Sophie Is Going Home

"Can a girl like her actually manage to head to Hauntingen? Based on the map, it's about two weeks away and that's on a carriage and not on foot."

Once Sophie left the castle of Lord Ferdinand, the guards couldn't help but discuss the situation of the young woman. Some might have ventured to help her, but they were given strict orders to stay in one place.

Unknown to them, Sophie was a lot more capable of taking care of herself and getting where she wanted now than before.

In the past, after Sophie's parents died, and before her aunt came to get her, the young child was self-reliant. So, she considered this as a chance for her to regain her old self.

Even though it was extremely difficult at first, with determination and grit, Sophie used the map to hike through the roads and head over to Hauntingen. Along the way, she met several people.

The first would be an old man on his wagon. It was late at night when Sophie heard a sound that caused her to look behind her.

It turned out to be a rickety wagon. The wheels were clunking across the ground as an oil lamp showed the way for the man riding despite the late hours.

One could see several crates stacked upon one another of what might have been vegetables.

At first, Sophie wanted to avoid the line of sight of the man and would have dove towards the trees if the man didn't spot her first. Her experience of people in Hastings weren't always the best, so she was wary.

However, this person turned out to be the first of the many who would help her.

"Where is a young lass like you going around during this time?" the old man called out to her. "Apple and Ross, stop for a moment will you."

His two horses neighed and stopped at his command.

Sophie smiled sheepishly and looked at the two horses before making a reply to the man.

It seemed like the man took great care of the two and she thought it was a great show of character. A person who cared about animals wasn't the type to hurt other people, hopefully.

"Hauntingen," she answered. "I'm heading toward Hauntingen."

"That's quite far away and you're going on foot?" the old man's brows rose questioningly. "Do you plan to go there without even any supplies except for the clothes on your back?"

"Yes, that was the plan that I have," Sophie nodded truthfully. "Until you arrived, good sir. Is there any chance that you could let me join you until your destination if you are heading north? I think we might be heading the same way."

The old man eyed her and rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

"I suppose a man like me could use some company, it beats talking to my horses all day," the man laughed. He tapped on the seat beside him. "Come aboard, child!"

"Ah, thank you!" Sophie scrambled up to join him in front, next to the driver's seat.

The old man shared some of his food and water with Sophie until he reached his destination several hours later. She thanked the man profusely for taking her that far. Then she continued walking north.

Although there were some people on the road that tried to invite Sophie and saw her as an opportunity for other less savory things, the majority of the people that Sophie encountered were nice and great people.

During the day, she managed to head from one town to the next by either going on foot or meeting people that allowed her to join them on their wagons, carts, and even sometimes carriages.

Most of the people were curious and yet appreciative of the company and Sophie shared some interesting news and information from Hastings, or rather cow dung academy.

Actually studying there now proved to be an asset for Sophie. Not everyone she met on the road was able to get a proper education, so Sophie's stories were quite refreshing and challenging at the same time.

"Take care of yourself, young girl!" A matronly innkeeper waved at Sophie.

"Thank you so much, I will repay my debt when I have the chance." Sophie smiled brightly at the older woman she met during her travels.

"When you have built your tavern in Hauntingen, I'll drop by for a free meal!" the older woman called out and laughed.

Sophie was given a small bag that was filled with some loaves, jerky, and other dried foods she could take. Even a water skin pouch filled with enough water to last her three days.

When the night came and Sophie was able to actually reach a town or village, she was sometimes invited to the home of the person that she joined a ride with.

Sometimes she stayed with them inside of their house and met their family.

There were times that Sophie could only find a place at a farmer's barn and promised not to disturb the animals and instead keep them safe. She was rewarded with a hot piping breakfast before she went on her merry way.

Other times when there were no riders or travelers on the road, Sophie headed into the woods to gather something to eat. She was good at foraging and distinguishing between poisonous and edible berries and even herbs and twigs.

Sophie even picked some mushrooms and started a fire in an open valley for a couple of nights.

The winds were cold, but her uniform in Cawden Academy included a cloak that was able to help stave off the harsh temperature during the night.

Before Sophie knew it, she arrived in the familiar brooding forest close to Hautingen.

"I'm finally home." Sophie's tiredness was washed away by the sight of her place.

She ended up running through the forest, tried to look around for a familiar patch of bushes that didn't seem to have overgrown that much, and slipped through them.

The shortcut through the forest took her back to her hut.

Sophie knew that after all those years, it would be a miracle to have her home still be around and in perfect condition. She was prepared to work on debilitated parts if necessary.

However, it looked the same as she remembered it from eight years ago.