"Raya, look over there, a town," I pointed with my finger.
The sun had begun descending before we knew it and a glimmering orange was plated on all things under it. In front of Raya and me, after hours of walking, we saw a cozy town (I assumed it was a town) consisting of only small houses and a few dozen streets; all encased with a wooden scaffolding. From far away, I could already make out the biggest structure, a church, basking under the warm rays, humbly overseeing all the smaller houses beneath it.
As we got closer, a great tower in cylindrical shape greeted us. It was assembled with bricks of stone, newly build, and with a beautiful crest adorning it, like an expensive brooch on a demure lady.
The streets, even from afar, looked muddy and unaligned, while the homes, if not obscured by wooden barrels and broken pilings, were sheltered by straw, and thatched roofs. The sunset glow made the whole town appear like it was burning.
Still, it was bustling. Merchants selling their wares and travelers from far away settled in this town.
"It wasn't that busy the last time I came here," I exclaimed in wonder.
Raya groaned, "who the hell cares," she complained, "I'd much rather know how much longer I have to carry dead weight like you."
I, while resting on her back, said, "losers don't have the right to complain," I pinched her belly, "next time, try not losing the card game."
"Tsk," she gritted her teeth and continued with a dark face.
Sweat ran down her cheeks and I lightly dabbed it away.
Well, she had been carrying me by the time I was to lazy to walk anymore. Ever since I was carried by that boy Gerald, I seemed to have gotten quite fond of it–and even if she didn't want to, she wasn't in the position to defy my orders.
"I don't understand what it is you want from me," she said. "Did you bring me along for me to act as your mule? Or was it simply out of mercy. . . Or maybe repentance for breaking what you promised?" She paused to take a breather, "I really don't know."
"Now, don't sell yourself short," I laughed, "I have great plans for you. We will get my title, I especially need you to beat a murderous chess organization, and afterwards, let's take over the world. Sounds exciting, no?"
She pushed me higher on her back, to stop me from slipping. "I have no idea what you are talking about, but I am quite sure there are a myriad of better people than someone that hates you so much," she listlessly said.
"No, it can only be you, really. You will find out when the time comes." I clung my legs around her, "you have very useful magic."
"Hmph," she tossed her head, but she stopped complaining, and she continued marching.
As we arrived in front of the gates, we were (just like many others) halted from approaching any further.
"State your name and business for entering this town," a man said with authority, "and before having proven your criminal record, no one will enter." He was accompanied by other men, all with simple farmers clothing, but well-build.
"Oh," I blurted out, "is that you Harold?"
The mans looked at me, confused, "eh, you . . . who are you?"
"What don't you remember me," I laughed joyfully, "it's me, Agnes! We met about 2-3 days ago, in the same town, where you also stopped me from entering. Still as busy as ever, huh?"
He racked his brains and as he realized, opened his eyes wide, "you, it is you! Were you not with that white-haired priestess?" He then shuddered, "I remember now, you came at the night and looked for an inn."
"Harold, do you know that scary looking girl," his friend asked. Rude.
"Yes, somewhat. She should be alright," he gulped, "let her in."
He let us through the gates. The size of the crowd as we entered surprised me. People came and went, selling and buying, from the lines of stalls where small time traders resided. The big roads turned into small alleys, slithering like snakes with cheap houses as scales. There was a small, but distinct stench emitted by the debris filled road. Various colors fluttered in this town accompanied by music and talking, once again reminding everyone that this wasn't just a settlement sealed off from the rest of the world.
"Alright, let me down," I said to Raya, and as soon as I did, she let me fall.
"Where to now?" She asked me.
I looked around and then headed left, down a spacious alley, "this way, I know an inn. It is getting late, so let us settle down." I then reached for a small bag made of jute, "this round's on me," I told her and shook the bag, and out came the soothing sound of jingling money.
Raya followed me. "How much money did Grandfather give you?"
"Enough. Don't worry, I told him I'd be gone for 2 months after all."
We continued walking while the warm sun caressed our bodies. Slowly, we approached a place that was particularly noisy. People were shouting and laughing. They paraded around, with alcohol in one hand, and company on the other, a sense of joy wafted around everyone. They smiled with red faces and staggered around. More voices resounded from afar, in a house, overflowing with humans.
"We are here. The 'Vanilla Pixie' inn."
"This..." Rayas eye twitched, "you are joking, right?"
"Come on, a change of setting will be good for you. Also, they have excellent food."
"You aren't honestly expecting me to stay in such a run down shack, are you," she yelled at me, "do you know who we are? Nobility! You are an Archduke for heavens sake! These common folk aren't worthy to reside in the same place as we do."
"Yes, yes. ' obey the strong and work the weak', 'contempt for anyone below you', I got it. You told me before," I shrugged my shoulder, "feel free to stay outside tonight if you want." I pointed at the tiny stall where the horses were, "you can also cuddle with the ponies at night."
She stared at me and grumpily stomped, "understood, we will see how I turn this place upside down."
"Alright, listen here," I grabbed her head and told her with a smile, "if you don't want a spanking, tone it down a bit."
