Chapter 7: The Nearest Village of Kirka
Personal System Calendar: Year 00012, Day 1-14, Month I: The Imperium
Imperial Calendar: Year 6857, 1st to 14th day of the 1st Month
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Kirka Village
It had been a considerable time since anyone from Maya Village had heard news from Kirka. The last significant reports had come during the war between the Kingdom of Ogind and the Sovereignty of Arwen, when Kirka had been converted into a staging ground and military encampment for Ogind's forces. After the war concluded and the armies withdrew, information from the village had simply stopped flowing.
The silence was concerning but not entirely surprising. Baron Kirka, the settlement's rightful lord, had been meaning to recapture his village and oust his stepson, who had seized the administrator's role during the baron's extended absence. That bastard, along with his mother, the baron's treacherous wife, had taken advantage of the baron's good heart and trusting nature. By the time Baron Kirka discovered that the woman he had married was a murderer and an escaped convict from an asylum, the damage was done. He had fled the village and returned to Gremory City to salvage what remained of his business interests and reputation.
August and others from Maya Village had learned these details from Baron Kirka himself during their small business unrelated conversations that preceded their business transactions. The baron had become something of a middleman for Maya's products: soap, leather, hides, and premium beast meats that could not be sourced anywhere else in the region. The business relationship had evolved into something approaching friendship, or at least mutual respect built on reliable commerce and shared grievances.
The reason Kirka Village became relevant again was simple. August had promised, perhaps foolishly but with genuine intent, that he would support whatever efforts the baron made to retake his village. The acting chief, a man named Rommel who had seized control during the chaos, was also confirmed to be a member of the heinous criminal syndicate known as Corvus. That connection alone would have been sufficient to earn August's enmity and support for the baron's cause.
This was why the large wagon Amaryllia was currently heading toward Gremory City: to confirm Baron Kirka's intentions and timeline for retaking the village, and to conduct the regular trade that sustained Maya Village's growing economy.
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Lawless Lands
Inside Kirka Village itself, conditions had deteriorated dramatically. The settlement was now in serious disrepair, left without a lord and abandoned by the soldiers who had once maintained order. It existed in a state of near-total lawlessness. While Rommel and his crew had indeed escaped during the war, their departure had not improved circumstances. After the Kingdom's soldiers retreated to their home regions following the war's conclusion, Kirka had been left completely lordless with no chief to manage its affairs. The guards who had maintained some semblance of order quit their posts and departed for better opportunities in more stable settlements.
In fact, many civilians had also abandoned the village. Kirka's location made it particularly vulnerable: a frontier settlement facing threats not only from the Great Forest but also positioned as the nearest settlement to the border with their southern nemesis, the Sovereignty of Arwen. It was a geographic curse that made the village strategically important but practically uninhabitable without strong leadership and adequate military protection.
Currently, the remaining population was split into two distinct factions. The first consisted of those still loyal to their kind-hearted Baron, desperately hoping for his eventual return and the restoration of legitimate authority. The second was a rising group with thoroughly evil intent: a bandit gang that had taken forceful residence and seized power in the vacuum left by Rommel's departure (member of Corvus Syndicate).
The loyalists were severely outnumbered. Their leader was a veteran soldier named Gareth Rufus, who commanded the respect of a handful of men he knew personally and could rely upon absolutely. It had been some time since Baron Kirka had last contacted him directly, though Gareth continued to send regular reports on conditions within the village. The baron had assured him that a plan to retake the village was in motion, but had advised Gareth to wait while forces were gathered for the liberation effort.
For now, Gareth and his five companions, all old soldiers who had chosen to remain despite having every reason to leave, were the ones holding the line. They fought the bandits where they could, protected civilians when possible, and waited with diminishing hope for their lord's return.
"The lord has sent another message," Gareth announced to his small band during one of their clandestine meetings in a cellar beneath what had once been the village's administrative building. "He will be coming here personally. We should continue to wait as he gathers his forces to drive off these bastards."
"I hope the lord comes soon, boss," said one of his men, a grizzled fighter named Joe who had served with Gareth for over a decade. "Most of the citizens are already sick and tired of these fuckers trying to rule over us as if they own us. At least with that fat ugly bastard Rommel, we still had some leeway to move freely. These bandits don't even pretend to follow rules."
Gareth nodded grimly. "I agree. We keep at it. Help where we can and strike those bastards where it hurts the most. But be careful that we don't antagonize them so much that they may decide to make examples. We can't protect everyone if they come at us with their full numbers."
The men understood. They were fighting a delaying action, maintaining hope among the loyalist population while avoiding a confrontation that would result in their complete annihilation. It was a precarious balance that could not be maintained indefinitely.
