The sun was barely up when I left the city gate. Three days until I meet Jhon again. Three days to make enough money so I don't starve.
I walked along the dirt road leading out of Baltimore. Fields on both sides. Orange trees heavy with fruit. The air smelled sweet and salty at the same time.
I needed plants. Herbs. Anything merchants bought cheap.
I remembered from the market yesterday: healing weeds, stamina grass, feverfew. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Just common stuff that grows wild and sells for a few copper.
I started picking.
First hour was easy. I filled half my bag with feverfew. The leaves were soft, green, smelled sharp.
Second hour I found a patch of stamina grass. Tall, thin blades. I pulled them carefully, roots and all. My hands got green stains. My back started aching.
I kept going.
By noon my bag was heavy. I sat under an orange tree, ate the last piece of bread I had left from the inn.
I looked at the plants.
_ This should be enough for today.
I walked back to the city.
The market square was busy. Stalls shouting prices. People pushing past each other.
I found the same herb stall from yesterday.
The old woman looked up.
Herb seller: Back already, boy?
_ Yeah. Got some feverfew and stamina grass.
She inspected the bag.
Herb seller: Not bad. Quality's decent.
She counted coins.
Herb seller: 1 silver and 20 copper.
I stared at the coins in my hand.
_ That's… it?
Herb seller: What did you expect? These grow everywhere. You're lucky I buy at all.
I nodded.
_ Thank you.
I left the stall.
1 silver and 20 copper.
Inn room costs 1 silver per night. Water is free from the well. Food… nothing.
I walked to the inn I slept in last night.
The owner took the silver without looking at me.
Owner: Same room?
_ Yeah.
I went upstairs.
The room was small. Wooden bed. One window. Smelled like dust and old straw.
I sat on the bed.
No food.
My stomach growled.
I lay down anyway.
_ Tomorrow I work harder.
I thought about the plants. About the money.
_ At least I have a roof over my head.
I closed my eyes.
The last thing I felt was the hard mattress under my back.
Then sleep took me.