Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Ah, it's dark. I took a deep breath trying to keep my legs from falling apart while I walk through the pile of snow. Ha, I should've bought a horse! The winter covered the evergreen forest in white and the moon makes it shines like silver. 'What a majestic view' I thought. I let out an exasperated laugh as I stroll down the memory lane from a couple of months ago, how did things went wrong? Everything was going smoothly nice and sound, I was able to throw off and distract Logan's plan, fake my own death and explore the world. I was so happy to board the ship and yet, how, how did I end up walking the forest of Eclates Kingdom!

I may have been in disguised and dressed as a commoner, my chances of bumping with a noble who may have been in lieu with Logan is slim, but I still can't risk that small chance. Luckily, I have learned a little something about the people of Eclates, people with blue eyes were common here and a brown or red hair colour is pretty much common even among the nobility. My disguise is flawless in that case however I still can't shake off this heavy anxiety that's building up in my chest. Eclates is not much different from Avalon except for some religious customs and the geographic terrain this is pretty much the same as the streets back home. After reaching the port of Polsh, I ended up walking through a mountain path and walked through the forest on my way to the capital. Well I guess, this is for the better as they say, the most obvious place is the best place to hide. Should they assume that I might've been alive, I would be hiding as far as possible. Ha, I was so overwhelmed with the fact that I ended up in a wrong country that I forgot about the most sensual thing to do-buying a horse and now I have to endure the cold winter night while walking through the forest. Luckily the moon was bright enough to guide my path I kept on walking for another fifteen minutes until a building with a lively noise came into view. Lucky! After walking the whole day, I finally reached an inn.

"Welcome!" the clerk greeted me with a smile, I looked around me and saw a bunch of what seem to be a group of mercenaries drinking at the bar on the first floor. "A room for one please and a simple dinner." After paying for my fees, I reached my room which was on the second floor of the inn. The room was small, with a single bed on the left and a table and a chair on the right, the silver moon shone through the window. I jumped into the bed after arranging my things. Finally I can rest! I can feel my feet going sore from all the walking, everything I have done so far was so unprincess like that my mother would've fainted if she saw me. But well it doesn't matter. From now on, I'm no longer Asiana the Princess, but just Ana, a mere commoner from a foreign land with an unknown background. A knock on the door broke me from my thoughts, and a maid came in bringing a tub of water and a towel. "You must be tired, here's some water for you to wash up." I smiled at the middle aged women who brought it to me how thoughtful, I never asked for it but she still arranged it for me. "Thank you." I muttered. "Your dinner will be ready in a while will you be eating in your room?" I nod my head in agreement, it was quite rowdy downstairs and it would have been risky to mingle with that group of mercenaries.

"Come to think of it, what is this place?" the maid furrowed her brow in confusion with my poorly worded question but she seemed to have understood what I meant when she snapped her fingers. "Ah, you must be a traveller. This is an inn in the outskirts of Lynch, you'll be in the capital after passing through that town, it will take you a week." Oh, the international port was surprisingly near the capital. "Do you think I can buy a horse?" I asked timidly, the maid answered "If you want to buy one, we have one in our stables. Someone traded it last month in exchange for a stay but our budget can't take care of it. I'll gladly give it to you for 10 golds." I never knew horses could be this expensive, I took a glance at my bag on the bed and look at the maid I guess I need an investment. "I'll take it, can you have it ready tomorrow morning?" she nodded and left my room while skipping in joy. By the time I finished washing up, my dinner came. After eating, I retired for the night.

It was snowing when I woke up, I frowned. It will be difficult for me to travel in a snow filled road so I guess a horse will make it better. I opened my locket and stared at the picture of my family, it was a portrait that was taken 10 years ago. The young Sancho who was standing beside me looked proud for a young boy and my parents were standing behind the chair where I was sitting- it was a lovely picture of a loving family that despite being royalty it exhibits an air of softness and adoration. With me gone, things might be difficult for them, but I trust my brother and Helix, I wanted to fight alongside them and solve things together but running away is the only best way I can do to help them. I can't let the enemy use me against them. A sigh escaped my lips while tears flows through my eyes I don't cry easily, I had trained myself the same way my brother trained and I was confident with my tenacity but suddenly being thrown into an unfamiliar place with a peculiar circumstances, I long for my family who I might never see again. I kissed the picture before hiding the necklace beneath my cloths and fixed my things before heading down to the lobby for breakfast.

