Rennan reached into his side pouch and pulled out a well-used leather notebook, flipping past ink-smudged pages filled with scratched-out orders and shaky maps.
"Alright, shoot. What do you need?"
Riku tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Let's start with seeds — not just rice. We've already started planting that. We need variety. Wheat, sugarroot, onions, garlic, beans, tomatoes, cabbage, and if you have any—coffee beans."
Rennan blinked. "Coffee?"
"You'll thank me once you taste it," Riku said, smiling.
"And what about fruit?" Barou added, stepping in. "We used to have melons and oranges, but the trees all died last summer."
"Fruit seeds are expensive," Rennan muttered, writing quickly, "but I'll try. Might be able to get apples, figs, or plums. No promises on melons."
"And herbs," Riku added. "Medicinal ones — mint, basil, fennel, turmeric, aloe if possible. Even wild grass bundles to make tea would help."
Rennan nodded, scratching vigorously. "Alright... now what about materials? You mentioned something about wiring before?"
Riku gave a half-smile. "Yes. Copper, if possible. Sheets, rods, anything small you can carry. I'm going to need it for some... crafting experiments."
"I've got a small roll of copper wire I never managed to sell. No one knew what to do with it." Rennan grinned. "Now I know who'll take it."
"What about iron?" Barou asked. "And nails, hinges... even screws?"
"I can get nails, rivets, small iron tools. Hinges, maybe. No bulk goods, but I'll check the foundries in the river towns. You'll have to pay in water, though — iron merchants are parched."
"That's fair," Barou said with a nod. "We'll start small."
Riku looked thoughtful. "Add salt, too. Any decent rock salt or sea salt you can carry. Sugar, too — refined if possible."
Rennan chuckled. "You really are building a paradise here. I'll have to move in soon if you keep going."
"We'll leave a bed ready," Barou said.
"Oh, and one last thing," Riku added. "Bamboo. Long, straight, hollow stalks — the kind used for scaffolding or flutes."
Rennan raised a brow. "That's oddly specific."
"Well. I have my uses for it," Riku replied with a wink.
The list was long by the time they were done.
Rennan's cart wasn't equipped for half of it — but he did open up a few canvas-covered crates and pulled out what he had available:
-A pouch of wheat and bean seeds
-A small bag of dried coffee berries
-Several bulbs of garlic and wild onion sprigs
-Coils of copper wire
-A bundle of rusty nails and iron pins
-Two small jars of raw sugar crystals
-One wrapped package of coarse rock salt
"You can have all of this. I will see what else I can find and bring them back next time," Rennan said. "No need to give me any deposit for the items, I trust you."
Riku took the copper coil with particular care, his mind already racing with blueprints and crafting possibilities. Electric kettle? Or maybe a hot plate... hmm...
As the last of the trade was packed and stored, Riku pulled Rennan aside near the well.
"I also have a suggestion," Riku said, voice low. "Don't tell anyone about this, well."
Rennan nodded seriously. "I know. You're worried word'll get out and someone will come claiming it."
"Or worse," Riku murmured. "We already had wounded brought back from the woods. There might be hostile factions out there, which will pounce at the smallest rumor. If nobles catch wind that a remote village has better water than they do..."
"...they'll take it by force," Rennan finished grimly.
"I want you to sell the water, yes," Riku said. "But not in barrels. Just small ceramic jars. Mix it with spring water if you need to — sell it as 'village vitality' or something. Do not sell all of it in one place, sell it at different locations to keep a low profile."
Rennan smirked. "You've got a merchant's brain, I'll give you that."
The merchant extended a hand.
"I swear on Clover's future foals — I won't breathe a word of this to anyone."
"One more thing before you go."
Rennan looked over, brow raised. "More shopping lists?"
"No," Riku said, handing him the parchments. "These are safety nets."
He unwrapped one, revealing a page inscribed with a delicate glowing formation — not flashy, but pulsing with a faint golden thread along the edges. Symbols intertwined like waves around a central spiral rune.
"Each parchment is bound to the mana signature of this village," Riku explained. "If you're ever in serious danger — surrounded, dying, or unable to escape — crush it in your hand."
Rennan blinked. "And then?"
"You'll be teleported directly to the village boundary. It won't heal you, and it can only be used once. But it will get you and whoever is touching you out of trouble."
Rennan stared at the parchment, then at Riku. "You're giving me a teleportation scroll? Even the nobles in the kingdom do not have access to such a thing."
"It's not," Riku admitted. "But if someone's helping Elowen, I don't want to risk losing them to wolves or bandits."
A/N - Elowen is the name of the starter village
The second parchment, slightly larger, had a cloth harness built around it — Riku handed it over and pointed at Rennan's donkey.
"This one goes on Clover's harness. Same effect. If she's hurt or gets separated, she'll teleport with the cart."
Rennan slowly took both scrolls, eyes unusually serious.
"I've traded across fifteen valleys. I've been gifted spices, cursed relics, and once — a talking chicken. But this... this might be the kindest thing anyone's ever handed me."
Riku smiled faintly. "Kindness is part of the system."
Rennan nodded slowly, carefully tucking the scrolls into a leather pouch.
"I'll keep your secret. And I'll come back soon — with seeds, salt, sugar, and silence."
Soon, the sun dipped low, and Rennan prepared to leave. His cart was now refilled with jars of pristine water. The village gathered once more — not to celebrate this time, but to wave off the man who'd helped them even during the leanest years.
"Safe travels, Rennan!" the children cried.
"May your wheels not break!" one elder joked.
Rennan tipped his wide-brimmed hat.
"May your well never dry, and your porridge always have flavor! I will be back soon"
And with that, he disappeared into the dusk.