About 5 years have passed sinced my reincarnation, though I can understand the language, I've yet to learn to write it. Without the knowledge to read and write, the citizenry were always doomed to be prisoners and slaves of their tyrannical masters. This was the truth in our old world during the time of kings and queens, and much is that the same for this world. It is around this time that I'd asked my father and mother to tutor me.
Landyn: "Father, is it possible you and mother could teach me how to read and write?"
I had to ask them to teach me how to read as well, though I could read just fine due to my translation skill, such was not the norm of this world. Many of the lower classes were illiterate, and the offspring of merchants tended to only receive basic education.
Though our family is rather poor for those in the merchant class, my father's family was only slightly below that of the average merchant family's wealth. He thus received a decent education, affording him the connections to learn to read, write, and count, as was necessary for any merchant.
Arnold: "Landyn, you're but 5 years of age, and while a child you should still know that we can't afford a teacher for you."
Landyn: "Why would we have to pay you to teach me how to read father?"
Arnold: "Landyn, I'm a merchant, we can't afford for me to take time to teach you how to read and write right now."
Landyn: "Then could I come with you as an apprentice father? Then I could aid in maintaining your work while also learning how to read when business slows."
My father was stunned, he'd never imagined a child could craft such a scheme.
Arnold: "Very well then Landyn, tomorrow I'll be bringing goods to Traer to trade then, are you sure you want to come? Though it's only the neighbouring village, it is still a far distance to travel by foot."
Father was right, we'd have to travel by foot, as our family could not afford carriages like the wealthier merchants. We did have an old mule and cart that father used before settling down to carry his wares, so it isn't as though we'd be completely weighed down by the goods, still it was a long way for travel by walking. Though this was no time to lose my resolve. I could use the travel as a means of training my physical ability.
Landyn: "That's fine father, education is useful for any merchant."
Ornelle: "Dear, I thought we agreed you wouldn't travel far for trade while Landyn is still so young!"
Arnold: "I said I wouldn't travel to the neighboring nations to trade. Besides, Landyn wants to come and help manage our wares. It'll be a good lesson for the boy."
Landyn: "Mother, we'll be safe, and if enough money is made, I could see about picking up a souvenir from the village while we're there."
Ornelle: "Oh, he's inherited your silver tongue Arny! Fine, but you need to help your father and make sure he stays out of trouble, ok!"
Mother was sad about my will to travel, though she'd been happy with the promise of a safe return and a souvenir from the village. Her instruction to keep father out of trouble stemmed from his heated personality when wronged by other merchants, though I'd promised to keep father out of such trouble, I was well aware that such trouble was likely to find us.
Landyn: "Yes mother."
Arnold: "rest well then Landyn, we leave for Traer tomorrow, at dawn."
Landyn: "Yes father I'll head for bed after tending the dishes."
As dawn arrived the next morning, I'd woken up, immediately getting ready to travel. Father was waiting outside, loading the cart with some goods, after noticing me, he'd instructed me to start packing rations for us and the mule. I'd immediately grabbed a sack of old grains for the mule, and some half-stale bread and apples for the us.
within an hour, we'd set off for Traer.