Exploring Frosthold

The streets of Frosthold bustled with life as merchants called out their wares and townsfolk moved about their daily business. The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh bread, roasted meats, and a hint of spices from the nearby market district. Zach, clad in a comfortable tunic, walked alongside Elias, Sebastian, and a few guards who kept a watchful eye on their surroundings.

"This place is lively as I expected," Zach muttered, his eyes scanning the towering stone buildings and intricate wooden signboards swaying gently in the breeze. It was a stark contrast to Ravennest's quieter and more orderly layout. Here, the energy was contagious, and every corner seemed to hold something new to discover.

Elias, his usual grin plastered on his face, nudged Zach's shoulder. "Of course! Frosthold is a merchant's paradise. Anything you want, you can find it here assuming you have the coin."

Zach smirked. "You sound like a true merchant's son."

Elias puffed his chest proudly. "Naturally! My father always says trade is the lifeblood of a prosperous town. But enough about that let me show you the best part of this city."

Without waiting for a response, Elias grabbed Zach's arm and led him toward a smaller street branching off from the main market. The road was narrower, but it had an undeniable charm, lined with specialty shops boasting unique goods. Vibrant fabric displays hung outside tailor shops, delicate trinkets shimmered in glass cases, and the scent of exotic teas filled the air.

"This is my favorite place," Elias declared, stopping in front of a quaint, well-maintained store with a wooden sign that read 'Silver Bite Confectionery'.

Zach raised an eyebrow. "A sweets shop?"

Elias nodded eagerly. "Not just any sweets shop. This place makes the best pastries and candied fruit you'll ever taste! I always ask my servant to order from here when I want a snack." He grinned, looking proud of himself. "The owner even knows my usual order."

Zach folded his arms, amused. "So you send someone else to do the buying for you?"

Elias huffed. "Of course! A young master like me doesn't need to wait in line. Besides, they deliver straight to my estate."

Zach chuckled and glanced at Sebastian, who was silently observing the exchange with his usual unreadable expression. "Sounds convenient."

Elias placed a hand on his hip. "More like essential! Anyway, since we're here, we might as well grab something. You have to try their honey-filled pastries they're legendary."

Zach sighed, but he couldn't deny his curiosity. The smell of freshly baked goods drifting from the shop was undeniably tempting. "Fine, let's see what makes this place so special."

As they stepped inside Silver Bite Confectionery, Zach took in his surroundings with a critical eye. The store had a warm and inviting atmosphere, with polished wooden floors and shelves neatly stacked with colorful confections. A soft, golden light filled the room, casting a cozy glow over the modest yet elegant interior. The scent of baked goods, honey, and vanilla intertwined in the air, making his stomach grumble in anticipation.

Neatly dressed attendants moved swiftly behind the counter, attending to customers with polite smiles. Despite the steady flow of people, everything seemed well-organized, with no hint of chaos. There was an air of efficiency that Zach couldn't help but appreciate.

"Not bad," he murmured, nodding slightly. "It's got a nice balance of comfort and class."

Elias beamed. "Told you! Now, let's grab a seat before all the good spots are taken."

They found an open table near the window, offering a perfect view of the street outside. The seats were cushioned, adding to the overall comfort. Zach leaned back slightly, watching as a neatly dressed waitress approached with a cheerful smile.

"Welcome to Silver Bite Confectionery! May I take your order?" she asked politely.

Elias leaned forward with a confident grin. "Of course! We'll take a plate of honey-filled pastries, a set of strawberry cream tarts, and a serving of caramel-drizzled nut clusters. Oh! And two cups of warm spiced milk."

Zach raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of sugar, Elias."

Elias scoffed. "Nonsense! This is a balanced meal. You've got fruit, nuts, dairy, and grains. All the essentials."

Sebastian, standing behind them, let out a barely audible sigh. "Young Master Elias, that is not how a balanced diet works."

Elias waved a hand dismissively. "Details, details. You'll thank me once you taste it."