". . . Fine."
Suddenly, just as I was about to let go, someone hit my shoulder, "idiot, watch where you are going!" The person shouting angrily was a young boy at roughly the age of ten, with scruffy hair and torn clothes. He bumped into us as he ran past.
"Ah, sorry," I reached out my hand to help.
The boy looked at me with cold eyes, "shove your 'sorry' up your ass, I almost fell down because of you." He then ran away.
I felt a vein on my head pop, "that is it, I am going to kill that brat."
Raya stared at me speechlessly, "did you not tell me to tone it down a second ago?"
I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "you are right," I watched the boy disappear around the alley, "let us kill him later, when there are no witnesses."
Raya only sighed.
Anyways, that was a strange encounter. Well, whatever.
We entered the inn, and immediately, the smell of ale and herbs overwhelmed my nostrils. It was busier than the time I came with Seraph. Everyone was moving around energetically, and almost all the tables were occupied. The stone paved floor was littered with fish bones, trash and spilled drinks.
"Filthy," Raya said and pinched her small nose.
"Oh, it is you again," a voluptuous woman dressed in brown tavern clothes called out, she was currently balancing several drinks with a tray full off food. The woman skillfully strode around the diner delivering the orders.
"You remember me?"
She smiled, "of course I do. It is not everyday that you see two young girls traveling around. Where is that pretty priestess of yours?"
"she isn't here today. Instead, I brought someone else," I pointed at Raya.
She busied herself with cleaning a table. At the same time she talked to us, "I'm sorry, as you can see there are many people here right now, so we don't have any rooms available. But if you were to wait, there's a couple that is setting out tonight."
"No worries," I shook my head, "I want to eat first anyways."
"Great," she laughed, "would you like the soup I served you the other day? It is our specialty."
My eyes sparkled when she said so, "I would love to."
"And what about you," the woman asked Raya.
She calmly looked around and then announced, "2/3 of a bowl, no more no less, understood? Don't you dare skim out on the salt or the meat, I will notice. And if I find any carrots in it, you can be sure that I tear this place down." She crossed her arms, "furthermore, we take separate rooms. Non negotiable."
There was a short silence between the three of us–a silence that was quite jarring in this jolly atmosphere that we were surrounded by.
"My apologies, her fiance left her today, so she is especially feisty."
"N, No problem," the woman laughed dryly, "we can definitely prepare that for her."
"That is good, thank you," I said.
Raya and I were guided to our seat.
It took a while, but our food arrived without any problems, and she complied to all the demands that were set. It was the same soup I ate a few days ago: A creamy milk-based soup, adorned with colorful diced vegetables and slices of bacon.
A steamy cloud emerged from the bowl as if it was a hot onsen in an isolated mountain range.
I ate the food with relish, and it rapidly disappeared from my plate, one spoon at a time.
"doesn't it taste good, Raya," I asked her, while stuffing my mouth full–the wooden bowl in one hand, and the spoon in the other.
"It is alright," she told me, "I could do better."
"What really? You should make me some food then." The soup vanished like a sea with a broken dam.
"You should clean your cheeks first, you've got spots all over you."
"Sorry, I don't get to eat good things everyday," I shoved the last few bits through my lips.
"I really can't tell whether you have changed completely or are still the same," she rested her head on her hands and stared at me with hazy eyes, "sometimes I wonder if you are a different person, and just when I think so, you prove me wrong. What is it that happened at the royal family mansion, which made you this way?"
"I'd love to know that too," I waved my spoon at her, "but rest assured. The me that you know is still with us."
"I hope so," she muttered silently.
By the time we were done, the voluptuous woman approached us and asked, "was the food to your liking?"
"Yes, thank you," I answered for both me and Raya.
"Great, rooms have also cleared up," she smiled, "the cost would be 4 silver a night."
"Okay, let me get the money," I reached in my dress, "huh? Where is it?"
Raya twitched, " you are joking, right?" She then slammed the table, "wait, the boy that walked past us, he-"
"Ah, here it is," I took out 4 silver, "here you go."
The woman gave us the keys and happily trotted away to serve the other costumers.
"Oh, was there anything you wanted to say," I asked Raya.
"You," she stared at me, "don't scare me like that, I thought we were robbed! I almost accused an innocent boy of stealing."
"Oh," I exclaimed nonchalantly, "you'd be right, though." I rose from my seat.
Her eyes opened wide, "what, so he really stole from us? How can you be so calm? That was two months worth of expenses!" She shouted at me.
"Relax, the money is right here," I patted my dress, "it was true that he wanted to rob us, and well, he did, but we still have everything."
She squinted her eyes and asked confused, "I don't understand what you are saying."
From my dress, I took out another bag, it was an old, reddish one made out of thick cloth. The seams already began loosening from the extended use. I whispered in her ear, "I took it back," I said. "He stole from us, so as retribution, I took all his money–including ours–right back."
"Y, you did what?"
"Anyways," I flicked her butt, "lets go check our rooms. I am sure you will like them!"
I walked upstairs with Raya following me in stunned silence.