It was no easy task being an elf in Erthea.

In a world that loved law, order and borders there was no place for a population of nomadic wanderers, constantly on the move and always ready to pitch their tents wherever there were virgin forests for hunting or rich pastures for their horses.

The vast lands they occupied – a pittance compared to the lands their ancestors traversed from one end to the other when humans still lived in thatched houses – had been the price that Saedonia and Volkova had been forced to pay to obtain their support during the Holy Wars.

Their contribution as skilled archers, cavalrymen and scouts had been decisive in stopping the seemingly unstoppable eastward advance of the Dark Lord's armies, and aware of this they had made no concessions when making their demands.

They were certainly not the endless domains of their ancestors, but at least from that moment on they had been able to return to being themselves, preserving their rites and culture.

However, even if an elf could be said to be free in those lands, just moving in any other nation was enough to be looked at with distrust once again and forced to face all sorts of prejudices, in a less contemptuous but certainly not too different way from monsters.

So they stayed on their own, hunting, cultivating and peacefully spending their long lives, far from human affairs, divided into many tribes who rarely even met each other, except during annual gatherings in sacred lands or to settle disputes before the Council of Elders.

Obviously not all clans were equals, even if the larger and more powerful ones liked to think and say the opposite.

It so happened that when it came to appointing a representative, an explorer or a spy for some dangerous assignment, some clans were more disadvantaged than others in the choice.

"Want to tell me where Natuli is?" Great Chief Sawané of the Nara tribe blurted out "I ordered to call her back from the hunt days ago."

"We sent scouts to all her usual hunting grounds, but no one could find her. So yesterday I told my best warriors to go and look for her in the Forest of Death."

"Come on, that's absurd." said another of the family chiefs. "No one would be crazy enough to venture in there alone."

"Did you forget we're talking about Natuli?"

Just at that moment a triptych of demonic rabbits, small animals capable of tearing a wolf to pieces in a few seconds, fell into the tent, raising a cloud of dust; everyone jumped up in fear, only to realize after a few moments that they were already dead, tied by their hind legs and ready for the spit.

"So? May I know what is so urgent to come and disturb me during the hunt?"

Everyone knew that Natuli was as beautiful as she was touchy, not only in her tribe, but her addressing even the most important members of her people in such a disrespectful way always drove the heads of the families into a rage as much as anyone who was forced to deal with her.

Sawané was the only one who didn't get upset, perhaps because he was the only one who had now resigned himself to accepting that hothead as she was.

"Leave us." he ordered, being immediately obeyed

"Well? I really hope it's a big deal. I had been chasing that tarkana for three days, and I almost got him."

"Even though I am your father, I would like you to remember that I'm also the chief of this tribe. I therefore expect..."

"...you expect me to address you with due respect, and blah, blah, blah. I already know this song. Come on, keep your voice out, so I can go take a bath."

"I suppose that even you have heard what happened in Saedonia. The Council of Elders is very worried about the appearance of this kind of monster nation. According to some it could be a harbinger of the appearance of a new Dark Lord."

"Those old bastards think they are still living in the time of the Holy Wars. Something just out of the ordinary happens, and they immediately shout about the impending cataclysm."

"Be more respectful, my daughter. The Council cares more than anyone else about the well-being of our people."

"If that were the case they wouldn't force us to spend almost half the year in this mephitic pit a stone's throw from the Forest of Death, leaving the best pastures to their tribes. They're nothing but a bunch of self-serving crooks."

"That's enough! I won't let you talk about the Council like that!'

"Don't get angry, it will then be bad for your health. How old are you, six hundred? If I were you, I would be careful about these outbursts of anger."

"If you really care about my health, then for once try to behave as befits a future chieftain. You're almost two hundred years old, it's time you stopped acting crazy in the forests, or making all your suitors run away."

"I knew it." the girl said, puffing out her cheeks. "Can't we at least avoid talking about it for once?"

