The Price [ Eragos ]
Mist pushed over the ground in the early morning, making the dirt roads hazy under the rising sun. Frost cracked free of the trees and filled the fields with soft noise. Lady Cithia had a smile on her face. The King's brow was not as creased as it was the night before. They were nearing Rutelas. The thatch roofs poked through the haze like miniature mountain peaks. An insignificant circle of cottages in the shadow of the forest, the village was not enough to be considered civilization. Farmers were known to enter the wilderness for the sake of finding "gold soil"; they worked the land and brought their goods into the centers of commerce hoping to create the premium product. By making a name for themselves, a name was earned for the village. That village had the potential to lay the groundwork for a town and one day, a city. Oisea was such a village once. It was a lucrative and dangerous venture, but a respectable one considering the luck involved. Vera chose to enter Rutelas because of its obscurity. This was a new settlement. The wood used to build the homes still looked fresh. No one would believe a princess would seek rest here.
Since there were no established store or inn, Vera had her party rest their horses in front of a farmer's house. She paid the man in gold for the use of the space and water. The farmer was shocked enough by her use of wealth to keep quiet. Gold was hard to come by in a place like this. Vera was here for the small market that nomads set up in the center of the village. She explained this to Lady Cithia as the girl kept up with Vera's brisk walking pace -- the princess did not seem to believe in slow grace as much as she used to. Caravans were not uncommon so close to the Gate. Traveling merchants would do anything to get some profit before having to travel the human misery dwelling between Malondir and Astora.
"What do you want to buy?" Lady Cithia asked. "Do you think they have fruit?"
Vera laughed. Fruit in winter. She shook her head. "We're here for supplies. Our traveling is far from done, my Lady, and we lost some in our run through the Gate."
There was also the small chance that they might stumble across a horse suitable for making the ride to the capitol with them. Although Gildas was easy when having two people on his back, it made defensive maneuvers far easier if Eragos rode separately from the Princess. There was also the princess' image to consider. Riding into Malondir with a man was not appropriate for a woman of rank. Enough tension was pushing on the negotiations without starting something with Malondir's prince.
She was again reminded of the distant end to their journey. Eragos' brief humorous answer to her question at the campfire stuck in her brain -- sleep. She wondered if she would have the opportunity to sleep when the princess was safe. She wondered if she should have invited Eragos to Simanel last night. There was always an honest job in Simanel. There was no need for him to be a mercenary after all this was done. At the same time, offering him work was a line she didn't feel she had the right to cross just yet. They were barely friends. He might come to think she was trying to be charitable, rather than kind.
Vera drew up her hood and kept Lady Cithia close as they approached the small marketplace. Lacking in civilization or not, she only trusted merchants as far as she could throw them. Eragos and the King walked not far behind. Eragos would have to be their eyes while she tried to bargain. Her mask was over her face now. Her uniform was usually helpful in rural areas because people believed her to be part of a religious order or knighthood. People were always easier to influence when they thought one believed in the divine.
She stopped first at a small stand of dried meats. The vendor stood beside the salt pork with a large grin.
"I prefer rabbit," Lady Cithia said to Vera. "This is disgusti--"
Vera gave the princess a sharp look. If she could have told a monarch to shut up, she would have. Instead, she turned her eyes on the offended merchant and did her best to convey a charming smile behind her mask. It didn't matter, she thought. Damage done. The price here was going to be high.