Onyx

Chapter 11: Father?

Rigel tripped on a log and fell back when the eyes disappeared. What were those eyes? Who did they belong to? Was it the strangers?

Startled, Enzo asked him if he was alright.

"I'm fine. I heard rustling in the bushes and saw golden eyes staring back at me... but they're gone now." He decided not to mention the jingling sound. He wasn't even sure if there was a sound to begin with.

"It was probably just an animal." dismissed Neo with a wave.

"Maybe..." said Rigel. He wasn't too sure about that, but decided not to press further. Whatever it was, he didn't want to know.

"Everybody ready?" asked Neo looking around.

"Almost. I need to pack a few more sticks." replied Enzo.

"Sticks for what?"

"Just in case-"

"Enzo if you bring up that stupid little girl-"

"No! I was saying it was just in case we need firewood and don't have access to it."

Neo grunted and lifted his pack, gesturing at him to hurry up. After a minute, Enzo put a thumbs up signaling he was ready.

They walked out of the woods and onto the busy main road. They got a couple of skeptical glances, but nobody said anything. They travelled the whole day hoping to find any shred of evidence and found nothing. Frustrated, Rigel sat on a rock.

"This isn't working. The main road is getting us nowhere. Onyx was taken deeper into the groves. We need to travel in the woods and try to track her there."

"We don't have enough supplies to strictly stay in the woods Rigel. I understand your frustration, but we're tied to the road right now." said Neo. 

"What if we went into a village and bought more supplies?"

"It depends on how much money everyone has." Neo looked at everyone. "How much does each person have?"

"I have 3 coppers. That's probably enough to buy some food for a day or two." said Rigel.

"I have 10 coppers and 1 silver." said Neo. "That can buy some weapons that can last a while, as long as there's a decent amount of game in the woods."

"I have 20 coppers and 2 silvers." said Enzo, surprising everyone. He shrugged, "I've been saving for merchants to come to the village. I can buy supplies."

"I have 15 coppers and 1 silver." boomed Reno. "I can buy food."

Neo looked to Rigel. "Why do you have so little coppers?"

Rigel scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "I wasn't expecting to go on a trip like this, so I had spent all my money on this oil a merchant was selling. It's good for your hair...at least that's what he said."

"Have you noticed a change in your hair?" asked Enzo hopefully. Rigel shoulders sagged. "No.."
Neo pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath.

"Well, Goldwall is a couple of miles away. If we hurry we can get there in time before the gate closes. Rigel will pay for a room. Let's hope he can afford it because he can't afford anything else."

Rigel scowled at the insult. "There's no need for all that Neo."

Neo ignored him and continued. "In the morning we'll buy our supplies and then we can travel in the woods. Let's hope we have enough money to buy what we need to last us a while."

They jogged the 2 miles to the village, and walked through the gates right before they closed it. They found a local inn and Rigel paid his 3 coppers for 1 room. "I guess we have to share." he said with a shrug. Everyone grumbled and reluctantly walked into the tiny room.