"Aren't you really ashamed of what you do, you degenerate daughter? Poor Damian still walks lame! What did you think of having him fight a black tiger?"

"He said he would follow me wherever I went, I warned him."

The old chief took a couple of deep breaths, thanking the gods that no one had seen him freak out yet again; it was inevitable, no matter how much he tried every time to behave and remain calm, talking to his daughter always managed to drive him out of his mind.

"Anyway, to return to the previous discussion, the Council has decided to send someone to the new nation to keep an eye on the rebels and report back. As you can imagine, the task was entrusted to our tribe."

"And you want to send me. You know I'm not suited for these things. Politics, diplomacy and discretion are not exactly my strong points. In fact, let's just say I hate them."

"It does not matter. From what I heard, this Haselworth makes no distinction between humans and non-humans when choosing his collaborators. Although not exactly suited to a princess, you possess many qualities that could be useful to him. All you have to do is show off, which you do very well."

Natuli snorted in annoyance, starting to wrap a lock of her long silver hair around her finger.

"You said it yourself, my daughter. We are a small tribe. We must seize every possible opportunity to increase our prestige. And perhaps one day, when you take my place, the Nara will finally be able to place themselves on an equal footing with the Five Great Tribes, and gain their own place in the vast plateaus of the west."

"In your dreams, father. The order of things cannot be altered. I know it, you know it, and soon this Daemon will know it too."

"Natuli..."

"Okay, okay. I'll do it. When should I leave?"

"As soon as possible. We have already sent a message to our agents in Faria. You will reach the territories controlled by the rebels across the border of the Grand Duchy, passing through the fortress of Grote Muren."

"Then I should go and pack my bags. Damn, what a pain in the ass."



The people of Connelly loved games, and every town big or small of the nation had its arena.

And the arena in Rosada, the second largest commercial port in the nation, was one of the largest, with an entire sector reserved exclusively for the many foreign merchants and officials who visited the city every day of every month of the year to buy and sell.

"Old Yusuf!"

"Said, my boy!"

"It's been a long time. I am happy to find you in good health."

"By Gaia's hair, look how you have grown. It seems like only yesterday that you were a rowdy kid running left and right through the bazaar in Khariya."

"You're too kind, master. I'm not that important and rich. Certainly not as much as you, at least."

"Careful boy, modesty often doesn't pay in business."

"Anyway, I admit I'm a little confused. When I wrote to you proposing that we meet to say hello, I would never have thought that you would choose such a place."

"You're in Connelly, my boy. Whether it's business, war or marriage proposals, negotiations in this country do not take place in the room of a palace, but on the steps of an arena. I honestly don't like this place very much and I rarely come here, but I would do anything for my favorite disciple. So come on, take a seat. I reserved the best ones. The battle begins in a few minutes. In the meantime, serve yourself. There is meat, wine, beer and fruits. And if you want something else, you just have to raise your hand and ask the attendants."

"You always treat yourself very well from what I see."

"I can't complain. Now tell me a little about yourself. I heard you deal in fabrics."

"It's true. I deal mostly in cave spider silk."

"Dangerous beasts. Adventurers, production, and transportation will cost you a fortune."

"A bit, but the earnings more than compensate for the expenses. I've found a group of smart adventurers and a brood of spiders that produce excellent quality thread. Obviously, I can't tell you where the nest is, you know it. Competition."

The old merchant exploded in pleased laughter.

"Don't worry, I understand you and I approve you. We are both merchants, after all. So you're here to negotiate a sale? When did you get here from Torian?"

"Two days ago, but I won't stay long. Just enough time to conclude the deal and I intend to leave immediately, this time by land."

"I wish my business was as prosperous as yours."

"Are you having problems?"

"You said it. Ever since my grandfather was a child, overland trade routes were the only way these Western barbarians could source goods from the East, but now the situation has completely changed."

"Are you referring to the agreement that the Princess established with the Jormen?"

