“Hi! I am aware merchants don’t typically make loads of coin, so let’s say I give you all of these four gold coins in exchange you would be so kind then to take me to Koiki?”
She stood toward the side of young man’s merchant wagon, a brisk smile on her face. Her blonde hair was short, reaching just to the top of her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight. She looked to be in her early, perhaps mid-twenties if you pushed it.
He had spotted her rather quickly as he rode over a hill, and she walked on the opposite side. At first, it seemed as though she was fearful of him, or as any young woman would be. But then, she waved, and walked toward him.
A strange woman… in a maid outfit… in the middle of nowhere…
She wore a typical maid uniform, her black long sleeves and black skirt catching Noah’s eye as he wondered what in God’s name was a maid doing asking for a ride in the middle of absolutely nothing. There weren’t even trees around in their vicinity. As he glanced at her, he could not leave a young woman alone in such a place.
The way to Koiki however, was long, it just happened that Noah was on his way there to sell bags of flour. He supposed it wouldn’t be trouble to take her there, her gender as well trapped in his decision.
I could buy a new saddle for Sara…
“Of course! There is room in the back. I must stop in Kowa first.”
She handed him the small golden coins and headed to the back. She carried no luggage, something that Noah once again, thought was very odd.
If I just said no, someone with ill intentions could come along the road.
Noah held the reins steady to bring his horse back on the way. “Giddyup.” He pulled the reins down as the old horse began to move again.
Noah turned to see her sitting under the wagon cover in the back. The only thing that was visible was her face, even her neck was covered by a black silk scarf. Quite odd. For two reasons, one, maids hardly made enough money to buy silk, let alone carry four small coins of gold. And for two, it was the beginning of spring, the weather was warm. Even Noah, who was sensitive to the cold, dressed thin on this warm day. Well, he had no reason to care, boredom was his reasons. Traveling alone for days on end could be tiring, even for quiet Noah. Counting bushes of berries was all he could do to pass the time, that and sing, though his singing voice was terrible.
She noticed him glancing then.
“Oh, pardon me, I’m Allie.”
The corners of her mouth lifted into a small smile.
“Noah Howard.”
With that he resumed his travels. He had become used to such views in his travels - hitchhikers. He mostly went from one place to another, not much change in whatever direction he went. Even when he delivered only from place to place in small cities, it was mostly the same.
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