Nothing's in my way

Chapter 5

In perhaps a little less than an hour, Sven stopped in front of a curious cabin with a smoky chimney that seemed lost in the mountains.

"There it is."

"Isn't this reindeer too smart?"

"You think so? He seems a standard reindeer to me."

"Standard's not like this, I guess."

He didn't seem particularly mattered by my appraisement and got out of the wagon heading towards the store. I followed him wondering what kind of clientele there could be in a place as far away as that, and together, we went into what it said it was 'Wandering Oaken's trading post'.

"Yoo-hoo! Big summer blowout! Half of swimming suits, clogs, and a sun balm of my own invention, yah?"

The enthusiastic salesman didn't seem to have a lot of winter merchandise, but I trusted Kristoff to know what he was doing.

"We're looking for warm clothes for her. Have you something?"

"Yah! That would be in our winter department."

We looked where that Oaken man was pointing and we grimaced at the almost empty corner that he called "winter department." We searched on it without much hope and miraculously found a set of winter suits and boots that might do.

"Why're we here?" I whispered, taking advantage of the fact that the tradesman was distracted whistling a cheerful song.

"Would you rather go back to the town and risk yourself being recognized?"

"Okay, it'll have to do."

We went to the counter with the outfit and a bunch of carrots that Kristoff took (I don't want to imagine what a slimy exchange with Sven for) and Oaken served us with a big smile.

"That will be forty."

Kristoff scowled in outrage and a dribbling attempt began that ended with him being sent off badly by the surprisingly gigantic Oaken. Then, as if nothing had happened, he sat back in his presumably low seat and smiled at me again.

"Um, ah... Oaken. I really need these clothes right now. I don't have the money you ask for but... is there a possibility that you will change it for this ball gown? I bet its value is much higher."

Oaken carefully examined the dress that I still carried with me in Rapunzel's basket and hung it on a hanger behind him so that it would be well visible.

"You can also take the carrots for your friend."

I came out of there with what I needed and feeling relatively ripped off and found Kristoff explaining to Sven why he didn't have the reindeer's beloved carrots with him.

"Perhaps, are you talking about this?" I said playfully shaking the bunch of carrots.

"How did you get it?"

"Not calling him a crook."

"I've not been very well, it's true. But it was a scam! How much have you paid? I believed you had no money."

"I had my gown."

"Ha! Smart thinking!"

"But I have no idea where to change my clothes. Despite his offer, the sauna with his whole family in it didn't seem like the best option."

"I think that the value of that dress is enough to pay for using his barn to that," he proposed winking at me.

"With what that dress is worth, I could buy his full barn..." I said progressively lowering the tone of my voice until it became almost a whisper in fear of sounding like a posh girl.