"That stubborn little girl. Nobody would have bet a goldie on her. Instead, within two years she reached an armistice with the Empire and put an end to pirate raids in the South Sea, and all this without mobilizing a single soldier. As you yourself discovered, sea routes are now much safer and faster than land ones. And so now I find myself earning half of what I earned just a few years ago."

"I have several friends in the sea transport sector. I might put in a good word for you."

"Thank you, son, but the truth is that this world is no longer fit for me. I am old. My way of doing business is outdated, and it's time to leave my place to enterprising and willing young people like you. Now I'm thinking of investing my wealth elsewhere, perhaps in that new nation everyone is talking about."

"You mean the Free State?"

"When I heard about it for the first time I didn't want to believe it. With all the laws made to grant monopoly on minerals to the Empire and the terrible management Eirinn was the worst place to do business, but the new ruler seems to have very clear ideas. He privatized the mines and opened them to foreign investors. Now anyone can invest in the nation, provided they offer the necessary guarantees of solvency. Consider that they guarantee an interest of four percent per year on capital invested in the agricultural and forestry sectors, and even seven percent on participation shares in mines."

"Are you certain that this is a safe investment? They are a rebellious province. In theory they could have the imperial army descend on them at any moment."

"That's what I thought too, until I discovered that even imperial merchants have started making investments there. Furthermore, I learned that there is someone-we-know who acts as an intermediary between investors and the sovereign himself. With him as our guarantor, we can be sure that our interests will never be jeopardized, no matter what happens to the Free State."

Young Said smiled: "In that case, I suppose we will be business partners from now on."

"What?"

"Do you remember that I said that I had to leave by land? That's actually where I'm going. It was someone-we-know who contacted me with the offer of going into business with the Free State."

"And what do those barbarians do with the fine silk?"

"They are not looking for silk, but for the carapaces of spiders. They are very resistant and cheap, so they are perfect for building effective, lightweight and low-cost armors."

"What a bizarre idea. Who will it have come to?"

"I think it belongs to the new House Secretary. Maybe you've heard of him, he's that Adrian Longinus who made headlines when he studied at the military academy."

"The old governor's son!?"

"Right him. Serving the same man who killed his father."

"If so, I think we can rest assured. I met him once. He never bets on the wrong horse."

"In that case, how about we make a deal? I trade exclusively by sea, but the Free State certainly cannot be reached by ship. I am about to make an agreement with an acquaintance of mine from the Union who owns a warehouse in Michkarn where I intend to store the goods, but then it will be necessary to transport them to the north following land routes. I would feel much safer entrusting my investment to you rather than to a stranger."

"Are you serious!?" said the old man with shining eyes and an astonished face.

"Absolutely. It will be a way to thank you for everything you have taught me."

A handshake, a kiss on the cheek, a toast, and the deal was sealed.

"Thanks, boy. I won't forget it."

"Thank you, master. It will be a pleasure doing business with you."

At that moment, the roar of the crowd heralded the arrival in the arena of the contenders who would take part in the most awaited event of the day, a great battle royal in which ten of the city's strongest fighters would clash.

Obviously, they were exclusively monsters, including a gigantic minotaur, a wiry ogre, a sensual lamia, a lethal leopard and even a small yeti.

"Do you want to make a bet?" said a bookie as he approached the two merchants. "We pay the ogre three times the stake."

"An interesting price." Yusuf said. "I'm in. And you, boy?"

"How much do you pay for the yeti?"

"Son, have you already become so rich that money disgusts you?"

"Seriously, how much do you pay for the yeti?"

"We pay ten for the yeti. If I were you, I'd listen to your old man."

"Then I bet two thousand goldies on the yeti."

Both the bookie and Yusuf tried to change Said's mind, but he was adamant.

"Perhaps I should reconsider your offer, boy. Such gambles can lead to a merchant's ruin."

The prince-bishop dropped his handkerchief and the challenge began, and to some surprise on the part of many of the spectators all the combatants, instead of giving rise to a series of one-on-one duels, instantly united against a single opponent, i.e. just the little yeti.

