"Hello, nice to meet you." Elka put on the 'customer service' smile that Ash had her practice. She extended her hand to Talam. "I'm Elka Nerium, the regional manager for the West Iverian northern coastal region."

Behind Talam, Ash, who had just stepped aside after his greeting, nodded his head rhythmically as Elka repeated her introductory script. He bit his lips to keep from following along silently, but in his head, Ash was repeating the script as well.

"Yes, Miss Nerium. Nice to meet you." Talam smiled and reached for her hand to shake it. Handshakes were common across both continents, but Ashtar was one of those places where it was seen as bad manners to squeeze or grasp the hand too firmly. "Madam Atractas mentioned that a regional manager would be coming with us to help with the preparation of the tea house. How long have you been regional manager?"

"About two years, going on three," Elka replied, her pleasant expression never faltering. "However, I've been working for Snake, Scarab, and Sons since I was a teenager. I started as a server at the Carthage Harbor location and worked my way up. I know all the ins and outs of running a teahouse, as well as having participated in the opening of the Durpeli site. Before I accepted this position, I was slated to assist with the first Snake, Scarab, and Sons on the Dragon Continent."

Talam's brows rose and he nodded his head, impressed with her 'experience'.

Ash felt someone tugging on his sleeve and looked down to see Effie, who gave him an approving nod. "Nice prep," she said in Lunapsar.

Ash smirked. "I do good work."

"I was personally laying the groundwork for the Dragon Continent site, but now that we've temporarily paused it to focus on opening the Ashtar market, Elka accepted, as well, for my sake," Henry said from where he stood beside Elka, shaking Talam's hand after Elka brought her hand back.

Ash rolled his eyes and looked at Effie with a dull expression. "But someone wanted to stake his claim."

Effie craned her neck to look at her eldest brother and Elka.

Elka laughed and leaned against Henry's arm. "Henry and I are engaged, and after some discussion, we decided to come together. Like a power couple."

Ash curled his lip up as Henry smiled, but seemed a bit tired. What 'decided to come together'? Didn't you essentially tell my brother you were coming, and then didn't take no for an answer?

"Power couple seems like a bit much...." Effie muttered to herself as she scratched the side of her head and turned around to go back to the stairs that led up the upper floor of Aedi's Snake, Scarab, and Sons.

"It's always a good sign, and the best sign for a long-term goal, when a couple is thinking the same," Talam said, nodding happily at both Henry and Elka. "Congratulations on your engagement, by the way!" He gave them an apologetic smile. "I am unfortunately caught unaware and didn't prepare anything."

"Oh, think nothing of it!" Elka let out another amused laugh. "Just your well wishes are enough."

Ash looked towards the stairs. "Shall we get going?" he said, cutting any more pleasantries off. "I'm sure Momma is waiting."

"Oh, is Madam Atractas here?" Talam looked at Ash.

"If Effie is here, then my mother likely is, too," Ash replied.

Talam looked up the stairs and nodded. "I was just coming to get a cup before I went to the market. I didn't think to bring the paperwork."

"Are we set to leave soon?" Elka asked.

Talam shook his head. "It all depends on the Madam," he replied, turning back to look at her. "I believe we were waiting for you, then we must go over and sign the paperwork."

Henry raised a brow. "Is it a lot of paperwork?"

Talam crinkled his eyes. "Well, there are papers to sign. Perhaps, that's about a dozen or so pages."

"All right-"

"But there are at least twenty pages of documents to read over and agree to before signing." Henry and Elka both squinted at him and Talam and quickly tried to explain. "These papers are specifically for business, which includes intent to do business, as well as an extended period of stay up to three years, without penalty. It also allows for the paperwork holders to be able to leave and return an unrestricted amount of time during those three years, which was targeted at facilitating transport of imports. There are also documents that have to do with a Ashtari noble guarantor."

"They're...really not making it easy...." Elka muttered with wide eyes.

"We're used to something different. The Federation is based on commerce, so accessibility to markets is a priority," Henry replied. He took Elka's hand and gave her a gentle tug. "Let's go greet my aunt."

Elka nodded and Talam looked over his shoulder, at his two escorts. "I'll go and greet Madam Nera first."

