Her New Life

Chapter 4: The Journey

Their travels were wracked with misfortune and danger. Monster attacks on the road outside the Duchy were frequent. The mercenaries they hired were not at all skilled, and a few had run off at the first sign of danger. Terrible weather caused frequent delays in their travels, which worried Maxi.

She prayed every day that the Croyso knights would not catch up to them. During one monster attack, they were saved by a group of Remdragon knights. Maxi had recognized their name and immediately grew frightened. 

That man's knights...her husband's knights. 

Did he somehow find out that she left, and sent his men to find her? 

She hid in the back of the wagon and prayed for them to move on. Penelope would often come to her side and try her best to comfort her. She most likely believed she was afraid of the monsters, not the knights killing the monsters.

Fortunately, they left without much issue. Upon hearing this, Maxi felt relieved. 

Penelope studied her for a moment before patting her head with a smile. Even though she was still not used to affection, she didn't mind the comfort.

As per their deal, Maxi would help with the setup and cooking, even though she had no idea how to. Penelope was always there to help.

 Whenever they stopped at inns, they would perform for the customers, who would occasionally give them gracious tips. 

After about a few weeks on the road, Maxi grew used to the work and their songs. Sometimes while moving luggage, she would listen to them practice new folk songs, but these were saved for hired gigs. The short street performances they gave to weary travelers, were usually requested songs or well-known heroic tales. Sometimes she'd catch herself humming the catchy tunes. It was a welcome distraction from her current predicament. At night she would have trouble sleeping on the cold hard ground. Although she didn't miss home, she certainly missed her comfortable bed compared to sleeping on the dirt.

 Maxi wasn't alone, not this time. Penelope would often tell stories to her and braid her hair. She often wondered if this was what it felt like to have a caring sister or mother. 

If she had been stronger, would she have been able to offer Rosetta such care? 

Most likely not. Rosetta did not need care from her feeble elder sister.

Other times she would tell her stories about how she ended up with the singing troupe.

As a young girl, she lived up North in Balto with her mother and father. Sadly, a plague swept through their town, and medicine was scarce and expensive. Unable to afford treatment, they began performing for people to earn money. But by the time they had enough funds, the prices skyrocketed, and her mother passed away. 

Unable to afford food on the table and live in their poverty-stricken town, they became wanderers, hoping to find a better life. They joined a troupe and were with them for a few years until her father died during a bandit attack. The troupe leader took her in, and they stayed together ever since. 

Penny had explained that since the troupe leader was getting older, he planned to retire in his hometown of Noire in Livadon. His daughter, who owned a bakery, would be staying with him. Penny had been fortunate enough to be offered the chance to stay with them if she helped around the shop.

Maxi couldn't help but notice a pattern in everyone's tales. They all were forced to flee or run away from terrible situations only to run into a traveling troupe. 

While most went their separate ways after getting back on their feet, settling into towns they performed in, others continued their nomadic lifestyle with the Troupe.

"What are your plans, Marian?" 

Maxi looked up from the boiling soup at Penelope's question. While she hadn't pressed her for personal information before, it was a reasonable inquiry. 

Maxi could not sing, nor did she have any real talent. She knew she couldn't stay with them forever. But she also wanted to one day find a peaceful place to live. After a moment of silence, she hung her head and shrugged her shoulders. Penny gave her a sympathetic look.

"I didn't know either at first. I thought I could stay on the road. But that life isn't for me anymore." She said as she gazed out into the woods. 

"Don't get me wrong, I love meeting new people. And I am glad we met, but I also remember how happy I was with my family, and I want that too." 

She smiled wistfully before turning to Maxi, her green eyes glistening. She appeared hesitant. 

"If you have no future endeavors," she began, "when we get to Livadon, you could stay with us...until you're sorted."

 Maxi stared at her in shock and awe. All her life, no one had cared enough to ask if she was tired, hungry, cold, or even happy. No one ever offered her anything other than contempt and unwanted pity. 

And yet this girl, whom she had only known a few weeks, was treating her like a sister and offering her sanctuary. Her eyes began to sting from the tears, and her heart thumped. 

She wanted to say of course, but she didn't want to ask for too much when she had been given so much already. She blinked away the tears and cleared her throat.

"I-I sha-shall t-think about i-it." She gave her a small smile, and Penny returned it with a brighter smile.

*Author's Note: Penelope is inspired by Penny from Rwby.*