The middle-aged man was relieved that someone was normal among this group of oddballs, although this man had black lines lining his face. After squinting his eyes at him for a second, the man heaved a sigh of relief and shook his hand.
"I come from the Yalen Kingdom, what about you three?"
"I am from Yalen as well," said Arthur with a smile as he shook the man's hand. "My friends here are merchants from Janea and Halin, seeking to find a new buyer for their potions and minerals. I became their guide."
"Merchants?" asked the man with surprise as he eyed the two. "I am surprised that they allowed them past the border. The entire union is on a strict lockdown at the moment."
"We arrived to the union before the lockdown, so we managed to slip in before they closed it off," said Arthur and gave a sigh of relief. "I wouldn't have survived this winter if they turned me away! Great luck!"
"What made you stay here for all this time then?" asked the man with confusion.