Ash led the way, going up the stairs with Henry, Elka, and Talam following behind him.

"This was built in the stage five style, wasn't it?" Elka asked as she looked around, curious. "Originally it was a stage two building?"

"Yes, you can tell," Henry replied. He looked over his shoulder at Talam. "Our teahouses have set styles that can be enlarged or expanded depending on the lot size. Stages four and five were expansions to stage one, which was the very first basic floorplan consisting of a single floor, relatively narrow, with the kitchen in the back and tea counter in the center, against one side, and stage two, which was also a single floor, but with a wide storefront and shallow depth."

Talam nodded. "What was the stage three?"

"Stage three is the addition of a family apartment," Ash replied. "They're usually built on the topmost floor."

"Snake, Scarab, and Sons in large cities, including several Merchant Cities, and the capitals of Dareisol and Suna, were custom designed to fit the allotted areas in old city centers," Elka replied. "They are also designed to fit into the native architecture of the surrounding area by keeping the exterior or trying to replicate it as best as possible."

Talam's eyes widened. "What about the one planned for Ridua?" he asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Has the land been selected already?" Henry asked. "It depends on the space."

They reached the upper floor and the door was open.

"Momma!" Ash happily strutted through the door, beaming as he saw his mother rise to her feet and give him a welcoming smile.. "I'm back!"

"My son." Nera stepped forward, her arms wide as she went to embrace him. "Effie saw you arriving from the window, so I've requested some meals to be cooked."

Ash grinned, lopsided. "Thank you, Momma." He stepped aside and Nera welcomed Henry back.

"You did very well," she said in a gentle voice. "I am proud of you."

Henry closed his eyes and released a relieved breath. "Thank you, Auntie."

"Auntie," Elka greeted and then flushed. "I mean, Madam. Hehe...I'm getting ahead of myself."

"You can start practicing," Nera said as she moved Henry aside to stand in front of Elka. She put her hands on Elka's shoulders and looked her up and down at arm's length, then barely held back a proud smirk. "I wish I could be there when your father finds out."

"Auntie..." Henry sighed and ran his hand down his face.

Elka giggled and Nera looked past her, releasing her shoulders. "Talam, what are you doing here? I didn't expect to see you today."

"I was only stopping by for tea, but saw that the Young Masters had returned," he replied. Ash noticed Talam grasp the sides of his over robe subtly as he forced a smile. Talam hadn't appeared bothered when they arrived, so he studied Talam's face.

He knitted his brows a bit. For a moment, he wasn't sure he saw correctly, but a look in Talam's eyes reminded Ash of when Effie was disappointed that she didn't get something. It wasn't something that would turn to rage, but a solemn regret.

"Talam mentioned paperwork for entry into Ashtar," Henry said. "How daunting is it?"

Nera chuckled and patted Henry's shoulder. "Your sister and I have already looked through the bulk of the documents, including on prospective properties."

"I picked a good location!" Effie piped up as she appeared beside Nera and wrapped her arms around Nera's waist to hug her. Nera smiled and stroked the top of her daughter's head.

By the table, Ash's brows shot up as he recognized Talam's expression. Talam looked at Effie, who was basking in the affection of their mother, with envy. Briefly, Ash was amused. A grown man was envious of a child.

Then he remembered Talam's history, and his reaction turned to pity. Talam lost his parents when he was young, his uncle was busy, and his grandparents were depressed and ended up neglecting him. He only had his aunt, who was taken from him when she was preparing to marry into his family permanently.

Seeing Nera so close to all her children would arouse some envy.

What was even worse was that Ash was fully aware that Nera was the aunt Talam missed. He looked towards his mother. His mother was an astute woman, and he was sure she noticed.

"Talam, let's wait to sign the documents tomorrow. My sons and Elka have just arrived, and they need to rest. It'll be better to look at the paperwork tomorrow, refreshed and with a clear head," Nera told him.

Talam nodded. "What time will be good for the meeting?"

"Come in for breakfast," Ash said. "We can go through the paperwork after the meal."

Talam smiled, grateful, and nodded. "Then, I will see you all in the morning."

He turned around and headed towards the stairs. "Talam, don't forget to tell the hostess that you and your escorts are guests of mine. They have your names, so you won't be charged."

