That night, as I sat in the corner of the hut, I overheard Elara's quiet sobs, her tired voice praying to the gods for Eric. The weight of everything seemed to press in on me—our family was finally coming together, but we were also expecting Eric's child. I knew I had to start thinking about how to provide for us all in a way I never had to before.
I sat there in silence for a long while, lost in thought. The weight of responsibility was heavier than I anticipated. I knew Eric had always warned me about using my abilities, and the last thing I wanted was to bring trouble upon us again. I couldn't rely on my powers this time. I had to find a more practical solution to support my family, something that wouldn't draw unwanted attention or suspicion.
The next morning, I went to Nabeel. After a brief exchange, I asked if there were any merchant caravans planning to depart. He hesitated before responding. "Not many caravans at the moment," he said, "but there's one heading to Dar-Kazaan, the dwarf kingdom."
Dar-Kazaan. I knew of it, but I wasn't entirely sure what they traded. I asked Nabeel, "What kind of goods do the dwarves usually deal with?"
He leaned back, considering. "The dwarves' main export is minerals. They also craft a lot of metal products, which are highly valued. Their weapons, armor, and tools are sold at much higher prices in other lands. Dar-Kazaan is a place of fine craftsmanship, and the metalwork is unmatched."
After a moment, I asked, "What would be good to bring there? Something that could earn a decent profit."
Nabeel stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, they love fine metals and gems. But you're more likely to find success with materials that they can't easily procure—rare woods, precious stones for their jewelry, or items that could enhance their crafting. Dwarves appreciate high-quality resources, especially anything that could complement their own work, like enchanted materials or anything related to metalworking magic."
I took it all in. Dwarves valued rare goods—gems, wood, and even magical items. These were the kinds of things I could find, if I was willing to search hard enough. I was determined to make this journey count.
"Thank you for your advice," I told him, trying to hide my growing sense of purpose.
I spent the rest of the day planning and preparing. It was clear now that the trip to Dar-Kazaan could be my opportunity to earn the wealth needed for my family's future. I didn't know how long the journey would take or what challenges would lie ahead, but I was ready. I would find the right goods, make the right trades, and return to Sous with what I needed.