I was driving on a dirt road when bandits appeared from behind a stack of boulders. There were six of them coming to my company on foot and two more on top of the boulders with bows. I had sensed them as we rounded a bend less than a kilometer away. My ability to determine where bandits were hiding had been honed by several nasty encounters. I had warned my two companions, both mercenaries I had hired, and had their swords already drawn when the bandits intended to launch a surprise attack. 

Both of them quickly dismounted and rushed to meet the bandits as they neared the cart. As for me, I had equipped my bow and began to pick off the two archers on the boulders. Once they were both down, I jumped down and traded my bow for my sword.

Both my companions were engaged with a pair of bandits up at the front of the cart, with two more bandits lying at their feet. I headed to the other head to deal with the two remaining bandits. Their deaths came swiftly. I had risen to level 68 while the bandits in the area ranged from level 37 to 40. Both companions were level 45. 

Once finished collecting loot from the bandits, we started riding again. These small skirmishes were pretty common now. I had met Trickster about a month ago. In the game, more than a year and a half passed since the release, while in reality, it had been almost six months. Already, other players had reached the capital. However, as a merchant, I did not just stay just one night in villages, but at least a week. 

I always took the time to befriend the villagers. It meant taking on manual labor or running small errands. However, it proved to be useful. I had obtained information on the surrounding areas of town and had visited many undiscovered dungeons and hunting grounds. I had also received news of other villages and settlements that were not near the main road.

I had traveled to each one, and slowly mapped the Djaden, Vram, and Brem regions along with most of the area south of the Three Peaks. My current destination was the fringe of the Fridol region. On the road, I had sold seeds, grains, clothes, and low quality weapons in villages and settlements while selling higher quality products and old coins I had gotten from the secret dungeon from the Druid Conclave.

I still had most of the treasure with me, hidden away in my small cart, covered by rolls of cloth, ores, and bags of grains. I had realized, from traveling to different regions, that each area had their own specialty. Being the merchant I am, I had taken the time to learn the specialty of each region and bought it. I sought for a high durability at the cheapest price and then sell them for a higher price later, at the capital. 

That was why I had decided to invest in a cart. When I first bought it, I cried because of how much money it cost me. It was a simple wooden cart that was originally pulled by a large bull. I had sold the bull to a farmer who needed his cows to produce more offspring and got a sturdy working horse in exchange. 

In addition, my journal had more than tripled from all the information I had gathered in my travels. I had also decided to keep my Merchant's Log Book separate from my journal. The log contained an inventory of all the items I carried and included the value of the item, when and where I got it, and a description. I also had list of all the objects I had sold. Another list was designated for the contracts, past or current. The last list I had was of all the prospects, shops, and buildings I had gotten in my travels. 

Most of them were abandoned houses or broken down farms that I had earned through merchant's and business owner's quests. Some of them were mines that I purchased the deed to. The most uncommon on the list were empty construction sites in towns and villages. 

At first, I found it odd. Wasn't land expensive and rare for players to purchase? I then looked online to see if it has happened to other players. In my research, I had found that players with trade-related jobs were sometimes offered ownership of small shops. I then learned that land, like the ones I was gathering, were more common to me most likely thanks to my imperial merchant job.

From then on, I spent my time researching for abandoned mines or properties, gathered information on empty properties in villages, or closed shops. Obtaining those properties wasn't always easy. I often had to prove myself through quests, which varied from battles to familiarity with one or more villagers. I had also started buying properties from other players in online auctions. Most of them were monster-filled mines that had no use to the current owner. Because I was the only one looking for and buying abandoned shops or mines, I was able to buy them at ridiculously low prices.

Once I got to Fridol, the real worth of all the properties would reveal themselves. I felt a grin tug at the corners of my mouth as I imagined all the profits I would gain once I started my second part of my plan. 

"How long until we reach the country's border?"

The question was posed by Arnold, a big mercenary with a matching belly and a good sense of humor. He used a large warhammer and had been traveling with me for a while now.

I did some quick calculations. "Around two more days. If we reach a village before then, I will discharge and pay both of you."

"And when you leave, will you hire us back?"

That question was asked by the other mercenary. Patrick, a young swordsman who joined us at the previous village, was quick and smart. He didn't really talk much, but appreciated Arnold's humor. He used to be a soldier, but after the death of his closest friend during a routine exercise, he had decided to travel the country and look for a place to settle. 