Talam's eyes lit up and he nodded. "Thank you, Madam!"

Effie sighed as the top of Talam's head disappeared down the stairs. She patted her mother and looked up at her. "Thank you for paying for him, Momma. He doesn't have a lot of money."

"Effie, please tell me you didn't remind Talam that he's lacking funds..." Henry said, giving his sister a suspicious look.

Effie's eyes darted to the side and avoided his gaze. "Not in those exact words...."

Henry let out a tired breath, but Ash snickered.

"Ash, use a silence slip." His mother walked back to the table and returned to her seat. Effie went to close the door as Ash dug out a piece of mulberry paper.

Henry pulled out a seat for Elka across from Nera before taking a seat next to her. Ash activated his silence slip and tossed it on the ground before picking up Effie and going to sit further away.

He knew that his mother wanted to confirm Elka's decision and hear it herself. The atmosphere in the room tensed. Elka took her seat and began to smooth out the non-existent wrinkles on her clothes. Beside her, Henry reached for her hand to show support.

Ash and Effie exchanged looks. "It's so formal...," Effie whispered, though her voice still carried and could be heard by the others. "Is Momma that scary?"

"Effie." Henry gave her a look, and she bit her lips and dove into Ash's arms to avoid their eldest brother.

Elka took a deep breath and spoke first. "Madam, thank you for allowing me to come with you to Ashtar." Her tone was more respectful than Ash had ever heard her be. "I want to make it clear that I didn't make this decision on a whim. After Henry said he planned to go to Ashtar to open a store, I considered coming with him and weighed my options while we were at the camp."

"Did you feel that coming was the best option for you?" Nera asked. "Elka, you should've been promoted in your family's army by now. That's a significant increase in pay, as well as advancement in your career. By coming with Henry, you are walking away from those things."

Elka took a deep breath and thought for a moment. No one dared to answer in her place. Even Henry remained silent, still holding her hand and making circles against it with his thumb, as if doing so would calm her.

"Madam, I joined my family's army as a member of the Arelias family. It was expected that I would spend at least two years as an active soldier, as a part of a military family. After my initial two years were over, I went back and forth, only on call when needed," Elka replied. "While I cherish the experience and training, as well as worked hard to get to where I am now, it was never my intention to make the Arelias family army my career."

Nera nodded. "Then, do you have another life goal in mind?" Elka opened her mouth, but Nera held up a hand. "That doesn't involve Henry."

Elka blinked. She drew her head back and carried a look of confusion. "Should I not want to be with Henry?"

"It isn't that you should or shouldn't want to, but outside of Henry, outside of marriage, what do you want to do as a person with their own will and goals," Nera explained gently. "Outside of your partner, what do you want to do? What are you interested in or hope to accomplish?"

Elka lowered her eyes and was quiet for a while.

Ash thought of Hana, but already knew what she'd answer, because she already had. Since they were young, Hana spent a lot of time at his house, so she knew the family well. Hana had never been shy about her goals of creating a thriving company focusing on products to help everyone, especially in the realms of communication and logistics, which she saw there was a big need for in the Federation.

Hana had her own life goals; Ash did as well. He always saw it as they would journey towards their life goals together and support each other with their unique skills.

"The two don't have to be clashing," Ash said as he leaned back against his seat. "You can build a life with my brother while working towards your own personal goal. The two do not need to conflict with each other."

"My aunt believes it is important for individuals in a couple to have interests and goals other than their partner," Henry told her. "She doesn't want you to lose yourself."

Elka took a deep breath and knitted her brows before raising her head to look back at Nera. "Medicine."

"Medicine?" Both Effie and Ash spoke with disbelief and Henry glared at them.

Elka nodded. "My mother is an apothecary. She's very good at prescribing for common illnesses. In fact, my mother's entire side deals with medicinal herbs and minerals. When I was little, I learned a lot. Being able to identify useful medicinal plants while on the march has been beneficial." The more she talked, the more excited she became until she was on the edge of her seat and speaking with animated movements of her hands. "During the period with the miners and the journey to the resettlement city, it became clearer than ever the importance of having access to medicine. To care for your health. Nutritional supplements can make a larger difference than I thought. Preventative prescriptions, too.

