The next morning.

Ella woke up early at 5:00 in the morning, it's still dark outside. Julia was still sleeping beside her in the bed and snoring softly. She slowly makes her way out of the bed and picked up the pandan bag which contains her clothing and tiptoed out of the room. 'I'm sorry, Julia, I have to leave,' she said in her mind.

She exited the door of the house and sweeps her gaze around her, the surrounding still dark, it's a good time to leave when everyone is still sleeping in their houses.

She walked faster heading to the direction of the main road that would take her to the next village, the Thorn Spring Village. And from there, she will hire a wagon that would bring her to the castle on the hill. According to her aunt, the travel would take more or less three days, depending on how fast the travel is.

Minutes went by.

She already passed the entrance of their village, she's lucky that she didn't meet any soul on the path that she was walking upon.

She's now on the road that will take her to the Thorn Spring Village, if she travels on foot she will arrive there in a few hours.

The road was teeming with towering trees on both sides. She looked up above and saw the sun already rising in the east.

She can hear birds chirping above in the branches of the trees...wow...nice! What a good travel companion they are, they made her walking pleasant as they serenade her ears with melodious music. It feels nice to stroll the countryside.

She keeps walking without stopping.

Meanwhile...

In a far distance, Zemeth and Ramza were already waiting ahead with a wagon and a horse.

Ramza was eyeing his friend with amusement. "You looked good in your disguise as an old man," he commented and erupted into a peal of laughter.

Instead of getting angry, Zemeth chuckled and joined in the fun. "But we still have time, I can turn you into an old man and I'll drive the horse if you want a switch..." he offered.

Ramza shook his head. "Nah, I prefer to drive the horse. I like seeing the beautiful scenery of the countryside than babysitting the little girl," he refused the offer.

"Alright, that's settled then," Zemeth ended their discussion.

Simus, their other companion appeared in front of them. "The girl is coming this way...!" he alerted them.

"Okay, let's get rolling..." Zemeth said. They took positions.

A few meters away.

Ella saw a wagon parked ahead beside the road, she saw a man helping an old man getting aboard the wagon. Ah, must be a passenger wagon!

She must hurry up and catch the wagon before it will go away, it's the only wagon she saw traveling on the road at this hour.

She sprinted towards the wagon after seeing the driver went back to the front, about to resume its journey.

"Please, wait for me!" she shouted.

The driver looked over his head. "What is it, Miss?"

Ella was panting short of breaths. "Ah...are you heading to the Thorn Spring Village?" she asked, her face flustered from running.

"Yes, I'm on my way," the driver answered.

"I'll take a ride," she said.

"Okay, get in the back," the driver said.

"How much is the fare?"

"One coin..."

"Okay," she took a coin from the pouch and handed the driver. "By the way, Mister. Where to hire a wagon that will take me to the castle on the hill?" Ella asked.

"My wagon is for hire, I can take you anytime there for a right price," he said.

"Hmm...so how much is a three days ride on your wagon?" she asked.

"I'll charge 10 gold coins, no more no less," he said.

"Huh, why it's cheap?" asked the confused girl.

"Because going to that place doesn't need to take three days anymore."

"Why is that?"

"There's a new shortcut road that is recently opened, it will take anyone who wants to reach the castle on the hill in just one and half a day. If we start traveling today, we will be doing stopover in the Thorn Spring Village for lunch and then buy food ration for the travel. We can reach the castle tomorrow, early evening, with an occasional stop along the way," he explained.

Ella's eyes sparkled, the faster she can reach the castle the better. "Great! I'll pay you the coins now!" she said excitedly. She opened the pouch and counted ten coins and handed it to the driver. "Here's my fare to castle on the hill," she said.

The driver smiled and handed her back one coin. "You already give me one coin earlier," he said. "Get in the back, young lady, so that we can start our journey,"

Ella smiled. "Thanks!"

"You need assistance?" he offered.

"No need, I can do it!" she said and went to the back and climb inside the wagon. She saw the old man inside, he looks like he was in his early 70's.

She sat facing the old man. "Hello, Grandpa! Are you going to Thorn Spring Village?"

The old man shook his head. "No. I'll go to the Wooldale Village," he answered.

Ella's brows furrowed. "W-where is that?"

"Wooldale Village is located two kilometers before arriving at the castle on the hill..." said the old man.

