He had seen interesting sights, yet, although it had become normal for him. He even came across a dead body which caused a whole rift in his delivery of baskets of cheese.

“I can give you more gold when we arrive in Koiki. Would that be well for you?”

Allie suddenly asked, breaking Noah’s train of thought.

He waved his hand. “I am on my way there myself actually.”

“…I see… Oh you are delivering flour?”

“I am,” he replied, with a friendly smile.

No luggage…

The fact of her lacking in baggage really bothered Noah. There were always three types of hitchhikers. Runaway slaves occasionally with bags, drunk men with no baggage, or criminals. He wondered which one he had picked up.

One bush of berries…

Two bush of berries…

Three bush of berries…

He had not thought of this, he suspected the woman had likely been desperate, hence asking a strange man, who could take advantage of her, to take her to Koiki. That or perhaps, she had stolen those golden coins and escaped from the family she worked for, perhaps she was a slave or an indentured servant. Her uniform inferred she likely worked for a wealthy house.

It was then, that he realized he did not particularly care where she had gotten those golden coins from. She did not look like a violent person, he supposed he would find out soon if she intended to rob him. Why, would she rob people dressed as a maid, an obvious outfit? She did not seem mentally unwell.

Gold is gold. All the same.

He turned his head to look at Allie, who had fallen asleep, her head resting against the side of the wagon, and her hands covered with black gloves on her lap. He thought it odd that a young woman would be so trusting to sleep in a strangers wagon, or perhaps she was merely desperate.

The hour went by quickly as he pulled to a stop near the opening of a forest. The grass was finally growing as summer would soon approach in a mere three months. He stepped off the wagon and quietly unhooked his horse, Sara from the wagon, leading her to a tree, and tying her there. She was a strong, yet old horse. Her mane was a golden blonde, and her body brown. She was quite a horse for a merchant, though soon, she would have to retire.

He made his way to the back of the wagon, seeing Allie had not even stirred. She seemed awfully tired. He supposed she had been on the road for a while. Her clothes were all dirty and grass stained - as if she had been laying on the ground at some point. Her hair was oily and messy, clearly lacking any sort of bath in a while. She was a pretty woman, even Noah could not deny that. He lacked an interest in women, at least somewhat. Marriage was not something a merchant did. He would travel back and forth along the northern part of the island until his death. Merchants did not make enough money to retire.

Twas a in valued yet valuable job for a man who had not had the opportunity to be born into wealth or attend a university.