Two men stood on the bow of their vessel. A city was appearing on the horizon.

"See, I told you we wouldn't need a full week", the younger of the men said. Short black hair, sharp eyes and a well-groomed beard.

The older of the two grumbled and pulled out one silver coin from his pouch. Eyeing it like a parent that would see their child for one last time. The coin was taken away by the younger one. The old man frowned at him before sighing loudly. Getting the attention of the entire crew. Four other sailors looked at their captain for a moment before resuming their duties.

"I must admit that it was the right call to sell my old ship. I have made many right calls since you joined my business. Makes you wonder how you do that Apicius?"

"Who could have known that selling the slow and big Corbita for a faster and more reliable Oneraria would result in us arriving sooner?", Apicius rolled the earned silver coin between his fingers. Eyes glued to the piece of metal.

"But now we can't carry as much cargo as before", the old man said.

"Don't forget that we are more likely to not sink without that massively overloaded mule of a ship Gavius."

"Fine, fine. I can understand your line of thought. I am making more profit since following your advice. Especially selling directly to the nobles. Those idiots would drown in their own wealth without our help."

"And that is why we have to help them part with it", Apicius added with a smile.

"So I don't want to question the decision making of my golden goose and heir to my trading business, but why are we heading to Ostia again?"

"Because there are two friends of mine that control the city. We have wares they want and they have plenty of coins."

The old man touched his blue scales. They covered his entire body, except his face. There his skin had a light blue colour. Then his hand went up to one of his long scaled ears. He stroked it. Thinking hard.

"How old is that information?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your 'partners' in Ostia. When was the last time you made contact with them? Things can change quickly. Especially in Italia, with all those wars and invasions. Bad for business, bad for my business."

"I have been working with Marcus for two and a half years. He managed to get half of the city under his thump. He pays well for silk and wine. The baroness I know for about four years. The more exotic and expensive a good is, the more she likes it."

"The question Apicius, the question."

"Ah right yes, forgive me. The last time was around a year I think. Since then I was busy with, well, helping you."

"Helping yourself you mean. I remember you insisting on being my heir when I hired you."

"But isn't this much better. At least you don't have to worry about my reasons. I just want to take over a profitable business when you pass into the underworld."

"I am not that old!"

"And I have time."

The men fell into silence and continued to look at the growing city.

"So the wine and silk are for the merchant. The rest is for the baroness then?", Gavius asked.

"Most of it, yes. Mostly foreign jewellery or are other pieces of art from craftsmen. The silk robes are also for her. She loves them, or the baron does. Maybe both. She pays well. Don't worry."

"I worry. Italia is not a safe place for trading. Too many power struggles. I should have continued with transporting grain and cattle from Aegyptus to Constantinople."

"Worry less. You will see how to really make a profit."

It didn't take the ship long to reach the harbour of Ostia.

A dock worker guided them to their berth. They secured the ship with ropes and prepared to unload the wares. A plank was placed to get off of the ship.

Gavius and Apicius went first. Letting the sailors do the unloading. A pair of guards stood next to the ship. Watching the two merchants.

"Let me handle this. I know the older guard", Apicius whispered to Gavius. He moved in front of the guards. One hand into his pouch. Pulling out six silver coins. He offered them to the guards.

"Gentlemen, you have checked and taxed our cargo didn't you?", Apicius asked smiling.

The older guard's hand reached towards the coin but quickly pulled back. The old woman looked annoyed at her younger counterpart. The young woman was staring at Apicius with a mix of distrust and anger.

"No we haven't", the old woman said. "We will inspect the goods as they are unloaded."

Apicius looked surprised. Though a smile quickly emerged on his face again.

"If six is not enough I always can..."

"It is not about the number of coins", the old woman said. "Things have changed. Deal with it."

Now Apicius looked offended and angry. "I will have you know that I know both the baroness and the merchant Marcus. They would be very displeased if their cargo doesn't arrive in time."

Now the young woman was smiling. While the old had a complicated expression on her face.

"The baroness is gone. The northern merchant as well", the young woman supplied, smiling widely.

"Just because they are not currently in the city doesn't mean you..."

Gavius's hand landed on Apicius shoulder. The old man looked at him like a merchant would at a failed investment. Which wasn't that far off from the truth.

"Step back. It seems for once you were incorrect."

Apicius opened his mouth to rebuke Gavius but quickly stepped back behind his partner. Glaring at the guards in front of him.

"Honourable guards, when you say gone you mean gone from power, right?", Gavius asked.

The guards nodded. Gavius sighed loudly. Apicius behind him turned pale.

"So who took over. Could we speak with the new baron or the new head merchant?", Gavius asked carefully.

