The knight's calm voice wasn't loud, but it still made Bill's heart skip a beat.
He didn't give Bill time to keep protesting. The knight turned and led them down a wide corridor to the left.
After climbing a short flight of stairs, they stepped into a vast, sunlit hall. Dozens of tall glass windows lined both walls, flooding the space with bright daylight. The floor was covered in glossy porcelain tiles that faintly reflected their figures. Bill stepped onto them gingerly, half-afraid he might crack something priceless.
Sensing his unease, the knight waved a careless hand. "Relax, you won't break them. These tiles were made to be walked on. If they were that fragile, we'd be suing the factory, not you. Just walk normally."
"R-really? You won't make me pay if I damage one?"
The knight's patience finally frayed. "I told you to walk, so walk! Stop fussing. These are fired porcelain tiles—cheaper than full marble. Plenty of people use them in their own homes now. There's even a tile factory in the city. If you like them, you can go buy some later."
Bill nodded quickly, properly chastened. "Y-yes, sir. I'll look into it after we're done here."
The knight gave him one last look, then strode forward without another word.
At the center of the hall stood rows of simple wooden benches arranged like those in a sept, stretching back in neat lines. A few people were already seated in the front rows, waiting their turn.
The three of them walked down the central aisle. At the far end was a long counter with several clerks seated behind it, each working at their own station. Single chairs waited in front of every desk—some occupied, some empty.
Bill had no idea what kind of place this was, but he simply followed the knight. When they reached the counter, the knight pointed to one of the desks.
"That's where you register for a business license. You're lucky—there's hardly a line right now. Go straight over. Have your man wait on the benches. You handle it yourself. They'll explain the rules for trading inside the city. Pay attention and don't break any laws. I've got my own business to attend to."
Before Bill could thank him properly, the knight added, "I'm Jon. Jon Connington."
With that, Jon turned and headed deeper into the building. He had his own office somewhere inside and clearly meant to get back to work.
Bill stared after the knight's retreating back, stunned. On the walk over he had assumed the man was angling for a bribe—that was how things worked in King's Landing. Yet here was a knight who had gone out of his way to help two strangers, asked for nothing, and simply walked away.
For a merchant who had spent years dodging extortion in the capital's muddy alleys, the experience felt almost unreal.
Shaking his head, Bill turned toward the desk Jon had indicated. Before he could even sit down, the clerk behind it looked up with a warm, professional smile.
"Good day, sir. What business brings you here today?"
Bill sat quickly, still a little flustered by the friendly welcome. "I'm here to register a business license. I brought a shipment of goods from King's Landing and want to sell them in Oros."
The clerk's smile brightened. "Excellent! Oros welcomes every honest merchant. We guarantee the safety of your life and property while you trade within the domain."
He picked up a fresh sheet of parchment. "Will you be operating as a traveling trader or setting up a fixed shop?"
Bill hesitated. "What's the difference?"
"Oh, quite a big one," the clerk replied cheerfully. "Traveling traders are restricted to certain market zones and receive no tax rebates. You pay the full business tax every month.
If you settle here, open a workshop or shop, and become a resident merchant, you may trade anywhere in the domain and enjoy reduced taxes and other benefits. The prince encourages people to put down roots."
Bill's heart quickened at the mention of lower taxes, but years of caution kept him from jumping in. He still wanted to understand exactly what he was getting into before committing.
The clerk, clearly used to this reaction, patiently explained the full differences between traveling traders and resident merchants.
---