Persepolis

Achaemenid Empire. The second largest nation in the human realm....

"Is this where the traders are supposed to exchange goods?"

Cornelius and Octavius were exhausted from the journey to the next branch in the Empire. They had arrived at the capital city Persepolis. The metropolis of the empire.

A trader met them at the underground portal of the guild branch. They had to disguise themselves as the Achaemenid citizens.

They were offered wigs to cover their hair which stood out in the empire.

Darius was a worker in the branch as an accountant.

He had typical appearance. He had wheatish complexion and dark curly hair.

His beard almost reached his stomach and wore Achaemenid robe.

He warned them about the condition of the empire.

It was not a pleasant news.

"The reign of the previous Shah was a peaceful one. However his son is impatient to start another war with Zhonguo Republic. Since our eastern lands were conquered under the previous dynasty of Khans. Currently Zhonguo Republic is only showing itself as a free democratic nation that is ruled by the voice of the people. However, many still suspect that the ruler Ögedei is controlling the strings of the current government from the shadows. There is no saying that the people who oppose them will remain in one piece."

"So the Shah wants to uncover true face they hide beneath the veil?"

"One cannot be too sure. He may simply want to win back the lost lands and expand his empire. We're only concerned with the trade. The war might take a toll on our company since most of our routes pass by Zhonguo Republic and few others through Maya Civilization."

"We won't be taking through Maya would we?"

"Not if the routes through Zhonguo Republic guarantee a safe travel. We would reach the capital of Wahrheit through there. But if the war breaks out we'll have to change our plans. Since Maya Civilization is mostly a nation built on islands it takes a month longer by a ship to north western borders of Wahrheit. Which I would say is the least preferred route by merchants due to unfavorable conditions."

-"This man talks more than Aria does."

Cornelius groaned.

He was not ready to listen to another one of his boring lectures. His only concern was to bring Luciana back to Amanécer and marry Aria soon.

But he did not understand why Luciana would request a communication pendant.

It was a device that Canute was working on that allowed air to carry soundwaves through longer distance. He had recently developed the final product.

"Why would she ask for seeds?" He mumbled under his breath.

"Is something bothering you?" Octavius asked him.

"Oh! No it's nothing. Just talking to myself." He laughed it off.

-"I was told to not let others get a light of her letter. That was a close call."

They walked through the bustling bazaar with many vendors and shopkeepers.

There were traders from all around the realm. It was a wonder that merchants from Kemet Empire traded without any threat. A century ago the empire had conquered nearly half of Kemet almost dissolving the empire itself to obtain the major gold reserves.

Until the disease spread in the area forcing the army to retreat from the area. In the meantime the Kemetians claimed the conquered lands back with a revolutionized military tactics that made Achaemenid give up completely at the later decade.

Now they formed truce under the suggestion of past Amanécerian Emperor who established the Blue Van traders as a medium of the truce. In reality it was to keep check the movements within the four nations.

"Please be careful with the crowd. It is easier to blend in but it is an amusement field for thieves, kidnappers or pickpockets."

He was true to his warning. No longer than walking two miles both of them felt somebody picking up their trail.

"How long until we reach the inn?"

Octavius felt restless with the increase in their followers.

"Just a little further east. There we have your lodgings reserved for the day. Then we'll set off to the silk route to Zhonguo Republic. The closest portal is in one of their their capital cities. We go to the first capital city Ji Cheng. Then we'll continue to the second capital city Avarga, home of the Khans."

Cornelius was no longer listening.

He glanced thrice and couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling.

He got hit by a person and subconsciously apologized when the person who looked more or a young adult grabbed his arm and whispered something.

"I know who you are. I know where you're going to."

He suddenly shrugged off his hand from his arm. The person vanished before he could react.

He looked around frantically when Octavius called out to him.

He glanced back once again and no longer they were being followed.

The nighttime approached by the time they reached the inn.

Achaemenid Empire was famous for its dome buildings. The inn was not a small building. It was fairly large. The walls showed off intricate carvings of their guardian that was half lion with a human face and wings.

The ceiling was a dome with a hollow window carved out I'm the center.

"This in is a famous spot for merchants and travellers. Since most of them frequent the silk route. We mostly get information about the political conditions of other regions."

They sat by a corner table near a group of merchants who were frequenting Kemet Empire.

Cornelius was hopeless at understanding Kemetit so he asked Octavius to hear them out.

"We'd better find another route soon. We won't know what'll happen to us if we remained here. What if the war breaks out?"

The merchant arguing wore clothes of Zhonguo Republic. He had small eyes and stern features and a goatee. His language wasn't that bad for a person who was not from Kemet.

The others with him were Kemetians. They solemnly agreed with him.

"The Amanécerians promised us a safer passage and to end the war but it doesn't seem like they're going to aid ordinary people like us."

"Forget about them! They're not even humans. Why would you resort for help from those who aren't even among us?"

They began the argument which Octavius felt he no longer had to translate it to Cornelius.

"If only we could ask CAG for help. They wouldn't leave us empty."

"Excuse me for interrupting. What might this CAG you be talking about?"

Cornelius was dumbfounded to see Octavius interested in something.

"Who might you be?" A Kemetian merchant asked him in typical Kemetit accent.

Octavius switched to Kemetit from Achaemenis instantly.

"We're merchants who're facing similar problems like yours. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But I couldn't help it since we're desperately looking for a solution."

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Cornelius whispered to him.

"Us ordinary merchants can only turn to that organization y'know? Central Alliance Guild was created between four nations to solve problems of people like us who can't afford to ask others or pay high deposit."

"You can ask them for help but they're always changing cities. You're lucky they are coming to Persepolis this time around. Because the trading season with other realms is opening soon. They're bound to help us."

-" Why did we never get a glimpse of this guild before? Who're these people. Not to mention they work in secrecy judging from the information."

"Thanks! We'll be sure to seek out their help."

They accepted his words and resumed their discussion.

Octavius sighed and tapped on the metal tumbler.

" We might be having a rough start."