LOST

Chapter 9

A/N:
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The village went about its normal routine. Kids played outside oblivious to everything around them while the adults had slowly started noticing the unusual visitor.
My clothes nor my hood made me look any less suspicious.

But they didn't seem to care as much as I thought. Their curiosity only went up to lingering stares.
The southern village is also known as the golden village. The village with the most time in the sun hence, the huge number of farms and plantations and so a large population.

I wander about, there must be a few carts heading to the market. My eyes brighten when I see a line of people with cloth bags, waiting to get on the cart pulled by what I am assuming as donkeys.
The elders stand up as the cart pulls closer.

I walk past the line but before I could get on, a lady pulls me back by my collar.

"Dear, where do you think you are going?" her expression betrayed her politeness.

"Get your hands off me, lady. I have somewhere important to go."
Before I could walk again she pulls me back further.

"Is that how you speak to an older person? Can't you see us waiting? Get back in the line." her voice grew louder as she rests one hand on her hips, looking at me disapprovingly.

Older? She didn't look that old but she sure was drawing attention. People had started gathering already.
Her father, I assume, pats her on her shoulder making her turn back.

"Let it go, Loka. She said it's important."

"Father!" she whines. "We have been waiting since early morning! The next cart will only make an appearance by 2 hours into the evening!!"

People beside her nod in agreement then turns to look at me in annoyance.
I pull my hood closer to my face.

"She is right."
"Get back in line!"
"But who is this person?"
"I don't think he is from around here."

The man leading the cart knocks on the wooden board he is sitting on, making him the centre of attention.

"Noblemen and officials from Fortia and Aeras have come to visit. Travelling of commoners have been asked to be reduced."

The crowd sounds their protest but Loka's father hushes them.
"Let the man speak."

"Only 10 can travel now and this will be the only cart to leave and enter the village today." he continues.

"Chief, what should we do?" An old lady asks Loka's father.

He is the Chief?
He looked so much like a commoner, his clothes were clean but simple and he looked no more than 45.
It was refreshing to see a man of such authority being so benevolent.

"Stupid royal people." Loka mutters.
Some gasp while I chuckle.

"Stupid indeed. Wise words, Loka. I have taught you so well." the chief says, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
The crowd laughs a little and Loka huffs, annoyed.

"So..." the chief looks around. About 20 people were waiting.
"Tell me what all of you have to do and I will decide accordingly."
His voice was calm and steady. It clearly showed authority this time as nobody protested, instead formed a line towards him.

When I look back at Loka she was staring murderously at me.

"What?" I ask.

She screams and pushes me away as night moves on the inside of my robes.

"Did he touch her?"
"He did seem like a pervert."
They start again.

This girl is starting to piss me off. When Night peeks out she sighs, relieved but looks back at me angrily with her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
It was not so hard to tell she loved puppies, her eyes kept going back to Night.