The Traders from Beyond
A month passed quietly over Ashenveli, and for the first time since its rebirth, the village truly breathed in peace.
The echo of the forge, the lively chatter of workers, and the steady rhythm of mining shaped the music of the settlement’s daily life.
The villagers’ faces held calm confidence.
The orcs worked without conflict. The demi-humans and humans mingled naturally.
Even the children—once timid and scared—now played freely along the new streets.
Ashenveli was changing.
Under Krogar’s leadership, the mine expanded at a remarkable pace.
The magical pickaxe forged by Heldric proved to be a masterpiece—each strike produced more magical ore than any regular tool could.
Krogar, once feared as a warrior, now walked through the tunnels like a stern but proud guardian, teaching his fifteen orc workers as if they were his brothers and children.
The orc youngsters he brought were settling into their new home as well.
Raven trained them alongside the human orphans, and Voltaro often paused to watch the children practice with wooden spears, laughing as they tripped and rose again with stubborn fire in their eyes.
Seeing them grow made the burdens on his shoulders feel lighter.
Ashenveli was no longer just surviving—it was rising.
But peaceful months could not last forever.
One bright morning, while Raven supervised the training field and Selena practiced her spells at the riverbank, Eran sprinted toward the village gate, panting heavily.
The young scout had grown more reliable with each week, his sharp eyes missing nothing along the horizon.
This time, however, his expression held no alarm—only urgency.
“Lord Voltaro!” Eran shouted, waving his arms. “There’s a group approaching! Around ten people!”
Voltaro stepped out from the central hall, adjusting his cloak. “Are they armed?”
“No weapons drawn,” Eran said quickly. “They’re carrying wagons filled with sacks. They look like merchants—or travelers.”
Raven stopped mid-swing at the training yard. “Merchants? This soon?” He scratched his chin. “News spreads fast.”
Selena jogged over, wiping sweat from her forehead. “Maybe they heard about the ore?”
“No,” Voltaro said. “No one knows about the magical ore yet. Heldric and Krogar remain silent, and the mine’s production hasn’t reached outside borders.”
“Then why come here?” Selena wondered aloud.
Voltaro could only smile. “There’s only one way to find out.”
He moved toward the village gate, Raven and Selena trailing him like shadows. Heldric joined soon after, and some villagers gathered out of curiosity.
The group approaching the entrance looked…
ordinary. Not armored. Not threatening. No banners or insignias identifying a kingdom or guild.
They wore simple travel clothes, dusty from long journeys, and each pulled a small wagon filled with bundles wrapped in cloth.
Their leader was an older man with clear, sharp eyes and a long gray beard tied neatly with a piece of rope.
When they stepped close enough, the old man raised his hand politely.
“Greetings,” he said, his voice warm and respectful. “We come in peace.”
Voltaro smiled softly. “Welcome to Ashenveli. What brings you here?”
The old man bowed lightly. “My name is Dargel, head of the herbalist caravan from Lyrmont Village. We have heard that a new settlement rose in these lands. One that rebuilt quickly and welcomes travelers.”
“And you traveled all the way to trade?” Voltaro asked.
Dargel nodded, a proud look on his face. “Trade, yes. But not as other merchants do. We don’t deal in coins.”
Raven raised an eyebrow. “Then what do you deal in? Stories?”
The caravan members chuckled, but Dargel only smiled wider.
“Herbs. Rare herbs, fresh herbs, healing herbs—our entire village specializes in growing them. We trade in exchange for other goods, food, materials, clothes… anything useful.”
Voltaro understood immediately. “A barter system.”
“Aye,” Dargel replied. “Money corrupts trade. But mutual need builds peace.”
Selena leaned closer and whispered, “They’re strange… but in a good way.”
Voltaro stepped forward. “What is it you wish to trade for today?”
“We seek timber,” Dargel said. “Strong wood. And some iron if you have it. In exchange, we bring you herbs that can cure wounds, ease pain, strengthen the body, and even calm restless energies.”
Heldric perked up. “Herbs that ease pain? That could help many workers.”
“And calming herbs might help the young orcs,” Raven muttered.
Dargel clapped once, signaling his people. The caravan members opened their cloth bundles, revealing piles of neatly arranged herbs—leafy greens, clusters of red berries, dried roots, glowing petals that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Voltaro’s eyes widened. “These are… high-quality.”