Zach chuckled but decided to reserve his judgment until the food arrived. He tapped his fingers on the table, subtly keeping track of the time. Service was one of the key aspects of any establishment, and he was curious if this place lived up to Elias's high praise.

A few minutes later, their order arrived, placed carefully before them with practiced elegance. Zach glanced at the time in his head and nodded in approval. "Fast service. That's already a plus."

The golden honey-filled pastries sat on a delicate porcelain plate, their flaky layers glistening under the light. The strawberry cream tarts were small but artfully crafted, topped with perfectly sliced strawberries and a swirl of whipped cream. The caramel-drizzled nut clusters looked rich and decadent, the glossy caramel coating promising a satisfying crunch. The warm spiced milk steamed gently, the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting up invitingly.

Elias rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Alright, moment of truth! Go on, try the pastries first."

Zach picked up a honey-filled pastry and took a bite. The crisp outer layer gave way to a soft, buttery interior, while the warm honey filling oozed slightly, coating his tongue with a rich, floral sweetness. The balance between the flaky texture and the smooth filling was near perfect.

He chewed thoughtfully before finally commenting. "This is... ridiculously good."

Elias smirked. "See? I told you. Now, try the strawberry tart!"

Zach obliged, taking a bite of the tart. The crust had a slight crunch before melting into the smooth vanilla cream, which was light yet flavorful. The strawberries added a fresh, slightly tangy contrast, balancing out the sweetness.

"The strawberries are perfectly ripe, and the cream is just right not too heavy, not too sweet. They actually know what they're doing here."

Elias nodded proudly. "Now, the nut clusters! This is my personal favorite."

Zach picked one up and bit into it. The caramel was thick but not overpowering, complementing the earthy, roasted nuts. A slight hint of sea salt cut through the sweetness, enhancing the depth of flavor.

Zach leaned back in his chair, exhaling. "Alright, I admit it. This place is fantastic. Every bite is well thought out."

Elias grinned. "Told you, didn't I? That's why I always order from here. No other place in Frosthold can compare!"

Zach took another sip of his spiced milk, enjoying the warmth that spread through him. He could see why Elias loved this place so much it wasn't just about the food, but the experience. The lively conversation, the comforting atmosphere, and the sheer joy of indulging in expertly crafted sweets made it worth every moment.

"Alright, Elias," Zach said with a smirk. "I'll give you this one. You've got good taste."

Elias puffed his chest proudly. "Of course! Stick with me, and you'll experience only the best."

Sebastian, who had remained silent throughout their lively exchange, finally spoke up. "Young Masters, while I am pleased you are enjoying yourselves, do keep in mind that we have a schedule to maintain."

Elias groaned. "Ugh, Sebas, always the strict one. But fine, fine. We'll finish up and go."

Zach stepped through the grand entrance of the Merchant Guild, immediately noting the stark difference between Frosthold's structured system and the more centralized approach of Ravennest. The high ceilings, polished floors, and well-organized counters gave the impression of a professional establishment. Businessmen and clerks moved with practiced efficiency, processing trade applications, tax reports, and permit requests with surprising speed.

"Not bad," Zach muttered to himself, his sharp eyes analyzing every detail. The workers had a streamlined system, directing merchants into separate lines based on their needs. There were dedicated counters for tax assessments, trade permits, and conflict resolutions, reducing unnecessary crowding. Compared to Ravennest, where all guild matters were handled in a single congested space, this was an improvement.

"What do you think, Zach?" Elias asked, grinning as he watched Zach scan the place like an inspector. "Impressive, right? The Merchant Guild here has everything covered!"

Zach crossed his arms. "It's efficient, I'll give them that." He paused, recalling his past life where business registration and licensing were handled with near-perfect accuracy by digital systems. The process was transparent, and errors were minimal. Here, while the guild was well-structured, he noticed minor inefficiencies—handwritten logs, clerks sorting through stacks of papers, and occasional disputes that delayed transactions.

