Chương 14: “Would You Like to Play a Game?”

Ch 14 "Would You Like to Play a Game?"

The morning of the fifth day broke with a golden hue that seemed to set the entire horizon aflame. Amber marched along at her designated position near the middle of the caravan, her guardsmen spear resting against her shoulder as she watched the landscape transform before her eyes. What had been rolling hills and scattered farmland had given way to an endless expanse of wheat fields, their stalks swaying in the gentle breeze like waves upon a great golden ocean.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" came a voice from the carriage beside her. Amber turned to find Lulu sticking her torso out of the carriage curtain, her eyes wide with wonder and excitement as she took in the sight.

"It is," Amber agreed, "I've heard stories of the Golden Sea, but seeing it in person is…wild!"

"They say Golden Sea City gets its name from this very sight," Lulu said, gesturing toward the wheat fields that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"It's one of the largest grain-producing areas in the province." As if on cue, they heard the caravan leader's thunderous voice call out, "Golden Sea City ahead! We'll be stopping for supplies and rest!" They hadn't seen Guren in days, but they always heard him. She wondered if he was a cultivator as well. He certainly had the lungs of one. The city walls came into view as they crested the next hill. The walls were tall and imposing, built from pale yellow stone that seemed to glow in the sunlight.

Guard towers punctuated the walls at regular intervals, and Amber could make out the distant figures of sentries keeping watch. The main gates stood open, welcoming the steady stream of merchants, travelers, and farmers bringing their goods to market. As the caravan rolled through the gates and into the proper city, Amber felt her breath catch in her throat. Golden Sea City was unlike anything she had ever seen. It was bigger than Green Wood village by a hundredfold, maybe more.

The streets were so wide that three wagons could roll side by side with room to spare, and they were lined with buildings that rose two, even three stories high! The sheer number of people made her dizzy. And the smells! Fresh bread baking in quantities she couldn't fathom, roasting meat which she couldn't name, spices she had only heard of in passing, and underneath it all, the familiar but overwhelming scent of fresh grain from the surrounding fields.

The caravan Leader directed them to a large courtyard near the city's center, where they would make camp for the night. As the wagons were secured and the horses were tended to, Amber took up her position, her eyes scanning the area for any potential threats. It was her duty to remain with the caravan, to ensure the safety of the goods and passengers under her protection. She watched as other non-guard members of the caravan began to disperse, eager to explore the city's offerings.

Merchants headed off to negotiate deals, drivers sought out taverns, and passengers stretched their legs after days of confinement. Amber remained at her post, her spear planted firmly beside her.

"Amber!" Lulu's voice called out, and the young woman approached with an excited spring in her step.

"Are you going to explore the city? I've heard their marketplace is absolutely wonderful!"

"I'm on duty," Amber replied, keeping her tone professional despite the disappointment she felt.

"I need to stay with the caravan." Lulu's face fell slightly, but then brightened with an idea.

"What if... what if I asked Captain Dante if you could accompany me? As my guard, I mean. Surely that would still be within your duties?" Before Amber could respond, Lulu had already hurried off toward where Dante, the caravan's Guard Captain, was overseeing the securing of the wagons. Amber watched, half-hoping and half-dreading what the answer might be. A few minutes later, Lulu returned with Dante in tow. The grizzled veteran looked Amber up and down with his sharp eyes.

"Miss Solrose tells me she'd like to visit the marketplace and wants you as her escort," Dante said, his voice low but not unkind.

"Given that she's one of our passengers and her safety is part of our contract, I don't see why not. But you're responsible for her safety, understand? And I want you both back before sunset."

"Yes sir!" Amber said, trying to keep the excitement from her voice.

"I'll guard her with my life." She puffed her chest out and tried to look dependable.

"Hmm. Good. But you can't carry spears in the city if you're not in direct caravan procession. Leave it behind," The guard Captain said. Amber looked fondly at her spear. It's presence had grown comforting to her. She had already spent every moment with it, thrusting it thousands of times already. Every time she thrust it she imagined how easy killing Wild Hog's men who had surrounded her would have been. She did not want to leave it behind.

"You got it!" Lulu's excited was evident.

"Yes, sir!" Amber put her grief to the side and tried to lean into her excitement as to not dampen the moment. Dante nodded and waved them off, already turning his attention to other matters.

"Come on!" Lulu grabbed Amber's hand, her enthusiasm infectious.

"I've been reading about Golden Sea City's marketplace for weeks. They have traders from all over the province, and the herb shops are supposed to be exceptional!" As they made their way through the city streets, Amber found herself swept up in the vibrant atmosphere. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Oh my! Look over there!" Lulu shook Amber's shoulder.

"That man is breathing fire!"

"We have one of those in our caravan!" Amber laughed.

"Oh yeah, Ember was it? I want to meet her! She sounds soooo interesting! I wonder if she's visiting the city too!" Lulu smiled.

"I wonder what she would want to do in the city?" Amber thought out loud.

"Oh, Amber, look at this!" Lulu exclaimed, pulling her toward a stall displaying intricate jade carvings.

"And over there! Those ceramics are from the southern provinces!" The gleaming wares reflects in the wide eyes of the girls as they observed such artistry unbeknown to their small villages. The stall owners frowned at the countryside girls, knowing there was no profit to be made, only dirty fingers that wanted to sully their wares. The girls were too focused to notice. Suddenly, Amber was distracted.

"Lulu! Do you smell that?" The blonde girl paused and stuck her nose up in the air. They looked at each other at the same time and exclaimed, "Fresh bread!" The kind looking old man at the stall saw the enthusiastic young girls in heaven smelling the aromatic loafs.