"If there is something outside of supporting my husband and the family military that interested me, it's medicine. And as Ash said, they don't have to conflict. If those malnourished miners were anything to go by, there are more people in Ashtar who could use medical care, even just in the simplest of offerings."

Nera nodded. "You are passionate about this."

"I am confident that with my experience in the military, as well as basic hands-on experience in my mother's apothecary, I can build a network that brings access to medicine and doctors to Ashtar," Elka said.

"That'll close a lot of money," Nera pointed out. "Money that Ashtar doesn't have."

"I spoke to several families during the journey. Many medicinal plants can be grown. They would be willing to farm them, as long as they have the seeds and land," Elka replied.

"Seeds also cost money," Nera told her.

"I can appeal for a loan," Elka said, sitting up straight. "It doesn't have to start big, just small, communal efforts to serve a small community. It can grow from there."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Elka, that is a fantastic goal, but it will take time," Nera said in a measured voice. "Do you know why we're going to Ashtar?"

"To open a tea-"

"No, no," Nera waved her hand to cut her off. "The more important reason." The real reason.

Elka paused. She looked around, as if making sure that no one else was listening. She then met Nera's covered face and nodded. "Henry told me. He and Ash told me what I should expect, as well as why you are going."

"Knowing all of this, their background, and what lies ahead of them, are you sure you want to go? Are you sure you want to get involved?"

Several eyes, including Ash's, looked at Elka.

She didn't hesitate.

"I am certain," she said in a firm voice. "I had all the time during our journey with the miners to the resettlement city and then coming here, to the border, to reconsider. Each day only made me more determined." She looked at Henry beside her. "He can use all the support he can get. I can't do much right now, but I can hold my own in a fight. I am willing to support him as much as I can." She narrowed her eyes and looked back at Nera with determination. "And not just for Henry. For all those displaced people. No one should have to suffer at the hands of their rulers like they did. Starving, with their home and land taken from then, then exiled to do labor with nothing but the clothes on their backs, watching their families starve." Anger and resentment flashed in Elka's eyes as her hand trembled. "I cannot stand by the injustice when I am in a position, though meager, to remedy it."

Ash looked at his mother. Nera's shoulders relaxed and she nodded her head.

"You love my son and want to support him, you have your own goals to help others, but most importantly, you understand why he must fight and are willing to fight beside him," Nera told her. She reached for her teacup and brought it to her lips. She took a sip. "That was the answer I was hoping for."

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Two carriages and several men on horseback, along with two donkeys being led behind one of the horses, exited through Aedi's rarely used eastern gate. The city guards were surprised to see them. One even asked if they were sure they were at the right gate.

"The road from here crosses the no man's land and goes directly to Ashtar," the guard told them as they opened their windows. "If you need to go south, you're at the wrong gate."

"We're not at the wrong gate. We are indeed going to Ashtar," Henry told the guard. "Here are our papers."

The city guard was taken aback, hesitating before looking at the folio Henry held out the window. "You...you want to go to Ashtar?"

By her own carriage, the two guards following on either side presented their travel documents, as well as Nera and Effie's. The mother and daughter were inside the second carriage.

Henry, Elka, and Ash rode with Talam in the carriage in front of them, while Talam's two escort guards sat on the driver's seat of the simple, unadorned carriage. Since Talam had prepared the paperwork for ten spots, even if it meant paying for all of them, Nera used all ten.

Five went to her and her family while the last five went to five of their guards, who would both escort them and drive the second carriage. The remaining guards who had come with them were sent back to meeting points to await further instruction.

"Your paperwork is clear. You may go." The city guard handed the paperwork back to Nera's guards, but the man still appeared uncertain, if not in disbelief that several people, who clearly had enough money to use carriages, were willing to go to the desolate wasteland beyond their gates.

Aedi sat on one side of a lush green valley without hills that eventually rolled up to a mountain range behind it, on its west. The nearest river was also on its west. However, as they approached Ashtar's gate, the greenery had been cleared to create a stony buffer area between Aedi's fields and Ashtar's old wall.

Effie sat on the edge of her seat, her arms on the windowsill as she looked at the passing, changing landscape. Her little face scrunched up.

