Crown in The Mist (ENGLISH)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I didn't order a second bowl of that stew or a second cup of that coffee. I stayed in that coffee shop for almost two hours before I decided to go out. Thankfully, the owner didn't mind.

 I marched down the old stairs and glanced at the man who served me the stew earlier. He was mopping the floor and he didn't so much as give me a glance. I turned towards the old man who was wiping the tables and I muttered my thanks once again before I went out. I was at the door when the old man called me.

When I was about to prepare something on what he possibly wanted to ask, he grinned at me and said, "Come again!"

I managed a small bow and trudged my way down the road. Even though it's cold, I could hear the noise of a crowd far ahead, probably where the market is, where I can buy supplies for myself.

I saw a small alleyway where I could see many homeless people lying in the corner. Buying supplies would be difficult. Especially fuel. I have to find ways for it somehow. When I checked the ship earlier, it had enough fuel to go back to Oregon. But just in case, I would buy some today. And some food and other supplies.

So I went into the crowd. Unlike the Central, where it's filled with rich people everywhere, most of the people here are fishermen. So I kept my hands to myself. I had enough money anyway. 

I didn't know the name of this place until I looked at the walls of that coffee shop. Turns out, this place is called Dalian. A small town west of Carnes where Royal guards have little to no influence. Perfect for me. But it wouldn't be a good idea to stay here for long. Especially that there are people like that old coffee shop owner. Curious and if given the chance, could be inquisitive.

I roamed my eyes around. To make sure there aren't Royal Guards lurking. Assured, I continued walking, avoiding people as much as possible. The market wasn't small. It wasn't big either. It was enough to accommodate the whole population of this place. And it was crowded. It was just early in the morning.

Stalls stood side by side with vendors shouting and calling the attention of potential customers. There were a lot of things for sale. Mercifully, they have most of what I need. I went further and I found where they sell fish, vegetables, and other foods. On the left side of it was a pathway that leads to a huge open-air building where people sell house materials like vases, brooms, pots, tables, chairs, and a lot more.

I slid my hands into the pockets of my coat after I adjusted the scarf on my face. The cold weather didn't make me look weird because other people were wearing their winter clothing too. It doesn't snow a lot here but the temperature drops low. I've always hated winter while I was on the streets and I never thought this could serve a very important purpose for me this time. 

"This one's made from the finest wool. 500 Quird, what do you say?" The old man turned to me as he saw me looking at it. It looked warm enough.

"Isn't that too expensive?" I muttered. It wasn't even a brand new coat. I roamed my eyes around his store. He has items that looked like they've had previous owners. Then I spotted a child sitting on a chair that looked like it had seen better days. He was writing something on a paper. Homework, probably. At least the child had a comfortable home and a chair to sit on. Even had the chance to study. While I tried to survive and curl my ass in the cold streets. And yet...

This child's father is obviously trying to scam me. And I somehow understand. I was a thief. I steal to survive. And this man is someone who has to survive for his son. And I hate that I felt a pang of conscience when I don't even like kids. 

"This is of the finest quality of wool--"

I waved a hand. "It's not. It looks like it had seven owners."

I saw him frown. "If you're not going to buy it--"

"I will buy it. Give me two of that," I said and he blinked. I raised a brow and jerked my head for him to move. He took the coat from its hanger and looked at me.

"This one's black. I have a blue and a red one on the back. Which one do you like?" His eyes were gleaming and I saw the child looking at his father too then to me. I frowned when he smiled at me.

"The red one," I answered, tearing my gaze off the child. The father nodded enthusiastically and ran to the back to get the other jacket. I turned my back against the store and looked at the surroundings. Eyeing for suspicious individuals. I have no idea how bounty hunters work but they must have a way to find someone they're hunting. That's why I shouldn't stay in one place for a long time. And I need to know whether the Guards come here. 

"Here it is, lady." I turned to see the man folding the coats neatly and putting it inside a bag. He handed it to me. I muttered my thanks and handed him the money.

"Are there not many tourists visiting here?" I asked.

He shook his head. "We've had visitors once in a while but not a lot."

