The walls of Oakhaven rose from the darkness like the teeth of a sleeping giant. Torches flickered along the battlements, casting long, dancing shadows against the gray stone.
Lila pulled on the reins, bringing the weary horses to a halt at the Southern Gate. The line for entry was nearly gone at this hour, leaving only a few stragglers and a bored-looking guard captain holding a lantern.
"Halt!" the captain grunted, stepping forward.
"City is closed to non-residents past the bell. Turn around or camp in the field."
Lila swallowed hard. Her merchant training kicked in, but her voice wavered slightly.
"Sir, we have a... a medical emergency. My master needs a healer. We have coin."
The captain squinted, raising his lantern to illuminate the driver's bench. He saw a young girl, travel-worn but pretty. He looked into the back of the wagon.
Kael lay amidst the furs, his face pale (thanks to a quick adjustment of his blood flow). Elara sat beside him, holding a wet cloth to his forehead. She looked up at the guard with wide, tear-filled eyes.
"Please, sir," Elara whispered, her voice trembling perfectly. "He's burning up."
Kael coughed, a wet, rattling sound. He caught the guard's eye.
[Passive Effect: Cognitive Nudge]
Suggestion: This isn't a security threat. This is a tragedy waiting to happen. You don't want a noble dying on your watch.
The captain's stern expression softened. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Alright, alright. Don't die in the street. Five silver entry tax."
Lila fumbled for the coin purse, Bram's savings, and handed over the silver.
"Move along," the captain waved them through.
"And try the Temple District if you want a priest."
"Thank you," Lila breathed. She flicked the reins, and the wagon rumbled under the heavy stone archway.
…...................…..
The change was sudden
One moment, they were in the quiet, cricket-filled silence of the plains. The next, they were assaulted by the senses of the city.
Even at night, Oakhaven was alive. The smell of roasting meat, stale ale, and unwashed bodies filled the air. Lanterns hung from every shopfront, bathing the cobblestones in a warm, artificial glow.
Elara peered out from the back of the wagon, her eyes wide.
"So many lights..." she murmured. "It's like the stars fell down."
"It's beautiful," Kael whispered, sitting up. His "sickness" vanished the moment the canvas cover shielded them from view.
"And full of opportunity."
"Where do we go?" Lila asked, looking back. "
The cheaper inns are in the Lower District. We could stretch Dad's gold for maybe two weeks if we—"
"No," Kael cut her off.
"We aren't scraping by, Lila. We're establishing a presence. Go to the Merchant District. Find the 'Golden Stag'."
"The Golden Stag?" Lila choked.
"Master, that's where the Guild Lords stay! A suite there costs a gold coin a night! We can't afford that."
"Drive, Manager," Kael ordered. "Let me worry about the finances."
Lila bit her lip but obeyed. She navigated the winding streets, the wagon rattling over the cobblestones, until they reached a massive, timber-framed building with a sign depicting a stag with antlers of real gold leaf.
It oozed wealth. Doormen in livery stood out front.
Lila pulled up. A valet immediately rushed over to take the horses.
Kael stepped out of the wagon, leaning heavily on Elara. He played the part of the eccentric, frail young noble perfectly.
He wore his fine clothes (cleaned by Elara on the road) and carried an air of arrogant fragility.
"A suite," Kael told the concierge at the desk, tossing a gold coin onto the mahogany counter, one of the last three they had.
"Top floor. Private balcony. And send up a tailor in the morning. My companions are... dreadfully underdressed for the city."
The concierge eyed Elara's simple peasant dress and Lila's travel leathers with a sniff of disdain, but the gold coin silenced him.
"Right away, my lord. The Royal Suite is available."
…....................
The room was larger than Bram's entire cabin.
Thick velvet curtains covered the windows. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.
There was a fireplace of white marble, and the bed... the bed was a four-poster monstrosity covered in silk sheets.
Lila dropped the bags by the door and collapsed onto a plush velvet sofa. "We're broke," she groaned, burying her face in her hands.
"That was half our money. We have nothing left for food. Or bribes."
Elara, however, was enchanted. She walked around the room touching everything—the silk curtains, the polished wood, the vase of fresh flowers.
"It's so soft," Elara whispered, rubbing her cheek against a pillow.
"Kael, look. It's like a cloud."
Kael locked the heavy oak door. He turned to them, his expression serious.
"Lila, stop panicking," Kael said. "Money is just a number, We will make more in the future. But first, we need to look the part."
He walked over to a large mirror on the wall. "Come here. Look at yourselves."
Elara and Lila stood before the glass. They looked like what they were: country bumpkins. Elara's dress was shapeless and worn. Lila looked like a stable boy.
"In the cabin, you were a hunter's wife and daughter," Kael said, standing behind them, his dark eyes meeting theirs in the reflection.
"But in Oakhaven, that won't work. To conquer this city, we need to change your roles."
He placed a hand on Elara's shoulder.
"Elara. You are no longer a housewife. You are my... private nurse. And my concubine."
Elara blushed, looking at her reflection. "Concubine?"
"It means you belong to a man of status," Kael explained smoothly.
"Tomorrow, the tailor will dress you. No more high collars. I want silk. I want plunging necklines. I want every man in this city to see what belongs to me, but know they can't touch it."
He turned to Lila.
"And you. You are my Secretary. My face to the world. You will handle the Guilds. You will handle the money. You need to look sharp. Dangerous."
Lila straightened her spine slightly. "I... I can do that."
"Good," Kael smiled. "Because we have our first target."
"Target?" Elara asked, confused.
"Money," Kael said.
"Lila, tomorrow you're going to the market. You're going to find a fence for the rest of the 'goods' we brought."
"We only brought food and clothes," Lila frowned.
"No," Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, glowing vial. It was bright blue, swirling with mana.
[Item Created: Essence of Vitality (Diluted)]
Source: Kael's own excess mana mixed with local water.
Effect: Temporarily restores stamina and vigor. Acts as a potent aphrodisiac if taken in high doses. ]
"Sell this," Kael said, tossing the vial to Lila.
"Tell them it's an alchemical tonic from the High Mountains. 'Hunter's Vigor.' It helps old men feel... young again."
Lila caught the vial. She looked at it, her merchant appraisal skill ticking in her brain.
"An aphrodisiac? In this district? The nobles will pay a fortune for this."
"Exactly," Kael grinned.
"Sell it. Get us gold. And while you're doing that... Elara and I will break in the new bed."
Lila looked at the massive silk bed. Then at her mother, who was already eyeing Kael with that glassy, devoted look.
"I'll get a good price," Lila whispered, clutching the vial. She felt a thrill. Not just from the potential profit, but from the scheme. She was part of it now.
"Rest tonight," Kael commanded.
"Tomorrow, Oakhaven learns that the Sovereign has arrived."