"Why is it so empty? There are no farms or forests," she complained. "It's just dirt."

"It's a buffer area called a no man's land. It's an agreed upon space that doesn't belong to any country, but is in place to separate them," Nera told her as she leaned back against her chair.

The space between the territories was very clear, as if someone had taken a ruler to ensure it.

Her eyes narrowed. It wasn't always like this.

The first time she passed through those gates, Ashtar had not yet isolated itself. The previous Emperor was still on the throne, but there were signs of things to come. What was now a buffer zone used to be a place where temporary shops and markets were set up. Caravans passing through the area would sell directly from their wagons in the late afternoons and evenings, before camping there for the night.

The activity was concentrated around the area between the two gates, but there was still a lot of it. So much, that when she rushed out with her mother, dying on the bed of a carriage, they had to slow down, and eventually had to stop because of traffic in the area.

Nera closed her eyes and leaned back against her seat, a dull throb pulling at her stomach and making it twist as the location brought back memories that clashed with the moment.

Because of Effie's Pancake Cafe smuggled breakfast, the inside of their carriage smelled faintly of sugar and vanilla. It was why Ash decided to sit with the others.

In her memory, there was a faint body odor and almost rotting aroma coming from her mother. There were two images of Phaera Mahsa in Nera's mind, and she hated that one of them was of her slowly wasting away and dying in front of her. Her robust brown skin had become ashen, her flesh sunken, making her appear gaunt and weak at a glance. Her gorgeous long, silver-white hair had lost its luster that made it shine under the moonlight.

Laying in clean, but soil-stained clothes, and on a bed of the finest linens the Heikaravian estate had, because Nera knew how much her father's mother and second wife loved those linens and taking it would anger them, Phaera Mahsa had spent the last days of her life with only the General's private guard and her daughter.

When her mother began to lose strength to walk, they fled.

In order to avoid her in-laws, Phaera arranged for a carriage to meet them outside the estate walls, several blocks away, just a few hours before dawn. They'd left behind most of their things. When Nera had expressed concern, Phaera assured her that they had enough money to get them back to West Wind Valley, and that her personal wealth was never in Ashtar to begin with.

That didn't stop Nera from stealing the good linen and whatever she could stuff into her bag and pockets before they fled. The General's private guard helped them escape and brought them to the carriage.

Using the General's token and strategically placed city guards acting under the General, they were able to leave Ridua before the city gates officially opened. Nera and her mother didn't have to hide, assured that the guards wouldn't say they saw them.

The General had been ordered to quell a reported rebellion in the south. It happened around the time when their family had returned to the capital for the new year. Sure, none of them liked the Heikaravians, including the General, but he had to show some family solidarity. After the new year, they were preparing to leave to bring Nera to West Wind Abbey to attend the girls academy.

The General had already reported this matter, that he was going to take well deserved time off in order to escort his wife and see off his daughter. The Emperor had already granted it at the start of the new year, but when the General came in for one more court session before they were to leave, the Emperor retracted permission, citing political unease in the south.

Nera remembered her mother and father both finding it strange. The Heikaravian army was located in the northwest, as far from the southern political unease as could be. There was also another military family that controlled that region. If the General brought his army there, there would be conflicts with the other military.

But, at the time, the General had no choice. He had planned to arrange with the other army a way to deal with the situation without having to drag down the Heikaravian army and usurp power from the other military family.

The planned weeks turned into months, and while he was gone, Phaera grew weaker and weaker. At the time, Nera didn't know it was a curse. She didn't know until after they left, and her mother told her. If they hadn't been in a carriage, Nera would've raged. If they weren't so far from Ridua, she would've made that family pay.

Though she was still young, about as old as Henry when his world turned upside down, she was not a weakling. Tall for her age and lean, her chubby rosy face was what remained somewhat childish. She had been taught how to fight since she could walk. She didn't believe she couldn't beat her uncle, aunt, stepmother, and half-sister into submission.

Someone had to.

"Don't blame your father." Phaera had noticed her dark expression and her clenched fists on her lap. Nera had grit her teeth and shut her eyes tight. "Ananeraka, he didn't expect that their resistance to my existence was this strong."

