A Drop of Moonlight

Chapter 9: Worries

The village was small as expected for those in the remote areas. However, Denise did not expect them to be really small. Like she barely sees anything on the stalls that is actually purchasable for her.

Rufus did not say much, but Denise could sense that he doesn't like the wares being sold to them. After all, he is an elf who is more or less used to quality products produced by themselves or their loved ones. Seeing some of the sellers actively trying to sell them subpar things truly touched his pet peeves.

Regardless of what they thought of the matter, they quickly selected what they can use among the selection they have. It would be better to have something than nothing at all. Especially at preserved foods that are a must in a long journey. It will not be a funny topic that they had survived slavers only to die of starvation. Actual slaves will probably have less will to defend themselves if they heard such tales.

Negotiating with the vendors for a bargain, Denise was able to haul a considerable amount of preserved foods. While she learned how to make her own preserve foods, those that she made that were successful were not yet ready to be taken out so they had to be left regrettably. And even if they are ready, Denise has no plans to take them as a form of payment for Fedikano teaching her precious knowledge during her stay.

Heaving her gains, she proudly showed them to Rufus who did not hold back in criticizing her. Her bag look too stuffy and if one does not know what it contains, it looked like a heavy luggage of treasure. In Rufus' words she looks like a walking bait for bandits.

Denise pouted at Rufus' words and decided to stuff some of her gain to the other's bag. Because if he is going to comment about it, he should share the burden if don't want to be bothered by it. She allowed no refusal and imposed the other with a glare when he looked like he was about to oppose her actions.

Rufus shut his mouth seeing the other's glare. The girl doesn't look intimidating, however knowing her for a period of time, he knew that she does not take kindly to being opposed without rhyme or reason. Her revenge was never tranquil and is more of the violent side of things when given a chance to strike.

Without a word, Rufus only secured their food reserves and decided not to talk much.

Satisfied with the other's obedience, Denise happily asked around the village for a ride to the nearest town or city. Only when she is on a much more prosperous side of the kingdom will she get a proper idea of where she is and where she will go to find her way home. Though she might need to secure some actual money to survive those kinds of places.

"I think we will have to sell some of my potions to cover the cost of living." Denise said as she waited for the carriages that the villagers said to pass by around this time and day.

"It is your choice." Rufus said as he raised his head and looked at the clear blue skies. "As long as you are careful enough, you can sell your wares and live well."

"Right." Denise said as she began thinking of where it is appropriate to sell her potions. "Would the pharmacy be a good place to sell them off?"

"Who knows. Answers come when you get there." Rufus said aloofly as his ears picked up the sound of hooves in the distance. "No one knows what the outcome would be if you still haven't done any action yet."

"Well, in terms of security, selling them at pharmacies is not really ideal." Denise rambled. "With a close knit circle, competitors will more or less target us should my options prove to be a great business for them."

"Typical human behavior." Rufus snorted.

"Excuse me." Denise said as he reminded him that she is in fact a human before him. Rufus looked at her passively before deciding not to comment about it any more.

"Other than the pharmacy, an auction came to mind." Denise said as she decided not to corner the other for now. "Do you think my potions would be worth it?"

“Same level of threat will still come to you.” Rufus commented. “Only difference in choosing to sell your wares to the auction was that the one who will deal with you will be those people with considerable powers.”

“Does that mean it is impossible to make a living with potions?” Denise said as she did not expect things to be quite hard even if she did have a means for their livelihood.

“It is not that it is impossible, rather it is more on the question of how you can keep your identity a secret to sell them.” Rufus tried to amend the situation. “That you if you are strong enough not to be targeted by those with sinister goals.”

Denise thought about it and thinks that the reasoning was reasonable enough. She just needs to be careful or be powerful enough to not be targeted. Both are daunting tasks, but she will think of a way when they do get in a much more populous city.

As she was brooding, a caravan finally reached their location. Like what the villagers said, they are traveling carriages that carry people from place to place. It was a much more secure way of traveling and has been a popular form of transportation across the continent.

Denise came to find the person in charge and told them their desire to ride along. The man was a generous guy and said that it is fine as long as they can pay for their fares, which was no problem as Denise was given enough currency by Fedikano to cover their travel expenses.

The person in charge happily took the money happily and assigned them to a carriage. Denise dragged Rufus along with her to their assigned carriage. The guy was quite resistant being in the proximity of many humans, but he did not resist Denise’s manhandling him.

Like an obedient child, the elf was well-behaved once they were seated in the carriage. Though he was not uncomfortable, he made sure to get a good look at their carriage mates for a good measure. Spotting a certain person among their carriage mates, Rufus told Denise that their journey will be fraught with dangers.