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Arrival at Maya's Travellers Cove
After several weeks of travel across imperial roads that ranged from well-maintained highways to barely-cleared forest paths, the caravan from Maya Village arrived at its first destination: Maya's Traveller's Cove on the outskirts of Gremory City.
As usual, they would stay at the Cove for a brief rest before entering the city proper to conduct their business. The caravan's crew brought gifts from the village, tokens of appreciation for the family that maintained the establishment in their absence.
The new Wagon Master, a capable man named Rupert Grup who had been appointed to handle northern trade routes, introduced himself to the Cove's primary caretaker.
"A pleasant evening to you, Madam Esmay," Rupert said with a respectful bow. "I am the newly appointed Wagon Master for the large wagon Amaryllia, tasked with handling trade matters here in the north. We come bearing gifts from the village. The masters will not be able to come as frequently as before, but they assured me that we will be visiting here more often in their stead."
Esmay, a young woman of sixteen who managed the Cove's daily operations with remarkable competence, felt a pang of sadness that the familiar faces from Maya Village would not be present. She had grown fond of August, Milo, and the others who had given her family this opportunity. But she understood that responsibilities changed and people could not always be where you wished they would be.
"Thank you, Sir Grup," she replied warmly. "I hope your stay will be satisfactory. Though it is sad that the masters could not come, it is what it is, I suppose. Please give them the profits from the Cove when you return home."
Rupert appreciated the gesture. He had been thoroughly briefed on protocols for dealing with Maya's Traveller's Cove. There would be a feast in the morning for everyone who visited, a tradition established by August himself. The financial accountant attached to the wagon would conduct an audit of the Cove's ledgers to ensure everything was in order and that Esmay's family was being treated fairly.
After checking the books and confirming that nothing was amiss, the accountant distributed what was owed: bonuses for exceptional service, regular wages for the family members, and a percentage of the earnings that Maya Village had agreed to share with those who maintained the establishment. After all expenses, taxes paid to Gremory City, and wages for employees, the village's profit from the Cove totaled five hundred thirty-eight local gold coins. It was a substantial sum that demonstrated the value of maintaining permanent infrastructure although it was outside the city.
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Esmay's Family
The family that maintained Maya's Traveller's Cove had come from tragedy and found purpose through compassion.
They were refugees who had fled their homeland after war and banditry devastated their village. Their father had been lost during the desperate flight to safety, leaving their mother, Calla, to hold the family together through the grinding hardship of resettling in Gremory's unforgiving lower districts. For months they had struggled, moving from one temporary shelter to another, surviving on charity and whatever work Calla could find.
It was chance and compassion that changed their fortunes. Milo Stone, himself once a rescued child who had been given a second chance by August's intervention, spotted the family begging on a roadside during one of his trips to Gremory. He brought them to August's attention immediately. Recognizing both their desperate need and their potential, August offered them stewardship of the Cove. It was not charity in the conventional sense; it was an opportunity, a chance to build something through their own labor and dedication.
Esmay, the eldest child at sixteen, had become the family's public face at the Cove. She managed day-to-day operations with confidence and warmth well beyond her years, greeting travelers, coordinating services, and ensuring that every guest felt welcomed and cared for.
Her mother, Calla, oversaw the household operations: the kitchens where meals were prepared, the linens that had to be kept immaculate, and the living quarters that housed travelers in comfort. She had transformed from a desperate refugee into a capable administrator, proud of what her family had built.
The three brothers, Dorin, Bram, and Lev, handled the heavier work. They stabled animals, secured wagons, maintained the grounds, and provided the physical labor that kept the establishment functioning smoothly. They were strong young men, grateful for the opportunity to do honest work and contribute to their family's security.
The two youngest, sisters Safi and Mira, helped where they could and had grown up knowing the Cove as their only real home. They could barely remember the village they had fled or the father they had lost. This place, built through their family's efforts and August's trust, was home in a way their birthplace had never been.
All of them trained in basic combat each morning alongside any caravan members who were present. It was August's standing requirement for everyone connected to Maya Village in any capacity. The world was dangerous, and being unable to defend yourself was an invitation to victimhood. The family understood this and embraced the training, knowing that August's insistence on preparedness came from genuine care for their wellbeing rather than any desire to turn them into soldiers.
It was a life they were grateful for every single day.
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Business in Gremory
The morning after their arrival, the caravan departed for Gremory City proper. They proceeded first to the Fernando household to pay their respects and deliver messages from Marcus Fernando, who remained in Maya Village serving as the accounting head for Maya's Traveling Mercantile operations.