I nodded. "Of course. Both of you have my word, if you still to travel with me, I will hire you in a blink of an eye."

After meeting Trickster, I had found that having a companion was very helpful. In the countryside, groups of bandits could be as large as ten. Although they were no match for me, the fighting was able give a couple bandits enough time to steal from my cart. The stolen items was picked at random. However, I had too many valuable coins and jewels. It had cost me too much profit for my taste and I had calculated that buying two mounts and hiring mercenaries would be cheaper in the long run. 

By the end of the evening, we had reached the top of a hill. In the distance, we spotted a village that was surrounded by a thick wooden wall. It had been ten days since we had been in a village and both me and my companions were in need for a real bed. However, that bed would have to wait.

The village was under attack.

From where we stood, we could see a large group of warriors attacking the large wooden doors that protected the village. Judging by the state of the battered door, it would be breached by sun down. When that happened, the village would be overrun by warriors. Archers would occasionally pop from behind the wall and fire down onto the attackers, but that would invite enemy archers to fire back.

Patrick turned to me. "What do we do?"

I grimaced. "Defending a village against an invasion is not part of your contracts. I cannot force you to go with me."

"So, you'll help them?"

"Yes."

Arnold nodded to the cart. "What about the cart?"

"Well, you are paid to guard it."

"What if you die." Patrick blurted out. 

"I won't."

The mercenaries looked at each other and nodded. They trusted me enough to follow me into battle. I observed the battle, calculating how to do the most damage from where we were.

Arnold grunted. "We will hide the cart in a ditch."

Patrick backed him up. "Then we will follow you into battle."

We moved closer to the village and left the cart in a nearby ditch.

"So, what's the plan?"

I glanced at the walls of the village quickly before looking back to the eager faces of my two companions. 

"We will attack the group of archers from the back. We must be quiet unless we want to become a pincushion. If anyone spots us, I'll take them out with my bow."

As we neared the archers, some turned around, hearing the noise of our hoofs. I would pick them off with my bow until we were almost at the line of archers. With a cry, we entered the fray. We hit enemy archers at their side. My sword slashing at either side of me, cutting heads or limbs. Patrick and Arnold followed behind me, taking care of those I had missed. 

The first attack was over in a minute. We turned around and attacked again. After turning around for the third time, the other invaders finally started noticing our presence. A group of swordsmen detached them the main group and headed towards us. I started shooting at them but the remaining archers were readying their bows, their backs towards the village and their arrowheads towards us. 

I was on the verge of using Arnold as a meat shield when, from behind the wooden walls, arrows started piercing the archers. Our offensive had given the defenders an opportunity to launch an assault on the invaders without having to risk their own lives. 

With aid from our new friends, we were able to kill the rest of the detachment. Once all the enemy archers were dead, the defenders concentrated their arrows towards the invaders attacking the door. When they lost half of their men, they changed tactics.

A group of twenty warriors came at me and my companions. Luckily, half of them died before engaging in combat with us with arrows sticking out of their bodies. However, that still meant that each of us had to engage at least three men simultaneously. I carefully blocked each attack, evaded when necessary, and struck when the opportunity presented itself. When finished, I immediately when to the aid of Patrick, who had already taken a slash to the arm. 

Looking to the base of the walls, I could still see approximately a hundred invaders still desperately trying to get in. I grabbed my bow and started shooting at the backs of the enemy. My companions followed suit. After about thirty minutes, we were able to take out the last enemy. 

I hurried to the mass of bodies and started taking anything of interest or of value. The wooden gates opened as I was finishing up. A group of men in worn leather armor came out. At their head, a man with a bandaged leg hobbled out. While his men quickly took care of the surviving attackers, he headed towards me.

Before I could start talking, he engulfed me in his arms and then did the same to Arnold and Patrick.

"Strangers. We owe you our lives!"

I bowed. "There is no need  to thank us, sir. We only did what we thought would be right."

I waved. "Nonsense. People who lay their lives for a stranger are few and far, especially in these times."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

His bushy eyebrows rose. "Don't tell me you haven't heard of it?"

I shook my head. 

The man examined me and my companions, taking in our dirty clothes and earth-covered boots. His eyes then went to my ring on my right hand. The man stroked his beard, revealing his own noble ring. 

"Let me tell you, traveler, of the awful news an envoy of the king relayed to me less than a week ago."

