Trading Post

I began to get accustomed to the ways of travel.

Of course, it couldn't have been possible if not for the help of Meris and Bren accommodating someone like me who had little to no idea of life outside of the Archduchy.

I came to learn that although I have no mastery over refined control of prana. I could produce enough power in my hands to burn through metal and electrify someone until their brains are fried. I had quality prana but rather awful control.

We were in the countryside of the Empire. Everywhere I looked there were stockpiles and small hills of grain being processed, dried, and placed in gunny sacks. Most of the villages and burgs were only separated by a few minutes of walk, most of them were gathered together so that they could form a defense.

It is no surprise that there are monsters, gigants, and creatures of the night in every corner of the world that are spawned from the in-between. How it came to be can only be told by the myth that surrounds the world.

Once upon a time, there was a giant of light that opened its eyes to the vastness of space. As it awoke, it found the world empty and began to draw the empty canvas with the touch of its fingers, creating the stars, and the cosmos.

Then there were planets, and seeing such creation, the giant of light slept, letting the creatures grow, and develop on their own. Then, the dragons came to be mighty creatures that ruled the mountains like it was their place. They were big, long-lived, and occupied the mountains and ruled the highest peaks.

After the dragons came the monsters, the beasts, and the animals. They ruled the open plains, ran across the meadows, and swam the oceans. But below these creatures were the two-legged men, old humans who hid in the darkness, fostered their knowledge, and schemed to live and survive against those who were mighty.

It didn't take long for the age of men to come, and they found a way to combat even the strongest monsters. Before long, they created tools and appeased the Gods who had manifested the collective images of the creatures that walked the planet.

They stood before the strongest forces of the world, weaved mighty spells, and created nations that spanned across the continents.

It was said that the reason why humans stay close to one another is that they have learned from their ancestors that this way of living would increase their chances of survival. But as technology develops and humans grow wiser. They started to be fearless of the monsters and mighty creatures and began to boldly build their homes as they saw fit without the fear of the old ways. Nonetheless, it was still a well-believed practice that communities must remain together so they could continue to be safe as long as they have numbers and unity of the people who flock together in the name of survival.

As for why I speak of the myths (the bastardization) is because of how there were tales of sightings of the red dragon in the west. The Jakian Empire Cavalry had been running around, their tireless horses that had just destroyed an enemy were heading back to the river. After we had crossed the river, we continued our journey to the next river crossing that would allow us to reach another river.

The caravan stopped on a trading post to gather information from those who were coming their way. I followed Meris and Bren's example by exchanging a few words with travelers. Some of the travelers who noticed that I had a noble title tried to speak politely, but I told them to relax since it was not something that I mind and that I was just a landless noble.

I was becoming accustomed to being 'Kiran Irvin'.

Although I am not planning to abandon my true name, I still find it satisfying how no one knows who I am here. I was far from my territory, and here I was just Kiran, a traveler. It felt great that it made me want to stay.

I know what the consequences will be if I abandon my true name and my family. Unfortunately, I am not shameless enough to run away from that responsibility when that time comes. Micah might have allowed me to travel, but also knows that it was an excuse for me to walk the world with my new form. He allowed it because he knows that if I go into the Academy, I might learn something more than refining my control of prana. Micah's not an idiot who will miss this chance, he'll have a tighter grip on the Archduchy while I'm not around. Not only that, I might come back as a decent person or at least tolerable to him.

Micah had faith in me even though I have no faith in myself. I wouldn't be walking here if he was the usual butler or vassal. If it was the usual bastard then he'll probably try to butter me up so I can do what he wants.

Micah is not a good person either. He isn't someone evil, but he isn't an altruistic person who would do all this for my sake. He had his reasons and perhaps now that he has the power of the Archduchy that he could finally do what he wanted from the start.

Micah has been with us, and he is patient. If anything I wouldn't be surprised if he was really after the position. Even before I started this chance, he always had a tight grip on the Archduchy, and I was below him. But I know it myself that if it wasn't for him, my rule wouldn't have lasted ten years. I would haven't stayed in power if it wasn't for Micah's ability. The only reason he was defeated was that she faced Carwyn.

