An Anima Journey [Part 8]

Part 8

  With no way to bathe, it doesn't take Praza long before she reaches a port city. She checks to make sure the men at the fishing dock can't see her. She sees no eyes on her, so she bathes quickly with her clothes on to get rid of the musty smell of her sundress. The water calms her enough to get her mind in a better place. Her paranoia scrambled her dreams again; she vowed to fix that at some point.

  

  She and Geralt arrive in the fishing town just as the market was coming alive. She puts some distance between herself and the market with Geralt between them. She creates some new little animals and finds some company among the outcasts. They seem to appreciate her shield-like charm as they feel blended into the town that doesn't usually regard them. As merchants and customers come through, she talks to them and introduces them to the outcasts. As everyone talks jobs and deals around her, she crochets more animals or some flowers and gives them out randomly. Some pay her as a gesture, despite her insistence otherwise. As the market simmers on, Praza feels good about her day and the work she is doing.

 

  "Hey miss." One of the outcasts whispers to her. "I think someone is eyeing you." Praza scans her field of vision. "No, not in front of us." the outcast continues, "He's behind us. In the shadows." Praza turns to look, but the outcast stops her. "No, no. Don't do that. Not a good idea. He looks like he is a madman. Like you did something that pushed him to the edge." He watches as Praza searches her memories and shrugs. "Look, you seem too nice to have done something bad. Tell you what; let me and a couple of the others stay with you and your cart for the night. We won't touch your stuff. It just helps to have safety in numbers."

  Praza nods and finishes her work. The outcast gathers another man and woman for the night.