"You call this resistance?" Nera couldn't hold back. Didn't her mother see the situation? Her mother, who ruled Lunapsar from afar, and trained soldiers? "They're trying to kill you!"

Phaera seemed to take her daughter's anger to heart. She narrowed her eyes. "But they will also pay a price."

"The only acceptable price is their lives."

"Ananeraka-"

"You can't tell me to accept this and do nothing!" Nera had almost jumped up in the carriage as her eyes reddened. "You can't tell me they did this to you, but I should still treat them with kindness! What kind of family is that? They are not my family!"

She knew that more clearly than ever. She'd always known Grandma hated her mother and as a result, pretended she didn't exist, which was the best scenario considering when Nera stood out, she'd somehow get punished or blamed. Nera was young, but she knew the tensions in the house.

Her grandmother loved her stepmother and half-sister, and always made it seem as if the General's primary wife wasn't Phaera and that Nera was the unwanted daughter. Because Nera and her parents spent most of the year away from Ridua, their rumors were taken as the truth by many nobles.

It was the stepmother who was invited to parties and gatherings with other noble women. It was her half-sister who became a sought-after young woman. People forgot Phaera had married with huge fanfare first or that Nera even existed.

When the General was gone, treatment and judgement became worse. The General's younger brother became a prominent minister riding on the coattails of his brother. His wife became the mistress of the estate, just under his mother. They made it so there was no room for Phaera and Nera.

Her mother had taken a deep breath and sank further into the messy pile of linens. "We Mahsa must have compassion and understanding. We must use what we know and learn to lead our people to be better, to do better. If there are transgressions against us, we may forgive, but never forget. We must adapt and try to make things better because we were born to rule and have this responsibility to our people." Nera had lowered her head and grit her teeth. Her mother had sounded so magnanimous that she didn't expect the next works that came out of her mouth. "But the old lady, her niece, and the rest of them are not our people," Phaera spat out. "And they will get their retribution."

Her voice had been cold, chilling Nera to her bones. Back then, Phaera must've known who cursed her and was ready to ensure that if she died, so would her attacker.

It wasn't enough for Nera.

"What else can I do?"

"You are to keep your hands clean," Phaera told her in a stern voice. "It is your father's family who hurt us. It is your father's responsibility to make this right." Phaera had spoken with such determination despite looking so frail. Still, hearing that it was her father who had to deal with the problem didn't comfort Nera.

"Daddy doesn't even know we left, Momma," Nera had said with gritted teeth. She had looked at her mother with tears in her eyes, already knowing then that her mother was going to die soon. "Momma, what if you never see him again."

Phaera hadn't seemed unfazed by the question. Her eyes had looked up at the ceiling of the carriage. Her response was breathy, but resigned.

"I don't plan to."

Sometimes, Nera wondered if her mother still loved her father. When they were together, they were so clearly in love and affectionate. Her mother had comforted him after his own mother drugged him and encouraged his cousin to assault him in his delirious state. His brother and sister-in-law had even assisted in making sure the courtyard was clear and that Phaera, who was pregnant with Nera at the time, was distracted.

Her father did learn of their escape, and he did come after them, though in secret.

Still, Phaera sent him back. Nera didn't know if her mother still loved her father, but she knew her mother was angry, and would not give her father the honor of being with her at her death.

It would be several more years after her mother's death, before Nera returned.

She came through that same gateway on horseback. At that point, the new emperor had taken the throne, and he was stupider than the last.

The thriving caravan stop outside the gates was a shadow of what it once was. There were only remnants of tents and temporary shelters that were once highly sought after during those market nights.

Enroshan had told her as they passed through "I can't help but feel it'll only get worse".

"Is it going to be like this inside, too?" Effie's voice cut through Nera's thoughts. She opened her eyes and looked at her daughter, who was still peering outside with disappointment. "If it's like this everywhere, how will our tea house have business?"

Nera could understand her frustration and concern. "It wasn't always like this. Before Ashtar isolated itself, businesses tended to thrive at city gates, just like all the other ones we've passed in Dareisol and Suna."

Effie perked up at this. "Then, can business return?"

"It will take some time, and a lot of effort," Nera replied, hoping to give her realistic expectations. "But I believe Henry will be able to rebuild this ruined country."

