(clop) (clop) (clop)
The carriage rolled on slowly through the forest path. Jhon was humming some old tune while holding the reins. I sat in the back, legs dangling, watching the trees slide past.
We had camped the previous night without any trouble. No bandits. No monsters. No strange noises in the dark. Just crickets and the fire popping.
Still… something felt off.
Every time a branch snapped in the distance I tensed up a little. Every shadow between the trees seemed to move just a second too long. I kept glancing over my shoulder even though Jhon said the road was quiet this time of year.
_ …nothing's gonna happen, right?
Jhon chuckled without turning.
(Jhon) Kid, you've been asking that every hour since we stopped yesterday. Relax. This stretch is boring as hell. That's why I like it.
I tried to relax. I really did. But there was this little feeling in the back of my head. Like something was watching. Or waiting.
I couldn't place it.
The next morning the scenery started changing.
The forest thinned out. You could smell the sea in the air now — salty, fresh, mixed with something sweet like citrus. The road widened and fields of orange trees stretched on both sides. The sun hit the leaves just right and everything looked golden.
Jhon pointed ahead with his chin.
(Jhon) See those walls in the distance? That's Baltimore. Big trading port. Lots of ships, lots of people, lots of chances to make coin.
We kept going.
A bit later we spotted a lone merchant cart stopped on the side of the road. The guy was fixing one of the wheels, sweating under the sun.
He looked around forty, kinda thin, with messy brown hair and a tired face. Clothes simple and dusty. Nothing special. Easy to forget. Eyes light brown, almost plain. His name was something like… Mr. Reed? Yeah. Mr. Reed.
Jhon slowed the carriage.
(Jhon) Need help, friend?
Mr. Reed looked up and wiped his forehead.
(Mr. Reed) Ah, no no, I got it. Just a loose bolt. You boys heading to Baltimore?
_ Yeah.
We ended up chatting while he finished the wheel.
I asked about some goods — sugar, salt, pepper, and a few more spices. Where to get them cheap and how much they usually cost around here.
Mr. Reed scratched his head.
(Mr. Reed) Salt and pepper you can get pretty cheap near the docks. Sugar is more expensive this season 'cause the last shipment got delayed by storms. If you want good spices, go to the old market square, not the main one. The old one has better prices but you gotta bargain hard.
I reached into my pocket to pay him for the info, like a normal person would.
…nothing.
I had no money.
I looked at Jhon with the most pleading eyes I could make.
Jhon stared at me for two seconds, then sighed like he was already tired of my shit.
(Jhon) …seriously?
He pulled out a few coins and handed them to Mr. Reed anyway.
_ I owe you one.
(Jhon) Yeah yeah, you owe me a lot more than one at this point, kid.
We said goodbye to Mr. Reed and kept moving.
The closer we got to Baltimore, the more alive the road became. More carts, more people walking, more noise in the distance. You could already see the tall walls and the masts of ships behind them.
When we finally reached the big city gate, Jhon stopped the carriage.
(Jhon) Alright. This is where we split. I gotta finish my delivery on the north side. You do whatever you gotta do to make some coin.
_ Yeah… I'll manage.
I jumped down.
_ We meet back here in three days, right? Same gate.
(Jhon) Three days. Don't be late or I'm leaving without you.
He gave me a small wave and drove off.
I stood there for a moment, watching the carriage disappear into the crowd.
_ …okay.
Time to figure out how to survive in a new city with zero money.