10 Unwary Danger

The sun already right above my head. The carriage stop for lunch as well as to let the horses rest for a while. I choose to sit under a tree, far from everyone else. For lunch, I only have a piece of bread and plain water. Seeing my lunch, kind of makes me miss home. I miss the thick and tasty soup cook by the head chef. Just by imagining it was enough to make me drool.

There's still a long road up ahead. Half of my saving already been used to buy clothes as well as for the disguised magic gem. I have to be frugal from now or else it's hard to survive later on.

As I have indulged myself with the bread, a woman much older than I am sits under the nearby tree. She's having a piece of bread with a bowl of potato stew. It's simple but it looks tasty than what I have. I can't help but drool over the stew. She probably realized that I've been gazing at her. All of a sudden, she glanced at me. I impulsively averted my gaze. I can hear that she's been chuckling at me.

"Hey, kid. You want some?"

"It's ok. I appreciate your concern."

"Heeeh…"

Oh crap. I just use polite language out of habit. Now she's smirking like she's up to something. She probably had a guess that I'm a noble kid. I'm such a fool.

"I mean no, thanks."

Argh! This is so embarrassing. Why do I have to correct myself? Darn, you woman. Let's just continue to eat like it never happens.

Just like what I have been expecting, she comes closer to me. She brought her face next to my ear and talk as in whisper.

"I'm going to give you free life advice now. Whether you like it or not, you have to accept it or else you'll be killed. Do you understand?"

Heard her, I froze. I just started my journey but my life already been targeted. I slowly shift my eyes to that woman. Our eyes lock. Her calcite eyes reflect my uneasiness. She looks serious. She immediately continued on after. She never has any intention to wait for my reply.

"When I'm done count to three, run towards the carriage as fast as you can. Never look back."

Eh!

"One"

I bit my lower lip. I can feel that my heart rate is increasing. The situation becoming intense but I never have been given any chance to think.

"Two"

I notice her right hand tightly gripping the hilt besides her waist.

"Three. Go!"

I started to run with all my might. Then I heard the sounds of swords clash behind me. In reflex, I hide behind a nearby tree to observe the situation.

I saw that woman being surrounded by three men. Two of them had a short sword while the other one had a dagger. Even though the opponents outnumbered her, she's not wavering at all yet she moves skillfully with her sword. When she found an opening, she swiftly lands a kick on the face resulting in sending one of them flying. Her dark long hair swinging as if dancing with every move she makes.

"So cool…"

My jaw dropped, astounded by that woman's fighting skill.

After two of the opponent went down, I suddenly caught someone hiding behind the bushes not too far from there. Worst case scenario, he already targeted the woman with his arrow. I quickly held out my hand and chant.

"Ice needle!"

I fired a single rod of ice to the man, and it pierced into his right shoulder. The man let go of his bow and scream in pain. Realizing where the man was hiding, that woman quickly flying to finish him off.

***

After we hand over the bandits to the knight's on patrol, I return to the carriage to continue on my journey to Herbugh. I also just realized that the woman who saved me ride in the same carriage as I am. Now, she chose to sit right in front of me.

"Thank you, for saving me."

I slightly bow to her as an appreciation. I really am grateful. If it's not for her, I don't know what will happen to me back then. Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

"No big deal. You saved me too."

I tilted my head indicated that I don't understand what she means.

"You attacked that man who's been hiding with your magic right? Thanks to you I'm not getting any injury."

"Oh. I just graze him a bit. Nothing big at all."

I bashfully refused her idea of me being a big help. Truthfully, that was my first time using magic in a real battle. Furthermore, I have never been in a battle before. That was really the first time experience for me. Even though it was done badly, it felt amazing but scared at the same time too.

"Still, Thanks. I'm Hannelle Clarize. Feel free to call me Hannelle. What's your name?"

"E…Eden. Just, Eden."

Ops. I almost give out my real name. Thankfully I quickly come out with another name. I don't know if the news about the lord's daughter was missing are spread yet or not. In spite of everything, I have to be extra careful.

"First time traveling alone Eden? Where are you heading to?"

I flustered. I guess it is easy to identify that I am an inexperienced traveler just by first glance. I have to be honest here or else I would look like an idiot. But I can't trust her yet.

"Yes. I'm going to Achbale. There's someone I have to meet there."

I'm not giving her any more information other than that and I'm not lying either. I am going on a journey to search for a teacher. I am always envious of the main characters in anime, games or movies who goes on a journey to make themselves stronger. Now that I am in a fantasy world full of magic, I am going to experience what it was impossible to do in my previous world.

"Really? What a coincidence. I'm heading there too."

"I see."

The silence came as we have nothing further to say. It's not that long until she breaks the silence again.

"Hey, wanna stay together until we reach Achbale? It's safer than traveling alone you know."

Oi oi. Is that really ok to invite a person who was just now a stranger to you to join you? I gaze at her curiously.

"Is that ok? We just met you know."

"Of course! There's no problem at all. Besides, it's so boring to travel alone. And you seem like a good kid. I won't mind at all."

But I mind. Well, it's not like she looked like a bad person either. She even saved me from the bandits just now. But you never know of her real intention. She might have a hidden agenda from the very start. Though it's true it's dangerous for me to continue on this journey alone. If I think about it carefully, it does give me more merit to join her than continue on by myself. I can use her to protect me against any danger. She also seems to know the way around more than I do. So, I can rely on her to show me around. If she does have any funny ideas, I just have to run away.

"Then, please to meet you."

When she heard my answer, her face lit up and smile cheerfully.

"Now, now, you are so stiff. Just relax. ok? We are gonna be the very best friends from now on. Right?"

"ha ha… right."

She repeatedly slapping my shoulder while I just stood there, forcing a smile. I have decided. I will join her until Achbale. That's how I've got an unreplaceable friend whom I would be greateful for life.