Effie sat back in her seat. "I hope so, too."

Effie's observations only made her cling to her hope more. When they reached the Ashtar gate, Talam stepped out and greeted the soldiers on duty, having met them before when he left. He presented them with the paperwork, and everyone had to come out to have their identification verified. Even Commodore had to come out and the soldiers were afraid of the massive beast.

Effie seemed to notice and climbed on Commodore's back. "Don't worry, he also has travel documents!" It was for animals, but it was good enough.

Henry, Ash, and Elka were introduced first. Nothing was wrong with Elka's Federation paperwork, but Nera could still see some stiffness in the young lady's shoulders when she was asked several questions.

The soldiers then moved to Nera's carriage and her group. She lifted her veil to reveal her eyes and match them to the description on her papers.

"Another one...." one of the soldiers said under his breath, appearing a bit stunned. "I've never met a Lunapsar before." He looked back at Ash and then looked at Effie.

Effie raised her hand. "I'm only part Lunapsar," she said in accented, awkward Ashtari.

The soldiers were amused and said they had to wait, as the gate was short staffed. They needed to call for their commanding officer to sign off.

The commanding officer came quickly. He was an older man, thin with gray hair, and a worn look on his face. He bowed to Talam, addressed him as a young lord, and glanced over the paperwork before stamping them.

"Are these merchants you've found, young lord?" the commanding officer asked, looking at the others as they climbed into their carriages. There was hope in his eyes. "You know, you are the first to these gates who have returned with foreign merchants willing to come."

Talam must've left a deep impression on him.

"I hope I won't be the last," Talam replied with a helpless smile.

The large wooden gates had to be open for the carriages to go through. It took another hour to find the keys and grease up the gears in order to open the gates. Only the smaller door for horses and people had been used for who knew how long.

The doors opened with deep, sharp creaks, making them grimace while the soldiers tried their best to hide their embarrassment. It was clear that Ashtar hadn't welcomed anyone in a while.

The last time Nera was here; those gates were wide open.

The last time Nera was here, beyond those gates, was a modest town.

"Good spirits...." Effie whispered as she leaned further out the window to look ahead of them as their carriage went through the gates and fell into the shadow of the wall. Nera watched her daughter's face fall, and her eyes redden.

She braced herself and looked out the window.

Her body froze.

There were refugee camps that were better than the gate town. Crumbling buildings, empty streets, old doors and shutters falling off their hinges. Every so often, there was a line of laundry with patched clothes that were so threadbare, it was a wonder they covered anything.

There were a few stray dogs, all skinny with their ribs visible beneath their skin.

And as for people...there were lingering traces of them, but doors were shut and people darted to hide when the carriage came through.

"What's going on...?" Ash, who'd joined their carriage, frowned as he looked out the window.

"They're no longer used to people coming through," Nera replied. "And those who have and with carriages were probably able to leave, meaning they were likely under Eskander."

She didn't have to explain further for Ash to understand. The corner of his lip curled up in disgust.

"They already have so little...."

"Tell Henry that we'll go a little further out, so as not to disturb the towns people. We'll rest for the night," Nera told him.

Ash nodded his head. "Brother and Talam wanted to see if they could talk to the towns people and get a better idea of their needs. Can I go with them?"

"That's fine," Nera said. "Just be cautious and don't show off. Most people are good, but desperate times can change that."

Ash had the carriage stop and got off before jogging ahead to his brother's carriage. Though they left Aedi at midmorning, they'd only made it as far as past the town by two hours before sunset. The town was still visible from where they stopped off the side of the worn, dirt road.

The guards helped prepare a fire while Ash and the others walked back to the town. Rather than join them and ask, she had the ravens follow and report back.

What she saw from the side of the road was about the same as the rest of the town. It was worn down, partially abandoned, and those who remained were elderly, infirmed, or too young to leave and get a labor-intensive job elsewhere. Those people relied on money sent back by visiting children or parents who were able to find work.

They didn't have land to farm, as the surrounding lands, though suitable for farming, was owned by members of the court, and was not rented out. Even if they were, it would be useless as most of the people there were townsfolk and not farmers. Most had come from simple craft or merchant backgrounds during their heyday.