"I've been to Central Carnes and the tourists were swarming," I said and eyed the bag instead of his inquisitive eyes.

"You're from the Central?"

I shook my head. "I'm also a tourist there. It was so crowded that I saw a lot of Royal Guards roaming the area."

"Ah, yes. No tourist comes here often. Royal Guards doesn't need to come here."

I didn't feign the puzzled-look on my face. "Why not?"

He waved a hand. "Oh, this place is peaceful enough. And the fact that we don't get many tourists here is enough. They only come here when they collect taxes."

I nodded. "Do you pay taxes monthly?"

"Nah. We just pay it twice a year. The first and sixth month," he said and put the money in his drawer.

I nodded. Satisfied with the information I got. I muttered my thanks once again and I was about to walk away when I heard call me.

"Are you a tourist here?" he asked.

I merely said, "Yes."

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from Oregon. I have a relative here," I said and walked away before he could ask more questions. This is a small place. If that man asks who my relative was, it would be hard to lie.

So I walk my way down to another part of the market.

* * *

The place got more and more crowded every hour. I bought the necessary things I needed. Before, I would simply steal the things I needed. I seldom buy. It wasn't new to me or anything. It just gives me a certain kind of feeling. That feeling where I don't need to look around, or that feeling where I don't need to walk fast after I steal something. It's nice. It was as if I was striving for this feeling and I didn't even realize.

I walked towards the shop where they sell fishing and boat materials. A young man was organizing the fishing nets in a bamboo pole. Despite the cold, he had his clothes off. He noticed my presence and eyed me from head to foot.

"Fishing nets?" he asked but his eyes were doubtful.

But what I said next made him even more confused. "I want a gallon of fuel and..." I roamed my eyes around. "...and this fishing rod."

He studied me for a few seconds before he scuttled and got what I needed. He was still eyeing me suspiciously.

"My uncle needs to use a car heater for his shop. I'm not from here but my uncle owns that small coffee shop down the corner," I said. His face lightened. 

"Old Max?"

I didn't get the old man's name but I just nodded. I just hope he wouldn't ask that old man about me.

He smiled. "I didn't know he had a niece." He hauled the gallon from the ground. "But anyway, welcome to Dalian."

I smiled. He let me borrow a cart to put the things I needed and I thanked him in return. Staying in that coffee shop was useful, turns out.

I found another way that would lead me to the mountain. For certain reasons, I don't want to go back to the way where I came from. So I asked vendors if there is any shortcut that would lead me to the mountain. They pointed me to this narrow pathway, enough for the cart I'm pushing to go through. It's muddy and there are puddles everywhere. Perhaps it was raining last night.

The pathway wasn't that popular for the people here, it seems. And I think it was a good thing. I don't need to bother covering my face while struggling to push the cart. I didn't need to see the curious faces of people. So I trudged along the muddy pathway until I reached the sandy shoreline. I heaved a sigh of relief as I wiped the sweat trailing down my face.

I saw a middle-aged man just getting off from his boat. He puffed a cigarette when he saw me approaching.

"How much do I need to pay to rent your boat?" I said, breathless with all the pushing I did earlier.

He eyed me from head to foot before he went back to my face. He blew the smoke to my face. I firmly closed my eyes.

"It's not for rent, lady."

"Even if I pay you two days worth of your work?"

His eyes narrowed into slits as he studied me. He puffed another smoke.

"You want to use it for two days?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yes."

He crossed his arms. "Who are you? You aren't from here."

I blinked. Of course, he'd ask for that. But this man, unlike the vendors in the market, seemed like someone who knew everyone in this place fairly well.

I gulped but said, "I am Old Max's niece."

A small smile tugged on his lips. It was a mocking smile. And my heart thundered when he leaned and said, "I don't remember Old Max having any other family members aside from his son." He stepped closer and I was about to step back when he held my arm tightly.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I told you--"

"You are not from here and you're not Old Max's niece." His grip on my arm tightened.

"Let me go," I said sternly but it was no use.

"Tell me--"

"Let her go." We both whirled to where the voice came from. It was the son of the coffee shop owner. I remember his name was Lance.

"Lance, do you know this woman?" the man asked the man who just arrived.

