"Three weeks at most. If something happens, we'll head straight to the capital but until then we should explore a bit. This is also a chance to train some of the younger crew members too."
"True, flying a ship and sailing a ship are two entirely different concepts and we could use the experience. Do me a favor and take some of those useless guards with you, they need the training if they're going to stay aboard my vessel."
"You got it." Chronos happily dropped back to the deck.
He was planning to go back to his room when he saw a merchant caravan from the Eightfold Transit Company entering the loading area. They were a massive merchant company specialized in moving products from one end of the kingdom to the other in the shortest time possible and had a hand in nearly every business you could think of.
Within the Leighla Kingdom there was a saying, if the Eightfold Transit Company couldn't find what you were looking for then nobody could.
Their arrival reminded Chronos that he needed some more gild for when he was in the capital, selling them the item bags would undoubtedly bring him a great profit. He had no doubt that they would understand the value of the item bags and be willing to take the risk of visiting Gra Ulv during a war to acquire more of them.
Stopping by his room he brought out the ten item bags he had made earlier and went to find the caravan leader.
"Move the wagons in a semi-circle, open the sides and prepare to sell. We haven't got long before the ship leaves again."
There he was, he was standing on the front of a large carriage that seemed to be carrying the entire caravan's tents and living supplies.
Judging from how packed it was it wouldn't be hard to sell him a couple of item bags for safekeeping precious gear or making more room in the carriage he was standing on.
"Hello there, you're the caravan leader, right?" Chronos called out to him.
"If you want to sell or buy anything you'll need to speak with the appropriate merchant." He replied.
"I believe I am speaking with the appropriate merchant. What I want to sell will greatly benefit your entire caravan."
The caravan leader gave him a long look taking note of the high-class armory amulets, the repaired armor, and his strong form. Yet this mercenary like appearance contrasted with his clean clothing and carefully arranged hair.
"What are you here for? A mercenary captain selling his services?" he questioned.
"No, I'm a member of the Beklaedning clan here to sell exceptionally rare gear. Can we talk in private?"
The moment the caravan leader heard he was from the Beklaedning clan his whole demeanor changed.
He gave Chronos his most brilliant smile, "Oh, a member of the Beklaedning clan, please come right this way. We can have a meeting in my private chambers. I am Rodney by the way, sadly I have no last name yet."
"A pleasure to meet you Rodney, I'm Chronos Beklaedning Ulv. Last names are overrated unless they carry meaning."
Hearing that Chronos had two last names Rodney straightened up even more.
Last names were important for the people of the Leighla Kingdom; they were both a matter of pride and represented where you were from. Rarely, they would be related to a title for some great accomplishment.
Commoners used last names to tell other people which village they came from, if their village had a name, and it was a matter of pride for them. But amongst the higher echelons a last name was pride itself.
Nobles attached power to their names that could be influenced through family seal rings, sigils, signatures, or head of the family oaths. While others would use last names to show that they were a part of a major organization.
Because of how important last names were, very few people would have two last names like Chronos did.
If a merchant from a group as large as the Eightfold Transit didn't admit to having a last name, he was either very new or trying to gain the eightfold last name. And Rodney might just be able to succeed after today's trade.
Rodney led him to a carriage that looked like a small house. Entering it he gestured for Chronos to sit down and offered a cup of hot tea to Chronos.
"These leaves come from my hometown on the gossamer coast, please enjoy."
Taking a sip Chronos found that it had a mellow, earthy flavor that helped to relax him before the negotiations started while retaining an aged flavor that hinted at being a high-class ingredient. Overall, it was one of the better teas he had had the pleasure of drinking and accomplished Rodney's goal of putting him in a better mood at the same time.
"That's pretty good, I don't suppose you would sell some tea leaves in the Ulv territory?"
"I'm afraid that my hometown doesn't produce enough to actively sell it, but I'll see if I can bring some for your family the next time I come this way. Now what did you have to discuss with me, you said it was gear that would benefit my caravan?"
Chronos took out one of the item bags that was only as large as a tote bag, "Indeed, this is an item bag. Don't let its small-size fool you for inside this bag is 3 meters of space. Anything that is stored inside of it will have its weight decreased significantly allowing you to not only make more space in your carriages but also carry heavier things with you with ease."
Rodney wasn't sure what to make of this enigmatic explanation. But someone with two last names wouldn't lie to him, right? Unless he lied about having two last names but that would be a serious criminal offense if he was caught.
Seeing the look on his face Chronos knew he would have to show him first before Rodney would believe him.
"Watch as my sword mysteriously disappears into it without a trace." Taking out his sword Chronos held it above the bag and dropped it in.
Rodney carefully watched the bag, but it didn't even flutter as the sword entered it.
Holding out his hands he asked, "May I examine it?"
"Of course." Chronos passed him the item bag and waited for his reaction.
Opening the top Rodney peered inside, his mouth falling open as he saw the amount of space it had and the sword floating in the middle. Reaching inside he found that he could take the sword out with a single thought then he picked up a tray nearby and watched it disappear into the bag too.
"What is this?" He said in wonder.
Chronos chuckled, "It's no wonder you're surprised by such a miraculous bag. Are you aware that a war started on the eastern side of Dracon Fen."
"Yes, my caravan was moving ahead of the army to set up shop before others arrived." Rodney nodded.
Chronos leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Then are you aware that the Beklaedning clan has found a way to awaken their bloodline." He said in a mock whisper.
"They have a bloodline! Don't tell me..." He looked at the bag in his hand.
Chronos put a finger to his lips shushing him as if someone might be listening in just outside the door.
"Yes, our bloodline has to do with manipulating space. Thanks to this the Beklaedning clan is starting to research a number of new things to bring to market. This item bag is just the first."
A greedy look crossed Rodney's face.
"Does anyone else know about this yet?"
Chronos nodded, "Those fighting on the eastern border do and those in the Ulv territory likely know by now as well, but I don't think word has travelled to the rest of the kingdom yet. If you can get a contract with them early on you could greatly benefit from selling their wares."
He could practically see the calculations flashing behind Rodney's eyes before they narrowed and he shook his head.
"I don't have a connection nor an introduction to the Beklaedning clan. They are more likely to take the item bags to their designated merchant."
Chronos knew that his father had a designated merchant but the merchants working with the clan were mostly low-level merchants trading in monster furs, herbs and other things like that. As far as he knew there was no merchant for handling high grade products like the item bag yet.
"Perhaps but there are going to be many new magic items made by the clan soon. One merchant won't be able to sell all of them on their own. They'll need multiple merchants to get everything they make to market, especially if they're sending it to places like the royal capital or the gossamer coast. I can guarantee that many nobles will want an item bag just so they can boast about owning one."
He thought it best not to mention that the clan was only working with low-level merchants at the moment.