Commercial Traffic is Increasing

All morning as we've headed along the highway the traffic has steadily increased.  We're still over a day from the ornamental entrance, but there are already plenty of traders moving in both directions - some with large carts and others leading teams with trains of smaller carts.

I believe the handover of these goods, whether export or import usually occurs on the flat, level plain just outside the entrance, but the deals are done on the trading floor at the back of the entrance chamber.  I've only ever been to the back of this hall - I never had the urge to explore under the sunlight at its western end.  Whenever I've been in that hall, I've found the trading to be exciting - it's interesting to know that the output of my brethren here in the delve is so valued.  I found myself once more wondering what lay outside, and being somewhat apprehensive about it.  Not, this time, because it was outdoors, but for more practical reasons - once we move out of the ornamental entrance I've no idea where the route takes us.

As we sat eating our lunch at one of the village inns along this route, we ended up chatting with some of the traders.  Business is booming from what I gather.  The lands of the Hznaman are expanding and they seem to be going through some kind of expansion in construction.  If I don't make it as a mercenary, perhaps there'll be call for me as a construction safety expert?  Perhaps not - I'm just thinking out loud - I'd return here of course, and resume my work as a safety investigator for the delve.

There is quite a call for stone and ore exports from the delve - from what the traders tell me, the market for Dzarraf-produced stone-works is particularly strong.  They charge a premium price - the Hznaman seem to value its quality higher than their own.  I'm not sure if its true that Dzarraf quality is higher, or whether this is a marketing triumph for our people.  I suspect I'll find out when I visit their cities.