The middle-aged man was relieved that someone was normal among this group of oddballs, although this man had black lines lining his face. After squinting his eyes at him for a second, the man heaved a sigh of relief and shook his hand.
"I come from the Yalen Kingdom, what about you three?"
"I am from Yalen as well," said Arthur with a smile as he shook the man's hand. "My friends here are merchants from Janea and Halin, seeking to find a new buyer for their potions and minerals. I became their guide."
"Merchants?" asked the man with surprise as he eyed the two. "I am surprised that they allowed them past the border. The entire union is on a strict lockdown at the moment."
"We arrived to the union before the lockdown, so we managed to slip in before they closed it off," said Arthur and gave a sigh of relief. "I wouldn't have survived this winter if they turned me away! Great luck!"
