Venetian Merchant

Goa Port, Vijayanagar Empire.

The port was alive with the hum of commerce. Tall masts of merchant ships rose against the sky, their sails billowing in the gentle sea breeze. Banners of various colours snapped crisply, each one telling a story of trade and travel. The water shimmered under the midday sun, slapping rhythmically against the stone quays where long lines of workers unloaded crates and barrels.

A Venetian merchant ship approached the port, cutting through the water with ease. An imposing figure stood at the bow. He was dressed in a richly decorated doublet, a luxurious wool robe with intricate patterns draped over it, and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with a feather—a mark of his high status. 

The man was Pietro Tribuno, a well-known Venetian merchant whose visits to the Vijayanagar Empire had become a regular affair due to the lucrative trade opportunities. His robust build and dignified attire made him stand out among the others at the port.

As the ship docked, Pietro stepped onto the quay, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air. With a broad smile, he declared, "Ah, we are here finally." eager to resume his business in this vibrant and bustling port.

The aide accompanying Pietro Tribuno was a tall Venetian man in his late thirties, with a lean build. His attire mirrored that of a servant—simple, yet well-made, with a dark woollen doublet and a plain hat. His face was marked by a neat beard and piercing brown eyes that constantly scanned their surroundings with alertness.

After several hours of haggling, inspecting, and purchasing, they had amassed a considerable collection of goods. Fabrics, and trinkets were piled high, and the guards carried several crates filled with their acquisitions.

Pietro, adjusting his wide-brimmed hat with a feather, furrowed his brows as he surveyed the goods they had collected. "It's a lot, yes, but I can't shake the feeling that something's missing," he said, his tone laced with frustration.

The aide, noting the merchant's disappointment, asked, "What happened, Master?"

Pietro's eyes narrowed as he scanned the bustling market once more. "The quality seems to be lower than what I expected. I've dealt with this port enough times to know when the goods aren't up to par. I was hoping for something more extraordinary this time, but it seems we're stuck with the usual fare,"

The aide nodded thoughtfully, his eyes darting around the market. "Perhaps the recent upheaval in the empire has affected the quality or availability of goods," he suggested, trying to offer a plausible explanation.

Pietro Tribuno and his aide continued their way through the bustling port, their conversation weaving through the vibrant market stalls.

"Upheaval?" Pietro asked, his voice tinged with concern as he considered the implications for his business dealings.

"Yes, Master," the aide replied, glancing around as they walked. "The battle for the throne has stirred things up significantly. There's also an ongoing economic war between the factions."

Pietro's face grew tense. "Oh good lord, that's not ideal for our venture. Such turmoil could disrupt trade and impact the quality of goods."

The aide nodded sympathetically. "Yes, Master. It's creating a lot of uncertainty."

Pietro paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "So, who's more likely to seize the throne in all this chaos?"

"It's likely to be either the first or second prince," the aide explained. "Both have substantial support among the nobles and significant influence. Currently, the momentum seems to be shifting towards the second prince."

Pietro let out a thoughtful hum. "I see. That could change things. We might need to adjust our strategy based on who comes out on top,"

"Anyway, let's rest for today. We can head to another city tomorrow. Prepare an entourage for the journey," Pietro said, settling into a comfortable chair in the inn's common area.

The next morning, Pietro emerged from his room, dressed in his European attire and adorned with his trademark wide-brimmed hat. His clothes were finely tailored.

His aide was waiting downstairs, a breakfast spread laid out for them. They enjoyed a hearty meal, discussing their plans and the day's journey. After finishing, they set out towards the next city, their carriage ready and their new escort unit prepared for the trip.

As they approached the city's exit, a group of patrol guards stood at their posts, their presence a reminder of the heightened security due to the ongoing turmoil. Pietro's carriage, flanked by the escort unit, rolled towards them.

"Halt!" commanded one of the guards, his voice firm.

The aide, riding a horse alongside the carriage, dismounted quickly and approached the guard with a puzzled look. "What's the meaning of this? We're travelling with an escort unit. Is there an issue?"

The guard glanced at the escort unit and shook his head. "It's standard procedure. The roads are under surveillance for safety."

The aide furrowed his brow. "But we have these guards specifically for protection. Is there a problem with that?"

The guard's expression remained stern. "Yes, the patrols are in place to ensure safety."

"The roads have been recently improved with a lot of effort to ensure safety and comfortable travel," the guard explained, his tone reassuring.

The aide looked at the guard sceptically, but a passing merchant chimed in, "He's right. The roads are much better now. Just leave your escort and move along."

The aide, still a bit unsure, nodded and reluctantly agreed. "Very well. We'll leave the escort here and continue on our way."

With the escort unit left behind, Pietro and his aide proceeded towards the next city. As they travelled, Pietro's curiosity grew with each mile.

"Woah, a lot has changed since the last time I came here," Pietro remarked, taking in the improved landscape.

"The roads are much smoother than back home, How did they make it so nicely?. We need to find this out and report to the Doge," Pietro observed. 

"There are rest stops at regular intervals, and the distance markers are clearly visible."

Pietro's eyes widened in surprise. "What on earth happened in the last six months? This is a significant improvement."

The aide shrugged. "It seems the Kingdom has invested heavily in infrastructure. Also, I heard this project was the idea of a prince in the Empire,"

As they continued, Pietro marvelled at the changes. The roads were well-maintained, with clear signs and regular rest stops and horse rests that made their usual tedious journey very comfortable. The progress was evident, and it spoke volumes about the commitment to improving travel and safety.

"If these types of roads are here, we can easily travel to different cities and buy more goods than our usual quantity," Pietro exclaimed, clearly excited by the profitable business opportunities that the improved infrastructure presented.