SURVIVORS
Chapters 251. Caravan Trade 3
That morning in the middle of the desert.
Leon has been enlisting in a caravan since yesterday afternoon. He also paid the escort fee. Last night he was still sleeping with another merchant near the city wall.
Leon also buys enough logistics for her and Jane. Buy some other seller items for sale in the destination city, later. He has a little money now.
Leon really hopes, he can get information about his friends, or about the other world. That was his main purpose for this long journey.
Dawns. The gatekeeper began to shift the huge door. Slowly the merchant company came out of the city gate.
Leon and Jane are ready. Their horses had enough rest, eating and drinking. Leon also takes water supplies for her and Jane. Also to drink horses from the shower water in the middle of the city.
Right on the left side of the gate, lined up carts that followed the trading caravan this time around. The horsemen were also prepared. Leon brought his wagon to join the group.
"See you later, Leon. Hope you make it there. I want to hear your story later!" The old man said goodbye to Leon and Jane.
"See you later, uncle." Leon and Jane waved at the merchant's friends.
After all the merchants who signed up gathered, the caravan began their long journey.
The caravan could not go faster. Because those carts are full of stuff. Except for Leon's wagon that doesn't have much to sell. He spent almost half of his money just to buy horses, so there were not enough items in the cart, other than a logistic pile, straw and water, to stock the journey.
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*
Until the night, the trip was very safe. The caravan stopped at a small oasis. According to the chief of the bodyguards, the area is quite safe. But the journey will be more difficult tomorrow, what else at night.
So they take enough rest for tomorrow's journey.
"Leon." Call Jane. He slept after shifting some items on the wagon. His body was tightly covered in cloth.
"Hmm?" leon answered, who was sleeping beside him, where he was sitting to set the horse.
"Aren't our things just a little? How can we buy enough stuff to bring back?" ask Jane wonder.
"We can stay there for a while and try new luck. If there's another caravan of trade going there, we can come back here, if you want," replied Leon.
Jane was quite surprised to hear Leon's explanation.
"If so, wouldn't we leave our home?" said Jane.
"Are you sorry now?" Leon asked back.
Jane was silent for a long time thinking about the answer.
"No!" answer's short.
"I don't want to live there without you" Jane said honestly.
This time Leon was surprised.
'What does this woman mean?' thought Leon. But without realizing it, her lips drew a smile line.
"Have a rest" Leon said, closing their conversation that night.
*
*
When the first light appeared in the sky, the party had already started its wriggle. Everyone has completed their needs and needs. There's no break this afternoon, because they have to reach a safe area before nightfall.
So Jane and Leon that morning had prepared provisions to eat while walking. Horses were also given adequate rest, water and food last night. They are ready to continue their journey.
The caravan was passing through the morning in a sandy area. Then enter the hard rocky area. The cart must run slower so as not to step on hollow, uneven ground.
Leon chose to come down, to clear the road his old wagon was going to take. That left him a little behind. But not too far. A bodyguard went back and forth scolding him for hindering the caravan's pace.
But, before Leon answered, in front of there, one wagon had already fallen. It won't be possible to walk again without an experienced craftsman. The wheel is broken. Make all the contents on it fall down the road. Some of the carts behind him got hampered.
Leon's wagon finally caught up with the caravan. They were still helping the wagon owner to bring his wares. Of course with some pay. But there's still stuff left. He approached Leon, asking permission to leave the goods, for a fee.
Leon doubtful. He needs that rent. But the wagon was old, and it was very unlikely to carry a heavy load.
Leon told me the truth. Eventually only a few items were placed in Leon's cart. The rest were tied to the horses of each guard. While the merchant was riding his horse to follow the caravan.
The group walked back. More careful than before. The wreckage of the wagon earlier, so a valuable experience for everyone.
Until late afternoon, they still did not reach the rest area that the guards intended. And that makes them very worried.
Through the twilight, it seemed that far away some tents had stood. Several horses, carts, as well as passenger carriages were also there.
Leon's caravan was getting closer to it with a stumble. Their horses were very tired and needed rest.
Jane realizes that Leon is very exhausted. He walked a lot to get rid of the stones and lighten the weight of his horse.
Jane went down, fetching straw and water for the horse. Then he opened their food and shook the body of Leon who was fast asleep.
"Eat first, just sleep."
Jane woke Leon.
Leon opened his heavy eyes. Seeing Jane's already preparing food and drinks. Leon looked towards his horse.
"I've fed and drunk. After that he can rest," said Jane, as if to know what Leon meant.
"Then let's eat, then" asked Leon.
"According to the guard this afternoon, tomorrow afternoon we will enter the border of the country. After that, it'll take another day's journey." Leon told Jane.
"Our availability is still enough for 2 more days" Jane said.
"Hemmm.. great." Leon nodded in relief.
*
*
It's been a very late day. The place was quiet. Everyone was asleep, except for the guards who took turns sleeping and keeping watch.
Leon woke up wanting to pee. Jane sleeps well next to him. The woman's body was covered more closely with her blanket. The night air in the desert, it was indeed unusually cold.
Leon got down and walked quite far away from the entourage. So that no one gets bothered when he shits.
The atmosphere of the place was very calm. Leon enjoys his solitude. When he finished, he stood up. And step towards his caravan.
"Ughhh..mm...."
Leon heard strange noises from inside a tightly closed cart. Not only that. The wagon also swayed violently, accompanied by voices stuck in it.
"That? Is it like my shadow? In a place like this?" mumbling wonder.
Shaking his head, Leon passed from there.
"Emmpphh...."
Something sparkling fell on the rocky ground. The moonlight reflected off that thing.
'It's a girls' bracelet!' thought Leon.
"Don't this be kidnapping and rape?" muttered worriedly.
With a sneak Leon approached the noisy and wobbling cart. He looked around, watching if there were any guards of this wagon around.
The place is quiet. There's no one. Perhaps the wagon owner felt confident that the wagon was locked tightly.
Leon hesitated for a moment. If caught, he could be punished for harassing the other party. This wagon was clearly not included in his trading caravan. But suspicion filled his head.
Carefully, Leon revealed a little of the cloth covering the wagon.
Leon surprised. It looks like a prison cage. Did they bring prisoners? Leon closed the cloth again and wanted to pass. He can't get involved in criminal affairs.
But someone inside it was like accidentally dropping himself near Leon opened the cloth earlier.
'Did he see me open the cover? Did he ask me for help?' leon thought he was doubtful.
He had a woman's bracelet on the ground. He wanted to give it back to the woman inside. Unfortunately, this woman is a prisoner.
Leon reached out his hand into the barred wagon. He opened his hand where the bracelet was, to show the woman. Leon turned his hand to drop the bracelet on the floor of the wagon.
But something touched his hand.
"Mppsmpp... Mpphhh...."
Back to the sound from within.
Leon can't take it anymore. His curiosity was more domineering at this moment. The woman inside was obviously asking for help.
Slowly reveal the fabric of the cart cover. He could see clearly that it was like a prison cage or something.
And a half-sitting woman with her mouth gagged with cloth, hands tied back and wearing only house clothes, glared at him.
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