Lance looked at me blankly then back to the man. "Yes. She's my cousin," he said. "Lend her the boat for two days and she pays you two and a half days worth of your work."

The man stared at me and then at Lance for another minute before he let go of my arm. He jerked his head to the boat. "She's yours for two days," he said and then reached out his palm. "That would be 3500 Quird." 

I was in a trance for a moment but I immediately fished out the money from my pockets and gave it to him. He counted the money and when he was satisfied, he gave me one last glance while puffing his cigarette.  

"Take care of her," he said and tapped the boat twice before he nodded at Lance and strode off. 

I looked at Lance and he was crossing his arms while looking at me too. 

"Why are you here?" I asked. 

That earned me a scoff. His tongue played inside his mouth while he played the sand with his foot. "Shouldn't it be me asking that question?" he asked. 

He took my silence as his signal to continue. "Tell me, how convenient was it for you to use my father's name to whatever you're scheming around here?" 

For a moment, I was at a loss for words. But I crossed my arms and said, "Then I thank your father's name." I touched the boat. "You got me this. How much do you want me to pay you?" 

Before I could even get money out of the pockets of my coat, he crossed the distance between us with long strides. Before I knew it, he's in front of me. And he's damn furious. 

"Whatever you're doing, get my father out of it." he hissed and I could tell he's just restraining himself to strangle me to death. I stared at his blazing eyes and smirked. 

"Sure," I said and brushed an invisible fleck of dust on his shoulder. "Thank you for the boat," I said and was about to pass by him to get the cart I had earlier when he gripped my wrist, pulling me back to stand in front of him. 

"Who are you?" His eyes narrowed into slits as he studied me. 

"Do you really need to know that?" 

His grip tightened on my wrist. "I need to know what business you have here that you're hiding your identity." He pulled me closer. "Who are you?" 

I tried not to wince and stared back at him. "You really don't need to know," I said before I pulled out my gun and pointed it at him. His grip loosened on my wrist. I jerked my head to the side. 

"Step back," I ordered and he slowly let go of my hand. I heard him mutter a curse. I smirked. "Hands in the air." He followed while continuing to step back until he's a few meters away from me. 

"Good," I said while walking to where the cart is. I didn't put down my gun as I pushed the cart near the boat. "Don't worry, I'm not into something illegal." 

I looked at him. "I have quick reflexes so you move an inch and I'll have this gun pointed back at you. Or maybe shoot you. Who knows?" 

I saw him glared at me and I couldn't help but grin. I hauled the things from the cart and transferred them to the boat. He was standing a few meters away while his hands were still in the air. I grinned at him when I climbed up the boat he was still piercing me with his eyes. I revved the engine and the boat started to move. 

I took something out of my pocket and  I smirked when I saw recognition on his face the moment he saw what's in my hand. It was a necklace with a ring as a pendant. I hooked it on my fingers and stretched out my hand on top of the water. 

"I'm going to stay for two days. And I want you to be friendly with me," I said, my voice louder as our distance grew. 

I saw him furrowed his brows. He checked his pockets and when he realized his necklace was gone he ran to the shore. But I wriggled the necklace on my hand. 

"Stop right there," I said, smiling. "Come on, just two days. I'll give this back if you agree." 

"You wish," he said. "Give it back to me." His voice is louder now. 

I shrugged. "Alright. I can't do anything about that," I said and turned to make an act of throwing the necklace into the deep waters. Then he shouted, "Stop! f*****g stop!" 

I gave him a wide grin. "What is your decision?" 

"Fine! Two days. Now give me back my necklace," he said and I curled the necklace inside my fist. "Is that final?" I asked. 

"Yes! Now give it to me," he rasped but I just smiled at him. I plan to make him even more furious. So I took out a necklace I bought randomly from the market earlier and threw it towards him. It didn't reach the shore but the water where it landed was shallow enough for him to find it. 

I smirked as I rode the boat and still had his necklace in my hand. I need to have leverage over him. I chuckled as I saw him dive into the water only to find the wrong necklace. 

By the time I was far enough, I could have sworn I heard a series of colorful curses coming from the shore. 

* * *