Chapter 26
1067 Words
We got out of the forest just fine. So far, there were no signs of danger along side our route. Although now, there'll be people around and so we have to be really cautious. Good thing, Scarlet gave me a disguise suited for this quest.
We finally reached Draco, and well enough, our disguises suits well with the crowd. Everyone seem to be up to no good with what they're wearing.
"Are all these people bandits?" I curiously asked Scarlet.
"Oh no, that's just how they dress here which gives all the bandits around some advantage since they can just camouflaged amongst everyone. But some of these people are good commoners, villagers. That's why you have to be very careful with who you interact with." Scarlet slyly whispered to me, trying not to get some attention from others.
We walked quietly through the market and when we reached a small corner at the end, where there no people nearby, we stopped and rest for a while.
"So, where are we supposed to be headed, Finley?"
"I have this small sketch of what the client's house looks like. But I don't exactly know where is it." I said to her, showing her a small sketch from the scroll that Varan gave me.
"Oh before I was headed to this quest, the village head which was the client for this quest called my master and told us that he was threatened by the elementalists that fought me. They were scaring him into disclosing the details for the trade, so they could steal it from him or me rather. That's when, thankfully, you were able to save me and the potion."
"Those pricks really has nothing better to do with their lives, don't they? Anyways, we'll just have to explore the town and hunt that house down. You have to have a keen eye while we walk around."
"Alright then, I guess, it's a start of an adventure together." I said to her.
We then started out to look for the house. It's a bit tough considering there's tons of houses built.
After exploring the nooks and corners of the town, we finally saw a probable house that looks like the image in the scroll. We're glad to finally have found it until...
We look at the houses beside it and they all look exactly like the first house.
Isn't that great? Subtle way to turn the tables around for us. It was too early to rejoice.
"I totally forgot, this is like the richer part of the village, all the people here are richer than the ones from the other side, and I think they all came together in unison to fix huge houses together in one area. I didn't know that they all built it to look as one with the others." Scarlet stated to herself.
"Now, what do we do? We can't come knocking on each houses without looking suspicious." I pointed out, worries visible in my tone.
There was an awkward silence as we think for a moment.
"We can act as if we're vendors! Since the market is farther from here, I heard that vendors usually come here themselves, knocking on these people's doors, trying to make a good sell from them. That way, these rich commoners doesn't have to come to the market personally."
"Wow, really? Rich does have much privilege than most people. The fact that they have large carriages so they can just easily reach the market and buy their goods themselves is not even in the question while the poor vendors, trying to make a living have to go all the way here to sell, without any convenient carriages, whilst carrying lots of their products."
"It's sad, I know. That's one of my agendas as a ruler of this kingdom. I like to have an equity amongst my people; no special treatments for the rich and no prejudice for the poor. I know it's not an easy goal but it's still possible and I'm hoping I can give that to them someday. For now, what'd you say about my plan?" Scarlet stated with genuineness.
"I'm totally on board with your plan, Scarlet. It's actually a brilliant idea. But what are we going to sell to them?"
"Well, we have to trade something from the market. And I know just the person for that. We'll have to get back there, come, we can take this wandering horse back so we'd arrive there faster." Scarlet told me, with a horse appearing at such a very good timing.
"Are you sure, no one owns this horse?"
"Why would it be wandering alone without his owner? People here are much cautious with their possessions that no one would dare forsake a precious animal like him. He's an essential part of their living. If you see a horse like him alone, it means they're liberated animals that just happened to pass by this town and we're just going to ride for a bit. Now, come on!" Scarlet explained to me. I don't really like the act of stealing stuff from people but if this is the case then I guess, we're all good here.
I then rode on the horse, with Scarlet in front of me. She seem to know her way with it. The best part is, I get to sit closer to her and she even let me hold her waist or shoulders as the horse went fast.
"Are you okay back there?" Scarlet asked.
"Oh, yes, please don't worry about me." The truth is I'm not okay. How can I be okay when she's so close to me and I get to hold her in this way! I mean it's close to being a hug. I can even smell her fragrant vanilla scent that's coming from her long, white hair. It is as if she bathed her hair in a bowl of vanilla shampoo and the whole town is drawn to its fragrance.
"Alright, Finley; we're here." Scarlet suddenly said, and I wasn't even aware that I closed my eyes while I can't help but be drawn to her scent. I know it sounds creepy but it's actually nice and I didn't meant to do it in a creepy way. She caught me with my eyes closed and I just told her that I rested my eyes for a bit as an excuse.
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