SURVIVORS
Chapters 179. Caravan trade
Morning time.
Leon and Jane begin opening their cart contents to sell. Leon noticed the prices of other traders at that place. He didn't want to incite hostility if the price was too low.
Jane helped serve from the back of the cart. But this time his body and face were covered by Leon. However, Leon doesn't want anything bad to happen to Jane.
By late afternoon, their trading was up. And they get enough grain, potatoes and a little dried fruit, milk and cheese. With a little excess of their money, Leon buys new shoes for Jane and herself. Leon is determined to buy new clothes if they sell to the city again.
"Do you want to go home now?" ask the old man who was selling next to Leon.
"What's uncle?" leon asked while fixing their groceries.
"Nights outside the city walls can be very dangerous. Many robbers operate in the desert. And they're notoriously ruthless merciless." The old man explained.
"Alright uncle. Thanks for your warning. Maybe we'll stay here again last night." Reply Leon.
*
That night they stayed in town. Leon felt the old man next to them was a pretty good person. He wants to find out about Jane's family.
"Uncle, have any of the merchants here ever been robbed in the desert?" Leon started the conversation.
"A few have been hit. The distance between the cities is too far, making us unable to bring merchandise to other cities. Overnight on the road is too dangerous." Answer the old man.
"It's dangerous." Leon nodded in agreement.
"The most terrible robbery was the one that happened a few dozen years ago." The old man connected the story.
Leon was interested. So he listened enthusiastically.
"What's going on?" ask Leon.
"There's another city's trade caravan coming here. Their merchandise sells hard. He also brought a lot of stuff from here on his way back to his town." The old man shook his head.
Leon waited patiently for the story to continue.
"Some of the merchants here felt interested in joining their caravan. I am also interested in joining. I was young then. In addition to wanting to complain about fate, also because the caravan hired a lot of security personnel. When they come, everything is safe. But I remember my wife who was close to giving birth. So I'm not joining." continued the old man.
"Then?" ask Leon impatiently.
On the way, they had to spend the night. But the night did not end peacefully. A group of sadistic robbers attacked them. Security groups cannot protect the growing number of caravans. They fight to defend their lives. But many died there. Some of the injured were still able to run back towards this city. Other traders found them early in the morning. It was from those people that the news of the robbery was known. The city leader along with his troops chased to that place. And just finding chaos and corpses. They were transported and buried outside the city walls." The old man looked at the dark sky.
"If I were to leave that day, we wouldn't be able to talk like this. Nor can I see my son born."
"It was a terrible thing" Leon commented.
"yeah. From that moment on I decided to be patient and trade in this city alone. Although it was only a small town, but the leader of this city was very concerned about the safety of the merchants. We can spend the night inside the city walls if we arrive at the gate at dusk. It is not recommended to spend the night outside the walls." The old man smiled faintly.
"The leader of a good city." Praise Leon. The old man agreed.
"Thankfully they didn't bring any family or children. That would be even more awful." Leon was fishing for another story from the old man.
"I've heard of the journey of one noble family that was robbed in the desert." Another trader joined the conversation.
"Ah, how's your business today?" Greet the old man kindly. It seemed that he knew almost all the merchants in that place.
"As usual. As long as it can meet the demands of the wife and child, then it's good." The man smiled broadly.
Now they talk three. Talk pleasantries that Leon doesn't understand.
"Uncle, so how's the story of the noble family being robbed?" Leon returned their subject.
"Said, at that time they intended to take the bride to this city. They also have guards. Old man, do you remember the second wife of the city leader?" The man turned his eyes to the old man.
"What's going on? Was the second wife of the city leader robbed?" Leon went back to fishing.
"No. The noble family managed to drive their daughter safely here. The party is held for 2 days. The group was robbed on their return. No one survived. Even the bride's sister went missing without a trace." The man shook his head.
"Direful. Did they kidnap her?" muttered Leon.
"That's possible. I heard her sister was a little girl. I can't imagine what happened to him after that." The man shuddered in horror.
"But after that incident, the city leaders made a new policy. He allowed every merchant to take refuge within the city walls when night fell."
Leon. Could Jane be the little girl that went missing? If that were true, then the second wife of the city leader was her brother.
'I must investigate this carefully' Leon's inner self.
*
*
In the morning, the group of swordsmen went out of the city gate. Leon and Jane also return to push their carts.
"Well we meet again."
Shouted them to each other, then parted towards each other's direction.
Leon and Jane walked in silence. They must pass through the hill as soon as possible to reach the house in the evening. Leon begins to realize the menacing danger in that place. Not wild animals, but vile humans who rob others of their labor.
It also adds to the burden of Leon's mind. He has only 3 choices now. Find Jane's family to keep the woman safe, or accompany her to stay by the beach forever. Or other choices that are really bad, take him and adventure to find a way home. Could it?
The day had been high as they reached the top of the rocky hill. They rested for a while and filled their stomachs with a piece of bread and milk they bought in the city. Jane looks good when she eats it. Her eyes even water when she gulps the milk Leon gave her.
Leon felt pity in his heart.
'It's been a few years since this woman got ill-treated. Maybe he hasn't eaten bread and drunk milk for a long time' Leon thought.
"Jane, have you ever made bread like this?" ask Leon.
Jane shakes.
"We now have a grain supply. We can also make our own bread."
Leon sees Jane, who is not reacting, continues.
"I'll teach you how to make bread. Take it easy." Leon said solemnly.
Jane nodded.
"Next we just have to catch more fish. Make more salt. To be able to keep buying flour and milk. You'll be healthier after that." Leon is optimistic.
This time Jane dared to look Leon in the eye. His jet black eyes looked brilliant. It's like showing faith in Leon.
"Yes!" Jane replied with determination.
"If you're done eating, let's get back to walking. Must arrive before dusk." Leon stood up from his seat. Jane stood up.
The two took the wagon back down the rocky hill.
That day some hope grew in their hearts. Makes the steps feel lighter.
*****