The merchants who were choosing to stay behind, smelling desperation, raised their prices to obscene amounts, far beyond the ability of the fugitives to pay. Arianos had to take time away from his other pressing duties to travel to the marketplace and personally confront each profiteer, explaining to them the importance of this mission to everyone’s future. Not once did he make a physical threat, but so imposing was his manner and so steadfast his gaze that few of the merchants could stand up before him. While better mannered now, the mobs following him were very persuasive. Eventually the merchants relented and sold him what he needed at prices that still allowed them a tidy profit. Some few even changed their minds about staying, and threw in their lot with the refugees.
The docks of At