"There are no nobles in this city. Not any more. Nor is there one merchant that controls the others. We have a council and representative from our governor. And many many small merchants that compete with each other", the young woman explained, still smiling. "Now we would like to search the ship."

Gavius nodded. "I understand." They moved to the side as their crew, a few dockworkers and the guards unloaded the goods. Checking them in the process.

"Apicius, I hope you have a plan. We need to sell the goods and I doubt anybody in this city can afford to buy them."

"I know let me think for a moment."

The unloading finished and the guards moved to the merchant pair.

"That would be three hundred ducats for tariffs. Raised by the council", the younger woman said and waited for the gold.

"Does the council control the taxes?", Gavius asked as he counted the ducats in a sack. He handed it over to the old woman.

"Yes and no. Certain taxes are collected by the council others by the governor's representative. Other taxes can only be collected in certain margins. They are quite high if you ask me", the younger woman explained. Gavius nodded.

"Thank you. Is it possible to arrange a meeting with this representative?", he asked.

The young woman looked to the old woman.

"Don't know. We will relay your request expect an answer the next day. Take this so that you don't have to pay tariffs again. Good tidings to you", the old woman said and handing over a paper to Gavius. She marched away, followed by the other guard.

Gavius looked at the paper he received. It stated the date and place where their ship was inspected and how much ducats they paid for tariffs. Also, their names were on it. The sailors must have provided them.

"What now?", Apicius asked.

"Now we prepare for the night. And then we will see if we can get a meeting with this representative. You find a way to sell our wares."

Gavius gave one last look at Apicius before moving to the dockworkers. They didn't know if they could sell their wares so they put them back onto the ship. Not wanting to pay for space in one of the warehouses. The dockworkers complained but in the end, they helped with reloading the ship.

Apicius chose to gather more information. He had calmed down from the surprise of losing his two most important business partners. Giving up didn't exist in his dictionary. There must be a way to profit in this new situation as well.

He went to the market of the city. There he mingled with the people asking and verifying information. Spending coin if necessary.

Apicius found out a few things. First that there were a handful of nobles further north in Roma. Mainly the governor and his retinue. Also, the representative of the governor was something of a pseudo noble, if he understood it correctly.

The problem was that this pseudo noble was not very wealthy. Upper middle class at best. Not the kind of buyer they needed. They would need to visit Roma. Apicius went back to the ship. The sailors informed him in which inn Gavius went.

He asked a few passers-by to locate the building in question. It looked quite decent for a cheap inn. Made from light brown wood. A sign hanging over its entrance.

'The Silver Stag'

The sound of people speaking and enjoying themselves sounded from within. Apicius entered. He was greeted by a warm atmosphere. Most tables were occupied. Drinks were passed around and laughter filled the interior. A lone man sat in the corner. Gavius signalled him to head over.

"I asked around a bit as well. Roma might be our best shot to sell our wares", Gavius said.

"I agree. Not much here of an upper class. There are a few that might be able to buy single pieces… but that is not what we need. Roma it is then."

"Found out anything else?"

"A few things. This council seems to be elected by the city's population."

"All of them? Like peasants, craftsmen, the beggars?"

Apicius nodded. "I was surprised myself. Currently, the guilds have a majority in the council chamber. Though those council members are not really that rich themselves. Not compatible to nobles."

"Never saw something like this."

"What do you mean?"

"Like a council elected by the people. The councils in the east are filled and elected by noble families."

"Who knows. Maybe the governor is too weak to rule properly. Maybe the cities were strong enough to gain autonomy."

"That would be good. A weak noble is a weak negotiating partner ", Gavius said with a smile.

The duo continued to speak about their plans in Roma. Preparing the best tactic to present and advertise their merchandise. Both headed to their respective rooms in the inn as night fell.

The next day they again set sail and moved up the river Tiber. The representative had declined to meet them. Both men stood on the left side of the ship and watched the passing farmland. Gavius frowned when he spotted an unknown building.

"Hey, Apicius. Are my eyes playing tricks with me? What is that?"

"Hmm", Apicius looked at the building for a while. It had sails like their ship and was rotating with the help of the winds. At least it looked liked it was. "Looks like some kind of water mill?"

"Do you see any water?"

"Well were are on a river so..."

"You know what I mean!"

"No, I don't. Maybe some kind of new invention. We will ask around in Roma", Apicius said. They continued to watch the farmers work on their fields. Tending to crops and cattle. Sometimes the sun reflected the iron armour of passing guards or soldiers. There were quite a lot of them on the fields.

"Why the soldiers?", Gavius asked.

"To prevent stealing. Or to supervise the serfs", Apicius sounded unsure. "This region is strange."

"Agreed."

It took another two hours until they reached Roma and its harbour.