The man's voice was low and intense. I motioned for Arnold and Patrick to leave us alone. They shrugged and joined the group of defenders. This news I was about to hear was so important that I would have never been entrusted to me if I was not in possession of the noble ring. 

"Eleven days ago," he began, "on the eve of his sixteenth birthday, our King's only son, Malik, nearly died from the blade of an assassin."

I was in shock. As a player, I would have learned of these types of information through websites or chat rooms. However, this was the first time I had ever heard of this.

"The king," the man continued, "discovered that the man behind the assassination of his own younger brother, Ibrahim."

"What happened?"

"The king used Ibrahim's taste for private parties as a trap to arrest him. Ibrahim is currently imprisoned but several of his allies are still unknown or have gone into hiding."

"How did the rest of the nobility react?"

The man shook his head. "Nobody is aware of what happened. Only high nobles could have known that there tension, but are still unaware of what happened."

Tension... That would explain why Djaden's Lord was so desperate to get the painting back. 

"Some lesser nobles were accused of working with Ibrahim and were doscreetly stripped of their titles, privileges, and properties before being imprisoned. The men who you defeated were hired by Sendrix, one of the noble lords most likely to have supported Ibrahim. unfortunately, the king has no proof to search Sendrix's properties. If he is caught now, the King would be most grateful."

A new window popped up.

Your journal has been updated.

Ally of The Kingdom

      Description:
            Braeen's prince, Malik, was poisoned by his uncle, Ibrahim, in a failed assassination. Ibrahim has been captured but his supporters have yet to be brought to justice. 
            High Noble Sendrix is one of them. If you can provide a reason to doubt Sendrix's honor, the king will have a reason to accuse Senrix of treason.
      Restrictions:
            Must be a Noble OR Previous knowledge of the assassination attempt
      Completion:
            Find proof of Sendrix's treachery
      Grade:

            D++

Do you accept the quest?

"Yes."

Ally of Millen
      Description:
            The High Noble Sendrix attacked the village of Millen. If you bring him to Vendro, the lord, you will be rewarded.
      Restriction:
            Helped during the attack on Millen
      Completion:
            Find proof Sendrix's treachery AND Bring Sendrix back
      Failure:
            Sendrix dies

      Grade:
            D++

Do you accept the quest?

"Yes."

I turned back to Vendro. "Why would Sendrix take suck a risk?"

"He must be trying to kill the merchant Ford and his escort during the confusion. However, Sendrix wasn't present. As soon as he realizes that his attack had failed, he will surely flee. There has been already a group of travelers, like yourselves, that was been dispatched. They left the village as Sendrix's army was on their way and warned us.

Your journal has been updated:
      High Noble Sendrix has tried to kill Merchant Ford and his escort. You might discover further incriminating proof if you look further into this.

Since I was not the only player in the are, all the items, experience, and quests would have be to shared between us. Moreover, the party of players might have already learned of the assassination attempt and plan to deliver Sendrix to the king themselves. 

"By the way, what originally bring you here?" Vendro asked. 

I bowed. "I am Ben Varrand, a merchant, and my two escorts are Arnold and Patrick."

He bowed in reply. "I am Vendro, lord of the village of Millen. Where are your goods, merchant?"

"We had to hide them in a ditch further up the road."

Vendro was kind enough to send a group of men to retrieve my cart while he led my companions and I to his house where we were invited  to stay. As we went through the village, we saw several buildings with scorch marks and villagers taking care of the wounded and dead. Vendro's home turned out to be an inn with a dining hall and stables. He gave us each a room and prepared a hot bath. 

Once we cleaned up, we went down to the dining hall. It was packed with villagers celebrating their victory. All three of us were soon surrounded by people. Some of them offered me cups of alcohol while others filled my plate with food. Using this to my advantage, I took the time to talk to as many people as possible to rise my familiarity as much as I could.

As I was talking with a wounded man, I learned that the families and friends those who had died were holding a funeral in the cemetery. I left the inn and got directions to the other side of the village. More than a hundred people were praying in silence in front of many freshly-dug graves. I closed my eyes and faked joining them in prayer. 

When the ceremony was over, I exchanged a few words of respect with the families. A man approached me.

"Hey, stranger." He began. "Where did you come from?"

"Djaden City."

"I see. Well the, welcome to Fridol."

"What do you mean? Aren't we still in Vram?"

"Millen is the town marking the frontier between the Vram and Fridol regions. By coming into the cemetery, you have entered Fridol."