Despite his criticisms, he had to admit—Frosthold's guild system was leagues ahead of Ravennest's. If he wanted to refine his hometown's operations, he would need to observe more and adapt the best practices. The idea of implementing a more efficient system in the future took root in his mind.

Zach turned to Sebastian, tilting his head innocently. "Sebas, what exactly does a Merchant Guild do? I mean, I know they handle trade, but… how does it all work?"

Sebastian, always composed, gave a small smile at Zach's curiosity. "The Merchant Guild is responsible for overseeing trade regulations, granting permits, settling disputes between merchants, and ensuring that fair trade is maintained. Without it, businesses would struggle to operate smoothly."

Zach nodded, pretending to absorb the information like an innocent child. "So if I wanted to sell something, I'd need permission from the guild?"

"Precisely," Sebastian confirmed. "Without the proper permits, one could face penalties or even be banned from trading."

Elias jumped in, grinning. "That's why my family works closely with the guild! We need them to make sure business stays fair and honest."

Zach feigned a thoughtful expression, though in reality, he was carefully filing away every piece of information. "I see… so if someone wanted to control the economy of a city, they'd have to influence the Merchant Guild first?"

Sebastian's sharp eyes flickered toward Zach for a brief moment before he nodded. "That would be one way to gain power, yes. But only the wealthiest and most influential can sway a guild's decisions."

Zach hummed in response, pretending to be satisfied with the answer. But in his mind, ideas were already forming. This was valuable information for his future ambitions.

With that thought in mind, he continued his tour, eager to see what else Frosthold had to offer.

After leaving the Merchant Guild, Elias was brimming with excitement. "Alright! Now that we've seen the Merchant Guild, let me introduce you to the rest!" he declared, practically dragging Zach along.

Zach forced a smile. He appreciated Elias' enthusiasm, but he was starting to get a feeling that this tour would be exhausting.

The first stop was the Adventurer's Guild. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a bustling crowd of armored warriors, robed mages, and agile archers, all discussing quests and bounties posted on the grand mission board. "This is where adventurers accept quests, hunt monsters, and make a name for themselves!" Elias explained. "They even have ranking exams! Pretty cool, right?"

Zach nodded, taking mental notes. So this world does have an adventurer ranking system. Good to know.

Next, they moved to the Craftsmen's Guild, where tailors, carpenters, and masons displayed their intricate work. Elias enthusiastically pointed at a wooden model of a mansion. "This was made by one of the master craftsmen here. The nobles always order from this guild!"

Zach examined the detailed model with interest. It's impressive, but I wonder how they handle large-scale projects...

Then came the Alchemist's Guild, where the air was filled with a strange mix of floral and acidic scents. Elias wrinkled his nose but carried on with his explanation. "These guys brew potions, study magical herbs, and sometimes blow things up in the name of research!"

Zach stared at a cauldron bubbling with an eerie green liquid. Yeah… I wouldn't drink that if I were them.

By the time they reached the Scholars' Guild, Zach was already starting to drag his feet. Elias, however, was still going strong. "This place has all kinds of knowledge! You can find books on magic, history, and even some weird conspiracy theories!"

Sebastian chuckled. "Perhaps young master would like to spend some time here later?"

"Yeah… later…" Zach mumbled, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in.

Finally, they arrived at the Blacksmiths' Guild and the moment they stepped inside, Zach was hit by an overwhelming wave of heat. The clang of metal against metal echoed throughout the place as burly men worked the forges, sweat dripping from their brows.

Zach, already exhausted, finally reached his limit. "Why is it so hot?!" he groaned, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Elias burst out laughing. "What did you expect? They're working with fire!"

Sebastian smiled. "It seems young master has finally reached his limit."

Zach let out a dramatic sigh. "I swear, if the next guild involves fire again, I'm leaving."

Elias clapped him on the back. "Don't worry! That was the last one. Tour complete!"

Zach slumped in relief. Finally…