I pulled up my hood to cover myself more while the stable man prepares the horse for me. It was surprisingly a hybrid black horse that looks more expensive than what I paid for and whoever it was that left it here must've been a part of the nobility. No wonder it costs much, not even a common knight can afford it not unless he'll save his money for a year. The keeper handed me the reigns and I smiled while muttering a small thank you. "Safe travels!" the man shouted as I rode to the capital. I reached the Lynch region after three hours of riding. The streets looks as lively that one may have thought it was the capital. I jumped down from my horse and had it rest in the stables while I look around the marketplace. "How could you be so stupid? I asked you to buy me a lotion and you dare give me a salve for wounds? Have you gone mad?" I turned and saw the woman dressed in an expensive blue dress slapped the girl who brought her the wrong item. "This is exactly why I hate commoners like you! You can't even follow a simple order, what are you going to do now? Go and scram bring me a lotion I won't give you money, pay for it by yourself!" anger was evident in the woman's amber coloured eyes as she fanned herself, the poor girl was kneeling down with a tear stained face. Well I guess noble people are still the same regardless of the country, they will always discriminate those below them and use the circumstances of their birth to humiliate them. The young girl walked with her head down and headed towards a shop and I followed her. "This can't be! You already paid for it, I can't return and exchange it, you should've made sure before buying!" the store clerk screamed in annoyance at the poor girl who was trying to return the product he was shooing the maid as if she was a fly swarming around his store. "I was so sure she asked me for a medicine for wounds…" this is why I hate the nobility despite me growing up as a royal, they are either cowards who hide themselves when a situation arise, or villains who does not hesitate to mock and use people who are below them. She was totally being harassed. I was supposed to buy herbs to make my own medicine but I suppose I should just buy one that was ready made. "Excuse me, that salve…" the girl raised her head in confusion she was probably wondering why I approached her. Her body shivered in the cold she wasn't even wearing proper winter clothes, just what kind of household does that noble lady belong to that they treated their servants this poorly! "I'll buy it for you." I said and her face lit up as if what I just said was a miracle from the heavens. "Really miss? Are you sure this can be a bit expensive. I bought it for 30 silvers." I nodded and gave her the money she was in awe with my actions that she almost tears up. "Thank you Miss! I don't know what to do if I can't return it. I won't be able to receive my salary in that case." My face soured with her remarks, just how badly did they treat her? I grabbed the salved and leave while buying fresh bandages along the way. I don't have an injury but nothing beats being prepared in case I hurt myself, after replenishing my supplies and resting, I continue on my journey. I plan to find a job in capital to blend in, although the money and jewels Sancho had packed for me is enough for me to last for a year it would be suspicious for a commoner to live comfortably while being jobless. I had never done house work and or anything related to a maid's job so that will be out of option, I could work at the seamstress with my embroidery skills. Okay, that will be my plan.

Travelling on horseback in freezing winter season was far more challenging than tackle a group of bandits alone. My face was numbed from the cold despite covering my face with a mask. Hold out Ana, you're only a day away from the capital. It was helpful that the trees from the roadside were protecting the path from the snow, it barely piled up. I pulled the reigns and decided to slow down when I heard the clashing of swords nearby. "You guys all hogged the money and live in luxury while we have to work ourselves to bone, give us everything you got!" Bandits? This is not the countryside but the terrains consist of forest and mountains and canyons. There is a clear snow filled open space up ahead and as I drive closer, a sight of two young man dressed in fancy clothes were surrounded with ten giant thieves. I halted, and hid myself while contemplating on what to do, surely I can't just ride pass them as they are in the middle of the road. Should I help them? I don't have a sword with me. My position was far enough for them not to notice me but close enough for me to clearly aim my arrows. The two unfortunate individuals seemed skilled with their swords and easily deflect their attacks but their number of enemies put them in disadvantage. I watched them closely as they sway around flailing their swords it was sight to behold they look as if they're dancing rather than fighting. Their number seemed to have increased and I noticed an archer hiding above the canyon his aim was pointing towards that gentleman with a chocolate coloured hair. His position was perfect for a sneak attack, I sighed. It was really none of my business but I guess it can't be helped it will be troublesome later on if these gentlemen were defeated and the bandits were to notice me. I grabbed two arrows from my quiver and aimed at the archer, it was also a perfect spot for me to accurately hit both of his shoulders as the momentum pushed him back and I can see the confusion and pain in his face.