Of Love and War

Return iii

Free Markets

Amihan was dumbfounded and lightheaded because of what just happened earlier. She was caught off guard by the boldness of the man who flashed his bareness in front of her that her first instinct was to run away from him

"The nerve of that man! Is he out of his mind? Why did he have to d-" She pauses as the scene replays back in her mind. She recalls him from the top and slowly goes down to his lower part.

"AH!" She screams as she was about to reach in her mind his loin. The mere memory of his private area just being covered by a portion of the branch made her blood rush to her head. She covers her face and swings her head side to side. Hoping that the image will go away when suddenly she hears a neigh or what it sounded like.

The out of the blue a group of travelers passes by. Their riding animals that resembles a deer but it has a bigger and bulkier body that allows it to carry three encantados on its back.

"Whoa!" the one who was holding the reigns stopped the creature in front of Amihan

"Little Lady why are you here?" it was a lady's voice that came out of the individual who was wrapped by several clothing. She reminded her of the Middle Eastern merchants that Amihan used to see in the books she reads when she was in the human world.

"I-I was just looking for materials to build a fire for tonight" Amihan hesistantly said. She couldn't come up with a much better excuse.

"Why? Are you camping here or something?" the one in the middle asked, it's voice sounded like a middle aged man

"Huh? Uhmm yeah" Amihan faked a smile

"By the grace of the bathalas why would you choose to camp around this part of the forest? Did you know that the mandirigmas are putting their temporary camp here?" the lady holding the reins sounded concerned towards Amihan

"By any chance do you want to come with us to the free markets? We're heading there to sell our merchandise" the one in the middle pointed to the carriage that is pulled by a bear-like creature. It was covered by a thick canvas

Amihan weighed the facts. If she is to stay here and make camp to wait for tomorrow or travel by foot to heck knows where, she might come face to face with that flasher earlier and maybe get attacked. Or she can use this opportunity to go with these travelers and be in a more populated area where she can look for clues in finding her mother and family. She chooses the latter.

"I would love to" Amihan said. The lady and the one in the middle exchanged glances. The one in the far back shook its head, as if it was warning her of something. Amihan hesitated for a second but the lady touched her shoulders

"You can ride in the other pashnea dear" her tone became sweeter. It sounded like music to the young diwani's ears, prompting her to jump unto the pashnea that was tied on the carriage.

Mandirigma Camping Grounds

"What the hell happened to that?" Apitong pointed his sword that he's been whetting

"I don't know Leader, he's been like that since we've gone to the river to take a bath" Apek answered. Both he and Wantuk is concerned by the way Ybarro is acting.

"He's been staring at the bracelet he's wearing, playing with it and touching it, then smiles afterwards. Then it's all in repeat" Wantuk whispered to Apitong

"Maybe he's been cursed by a river demon?" Apitong looked at his son

"SEE! I TOLD YOU HE'S BEEN CURSED! BUT NOOOOOOO YOU WON'T BELIEVE ME!" Wantuk shouted