Smiling, Ella said. "Wow, what a coincidence, I'm also going to the castle on the hill!"

The old man looked at her for a few minutes. "Why are you going to that place, young lady? The area you wanted to go to is a remote place, not many people go there," he said.

"My sisters are working there, I need to inform them that my aunt already passed away and we buried her yesterday in the cemetery," Ella spoke sadly.

The old man sighed. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that young lady. My condolence to you..."

"Thanks, Grandpa," Ella murmured.

After one hour of travel, they finally reached the Thorn Spring Village. The driver parked the wagon near the clusters of eatery houses offering food and room accommodations for weary travelers.

The driver went to the back and assisted the old man to get down from the wagon by putting a wooden stool on the ground.

Done, it's now Ella's turn, she stepped onto the stool and her feet landed safely on the ground.

The driver addressed his two passengers. "Guys, it's near lunchtime! You can choose any of the eateries to eat. After that we will resume our travel, if you are done with eating, you can go back to the wagon anytime to rest or alternately you can search the merchandise store around this area and be sure to be back at the wagon at 1:00 sharp," he gave his instruction and left.

Ella surveyed the eateries beside the road, they were everywhere sprouting like mushrooms. She was confused about which eatery to choose.

The old man was looking at his young companion. "Which eatery you like, young lady?" he asked.

Ella looked at him. "I dunno...maybe that eatery over there," she replied and pointed her index finger at the eatery on the right side.

"Good choice, that's also my favorite eatery every time I travel to Wooldale Village. Let's get inside and eat because I'm already hungry," he said.

The old man proceeds to the eatery holding onto his wooden cane for support while walking, Ella followed him inside the eatery.

They went to the counter and looked at the food on display.

Ella glanced at her companion. "Grandpa, what are you going to eat?" she asked.

"I only eat the dishes with the cheapest tag price because I'm a poor old man. I don't have much money with me," he said salivating at the delicious roasted lamb.

Ella smiled after following where the old man's eyes landed. "Don't worry Grandpa, I will treat you to a delicious lunch today, my treat. You don't have to pay a penny for today's lunch," she said.

The old man smiled. "Thank you for your generosity young lady, I owe you one today," he said.

"Don't mention it, Grandpa. You can go over that vacant table near the door and just wait there. I will order our food," she said.

The old man obeyed and went to the mentioned table and sat down, waiting for the girl.

Ella ordered a roast lamb, pork stew with potatoes and carrots, and two servings of rice and beverages. She paid a total of 3 gold coins for the food, which is a bit expensive because of the price of the roasted lamb. But it's the first time she has the chance to eat such a delicious meal like this so she doesn't mind spending a bit too much.

The serving lady put the customers' orders in the tray, along with the plates and cutlery. Ella picked up the tray and brought it to the table where the old man was waiting patiently. She put down the plates and dishes in the table and set aside the tray.

She lowered herself on the wooden chair and holds her spoon and fork. "Grandpa, let's eat!" she said.

"Alright, the roasted lamb looks delicious!" the old man commented.

Ella smiled at him. "Eat a lot, Grandpa!"

They start eating in silence.

After one hour, they finished eating the meals and were resting inside the eatery.

Ella looked at the old man. "Grandpa, what is your business in Wooldale Village?" she inquired.

"I'm going to visit my son and his family. It's been six months since the last time I went there," he answered.

"I see," she said clearing her throat. She wanted to ask him something. "Grandpa... have you seen the castle on the hill?" she asked curiously, wanting to know what the castle looks like.

Grandpa nodded his head. "I have seen the castle twenty years ago when I'm still strong enough to travel there. I used to be a wagon driver in my younger years, but I already retired due to old age..."

"So...how does the castle look like? Was it big?" she asked excitedly because she has never seen a castle before.

"It's huge...they say it's a beautiful and imposing cattle for centuries. But twenty years ago, the last time I saw the castle it was already old, rusty and badly in need of repairs," he elaborated.

"Ah, I see," said Ella, wearing a disappointed look on her face.

They chatted for a few minutes and finally exited the eatery, they went back to the wagon, the driver was already there waiting for them.

"Get inside guys, let's continue our journey," he said and assisted the old man to board the wagon.

Ella followed the old man inside.

The driver returned to the front of the wagon to resume their journey.

The horse moves at a steady pace, not too fast and not too slow either. They have a smooth journey the whole afternoon.