Anyway, with him having power over the Archduchy now, I think it would be easy for him to take advantage of the situation, and use the sword of Ortiz as proof of my rule. In a way, he was now acting as the Prime Minister of my lands.

My land is vast, even larger than some of the Kingdoms in the North. The reason we were allied was that there was something that can be done together. Not to mention that I would be able to avoid thinking about an invasion that might happen if we seceded from the Empire and become independent. The Archduchy Isn't afraid when Arlan and the Ortiz Knights are still as strong as ever.

They would rather die than let the country they love fall into the hands of others. I know they will because even they didn't participate in the scheme against me. It was something that was beneath them and as long as the country was stabilized and well-defended. They wouldn't move, if anything it was brilliant of Carwyn to convince the Knights of the land to stay neutral in the affairs. They did not swear loyalty to me after all so they didn't have the obligation to defend me, not to mention that in their eyes I was nothing more than the 'filth' that was a shame to the Ortiz Family. They worshipped the ground that my father and brothers walked, but they would spat on mine.

I shouldn't be thinking about the Archduchy right now.

They weren't my priority and my goal stayed the same as it was.

To reach the Academy and then educate me in the affairs of the world that I had stayed away from.

I know it myself that I am running away from my responsibilities. All this talk of amends is nothing more than satisfaction for my soul, a poorly thought 'if I could learn first' then I would do better.

I began to understand that I tended to myself. It was unhealthy, but these doses of reality keep me from getting arrogant, reminding me that without this chance, I wouldn't be Kiran Irving, the Kiran that was happily traveling all over the world. The Kiran was like a boy in the sticks who was curious about everything.

This was all so new to me that even after days of traveling and sleeping under the stars I wasn't tired at all. I felt new and my senses were sharpened to the point that I could hear even more than I could as time passed outside. I felt alive that it made me afraid of what will happen if I do go back to my country after all of this. I know that I am worrying about things before they could even happen, nonetheless, I was afraid of it.

I stopped myself from worrying and turned my attention to the trading post. I exchanged some of the hide and fur that I've gotten on the trip for a few coins. Some villagers wanted to eat doe-meat and some people also bought the few doe's that were taken by the caravan. I saw that there were people who exchanged the meat of the monsters they fought, and some even have the hide of monsters being exchanged for coins.

Meris and Bren ended their discussion with the people they went after. We went into an open-air pub that was filled with travelers, the ale cask and the wine however stayed full and abundant for anyone to buy. The pub was the only thing here in the trading post, and some travelers sat around the grasses near the pub, chatting, trading jokes, and exchanging information.

I followed Meris's instructions and told the pub's owner that we could make his ale and wine cold if he gives us an extra. He told us to show us and then I created a block of ice in which the pub owner grinned and laughed. He told us that he'd hand over two extras if we create four. Since it was going to be practice, I created four blocks of ice in which the owner could use. Satisfied with the blocks of ice, he gave four tankards worth of ale and wine to drink. I bought a few dried meat and we sat on the patch of grass.

There was a river not far from us. The Empire had always had so many rivers that it wasn't that much of a problem. What I do know is that there are many harvests around this time. The stockpiles of grains, the Jakian Calvary roaming the fields, and soldiers were guarding this part of the Empire very well.

The irrigation of this village was well done as well. Though there is a heavy stench of mud and moss that permeates the air once in a while, It didn't ruin the view, the ale and wine, and the dried meat that I was chewing.

Meris rolled her map and wrote a marker on it. From what I can understand from her map, it seems she was mapping places that had places like this. I looked at her map and noticed that there were no military camps or forts written on them. Then again, I was only familiar with the table map that I have on my home which flagged and marked military encampments and outposts. Then again, if she's found having a map with locations of military encampments, then it would lead to her being accused as a spy.

She rolled her map, placed it in her bag, and stared at me. I told her that she shouldn't show that map in open areas like this.

"I know, but as long as we don't have self-righteous idiots and scheming officials then maps like these are worthless to them. I doubt they could even read the markers and locations here so don't worry about it too much."

After our rest, the caravan left the trading post and crossed the river. We took a step into the meadows and turned our eyes to the pillar of earth that scraped the sky in the distance.

We arrived in the great meadows of the Jakian Empire.