After appropriate greetings, they moved on to conduct their primary trade business with Baron Kirka's Trading Company. This was where they sold Theresa's Cleaning Fragrance, the soap that had become unexpectedly popular among Gremory's merchants, nobility and even the masses. They also sold premium beast meat from the Great Forest, cuts and varieties that could not be found in any conventional market. The leather and hides were of exceptional quality, sourced from creatures that most hunters would never encounter, let alone successfully kill.
This shipment also included something new: beast cores and important organs from the creatures Maya Village's hunters had killed. It was the first time the village had authorized the sale of such materials outside their own territory. The decision had not been made lightly. Beast cores and specialized organs were valuable to mages and alchemists, which meant their sale would attract attention. But the potential profits were substantial, and the village's growing confidence in its security made the risk acceptable.
The ledgers were straightforward since Baron Kirka's company purchased everything in bulk at agreed-upon prices. There was no haggling, no negotiation, just efficient transfer of goods for coin. It was the kind of reliable business relationship that both parties valued.
Next, they visited Mitch-Maya's Embroidery, the joint venture between Michelle Mitch-Ross and Maya Village. The village supported the business in exchange for a modest ten percent of profits, a tax that was more symbolic than burdensome. Michelle's work was exceptional, and her partnership with the village had proven mutually beneficial, she left the business to a few people she had personally trained and could trust.
Lastly, they traveled to Prime Alembic-Elixir Pharmaceutical to sell rare medicinal herbs harvested from the depths of the Great Forest. This was where the majority of their profits were gained. The herbs could not be sourced anywhere else, and the pharmaceutical company's alchemists were willing to pay premium prices for ingredients they could not otherwise obtain.
After completing all trade business, the caravan had amassed a combined wealth of fifteen Imperial Orichalcum Coins and fifty Imperial Gold Coins. This figure already accounted for all payments made to suppliers, wages for caravan personnel, and the separate profits belonging to Theresa and Michelle from their respective businesses. Everything else belonged to Maya Village, an investment in trade infrastructure that had paid off spectacularly.
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The Baron's Intent
With business concluded, Wagon Master Rupert sought a private meeting with Baron Kirka to address the second purpose of their visit.
"A pleasant day to you, Baron," Rupert said formally after being admitted to the baron's office. "I am tasked by the masters to inquire about your current intentions regarding Kirka Village."
He had brought a gift to smooth the conversation: a barrel of wine that Maya Village had been developing for future export. Currently, the wine could only be found within the village itself, served in limited quantities at their taverns and shared among family homes. The barrel was a gesture of friendship and a preview of what might become a profitable trade good in the future.
Baron Kirka accepted the gift with genuine pleasure. He had developed a taste for Maya Village's products and appreciated their consistent quality. "Ah, wonderful! Your masters are too generous." He poured two glasses and gestured for Rupert to sit. "As for my intentions, I am currently gathering forces. The preparations are nearly complete. Tell August that I will head to Kirka personally next month to retake the village. I would appreciate his promised support when the time comes."
Rupert nodded and made detailed mental notes of the timeline. This was critical information that needed to reach August as quickly as possible. "I will convey your message immediately upon our return, Baron. The village will honor its commitment."
"I know you will," the baron said with satisfaction. "Your people have proven reliable in ways that are increasingly rare in these troubled times."
With that business concluded, Rupert took his leave. The caravan had other minor tasks to complete while in the city, supplies to purchase and messages to deliver, but the major objectives had been accomplished successfully.
Return Journey
After a few days' rest at the Fernando estate, it was time to return to Maya Village. Surprisingly, they would not be traveling alone. Thirteen young people, ranging in age from fifteen to eighteen, had received permission to join the caravan for the journey to Maya Village.
These were the children August had saved years ago, now young adults seeking to repay the debt they felt they owed. Rupert had been briefed on their situation and had agreed to transport them despite the tight quarters it would create.
The wagon's housing would be slightly cramped as it approached full capacity: sixteen crew members plus thirteen passengers, only one bunk short of the maximum thirty the wagon could accommodate. But this was precisely why the remaining spaces existed. The wagon had been designed to transport people as well as goods, and these young people were traveling to join a community that desperately needed skilled individuals.
With everyone aboard and supplies secured, the caravan began the long journey home. It would be a straightforward route back to Maya Village, following the same roads they had traveled on the way to Gremory. Depending on travel conditions, weather, and the absence of any significant complications, they would arrive home in approximately three to four weeks.
The wheels began to turn. The Tamaras leaned into their harnesses. And the great wagon Amaryllia rolled forward, carrying goods, profits, passengers, and news that would shape the future of two villages separated by hundreds of kilometers but connected by promises that would soon be tested.