was just a merchant. No one could blame him for fleeing... After all what could an ordinary man do in the face of trained soldiers.
His merchant's nature told him to flee, no profit could be made here... only loss. Yet a foolish notion came to his thoughts. Could there perhaps be a way to save the villagers? Rushing in madly wouldn't help anyone. Sieg was no fool, his skill in combat was almost negligible. If only he was a knight skilled in combat... A foolish, no... almost insane plan came to Sieg's mind.
Sieg grabbed a battered sword from underneath his cart's seat. Most merchants kept weapons, the roads were fraught with danger. Swords and bows could make excellent bluffs even for merchants not trained in combat.
He slung his cloak over his shoulders and jumped off the wagon. Without losing second he unhitched his horse from his wagon. His horse was by no means a warhorse but any spooked horse could easily become a footmen's worst nightmare.
He jumped on top of the horse's back and pricked its rear with his blade. The horse bolted forward charging at the village.
"This is stupid... This is stupid... I'm going to die... I'm such a fool!" Sieg couldn't help but murmur the words as his usually docile cart horse darted towards the raiders. The raiders had noticed Sieg approaching and took up arms to face him. The farmers used the opportunity to make a desperate attempt to break free from the encirclement. The horse barreled through the ranks of the raiders causing chaos to befall their ranks. A raider unwisely tried to attack Sieg from the rear only to be flung away like a doll by his horse's kick.
Sieg mustered what little courage he had left and roared at the top of his lungs.
"My name is Yves Aldus! A knight granted the authority of the Emperor himself... I've brought a detachment with me to subjugate you vile fiends!" Sieg didn't expect his plan to work, he only hoped that some could make their escape while Sieg distracted the raiders.
The biggest of the raiders, a hulking beast standing two heads taller than Sieg sneered and swore at him in a foreign language Sieg could vaguely recognize. The horse must've had enough of Sieg's rough treatment and hurled him off. Sieg flew across the crimson sky and landed on his back right in front of the giant raider. Sieg felt the wind escape from his body, he had never felt such pain in his life. His vision darkened, dizziness and nausea pervaded his mind. Whatever hope of surviving he held on too was long... He had hoped that the raiders would flee when they heard his shout earlier. It was clear to them now that Sieg was no knight, only a peasant who had overestimated his abilities.
Sieg shakily rose to his feet, his arms trembled as he struggled to raise his sword. The surrounding pillagers sneered at his struggle. Sieg couldn't stop his lips from quivering. By the gods... He was going to die a dog's death for people he didn't even know. He should've listened to his merchant's intuition.
He couldn't help but notice that most of the villagers had escaped while the soldier's attention had been drawn to Sieg. At least his death would not be in vain, but he wouldn't accept his death quivering in fright.
Sieg raised his sword with great difficulty, he dashed forward and swung his sword at the nearest brigand. The brigand was caught unaware by Sieg's sudden strike, Sieg's sword raked across his chest. The bandit fell to the ground clutching his chest. The sneers of the soldiers transformed into astonishment. Perhaps they had not expected the peasant to fight with such vigor.
Sieg knew that it was only luck that had blessed him with such an opportunity to attack. The brigands would not make the same mistake. The leader of the brigands chortled at Sieg's attempt to stand firm.
"You're shaking like a leaf boy... I'm guessing this is your first time in a fight? Do us all a favor and kill yourself already. My blade is too good for the likes of you!" He spat the words in a rough, coarse manner.
"Your accent... You're from Virend!" Sieg knew why the language sounded so familiar, the brigands were from the far north. Why were there northerners so far down south? Sieg's thoughts were interrupted by the giant's coarse cackle.
"You're a smart one boy... Too bad you're going to have to die. You can beg for your life if you want... Not that it'll make a difference." Had anyone else had said such clichéd words Sieg would've laughed it off however, the brigand leader looked like he meant them.
Sieg raised his sword in preparation for the bandit's assault, his earlier nervousness had left him. He felt only the rush of adrenaline and anger. All his life he had always been trampled upon. Although his life was brief Sieg wanted to show that even peasants had their dignity.
Sieg circled the giant cautiously, the rest of his comrades only looked on impassively. It was clear to them that their leader wanted to finish off Sieg himself. The giant swung his club at Sieg's head, Sieg barely managed to leap out of the clubs path. Despite his size the giant was surprisingly agile, he rushed forward swinging his club with reckless abandon. It took Sieg all he had to avoid the giant's wide swings. The surrounding brigands jeered at Sieg's efforts.
The giant had stamina and size to his advantage, running away from his swings would only tire Sieg out. The giant snorted, increasingly irritated at Sieg's tactics, he threw his club down and reached for a sword strapped to his waist.
Sieg hurtled forward with sword in hand, now was likely his only chance at bringing the giant down. The giant let loose a string of curses and lurched back. Now was the chance! Sieg mustered all his strength into a wide slash aimed at the giant's neck.
Unexpectedly the giant rushed forward and pried the sword from Sieg's hands, as if his earlier ungainliness was a façade. Sieg wrestled for the sword with the giant, he would die if he let go of his weapon here. The giant gripped the sword firmly with his right and pummeled Sieg with the left.
"Let go you peasant! Stop struggling!"
The giant's heavy handed punches rained upon Sieg's head, he felt tears well up in his eyes, and blood had started to cascade from the cuts and lacerations the giant sculpted with his devilish hands.
"MY NAME IS EMERY SIEGHART! AND I'M NO PEASENT!"
"Tch! I'll kill you like the dog you-"
Sieg felt the giant loosen his grip on the sword, the giant took several steps back in disbelief.
"Bullocks! We've wasted too much time!"
The brigands all gawked dumbly at the horizon behind Sieg, armed cavalry wearing the lord's livery stood erect, almost like statutes. The knights were dressed in red and were proudly aloft on their horses, the real heroes had arrived. It was time for the side characters like him to bow out. The knight's valiant charge was the last image he glimpsed before passing out, but not before another foolish thought crossed his mind.
"Was it too late for him to become a knight?"