She didn't get upset, and it seemed that just staring at her opponents was enough to make them hesitate, despite the fact that she was the only one among them not to brandish any kind of weapon.

The lamia opened the dance with a rapid assault, but the yeti dodged by jumping and with a single punch to the head she immediately put her to sleep amidst the exclamations of the crowd.

At that point the others all attacked together, but that little fury was so agile and elusive that she managed to avoid all their attacks by jumping like a cricket from one side to the other, with such precision that his opponents in some cases ended up hitting each other.

In the end only the ogre and the minotaur remained, the first armed with a club and the second with a double axe.

Being encounters in which it was not expected that anyone would lose their life, the weapons were harmless, but those two beasts were so strong that every missed shot from them cracked the ground, raising clouds of dust.

Almost as if she was mocking her opponents, the yeti continued to dodge their attacks without reacting, until, once she was sure that both of them had tired properly, she took action.

First, she dodged the minotaur's axe, then using it as a springboard she took off like a bird, swooping down on the ogre and knocking him out with a feet-together strike straight across the face. While her opponent had yet to fall to the ground, she used his belly as a trampoline, coming lightning fast at the minotaur and punching him so hard that he lost a tooth.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the little yeti raised her arms in the air in victory, screaming and jumping like a little girl leaving school.

"By all the gods, how did you know that wren would win?"

"I noticed how the other fighters looked at her. They were clearly afraid of her. You taught me that a good merchant must always keep an eye on the state of mind of those in front of him. Moreover..."

"Moreover?"

"Never trust the bookies' odds."



Connelly was a nation that had always preferred politics and diplomacy to war, but there were orphans there too.

And even though, unlike what happened in other nations, orphanages were financed by the State, it was difficult to meet all the expenses without the support of some patron or charitable noble.

However, the small orphanage that was part of the small temple of Merciful Gaia of Rosada didn't need either one or the other, because it already had someone who had been taking care of its guests for a long time.

The moment Sapi realized she could earn a lot of money having fun in the arena, she immediately threw herself body and soul into the fights, quickly becoming the most famous star in the entire region.

Sister Esther, who had taken care of her since the day they took her to the orphanage, had tried for a while to keep her away from that world, which was so dangerous for such a young girl, but she stopped worrying the moment she realized that fighting in the arena was like spending the afternoon at the playground for Sapi.

As she felt the cleric's warm hand caressing her head, Sapi's hairs stood on end with emotion. She may have grown up, but inside she was still the same little girl she always was.

"Every time I look at it I'm speechless. I still remember the day you arrived here. You were a lonely and scared little girl, and it took you months to even speak to me or any of your classmates. And look at you now."

While Sapi regained her energy by devouring freshly baked biscuits, Sister Esther retrieved a small chest from a secret compartment in the kitchen wall, which when opened revealed itself to be filled almost to the brim with gold coins.

"So?" the yeti asked hopefully. "We did it?"

"I would definitely say yes. With all this money we will be able to get by for a while, and now we have enough to be able to open that little shop we've been talking about so much. Thanks to it, we will finally be able to run the orphanage by ourselves."

Sapi looked the same as always, but by now Sister Esther knew her well enough to know when her favorite protégé had something bothering her.

"Do you have to tell me something, darling?"

"You and the other sisters have always been very good to me, and I owe you a lot. This is also why I wanted to raise all this money for you. But now I feel like I have to leave."

"You want to go back to the boy who saved you, right?"

"I promised him that I would help him when he needed me, and now that time has come. After what he did he will have many enemies, but now I can protect him. But..."

Once again, Sister Esther gently placed a hand on her head, making her white cheeks turn red.

"We all knew it couldn't last forever. You've grown up now, Sapi, and you have to do what your heart tells you. But know that wherever you go, we will always be here waiting for you."

Luckily, over the years Sapi had learned to control her strength, otherwise she would have ended up crushing sister Esther with his embrace.

"Thanks sister."

"We will miss you, Sapi. Good luck."