The carriage rolled along the paved rodes, soon enough it passed through the gates of the inner wall and they entered the outer city. Suddenly the paved roads became a lot more bouncy. This was due to it being cobble, the outer region had much less money spent on it compared to the inner region. This was for one reason only. The inner region was the home for the rich and powerful, the outer region was for the more common people. Even then there were clear divides between the districts in the outer region. Alongside the merchant distract, there was the housing district which was the biggest of the districts, though part of that had become the slums. An unofficial district and unless you were strong, no person of any kind of wealth would ever step in there. Aside from that, there was the tavern road, also known as the red light road. Other districts including the industrial district as well as the arena which was next to a branch of the adventures guild.
As they passed through the roads, leading up o the merchant district, many people's eyes were drawn to the carriage as one, it looked completely different from the other carriages which could normally be seen, and also it was surrounded by royal guards.
Most people who were around thought that it was one of the Prince's. Most likely to be Prince Jairaj, as his family ran the largest merchant hall in the kingdom. As the people speculated the carriage continued, soon enough arriving into the merchant district.
It was easy to tell that this was the merchant district as, the houses went from one story, maybe two-story houses. Straight up to three or four-story buildings. There were also three six-story buildings! The grey stone buildings had all been decorated and painted, making the whole area seem more alive than it was.
The carriage soon came to a stop outside of a small one-story house. It looked weird. Such a small building, surrounded by giant buildings. Not even one building away was a massive six-story building and yet the merchants inside this small building did even seem to be intimidated or notice it. Though as the carriage stopped. Five merchants walked out of this building, getting onto a knee in front of the carriage, with their heads bowed.
The door was soon opened by a guard. Pavitra and Aarna walked out. Pavitra stood there for a minute looking down at them, then at the building.
She didn't say anything until she was standing in front of them, where she could see the stitch marks in the clothes where they had been repaired. It seemed like the merchants must have been lacking money, which only made the positive attitude that they held all the more amazing. It seemed like nothing could take them down. Though behind closed doors this attitude almost certainly disappeared.
"You may rise."
The five merchants then all stood up at once. In only one glance you would be able to tell that they were all brothers. There were only a few small differences between the five. The biggest of these being their size and how they had their hair. It was kinda funny. If you looked at them from far enough away and it would be hard to tell who was who.
The tallest of the brothers then took a step forward.
"I am called Dhana, your Highness. This is my and my brother's merchant hall. We are most honoured to have you here. Though your messenger did no really explain why you had come. So may I know why your highness?"
Pavitra looked at him for a second more. Before looking back at the guard who had served as the messenger. It seemed like she was a little annoyed, that he had not passed on why she was coming. Although she did not say it, it should be fairly obvious.
Looking back at the merchant called Dhana. She put on a little smile, to help him relax. His hands were shaking ever so slightly, though his face didn't show it. He was nervous.
"How about we go inside? I would like to present you and your firm with a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity."
Her words prompted him and the brothers behind him to all smile broadly. They then though quickly stopped, as if they hadn't reacted at all. Instead forming a more business attitude.
"Of course your Highness. If you would follow me?" Dhana then after seeing the Princess nod, turned around and led the group inside. Most of the guards minus two were left outside yet again though. The building was just too small for everyone to be crowded inside.
Once inside the building, they found that it was incredibly neat. All of the paper had been neatly stacked up, and everything seemed to all be kept in its spot. As they passed through the building, the group walked past a couple of other merchants. Who upon seeing the Princess, they all bowed.
Eventually, they walked inside of a smaller office and the Princess was given a chair. Aarna stood behind the chair. The two guards were flanking the two of them. On the other side of the empty desk which appeared to be of an extremely high quality sat Dhana, his brothers were all stood behind him.
After a few seconds of almost seemingly sizing each other up. It was Dhana who broke the silence.
"So your Highness, what opportunity do you have for us?"
It was clear in his eyes, he was eager for the Princess to say. In fact, it looked like he was ready to almost force the words out of the Princess. Though on the exterior he appeared to be calm, aside from him leaning forward that was.
Pavitra didn't say anything for a second, causing an unseen tension to slowly begin to build up among the brothers. Then she broke it, as she talked slowly. "As you should know, I have been tasked to make my domain. I would like it if your merchant group sponsored this endeavour and helped me establish the trade routes and give me access to them. As well as helping with the initial contribution of money. In return, you may have exclusive rights to trade and export within the territory for a period of ten years."
The merchants suddenly appeared to be overjoyed, that was except for Dhana though. He looked thoughtful for a second.
As he spoke, he gained the horrified gazes of his brothers. They were worried that his words would cause them to lose this almost divine deal.
"How about your Highness, we get fifty years of exclusivity? In return we will give you what you asked as well making her headquarters in what will be your capital and try to move all the trade which we normally have here, to go other there. That would include the two mercenary groups which we sponsor as well."
Pavitra looked at him for a minute. His counteroffer was pushing it, and yet it also had a lot of benefits.
Pavitra waited for longer this, clearly thinking.
As she did, the brothers all suddenly gave Dhana looks of death. It was like they were imagining tearing him apart limb from limb as a way to appease the Princess. They had all heard what the Princes were like. Those who offended all seemed to disappear and their families suddenly would be made into slaves if not outright disappearing as well.
Then Pavitra spoke. "I like people who have some courage." Then she smiled happily, the room suddenly felt just that little bit lighter. "I will accept your offer. Though I have to warn you, I will be leaving in ten days at most. So be ready before then."
Her words almost caused mini-explosions of joy to burst out on their faces. This was almost definitely the best deal that they would ever be able to get in their lives. It would almost certainly change their lives.
Dhana hurriedly got off of the chair and bowed low, his smiling brothers soon followed his example. The Princess smiled even more and their actions. "It is alright, you do not have to bow. We are business partners as such we should treat each other as equals. Am I right?"
Dhana went to say, "Your Highness but.."
Only to be interrupted by Pavitra again. "I am right?" Her smile although beautiful and mesmerizing had a slight coldness to it as well.
Dhana only could smile and reply, "Yes you are right your Highness. We will be ready within five days if you wish to go early."
The Princess smiled at his words and as she headed back into the carriage so that she could go to her next destination. She could hear the other brothers, almost murdering Dhana behind her.
"What do you mean five days?"
"How in the god's name, will be ready by then?"
As the carriage left, she soon enough was unable to hear them.
Next up the carriage began crossing the city and soon passed by the arena. A massive towering structure made for tournaments of every kind. Right next to it, was the adventure's guild. Her next destination.