The continuation of Ereollyna's first adventure.
Ereollynda III
While the wagon rolled along Ereollynda asked the trade manager for work. The trade manager agreed to employ her until they reached the farthest coastal town: Oliva. They crossed a bridge over the river and a large city unfolded from the hills.
“Ah, this is the city of Calpheon,” the trade manager said, seeing her wide eyes. Ereollynda wondered what lay behind the tall wall near town. They began to lower and she could see the tops of grand buildings.
“We’ll be going around to the Northern Gate. It’s difficult to maneuver the city with a wagon,” the manager continued explaining as they turned on the path following the city walls. The Northern Gate came into view as the wagon slowly stopped.
“Wait here. I’ll let you know what needs to go where in a moment,” the trade manager said. He hopped off the wagon and met a similarly dressed man close to the gate. Ereollynda looked around the new environment curiously. Everything was bigger: the stables, the gates, the buildings. People were everywhere, trading, passing through the city, and bringing horses with other wagons.
“Okay, we’re ready,” the manager’s voice snapped Ereollynda back into focus. He showed her which shipment needed unloading and what took its place on the wagon. At first, he was understandably skeptical of her. A girl her age and size didn’t normally do physical labor. To his surprise, however, she lifted weighted boxes and barrels effortlessly. The wagon stood repacked and harnessed within the afternoon.
“We should be able to reach the next town before nightfall,” the trade manager said happily, now pleased he’d hired the girl on short notice. With business completed the manager and crew set off for the next town.
The Northern Wheat Plantation was petite compared to Calpheon City. Again the wagon stopped and the trade manager checked in. Wages were handed out for the day. Ereollynda earned enough for a hot meal and bed. She sat in the crowded tavern with her food. People talked loudly to each other over beers and plates of food. Others kept to themselves in the corners. Ereollynda simply took it all in. It felt nice to blend in with them. No one sneered at her or mumbled about her from the shadows. No one knew who she was, and it was nice. The tavern owner produced a small key for her room once Ereollynda decided to retire. She welcomed the pleasant silence that followed once she closed the door. This is one step closer, she thought, laying in the bed and tightly wrapping the light blankets around her. Despite the cold, she still found herself falling asleep effortlessly.
After a night of familiar dreams, Ereollynda and the trade wagon crew were awoken to depart. Strapping her shortsword to her waist and tying her hair, she left the small room. After turning the key back in, she joined the rest preparing to go with the wagon.
“Alright, everyone!” The trade manager emerged from the town tavern to join the group.
“We’ll head towards Florin, our next major trade stop,” he announced. As the sun rose against the jagged horizon, they all set off. The crisp autumn morning air nipped against their jackets. Reaching Florin would take most of the morning. An extra level of caution had to be taken. All the surrounding forests were filled with monsters. Straying from the path meant certain death for a bunch of traders. Ereollynda kept sharp, her head on a swivel. Thankfully, they arrived uneventfully. The same check-in routine ensued and the group waited around for instructions. Everything went as it should and by late afternoon everyone dispersed for lunch. Ereollynda sat in the late sun with a small sandwich and drink. After eating she sought out small requests in town for small things like lead sticks, a journal, and a protection gem. Like at their other stops, she eventually paid for the smallest room at the tavern. This time she made her room more comfortable. According to the manager, their stay would be lengthy. Traders with items of interest were arriving in these coming weeks. This meant work, which meant pay, so Ereollynda was content.
Those days would start to go by and sure enough more traders came into town. They gathered at the tavern and town hall and returned having made a deal. Sometimes the trade was a simple trinket or small crate. Other times half a dozen or so boxes had to be moved. Even so, Ereollynda found this work easier than timbering in the woods. All kinds of wild items and artifacts were passed from trader to trader. From the finest home decor to the grandest battle ax. Business carried on for a week or so like this. There were only a few other traders expected to pass through. Ereollynda accumulated a little collection of her own. Her wages earned her a bigger bag and a few small crystals to go with her lead and journal. She added another blanket to the shabby one in her room. She looked around at the small space she inhabited for the last few weeks. It felt nice to own her things for the first time.
By morning Ereollynda could see a problem arising for the trade manager. He saw him in a serious conversation with one of the guards at the northern post. A frown continually came to his face. Eventually, the trade manager came back shaking his head.
“They aren’t going to let us through,” he stated angrily.
“The masked owls have aggressively taken over the trade route. It’s too dangerous, especially for any kind of wagon.” The manager crossed his arms in frustration, his mind beginning to calculate the detour. Overhearing this, Ereollynda realized they weren’t getting any farther north this way.
“How far is the next town?” Ereollynda asked after some time.
“Are you thinking of going yourself!?” The trade manager exclaimed to the girl.
“... My objective is to get to the farthest town to the north,” she replied plainly. She would rather not waste time turning around.
“A kid like you shouldn’t be in those woods herself,” the trade manager rebutted. After a short silence, the manager could see her mind wouldn't be changed. He sighed.
“Alright…” The manager pulled a map from one of the crates and spread it out. He pointed to various locations: The town she’d found, Calpheon City, and the road from the Wheat Plantation to Florin.
“And here-” the manager traced his finger farther north to the town near the coast.
“-is the town of Olvia. The northmost town in the region.” Ereollynda gazed upon the world on paper for the first time, following the manager’s finger. She nodded when he pointed to Olvia.
“You’ll follow this path here. After here, the road becomes dangerous,” he gestured to a part of the journey going around the mountain range.
“According to the guards, most of this area’s been overrun by the masked owls.”
“And what if I cut across here?” Ereollynda moved her finger across, cutting through the mountain range.
“It’s unpredictable and more dangerous to go through the mountains,” the manager said with a concerned frown. The girl knew nothing about the terrain. She silently stared at the map, hoping her mind would memorize the area.
“Thank you for showing me,” Ereollynda finally said before walking back towards the tavern. The trade manager was still quite troubled, but no one could stop the girl from leaving.
The next crisp morning came, and Ereollynda packed her belongings. She planned to leave before the town awoke; avoiding the soldiers would be easy. Silently, she placed the key to her room on the front desk. The door quietly latched and Ereollynda turned to leave Florin through the surrounding brush.
“Not even going to say goodbye?” The trade manager rested against the side of the tavern. The girl stopped in her tracks and spun around. He laughed at her expression and uncrossed his arms.
“No need to look so surprised,” he laughed again.
“Look, you’re not my kid, so I can’t tell you what to do,” he shrugged, stepping forward. From his bag, he produced the map they’d looked at yesterday.
“Take it with you. You’ll need it if you’re going out there alone.” The manager held it out to Ereollynda.
“I… Thank you,” she hesitated, then took the map from his hands. She carefully put the piece of parchment in her bag.
“I won’t forget you all,” she said. The trade manager laughed again.
“Stay alive and get to Olvia. We’ll see you in a few months that way,” he replied with a wave. Ereollynda turned again and her small figure disappeared into the treeline.
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