An enigmatic voice

It's been almost two weeks and I was still on my way to the capital Aran. But, before reaching the capital, I had a big problem to solve: money!

To enter the capital, you had to pay a fee of 3 silver coins, an absurdity for someone who was poor, well, at that time I was poor! He didn't even have a silver coin, let alone five.

The monetary system was simple to understand: 1 bronze coin was the smallest monetary value in existence, 10 bronze coins were equivalent to 1 silver coin, 100 silver coins were equivalent to 1 gold coin and 1000 gold coins were equivalent to 1 platinum coin. A really unfair exponential percentage to convert money.

"They are real thieves, that's right," I muttered to myself with a bitter smile, the system was unfair and there was nothing I could do.

According to one of the maps I memorized from my grandmother's library about the kingdom of Aran, there was a small province along the way called Denzel, where my next stop would be, like it or not.

"I will have to sell some animals that I hunted to have money to enter the capital" I reasoned, keeping pace with my walk.

I went on my way while hunting some small animals to sell at a food store in Denzel, it was my only option to earn money as I had nothing of value in my possession.

* * *

A few more days passed before reaching the province, it was a simple and abandoned place despite being located on the commercial route, which was really strange.

I wore a hooded cloak because of the southern cold, which helped me to keep my identity a secret, a girl in the middle of nowhere would definitely draw attention.

I looked for a store nearby and after looking for a few minutes, I finally found it.

"Excuse me, how much does this establishment buy clean and treated game meat?" I asked the employee as soon as I entered the store.

"As they are clean and treated, we buy them at a higher price and as they are out of stock in the last few days the price has risen a little..." said the employee while looking for something under the counter "I found! The fish we bought for 2 copper coins each, small animals are 5 coins, medium animals are 8 coins and large animals are 1 silver coin each... What would you like to sell us? He asked after listing the prices offered.

I let out an inward sigh, considering myself lucky to be enough for the entrance fee.

I smiled at the clerk and said with satisfaction in his voice "I have 10 fish and 5 birds, for a total of 3 silver and 5 copper pieces, right?"

"Of course, please go to the counter next door to make the sale"

I went to the other counter and sold the fish and poultry I had in my bag, all well cared for, cut and wrapped with perfection, a work that was not in vain, as I received five more bronze coins.

I left the establishment satisfied and walked towards Denzel's exit.

However, I hadn't walked far before I heard a low, husky voice, probably from an elderly person, behind me, which made me unconsciously stop.

"You, little girl will have to carry a great burden in the near future, don't let hatred blind her, you will be the one who will predict the rise or decline of a race, the death or salvation of many..."

I shivered, the owner of that voice seemed to be able to see through me with a single look, as if he could see the most intimate of my secrets, even those I didn't even know.

I looked around but, in vain, it seemed an illusion, a shadow that came and went, almost imperceptible.

I calmed down and went back to my path without even looking back, the capital would be the only place where I would find the answers I'm looking for.