8 The Soul’s Wanderlust

HELENA'S POV

I woke up to my senses standing in the middle of a very busy commune as the sun emerges in the clear sky. My heart feels edgy, and I cannot deny the untoward feeling on my soul's wanderlust in this very rare opportunity. This is the first time my mother allowed me to soul travel, but why can't I savour the pleasure of it? I'm quite sure that there is a sense of danger existing back in the hut given the way my mother acted strangely before she locked me in the bunker. To top it all, Celeste is a little peculiar making me feel uneasy.

Hoping my exaggerated intuition is wrong, I brushed it aside and went on. I checked myself as I touch my long hair, face and clothing I'm on. Noticing the familiar damask cuff on my arm, I realized immediately that it's the same body that I have been taking control of for several consecutive times - actually, the same body that I possess all the time.

Wearing a camel-colored tunic made of coarse wool and a scuffed shoe with shoelace, I doubt that this girl is from a high society family. Realizing the hilt safely arrived with me in this place, I have confirmed that I can soul travel with anything… or possibly with anyone. I held it close, to make sure I won't lose any of my possessions ever again.

I walked along the cobblestone street and felt a heavy object dangling from across my body. I figured that I have a pouch bag with silver and gold coins inside. I kept my hilt in as well. There is also a list of things scribbled on a piece of parchment paper. This girl might be tasked to buy the things on the list - a sack of potatoes, a bunch of carrots and a pack of flour. I have nothing to do, so I thought I should play the part.

This portion of the Kingdom appears to be a hive of activities. There were a lot of people walking all over the place buzzing like bees and bursting in laughter, children running around, and carriages passing by. Some ladies were wearing fine clothing with gems and jewels with another woman following them on the side holding a pretty laced parasol. While some women walks around looking like me, simple and common. The gentlemen were wearing velvet surcoats, tunic and stockings, and some looked like they've gone into a battlefield.

There were markets and shops surrounding the streets and alleys, which are made with heavy stones and thick redwood. Some were selling ornaments of different colors, fabrics, fresh fruits and vegetables, various kinds of flowers and even rare medicinal herbs. There were also a glass covered stalls with various shapes of bread, and a number of taverns serving ale. I was surely in awe seeing in actual the things I only read in my father's books. As I walk around, I took the chance to purchase the things on the list. The items altogether are quite heavy for this girl. I thought the one made the list made a mistake ordering this to her.

While strolling around, a wooden stall selling brooches, medallions and other knightly favors caught my attention. I scanned on the items one by one and take notice of the faces engraved on the items being sold. This place have some serious business with idolatry.

There's an old couple wearing big crowns. A seemingly strong woman with blonde wavy hair holding an ax. A cloaked man with silver hair looking like an archer. And then there's this one brooch that caught my eyes..

I picked it up and stared at the brooch with a bearded man engraved on it, and an emblem I recognize. "Pardon me, may I know what is this place called?", I asked the short lady behind the stall who is wearing a black smock matching her black wimple covering her hair as I hold the brooch.

"Oh are you new here? This is Agora, the central market of the Kingdom of Nether", she answered. "Do you like that? That's limited edition and best selling among all my items. That's the last piece of King Silvius' brooch with the palace emblem. And oh, you might also like this.", the lady took out a piece of fabric from her stall. "This cashmere is similar to Queen Isavelle's shawl! I can give them both for 60 pence." she said excitingly. I froze a little as I was distraught hearing the emblem is the palace's.

"So, are you going to buy these?", she asked eagerly again.

"Uh.. no", I said with a nervous smile.

The lady gawked at me from head to toe in obvious irritation, then she grabbed the brooch from my hand. "Then get out from here! You're wasting my time, peasant! I might get bad luck from you", she said angrily as she shoo me away.

So, this is the Kingdom of Nether ruled by King Silvius and Queen Isavelle. I have no idea why do I have a hilt with the palace's emblem where my destiny is intertwined. I was thinking, is the King related to the royal that my father told me about? Also, if this is the Kingdom of Nether, Snow Mountain could be anywhere from here.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't noticed I was walking further ahead until a woman grabbed my arm. "Hey! Have you bought everything Madame Emilia told you??", she said as she gasp for air.

"Hey?! Are you awake?!", she snapped her fingers onto my face shaking my arm.

"Wh-who?", I asked the girl with sleek short hair wearing clothes similar like mine.

"Madame Emilia!", she exclaimed. "You're going to get scolded again because.." she then noticed all the things I bought. "Oh great! I hope you get it right this time", she said with a sigh of relief. "Come on lets go!", hand in hand, we ran along the alley to somewhere she said we are needed to be. This girl know which way to go, which way to turn until we arrive in a large tavern with a wooden sign that says, "Tobias Inn".

"Did you buy everything?", a tall woman with her hair pinned up wearing a long grey flowy tunic greeted us as she place her hands on her waist. Her eyebrows were so thin, that they were barely there. She then grabbed the things I bought from my hand, then in a sudden, she dropped them on the floor and surprisingly slapped my face. "You're so stupid! I don't know what Sir Tobias sees in you, you're nothing but a rat!", she yelled at me angrily like an erupting volcano.

How could I miss anything from the list when there's no onion and fruits written on the paper?

"Clemen! Clean this up!", she told the girl who ran with me. "And you? What are you waiting for, get to work and start cleaning the mess hall!!", she shouted as she point her fingers through a large opening at the back.

I glanced at Clemen as she pick up the potatoes and carrots. She smiled and nodded for me to just go. As I walk away, I overheard Madame Emilia and another lady talking.

"You didn't write the onion and fruits, Emilia" the lady said as she check the list.

"Who cares? That peasant doesn't know how to read. She doesn't even speak", Madame Emilia replied as she grab the paper and crumble it.. "Hey you!! Clean up the rooms upstairs this instant", she yelled at one of the servants.

That slap was unnecessary. I pity this girl for living in this place. And now, I finally understood why she often have bruises, wounds and broken bones. Replacing her today might have given her comfort and time away from this ugly place. Rest assured her body will be all healed when I give it back. For now, I'll endure all the brutal chastisement, and all the punishment she doesn't deserve.