Immediately I spot the wagon— I run toward it as fast as I can. I don't want to waste another second in this place.
My pace quickens with each step. And now, as I'm about five steps away from the wagon— I leap.
Thump!
"Neigggghhh" the horse's cry echoes throughout the dark street as I land on it.
It's a one-horse-drawn wagon.
From untop the horse, I take off the bag hanging on my shoulder, and without looking back— I throw it inside the wagon.
"Hyaa!" I yell as I fling the rope connected to the mouth of the horse.
But the horse.. it isn't moving. It's just standing still.
What the?
Again, I fling the rope.. but it's still standing there.
A deep sigh escapes my lips.
"I should have learned how to ride a horse. Now how the hell am I supposed to get out of here?" I keep flinging but the horse still isn't moving.
I'm gonna go by foot.
As I twist my waist— preparing to step down from the horse, I hear—
"So you do need someone to help you after all."
That voice...
"Jennette? What the hell?"
My neck moves before my thoughts, and my eyes focus on Jennette's figure— crouched inside the wagon, smiling at me, while holding the bag i threw in earlier, and a red robe.
Her broad smile widens as she nods.
"Yes?" Her voice is hushed— barely above a whisper.. but it still contains writhing excitement.
"What are y—... No, that can wait until I'm out of here.. do you know how to ride a horse?"
I don't know why she's smiling so hard but.. she's smiling hard. And then she nods, "I used to ride horses all the time before I became a merc— a maid."
Huh? But, isn't she a commoner? Where would a commoner get a ho–
I shake my head, I don't care about that, all I care about is now. "Then, please, help me."
"Alright." She bends her head— slowly making her way out of the wagon, and she sits on the horse; flicking her fingers for me to go into the wagon, and I do so.
I thought there'd be hay or something in here but it's just a hard wooden plank.
"Ah, it's been a while." She exclaims— her tone reminiscent.
I ignore her, looking for a soft spot on the wagon where I sit down.
"Let's start going already."
"Yes, yes. But where to?"
I don't answer, intentionally dragging the silence, then I say, "Ludia."
A soft chuckle leaves her mouth, "the city of beginnings, huh... Hyaa!"
"Neigggghhh!"
As soon as she flings the rein on the horse— the horse starts running.
Life is unfair.
In the wagon, my gaze falls at the robe lying gently beside my bag.
Nice, it's exactly what I wanted. A hooded robe. Although I'd have loved it if it was black, I'll still take it.
My eyes scan the red robe. And I remember the creepy smile on Alexander's face when I asked him why the Flameworths are obsessed with the color red. He just said that red signifies strength.
A chuckle escapes my throat.
That madman.
The movement has been smooth so far. But the question still lingering in my mind is—
How the hell did Jennette get here? And why?
I didn't tell anyone my plans. Well, apart from Alexa–
Oh no. That maniac!
A soft sigh breaks out as I rub my forehead, in a meager effort to melt away the rising headache.
"Guess I won't be needing that map anytime soon since she knows the place," I mutter under my breath as I tuck the map deep inside my bag.
The red robe on my hand— I squeeze it, the soft fabric dancing in my palms, and then I outline the golden veins on it.
It's beautiful.
And then I put it on.
It's a bit.. heavy.
I adjust the robe on my body— making it fit well. And I draw in a warm breath. And then I breathe it out.
Peace.
"I'm going to take a little nap Jennette, and when I wake up.. you're gonna have to explain yourself." My voice is blunt and stern, but soft with fatigue as I speak.
I think she replies yes, but I don't hear it. The sleep is clawing at me. And I rest my head on my bag, to answer the call of this sweet sleep.
And Jennette's view in front of me slowly fades as I shut my eyes.
***
My eyes slowly open— taking in the blinding light of the sun, seeping in from outside— through the wagon.
It's morning huh? I really slept.
The bumpy movement of the wagon causes my body to shake slightly— mostly when we pass through galloping roads.
Jennette is still awake and riding.
"Ah, you finally woke up young master." Her voice— calm and soothing, greets me.
But I don't respond, I just sit down on the wooden floor of the wagon. In a lotus position— to begin my daily mana gathering.
"A diligent mage." I hear her chuckling as she steals glances at me, watching me meditate and gather mana.
"You have some explaining to do Jennette." I speak curtly, my tone leaving no room for jokes.
She sighs, "you know, I used to live in Ludia." her low voice is mixed with splinters of nostalgia. "Back then, I was still a young, first-circle air mage. I had big dreams. Dreams to one day become an Archmage— an eight circle air mage.
But my dreams got shattered by reality. That's how unfair life is— it shatters your hope and it makes you realize that the world outside your home isn't gonna bend to your will.
All dreamers have to wake up someday."
My brows furrow, and a frown forms on my forehead.
Why is she suddenly telling me her life story? It's not gonna make me forget that she snuck in here.
"You're not gonna make me—"
"I was rebellious."
A resigned sigh leaves my lips.
Why the hell is she giving a speech?
"I ran away from my family back in the north. It was discovered that I had no talent, and they wanted me to become a scholar. I ran far away from my family, and I ended up in Ludia. My stupid, childish dream of becoming an archmage made me do it.
But when I went to Ludia, I decided to become a mercenary, and cultivate my strength slowly— to maybe one day become an archmage.
But.. I just couldn't get pass the damn second circle!" the pain in her voice.. it's palpable. Her voice is strained, and shaky. I think she's shedding tears, but I can't see her, I only see the back of her maid uniform as she rides the horse.
Stories like this make me remember that.. I'm not the only one with a sob story. Neither am I the only one who fate decided to play around with.
"And after I tried all I could— I gave up. I couldn't even keep up with the heavy tasks that came with being a mercenary.
So I quit, or more like ran away. Again. But I couldn't go back home.. that's when I decided to go west. Here, I got a job as a shoe cleaner, and I was barely making about ten bronze coins a week, just scraping by.
But that's when I met her. When I met your mother, Alice.
She was and still is the best friend I've ever had. She pulled me out of the darkness and depression I was trapped in."
Oh.. it's getting to the climax?