"Oh ho, caught your attention I see? Come, you two can have a piece for free." He beckoned them with a wave. The delicious aroma was incredible! All the bread she had tried in her life was dry, stale, or both. It was also often bread without yeast or salt.

"Please sir, no need! I have plenty of money!" Lulu took out a plump coin purse and held it high.

"Put that away young lady! You don't want to be flashing how much money you have. I can see that you two are travelers, save your money for your future hardships. Today, the bread is on me!"

"Thank you sir!" They both said. Amber nearly teared up at the kindness but withheld it to not look like a crybaby. She just could have never imagined there were such kind people in the world!

"Be more careful now young ladies. But enjoy Golden Sea City!"

"Thank you sir!" The girls were filed with joy and bowed, before going on their merry way to explore the city. They ate their delicious bread in silence, savoring each bite, the soft texture and subtle sweetness far superior to anything Amber had ever tasted back in Green Wood village. The warm, buttery aroma lingered as they strolled further into the city, their spirits lifted by the old man's kindness and the simple pleasure of good food shared between friends.

"We need to ask somebody where the apothecary is," Lulu said, making sure to not miss the crumbs on her face.

"I have a whole list of herbs I want to buy!"

"Excuse me," a voice spoke to them from behind.

"I happen to be headed to the Apothecary right now… If you are looking to go, I would be happy to guide you." The two turned to see a tall man with his face hidden beneath a dark cloak. They looked at each other for a moment then looked back at the man.

"You said… you know where the apothecary is?" Lulu asked.

"Yes, of course, I'm headed there now. Feel free to follow me there, or not." The man began to walk off.

"Let's ask someone else," Amber said, watching him walk away.

"He's going straight there, it'll be faster than asking someone! I know he looked a bit scary but, people are SO nice here! Just like the kind old man that gave us bread."

"Yeah but-" Amber's words dropped off as Lulu was already headed after the man. Suddenly, Amber felt her palm burning. She looked down in disbelief as a spiral surrounded by several black circles appeared on her palm. Amber stared in shock as she recognized the symbol. She could never forget the look of shock on her mother's face the day demons attacked Green Wood. She had known they were coming before anyone else. Specifically because the same inking mark had appeared on her hand. Why do I have it now?

She thought as her mind began to whirl. I didn't even have it the last time demons attacked! She looked around quickly, a bead of sweat running down her face. There was no time to think about why she had it now. What was activating it? Was there a demon around? She looked left and right as she saw nothing but rivers of moving people. There was too much bustling activity in Golden Sea City to really tell.

"Come on, Amber! I'll be safe if I have my bodyguard anyway!" Lulu called back to her, before continuing to pursue the man who was getting farther away.

"Lulu, wait!" Amber called, but Lulu was already gone. She sighed and jogged after the blonde head in the crowd of city farers. Her mind was running wild as they traveled. Lulu was excitedly yapping about herbs, but Amber couldn't hear her. When did she get the same mark as her mother? What awakened it now? Was a demon really near? Did it have something to do with the Saint Tiger blood? They walked and walked until Amber started to notice there were less and less people around, jolting her out of her thoughts.

The buildings were also increasingly shabbier and dirtier as they walked.

"Hey Lulu, I think-""We're here." Amber was cut off by the tall cloaked man announcing their arrival at their destination. They stood in front of a dilapidated wooden building with no signs. She looked down at her palm. The mark was no longer there, and she felt nothing.

"This is it?" Amber asked, her voice full of suspicion.

"Yes."

"Why is it so far from the market center?" Amber wasn't convinced.

"The Owner doesn't like noise," the tall man stated plainly as he disappeared into the entrance.

"We're heading back," Amber said, as the two girls were once again alone.

"We're already here, let's just take a look!" Lulu was already through the door. Amber sighed again. As she crossed into the building after her blonde companion, she looked around. The interior of the shop matched its exterior with worn and dusty wooden walls. Glass jars of various sizes sat haphazardly arranged, as if it was a workshop rather than a store. The air was thick with the musty scent of old herbs and something else Amber couldn't quite place.

Behind a crooked counter sat an elderly man, his face so deeply wrinkled it seemed carved from ancient bark. His eyes, however, were sharp and clear, studying the two young women with an intensity that made Amber instinctively step closer to Lulu. The tall cloaked man had vanished somewhere into the back of the shop, leaving them alone with the mysterious elder.

"Well, well," the old man's voice was surprisingly strong, but creaky.

"Two young ladies seeking herbs I presume?" Lulu stepped forward, her earlier enthusiasm a bit looser after meeting the elder.

"I'm looking for medicinal herbs, sir. I've been studying Herbology and I have a list—""A list," the elder interrupted, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips.

"Do you know what the things you're actually looking for are? Tell me, what would you use Mountain Tar Root for?" Lulu blinked, then her eyes lit up with recognition.

"Mountain Tar Root? It's primarily used to treat fever and inflammation, but it must be harvested during the autumn months when the Qi concentration is highest. If picked at the wrong time, it loses most of its medicinal properties and can even cause mild poisoning." Amber watched as the old man's expression shifted from mild curiosity to genuine interest. He leaned forward on his counter.

"You've studied well, young lady." He paused, studying Lulu more carefully.

"You're from a medicinal family?"

"No, I am a humble student under our village's Apothecarist." Lulu said with a small respectful bow towards the old man.

"I only seek to bring prosperity to my family and my village. I have had the good fortune to have access to a few books that I have memorized backwards and forwards." Amber was a bit surprised at hearing the easygoing blonde girl speak so formally for the first time.

"Interesting." The elder stroked his beard, lost in thought. Finally, he cracked a smile.

"Would you like to play a small game I wonder?"