Whatever they had left to sell wasn't worth much. A nearby stream which fed into the main river behind Aedi was their main source of food, as they could still fish and harvest water plants to eat.

The soldiers sometimes joined them, as there had been periods when the court 'forgot' to send them supplies.

Nera could hardly believe it became this bad.

After eating dinner and putting Effie to sleep, Nera sat on the step of the carriage door, staring at the fire. It was late when Ash and the others returned, all quiet and pensive.

She didn't greet them, just allowed them to take a seat while she prepared some food. What they'd seen and heard from town was undoubtedly a blow to their hopes of recovery.

"I don't feel like eating..." Ash said, holding the small plate his mother had given him, but not lifting his spoon. As a precaution, their food was simple that night, and didn't give off any strong, rich fragrance.

"Eat. We have a long day tomorrow," Nera told him. She looked at the others who wore downtrodden expressions and listlessly poked at their food. "All of you. If you are disheartened now, you will only give up easily later."

Gritting his teeth, Talam picked up his spoon and brought some food to his mouth.

The four ate in silence as Nera watched over them. Once they finished eating, it was a matter of tossing the plant fiber plates into the fire and the utensils into a bag.

Elka climbed into Nera's carriage and paused. She looked over her shoulder with a helpless, but thoughtful smile. "What do I do if she's sprawling out like this?" She climbed down and Henry peered inside.

The bed in the carriage was created by connecting the back and front seat and the spreading out of a thin, but cushioned bedroll. Effie was like a starfish with her arms and legs out, her head tilted to the side with drool coming out while her little belly was exposed. Henry sighed and rolled his eyes.

He pulled himself in, tugged down his sister's night shirt and maneuvered her to the center. Throughout the process, Effie made a little fist with her hands and tried to fight off who was bothering her, but nothing landed. Once she was left alone, her arms fell at her sides and she continued sleeping, unbothered.

"Here you go." Henry stepped down and let Elka on. "Auntie, are you going to sleep now, too?" He asked.

Nera remained standing nearby, listening to birds. Henry nodded and went to the other carriage. Ash had adjusted the bed so that he, Henry, and Talam could share. It wasn't too cramped, but another person would be the limit. The guards would remain outside and work in shifts to guard the camp.

"Sorry, Talam, this is the best we can do," Ash said, patting the man on the shoulder. "I hope you don't mind."

"It's better than the ground," Talam said with a smile. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Talam grabbed hold of the doorway and prepared to climb up.

"Talam." Nera called out and he stepped back down. One foot was still on the step as he turned his head to look at her.

"Madam?"

"What did you say was the name of the city we're going to pass through on the way to Ridua?"

"Oh, it's one of the three main cities here," Talam said as he released his hold and walked towards her. "Kasea City." Nera pursed her lips. She looked back at the bird perched on the eaves of her carriage. Talam followed her gaze and furrowed his brows. "Is something wrong?"

"A revolt started two days ago. Laborers haven't been paid," Nera told him. "The city has closed its doors and the officials within have sent messengers for aid."

Talam's eyes widened. "What? No, how can that be? Kasea is the second most prosperous city after the capital! How can a revolt start?" He grasped his head with his hands and opened and closed his mouth, unsure what to say.

"Should we go around and avoid it?" Ash asked, looking at Talam and then at his mother.

"According to the map, the way around will delay our trip by at least two weeks-"

"We have to go to Kasea!" Talam's arms flew down at his sides as a look of determination filled his face.

"We can't get through if they closed the city doors," Ash pointed out.

"It's five days from here. We don't know if it'll be resolved by then," Henry replied. "Or worse, the military is sent to quell the revolt."

Talam shook his head once more. "Kasea was scheduled to host a meeting of the western counties to discuss farming reallocation. It should still be in progress now," he said. "That means there are dozens of officials and landowners that could be trapped!"

Henry let out a heavy breath. "Talam, we're only a handful of people...and we're foreigners."

"I know, but I need to go and see if there is anything I can do!" Talam said. He looked at the family, pleading. "My uncle had brokered the deal to reallocate farms. He was personally going to Kasea to oversee the discussion. He's still there."

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