Smuggling - Elswyth

There wasn’t a lot inside the Anwar's cart. Some empty crates with mushrooms, a handful of nettles and moss. Two skinned deer hung from the roof of the cart. Though by the looks of it, some animal already got to it before he did.

The old man told them to hide behind the crates and rearranged the carcass at the middle front of the cart.

“To cover your smell,” he explained.

It wasn’t comfortable to stay cramped with Roukan. At this proximity, she can smell the forest in him, the wet dirt and decaying wood, but also the smell of fresh grass. Too bad the smell of decaying carcass was stronger. It was starting to give her a headache.

But whatever discomfort she was feeling changed into fear. It dawned on her that she’s voluntarily entering the enemy’s territory. Her hands grew cold, and she could feel her heart beating out of her chest.

The road was rough. Every now and then, they hit a bump and a puddle of mud. She thought that the horses must have a hard time, underfed and overworked. Maybe everyone in the city is.

“I have to say,” Roukan whispered to her. “Though I feel truly honored you’ve chosen me, this is not my idea of courtship."

She rolled her eyes at him. He really picks the most inappropriate time to jest.

“I prefer a stroll in the forest on a summer day, with wildflowers in full bloom,” he said mockingly.

She gave him a warning look.

“Oh, do lighten up,” he said. “If you’re too tense, you won’t be able to react fast enough to evade an attack.”

“My speed should be the least of your concern,” she snapped at him.

“Oh, you mean the city full of shadows and traitors? Don't worry. I've dealt with them for as long as I can remember," he said grinning.

Though she chose Roukan to get away from Rahil, she’s starting to think that perhaps neither two of them was the right choice. Part of her wanted to annoy Rahil. But looking back, she could’ve asked Conri or Fenris to come. She'll even take Ulric at this point.

“Every kingdom in Eardyn gets their most valuable weapons from Caeldig,” she whispered. “Why did no one come to aid the city when it was attacked?”

“Oten did not know about the attack until months later,” he said. “We sent out ravens, but no one responded.”

“Shadows attack is not unheard of. The demons who can enter a forest with a Heart are weak. But without the Heart, it is almost impossible to kill them. None of them wanted to risk the safety of their own men.”

“So they let an entire city fall into the Shadows hand."

She peered through one of the holes of the cart. The forest was bleak and dying. What chances do the people inside the city have to survive, she wondered.

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“You can see how it is,” he said in a low voice. “They’ve been trapped in famine and pain for two years. If we don’t stop it now, the entire Eardyn will fall to the same fate.”

“I understand—”

“Do you?” he snapped. “Maybe Rahil is right. It’s too risky to go for the Heart. But with the Blacksmith safe in Oten, we can make weapons to arm more soldiers to help.”

Her mouth hung open in shock and disappointment. “The old man has more courage than you. You don't get to spout none sense like that after giving me a lecture about my duties as a Guardian."

“It’s nothing like the songs or the books where the hero comes in and save everyone. That’s a fairytale. Out here, blood and monsters have taken over everyone’s lives. Monsters with no regard for what they destroy, whether it’s the enemy or their own.”

She kept quiet and avoided his eyes.

“And sometimes, you have to sacrifice some for the sake of millions.”

She met his eyes, dark and dangerous.

“This will not be the last time you will have to make tough decisions like this,” he said firmly. “You’ll soon realize that it’s easier to take lives than to save it.”

She had heard enough. “I’ll make for the Tree,” she said firmly. “We get my sword and I’ll cleanse the Heart of the Forest. You can help me do that or you escape with the blacksmith. That is your choice. This is mine.”

She was ready to stand her ground when Roukan, to her surprise, covered his mouth and laughed. She felt both confused and insulted. Did he think she couldn’t do it?

“I didn’t think you had it in you.” He said when he finally calmed down. “I thought you’re just an obedient little girl, sitting quietly, waiting for his master’s command.”

“I do not care being tested by the likes of you.”

“A lot of people waiver at the face of danger. I just wanted to see how committed you are to this cause.”

She grabbed his collar and pulled so close the tip of their noses almost touching. “I am the Guardian of Eardyn,” she said to him. “Do not ever question my resolve to fulfill my duty.”

“Oh?” she smiled teasingly. “Then why did you disappear?”

It was a question she wished she knew the answer to. Unable to find the wit to answer she let go of him.

They felt the cart slow down. “Quiet now children,” Anwar said calmly. “We’re close to the city gates.”

They quickly lowered and covered themselves with dirty sacks. When they came to a halt, they heard three different voices asking where Anwar came from.

She felt the tension in the air and the restlessness in her body. She closed her eyes, covered her mouth tightly with her left hand and held her wrist with her right. Breathing in slowly and letting out a quiet exhale. When she felt her heartbeat slow down, she opened her eyes.

She can hear them clearly now.

“A little too late to be picking vegetables?” one man asked.

“I was too busy tending to the horses of the guards in the west. I was only free to go this afternoon” Anwar explained.

There was truth in his voice.

“Alright, let’s check the cart.”

Someone lifted the canvas of the cart. The red light of sunset flooded in, it was almost blinding. She can only see the silhouette of whoever’s searching for the cart.

“Anything?” asked the man outside.

“Hold on,” someone replied.

They felt the cart shift with his weight as he climbed up. The rusty hook creaked as the man pushed the carcass aside to let himself through. She prepared herself for the worse. At the corner of her eyes, she saw Roukan’s hand reach for the hilt of his dagger. Their plan is already at risk before they enter the city.

“Oh, please do be careful,” they heard Anwar beg. The man inside the cart stopped. “My cart is old it might give away with your weight.”

“Alright, alright. I’m almost done,” he replied dropping the empty crate in his hands.

The cart shook as she made his way out of the crates. But just when they thought he was about to get off, he went back and looked over the crates. Her eyes met his. His mouth slightly opened with shock. He was just a boy. His bright blue eyes stared down at them at awe.

Her fingers wrapped around the hilt of her dagger froze. They stared back at each other for what felt like an eternity.