The Last Dragon

Chapter 9 - On the Road

Ilia shook her head. "I was in the forest checking the herbs. She likes to know how healthy the plants are. I'd never been in the city before, so I thought I'd stop by. I just have a few more places to check before I go back."

"Hop on. I'll give you a ride to the tree line. She really lets you wander the forest by yourself, so far from the castle?"

Ilia nodded. Don't fidget, she reminded herself. "She taught me what I needed to know, and I can collect any herb for her at all, no matter how rare. I've been doing this for years." Even if I've never camped before, she added to herself. The odd night under the stars with no tent didn't count, not to her.

The woman reached up and grabbed a shiny handle. She pulled herself up the small steps and back onto the smooth wooden bench. At her nod, Ilia reached up and gripped the handle. She stretched to reach each toe hold, her boots gripping the rubber easily.

She settled on the bench and peered over the side. Her fingers turned white as she saw how far down it was.

"First wagon ride?" The woman gave Ilia's knee a warm squeeze.

Ilia nodded. "On such a large and beautiful wagon like this, yes. I've only been in carriages."

The woman grinned. "She's a beauty, isn't she? Better to be up here, above the dust, and in the fresh air. This wagon can take the biggest loads possible."

The wagon rolled, slow and ponderous, but it picked up speed smoothly. The packed dirt road was smoothed as well, and Ilia barely felt the motion, but for the breeze on her face. She clutched the seat edge and wagon side. There was nothing in front of her to keep her from falling off and being run over, no front wall of any kind, just an angled footrest to brace against.

Her stomach growled again, reminding her of her missed snack. Ilia pulled her pear from her pocket. "May I snack?"

The woman smiled. "Go ahead. Clean up any sticky juices, mind."

"I will."

Ilia bit into the pear. Sweet pear juice flowed into her mouth. She slurped it up as quietly as she could, but some fruits were just noisier to eat than others. Once in the forest, she could forage, but this would work for now. No, don't glance back at the city. They might watch her from the communication tower, she reminded herself.

The wagon sped towards the forest, smooth and fast. While not as speedy as the smaller wagon she saw earlier, Ilia still blinked in the breeze, her eyes threatening to water. She sighed when the wagon rolled into the trees and the shade blanketed the area from the leafy canopy. Ilia tossed her pear in the trees and snapped her fingers. A few drops of pear juice flew into the bushes.

The woman guided the wagon to the edge of the road, and it rolled to a gentle stop. "Are you sure I can't take you farther?"

"Thank you so much for the ride. I really am grateful, but I have a few things to do before I go back. I'll be home in no time." Ilia swallowed hard. Sure, she was used to keeping calm for the sickest patients, but this was challenging her abilities to stretch the truth. She lowered herself from the wagon and stepped back.

"Take care of yourself, now. There have been strange tales of men in black armour going through the taverns. Each tale is wilder than the last. Even if it's just bandits, a girl travelling alone has cause for worry." The woman waved at her.

Ilia waved back. "I will. I know the forests, and I'll be fine." She smiled widely.

The wagon rolled away, and Ilia left the road. She wandered idly as her mind ran over everything she knew. Should she go back after all? Would everyone be in danger if she did? It was probably a dream, wasn't it? It didn't feel like a dream. Was the man in the dream even looking for her, or was she just there?