Again a dock worker guided their ship to a free berth. A plank was placed and a pair of guards were already waiting for them. Two young men this time.

"Have you already paid the tariffs in Ostia?", they asked.

"Yes we did", Gavius said and handed the paper over to the guards. One of them inspected it before handing it back.

"Then you are free to unload and sell your goods. Good luck merchants", one of the guards said. They turned around. Moving towards the next docking ship.

"Wait a moment", Apicius shouted after the guards. They turned around annoyed. "Do you know how to contact the nobles of this city?"

"Go to the Forum Romanum. The guards there can answer your question", and with that, the guards departed.

"You locate that Forum thing. I find a place to store our wares and an inn for us and the crew", Gavius said. They split up to fulfil their tasks.

Apicius left the harbour and tried asking the residents for directions. He headed to an elven woman, who just had opened a window of her home.

"Excuse me miss, could you..."

The window slammed shut.

"point me towards the Forum Romanum?"

Apicius looked confused at the closed window.

"That is a first for me."

He continued to ask the elves living in this street but all declined to answer. Some insulted him, others promised violence if he didn't bugger off. Apicius left the street to ask somebody who wasn't an elf. It seemed they were not fond of him. He found a human woman rather quickly after leaving that particular street.

"Excuse me miss!"

The woman turned around. It took a moment but she relaxed as she saw the man in front of her.

"How can I help?", she asked in a neutral tone.

"I am a bit new to this city. I have business in the Forum Romanum. Could you point out the direction for me?", Apicius explained. Giving the woman a small smile. Her expression didn't change.

She pointed towards her left. "There is a road there. Wider than this one. Go right and it leads you straight into the city centre and the Forum."

"Thank you miss."

Apicius followed the street until he reached the wider one. That one was far busier. Plenty of people and carts on it. Merchants, craftsmen and peasants. He tried to spot a noble carriage but failed to find one.

It took a while until he reached the Forum. It was quite easy to spot. Several monuments and temples replaced the usual workshops and Insulas.

Apicius moved towards them until a pair of guards stooped his advance.

"Stop there. Government district. You will need a pass to enter", the guard said. She had two coats of arms on her armour. A phoenix on purple ground and a white sword flanked by a pair of lighting on both ides on green ground.

"I understand. My name is Apicius. I am a merchant and would like to sell my wares", he said with a smile and small bow.

"The market for merchants is in that direction", the woman said as she pointed towards the market.

"Yes, but you see my clientele are the ones working in this district. I am selling directly to nobles. Could it be possible to arrange a meeting between us?", he asked.

"That is not my problem", the guard replied.

"But what if they really wanted to buy some of my wares and just because of you they couldn't. Would that be your problem?", Apicius asked and watched as that made an effect on the woman.

"I will relay your request", she said.

She called another guard and sent him away. Half an hour later he returned. Apicius waited patiently.

"There will be a meeting. Bring your wares here with a wagon. Tomorrow at dawn. The interested nobles will look if you have goods they want. No guarantees."

"Thank you very much", Apicius supplied and offered his hand to the guard. The woman didn't take it. He turned around to find Gavius and inform his partner of their opportunity.

It took him a while to locate the inn. One of their sailors had stayed behind to guide him towards him. But it seemed the man himself forget the way. They visited four different inns until they managed to find the right one

"Gavius good news", Apicius said as he sat down next to his partner. "We have an opportunity to sell our wares."

"Finally good news. Where and when?", Gavius asked with an eased expression.

"Tomorrow, at dawn, at the Forum. We are to move the wares there with a wagon", he answered.

"We will need to wake up early."

The duo drank a few beers and headed to sleep after confirming their plan for tomorrow.

The next day they quickly rented three wagons and moved them with the help of mules and their sailors towards the destination.

They organized the wares a bit so that they would look more professional and presentable. A few pieces of coloured clothes lay beneath the ware.

They send the sailors and mules away and waited. The guard from yesterday was present as well. Watching them.

The pair waited a few hours and a group of guards came by to inspect them and their wares. They didn't find anything illegal. Another hour passed before Apicius spotted their customers. A group of four approached them.

There was an elf, a small elf, a mermaid and a small merman. The parents were carrying the children in their arms.

"Greetings valued customer. Look at our wares. It would be an honour to help you in finding what you like", Gavius said and bowed to the woman first and then to the elf.

"Greetings as well. For now, we just want to look", the elf said.

Gavius and Apicius managed to keep a friendly expression. Internally they were hoping that the nobles would do a bit more than just window shopping.

"Here hold Ailwin for a moment", the mermaid said and handed the small elf in her arm over.

"I am not a mule", the elf replied with a smile. He still took the child in his arms.

The mermaid kissed the elf. "No, you are not. You are MY mule", she whispered into his ear. "Now hold onto Ailwin and Aerith."

