An Anima Journey [Part 5]

Part 5

  "I'm surprised it took you only a day to make this." The stranger inspects the blanket. Its texture is soft yet sturdy; it smells magnificently musky like the forest itself. He looks to Praza. She is rather to-the-point with her business. He folds the blanket back up and pulls out a small pouch of coins. "Thank you. Here." She holds her hand out. The bag drops into her hand and compels her into a bow.

 

  "I hope you enjoy it." Praza smiles. The stranger smiles back and walks away into the treeline. In the distance, Praza imagines the hushed impressed tones and looks of curiosity at the stranger's new blanket. Maybe it will drum up more work for her. Maybe-

 

  Geralt's whinny startles Praza out of her thoughts. She shrugs and adds her payment to the small pile of gold in her wagon. She found the gold in the heavier bundle of yarn. Why anyone would hide gold in yarn was beyond her. It was almost five thousand in gold. Who would keep that much in-?

  A rustling in the brush near her wagon perks her attention. It wasn't the sound of animals; was it human? She shuffles her belongings to hide the pouch of gold, then hops into the wagon seat. Grabbing the reins, she snaps them gently. "C'mon Geralt. Let's go." The horse hesitates. She snaps the reins again. "Geralt!" She whispers, "Let's go!" Geralt spins his ears around and stands. Just as Praza hopes for progress, Geralt only shakes and pins his ears back. She signs and snaps the reins again. "Geralt, go!" She charges the horse. Geralt finally hears the command and pulls forward slowly, then at a trot as Praza prods him. The wagon jostles as it leaves the forest grasses and hits the dirt road to the mountains.

  "I need to get to Kumoyama."