An Anima Journey [Part 6]

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Part 6

  Kumoyama is the perfect place to get out of trouble. Everyone from townsfolk to town raiders know that Kumoyama's rough ridges and ledges make for a place of risk and reward. Praza, knowing that being on the mountain was dangerous, skirts the base while keeping her senses aware of her surroundings. A few people pass her by and nod to her. She nods back out of respect. Geralt keeps his steady pace and avoids the paranoid temptation to look at the rocks and listen to their tumbling. On the way, he spots an older man and slows down. Praza rolls her eyes. "C'mon Geralt. Let's go." The older man nods and watches her pass by. Praza stiffens up as he watches. Something feels off about him; it might just be her paranoia.


  As the sun sets, she pulls up against the rocks and lets Geralt rest. She feeds him a wild apple and a bundle of wild wheat she gathered a while back. She eats a piece of an apple and hands what is left to Geralt. He snoozes faster than Praza can. Her mind is still on edge from that old man. It was just her paranoia, wasn't it. That rather gnawing feeling that accompanies the thought in her mind. He watched her so keenly ... so focused on her and Geralt. The crumbling of the rocks above her startles her into awareness and she props herself off the ground. She rubs her eyes and focuses her gaze on the old man standing on the other side of the dirt road. Under his thick mustache, she senses a growing grin. She gets to her feet and places a hand on her silver yarn. She glances to make sure her wagon and Geralt are fine. Thankfully, they are. She turns back to the old man. "I knew my suspicions were steadfast, strange man."


  The old man draws a dagger out. "Let's see if your body is as keen as your mind."

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