I burst through the inn's door so fast its hinges objected. "What's on God's green earth?" Ingrid protested. Kasiro stayed behind to apologize for me as I took the stairs two at a time. Upon unlocking and entering my chamber, I hurriedly gathered my belongings into my backpack and threw on a khaki sweater before scampering back downstairs. Ingrid looked at me with worry written all over her fine features. Kasiro looked like he was struggling with something to say when I held his pouch out to him. "You keep it," he told me. "Thank you," I told him. He simply grinned. "I must go now," I addressed the both of them. Igrid pocketed my chamber's key and then held her arms open for a brief embrace. "God be with you," she told me. Kasiro briefly placed his hand to my head before I headed for the door. I pulled my hood up while I walked and wiped at my wet face with my sleeve. Out in the open once more, I spotted a conestoga wagon bearing my family's emblem, so I quickened my pace. "Pretty girl?" Nean's questioning voice reached me. I slowed to a stop and considered for a moment before turning to him. "I noticed your shoes and thought that was you," he told me as he came closer. His hand reached out to remove my hood and I panicked. "Don't!" I yelled. "Why not? I love looking at you," he responded. I didn't have time to explain, so I took his hand and began walking again. "I'm not from here," I began. "Where are you from then?" he prompted. "Does it matter?" I asked, to which a sideways glance from my part caught a shake of his head. "Where are we going?" he continued. "That's what I wanted to ask. Could I go with you?" He smiled and said to me, "I don't see why not."
Nean helped hoist me into his own conestoga wagon which sat in front of four others. "I did not think you were going to agree," I told him. He had taken care to draw the curtains, so I allowed him to remove my hood on the second attempt. He coaxed my hair out of my sweater and let it cascade down my back. I placed my head on his shoulder, and his arms wrapped around me comfortingly. Riled up voices slashed their way into our little bubble as we navigated through the narrow streets. I began worrying this was due to a possible barricade that had been issued to locate me, so I looked up at Nean and said as much. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," he told me. I was not soothed by this, but then again I wasn't sure anything he said would have been soothing. I clutched at his shirt when the coach began to dally. "Speed her up, will you?" Nean said, as he rapped at the glass that separated us from the outside world. "You might want to be at alert, my Lord," came the coachman's muffled response. "For crying out loud," Nean muttered as the coach came to a stop. He let go of me and thought about our situation for a second. "Nean?" I said, questioningly. "Stay put. I'm going to take care of this," he replied before stepping out of the coach and shutting the door firmly behind him. I pressed the side of my face against the black curtains and strained to hear the conversation. "Good day, gentlemen! How may I be of service?" Nean made himself sound cheery. "My Lord, we beg your pardon," replied a man's voice. "We've been asked to keep an eye out for a young lady, you see," another man's voice elaborated. "You wouldn't happen to have a companion, would ya?" the first man asked pointedly. "I travel with my men and my provisions," Nean responded. "Is that right?" asked the second man as he walked a few steps closer to the coach. "What kind of provisions?" asked the first man, eyeing Nean's shift in posture. "I reckon we're carrying fresh fruit if you fine gentlemen fancied a taste." Nean suggested. "Would we ever!" the second man beamed. "Suppose you found I was alone then," Nean proposed. The two men raised an eyebrow at each other and back at Nean. "We want a dozen crates," the first man responded. "And another dozen to buy our silence," the second man extorted. "Do allow me a moment," Nean said. I heard his angry footsteps as he approached. "Have two dozen crates prepared, and fill the bottoms with spoilt fruit!" Nean hissed his commands. "As you wish, my Lord," the coachman hastened. Minutes later, one of Nean's wagons pulled up next to the two men. "Golly!" The first man exclaimed, putting the palm of his hand to his forehead. "We can make this last for weeks!" the second man declared. "We'll need the youngins to help move all of this for sure," the first man said, stroking his chin. "You reckon we'll be done by daybreak?" the second man responded. "Of course the provisions are to be delivered to your doorstep. Please head home at once," Nean advised the two men. "My Lord, you are ever so kind," replied the first man. "Ever so kind," echoed the second man. "Off you go then," Nean said curtly. The men smiled, proud of themselves, and climbed into the waiting wagon. "Double back as soon as you're through," Nean ordered the driver who in turn nodded his head. Nean cursed at the cloud of dust. He spit on the ground as he made his way back to the coach. His hand gripped the handle while he took a shallow breath to regain his composure. "That was a close call. I can't thank you enough, Nean," I told him as my worries washed away. He kissed my hand and sat next to me. "I'm certain you will give me proper thanks," Nean ran his hands down my shoulders and winked at me mischievously.