The mermaid moved to the silk clothes first. Halting them in front of her and asking her husband if it looked good.

After a while, the elf let his children down and instead took their small hands into his. The little ones were not the most stable on two feet.

Gavius and Apicius watched as the woman went through their entire repertoire of wares. Stopping from time to time to ask her children and husband for opinions. The children were god sent. They loved the golden jewellery.

"I never thought I would say this but I love children", Apicius said quietly as one of the children pointed at their most expensive piece of jewellery.

"Yeah me neither", Gavius added.

In the end, the family bought four pieces of jewellery, two silk robes that made the elven man smile wide and a dozen of wooden sculptures from craftsmen. The family departed after giving them two and a half thousand ducats.

"This is amazing", Gavius said with disbelief. Seeing the sacks of gold in front of him. Servants had carried them over and now he worried about somebody stealing them.

"I told you nobles pay well", Apicius added. "We have about 60 percent of our wares left if you go by wealth."

"Yeah. Worst case scenario we head to another city in Italia. Let's wait a bit more", Gavius said and they waited.

They waited the entire day, but no more nobles came to buy their wares. It seemed the family of four were the only ones interested. The wares were wrapped up and stored on the wagons. Apicius was sent to get the sailors and mules back. So that they could bring the wares back to the ship and head to the next city the following day.

As Gavius waited a pair of men moved in his direction. Gavius stood up straight when he noticed that they were nobles as well. One had red eyes, a pale face and short white hair. The other short brown hair and mixed eye colours.

They talked with each other as they approached. Gavius didn't dare to interrupt.

"Alaric that doesn't help me at all. How am I supposed to know what she feels? What I feel?", the brown-haired one said.

"You don't. That is the point. Just ask. What is the worst that can happen Lucius?", the pale one asked.

"She could kill me", answered the brown-haired one. No ridicule in his voice.

Gavius wasn't so sure if he wanted to hear this conversation. But the sack of gold a servant was carrying convinced him to stay. There now also was a rather impressive pair of minotaurs standing next to the talking pair. One of them eyed him.

"Unlikely", the pale one said. "You wanted to buy her gift so get going."

The brown hair one sighed but turned to look at Gavius.

"Merchant do you sell jewellery?", he asked.

"Yes my lord. What kind of jewellery did you have in mind for your lover", Gavius asked with goodwill. After all, it was rather obvious for whom this present was. The fiance of the man or his wife, or his concubine, or his mistress. One of those would fit.

The man in front of him turned a bit red. The pale one smiled and one of the minotaurs escaped a bellowing laugh.

"Found a mate, didn't yah? Who is it?", the minotaur asked.

"Cycnus", the brown-haired one said with authority. "Keep in line."

The minotaur stopped his laughing, though the smile didn't disappear.

The man turned around to face him again. "It is not for a lover", he said. But Gavius heard the uncertainty in his voice.

"Understood. Could you tell me a bit about this person so that we find a fitting piece of jewellery for her?", Gavius asked.

The man looked once at the people behind him and sighed again. "Fine", he grumbled.

"She is a dark-elf. I would like something made out of silver. She prefers it. Her personality… I don't know. Not really. She is decisive when she wants something. She values a planned approach. She doesn't tell more than necessary. Though there were a few times where she showed her beautiful smile or addictive laugh..."

The man caught himself and coughed. "Yes, that would be about it. I guess."

Gavius ignored the reddening face. He was a professional after all.

"Any favourite creature?", he asked.

"Serpents", the man answered. "No. Wyverns are better. Something with a wyvern would be great."

"One moment my lord", Gavius said and began to search for the piece he had in mind.

He found it after a few minutes. It was a silver bracelet. Formed into a wyvern that was coiling around the arm with its tail and body.

"That is perfect", the man sad and gestured for the sack.

"That would be one hundred..."

"Here take this, keep the rest", the man said and departed. The group followed him until only the guard remained.

"and fifty ducats", Gavius said. He turned a questioning eyebrow at the guard. The woman shrugged in return.

He counted the ducats and in the sack were exactly two hundred of them. "Jackpot."

Gavius waited for his partner to arrive. When he did he shared his story.

"That was the governor you idiot. You should have been milking him for his money!", Apicius reprimanded him loudly.

"How should I have known?", Gavius countered. He had never seen him before, nor did he announce himself, nor did he look like it.

"You couldn't", Apicius said. Calming down. "Sorry."

"No problem."

"We will wrap things up and head to Napule. The ducal family resides there", Apicius said. Receiving a nod from Gavius.

"Let's do that. I can't wait to get rich. Nobles are great customers."

They reloaded their ship and at dawn, they sailed towards Napule.