“They’re grown with care,” Dargel said proudly. “Our village has been blessed with fertile soil. We believe herbs are life. And life should be shared.”
Voltaro nodded. “Ashenveli can spare timber and iron. But I wish to ask—why come to us, a village still new and unknown?”
Dargel’s expression softened. “Because rumors reach far. Rumors of a lord who united humans and orcs. Of a place where survivors find a home. And we, too, know the suffering of rebuilding. So we came… to offer friendship.”
Voltaro said nothing for a moment.
Selena whispered, “Voltaro… this could be good for us.”
Raven crossed his arms but nodded. “Better herbs than enemies.”
Finally, Voltaro extended his hand. “Ashenveli accepts your trade.”
Dargel grasped his hand firmly. “Then may this be the first of many.”
The villagers erupted into murmurs of surprise and excitement. Some children ran closer, pointing at the colorful herbs. The orc children sniffed the bundles cautiously, then grinned approvingly.
Krogar arrived moments later, ducking through the gate with two orcs at his sides. He towered over Dargel, casting a huge shadow.
Dargel blinked. “By the spirits… an orc. A large one.”
Krogar bowed respectfully. “I am Krogar, mining chief of Ashenveli.”
Dargel stared at him with astonishment. “Mining… chief?”
Raven smirked. “Hard to believe, huh?”
Krogar frowned. “Why hard to believe?”
“No reason,” Raven said quickly, avoiding a punch.
Voltaro stepped between them. “Krogar, escort a group to gather the timber and iron the traders need.”
Krogar nodded. “Right away.”
As he left with some workers, the herbalists began setting up a temporary stall in the village center. They laid out their herbs in careful rows, describing their uses to curious villagers.
Selena studied a bright purple leaf. “What’s this one do?”
Dargel approached her gently. “Ah, Moonleaf. It enhances magical focus. Good for young mages.”
Selena’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll take ten.”
Raven snickered. “Leaving some for the rest of us, Ice Princess?”
Selena froze his sleeve instantly.
“Still calling me that?” she asked sweetly.
Raven sighed. “Okay, okay, I deserved that.”
Voltaro shook his head, amused.
By afternoon, Krogar returned with bundles of timber and bars of iron. The herbalists inspected the goods, nodding in satisfaction.
“Ashenveli is generous,” Dargel said. “We will remember this kindness.”
Voltaro watched the exchange with calm pride. The villagers were smiling. The orcs were curious. The children were excited. Ashenveli was learning not just to survive, but to thrive—by connecting with others.
When the trade was complete, Dargel approached Voltaro alone.
“There is one more thing,” he said softly.
Voltaro raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
Dargel hesitated, then spoke. “Be cautious. While we journeyed here, we passed a group of scouts from the Kaelmoor border. They were observing the lands… more than usual.”
Voltaro’s expression hardened. “Kaelmoor…?”
Dargel nodded. “I do not know their intent. But in times of peace, kingdoms look for opportunities. And your village shines brighter than they expected.”
Voltaro understood the unspoken warning. “Thank you, Dargel. Your honesty means more than your herbs.”
Dargel bowed one final time. “We herbalists value truth. If danger approaches your land, we will warn you when we can.”
The caravan prepared to leave before sunset. Villagers gathered to wave them goodbye. Orc children gave them carved wooden toys they made in the training yard. Selena handed them preserved fish. Raven tossed them a sack of dried meat, trying to act uninterested despite helping the most.
As the herbalist wagons rolled away into the forest, their wheels crunching over fallen leaves, the wind carried their voices:
“May peace guide Ashenveli!”
Voltaro watched until they disappeared beyond the hill.
Raven walked up to him. “So? What do you think?”
Voltaro exhaled slowly. “We made friends today. Valuable ones.”
“And enemies?” Raven asked.
“Not yet,” Voltaro replied. “But soon, perhaps. Kaelmoor is watching.”
Selena joined them, clutching a bundle of herbs with excitement. “Whatever comes, Ashenveli will face it together.”
Voltaro placed a hand on both their shoulders.
“Yes,” he said softly. “Together.”
As night settled over the peaceful village, the torches glowed warmly, and the smell of new herbs drifted gently through the air. Ashenveli felt alive, stronger than before.
Raven! Boss we need to check them
Voltaro softly said.! Yeah!
At the same time voltaro give the order to Eran watch them . So iam go to the kaelmoor kingdom and made some contract...
Too be continue...