The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 35: Hiding And Starving

As soon as she returned to her village, Oriana packed everything she needed for her trip to the South. Her knife was in its sheath by her belt, hidden under her outer coat, and from time to time, she kept on touching it. The familiar feel of its handle calmed her heart.

’With my knife back, I have no need to see that annoying face ever again. Good riddance!’ She looked at the pouch filled with a hundred silver coins. "Though, that filthy rich brat’s payment sure is timely. Now I don’t have to worry about traveling expenses and the cost of that herb."

"Have you finished packing, Ori?" the old man asked.

"Yes, Grandpa." She handed over a coin pouch to her grandfather. She had placed inside everything she earned from selling herbs the past few days. "This is for you grandpa. No need to be frugal. Use as much as you can when you go to town next time."

Phil frowned and pushed it back to her. "You’ll need this more than me. I still have some coins from last time. You can keep it—"

She held his wrinkled hand and put the pouch back in his hand. "Keep it, Grandpa, I have enough with me."

The old man accepted it, knowing how stubborn she could be.

Later that night, Oriana went to their neighbor after she put her grandfather to sleep. She found Gwen and asked her to look after her grandfather as she was going to be away for several days. To her relief, Luke was not in the house and she didn’t have to face him. She was worried he would inquire about her trip and it would be difficult to lie straight to his face.

Oriana then returned to her cabin to rest early. After changing out of her outside clothes and letting her long hair free from its bun, she lay on the thin mattress spread on her bed.

Her hazel eyes stared blankly at the wooden beams above her.

’I do not know if there are really spirits and gods watching over us, but if there are, please bless my trip. I must get black nightshade at all costs.’

Oriana woke up at the first crow of the roosters in the village and left home while it was still dark outside. She didn’t wake up her grandfather, and simply prepared his morning meal on the table for him to eat later.

"I will be back soon, Grandpa. Take care."

Under the veil of darkness, she traversed the shortcut through the Wimark Estate’s forest by simply relying on the visibility offered by the moonlight. Bringing a lantern would be safer, but it would alarm not only the forest creatures, but also the guards on night patrol. Because she had to be more careful on the way, her speed slowed. It took her almost two hours to reach Jerusha City.

"I hope I am not late and I catch those people. If not, then I have to leave on my own for that island."

She went straightaway to that inn where those two men, Ron and Mark, were going to meet before leaving for Azures Island.

When she reached the inn, the sun was just rising. She hid behind a large crate when she found porters loading goods inside five covered wagons.

Those two men from yesterday were talking outside the inn. She saw Mark handing over a folded paper to Ron. Ron then ordered his men to ready the horses for departure before riding the cart at the lead, next to the coachman.

’Thanks the spirits, I am not too late.’ Her eyes flickered as she studied the organization of the members of the convoy and their wagons. ’I need to hide inside one of them.’

Those covered wagons were large, the cart itself enough to fit about twenty crates, the roof frame covered with thick dark cloth. Its backside simply had a curtain instead of a bolted door, which made it easier to put and remove the goods.

’How can I sneak in one? There’s too many people.’

Aside from Ron and his servants, there were also porters driving the wagons as well as escort guards. The merchant convoy was composed of about fifteen people. Ron was riding the first wagon, while there were three guards at the rear.

After watching for some time, she found an opportunity.

’Oh? They’re leaving through the west gate, not the south?’

When the carts started moving, Oriana determined the route they were taking in her mind. The marketplace was her playground, and she knew the streets and alleys well. She ran from through the alleys parallel the road those wagons were traversing.

When at one turn the carts slowed down, Oriana took advantage of it and slipped inside the second to the last cart, immediately jumping past the curtains. Luckily, there were less than twenty wooden crates inside piled up, and there was space large enough for her on the top.

’Ugh, this smell?’

It was tanned leather.

The wagons were transporting animal hides and pelts towards Selve City on official documents.

Oriana rearranged her headwear to turn it into a mask, filtering the reek of leather as she laid on top of the crates.

’I have to be careful so I won’t get caught. Once we reach Selve City, I will ask around for the first ship bound to Azures Island. If I can’t find one, then I will also sneak in the same ship as this convoy so we can arrive together. Still, it is better I find the seller first before this Ron arrives on the island.’

Several hours passed by. When the convoy stopped at one place, Oriana peeked out of the gaps for the cloth covering.

’Tavern?’ It was a roadside tavern which was meant for travelers and mercenaries. ’Is it noon? Seems like they had stopped for food.’ She touched her stomach. ’Shall I head out to eat?’

Much to her dismay, only Ron and his servants went in. The escort guards remained in the periphery of the wagons.

’I am starving as well but if I go out now, they will discover me.’ She had strips of dried jerky packed in her bag, but they were meant for contingencies. After all, she had no idea how long the journey was towards Selve. She took out some jujube from her pocket. ’Guess I will have to make do with these berries for now.’

When Ron and his group stepped out of the tavern, only then did those guards go in to eat.

The wagons started moving again. She laid on the top of the crates like a lethargic cat.

’Seems like I am going to survive on jerky once a day till we reach Selve. If the trip takes longer than three days, I’ll run out of food and starve. I need to find an opportunity to have a meal when they stop again.’

To her surprise, hours passed by but the wagons were not stopping. It was common practice to let the horses rest every three or four hours.

’Hmm, now that I noticed I saw no village on the way? Strange. I do not recall seeing carts or carriages as well...’

Evening came but the convoy showed no signs of stopping.

’Damn these people!" she frowned as her numb limbs were making her go crazy.

Her body remained cooped up in that small place where she could hardly move. Not to mention the urge of stretching her limbs, she needed to pee. Badly.

’Feels like the entire universe is after bursting my bladder. I really need to pee now or it would be the first time I am gonna wet my clothes since I’m three.’