Chapter 6 “Scrap Delivery”

I have to say that I’m very blessed. To be able to enjoy the freely blowing wind that landed on my face was such a relaxing moment for me. The cool feeling it gave whenever the air caressed my face gently is such a valuable experience I can only have whenever I’m on the road like this.

As I moved my gaze upward, my eyes then came into the sight of clouds freely flying in the sky. They moved ever so slowly and, somehow, quite majestically. Like a noble that care not for anyone else except himself. I could also see many birds that seemed to be enjoying their time soaring in the free sky, not caring for anything else. Ah, what a slow yet relaxing time it is. I could enjoy this forever.

“How long till we arrive, Zin?” And there goes my moment of relaxation. I got to say, Lin has quite a talent to break these kinds of relaxing moment.

“It’s not far.” I said to the voice behind me without looking back. “You can already see the triplets towers from here.”

“Triplets towers?” With a rustling, the covering canvas behind me shifted after a different voice entered our conversation and I could see a head peeked out of the opening. “Really?”

“Yes. Look there.” I then pointed at the direction of the tall and grand structure in the far away. “If we can see it, I think we will arrive pretty soon.”

“Hmm?” My boyish looking companion’s eyes followed my direction while slightly squinting. “Oh yes, I can see it.”

“Really?” Then another side of the canvas opened up, revealing my other companion’s face. As she leaned her body out near my seat, she also tried to look at the object. “Oh…you’re right.”

“First time seeing it, I presume?” They nodded at my question. “Then you are in a plenty big of surprise. Wait until you look at it from close.”

“So…you have been there?”

“Plenty of time, Lin.” I answered while giving him a smile. “It is a pretty friendly town.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. It is a small town that has a rather close-knitted community. It’s as if the whole townspeople know each other real well. The food is good too, especially the fruit. Well…if it is in season.”

“What was the name again? Weyfor?”

“It’s Wayford, Lin.” Ris corrected her sister. “And we’re going to deliver…uhm…broken iron weapon and iron wares? Is that right?”

“Yup, you got that right.” I nodded from my driver seat. “Chipped knifes, broken pots, cracked horse shoes, misshaped arrow tips. Bits and pieces of metal that is deemed to be unworthy enough to be melted back and re-forged. In other word, scrap metals.”

“And…why are they buying this?”

“Don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulder at Lin’s question. “All I know is that we have to deliver it there. End of story.”

“Geez, aren’t you a bit curious or something?” It seemed that Lin didn’t really approve of my carefree attitude. But I assure you, I have a reason for that.

“I am, trust me. But our code of conduct refrain us from prying too much into our customer’s business.”

“Hey Zin, when we arrive there can we look around for information for it?”

“You’re that curious about it?” I glanced back at my companion and saw a smiling Ris. I looked to the side, expecting the same expression from Lin. All I found was Lin that looked at her sister with a slight frown. “Well…I don’t see the reason why not. But do be careful. Although they are friendly, it has been quite some times since I visited Wayford. They might not be the same people I remember them.”

“Okay. We’ll be careful.” Ris then went inside the wagon again.

“Hey, Zin.”

“Hmm? What is it?

“Do you think that…we can find information about…that in there?”

“Ah…that, eh?” The thing Lin mentioned is news and information about their way of going back. Although they didn’t tell me the detail, they both believed that they were kidnapped from their hometown. And, for matter I don’t know, they’ve also asked me not to ask the stuff about their hometown from them. They said that they will tell me when they are comfortable with telling it. I am curious, but I will respect their wish. “I doubt that, Lin. Since…Wayford is not exactly a dynamic place. The number of traffic there is very small. Although I don’t want to make you lose your hope and it is still not exactly as I say, the chance is probably very low next to nothing.”

“…Is that so.” Hearing my answer, I could see her eyes emitted some kind of disappointment. “Thanks for the information.”

“Anytime, Lin. Anytime.” I said to her with a smile on my face. “You can ask me for help anytime.”

“…Got it.” She then also joined her sister to wait inside the wagon.

“…” I wanted to say something to cheer her up, but not a single word came into my mind. To not be comfortable telling me their story…they must have something important that they must not tell anyone. I think I can understand that.

“…Let’s hope that we can arrive soon. Hyah!” I then jerked the rein so that Altent will move a little bit faster.

“…Zin…”

“…Yes, Lin?”

“Are you sure…that this is Wayford?”

“Uhm…I’m sure…at least I think I’m sure.”

“You said they are friendly, right?”

“Uhm…I think so…I mean…it supposed to be like that.”

“Then…why are they looking at us like…” Lin gripped her sabre as she glanced around the crowd of people that stared at us, visibly worried at the situation. “Like…hungry wolves?”

Just like Lin said, the moment we entered the town, we could feel the intense stare from the people all over the road. At first, I thought that it was just mere curiosity. But…those eyes. It felt very…unnerving. Because of that, I asked Lin to accompany me in case something happen while I told Ris to stay inside and be ready for anything.

“…I…am not quite sure too.” I forced myself to look as normal as I could. But I could feel beads of cold sweat started to pour out of my head as I felt the intense stare at me. “I don’t know how the situation is at the town. All I know is that we have to deliver the crate.”

“That’s all? Are you sure, Zin?”

“I’m sure. It is such a simple request. That’s why I took it immediately.”

“Really?” I then glanced around and then noticed Lin did the same. “Really, really sure?” Not only her tone, her eyes were looking at me with doubt.

“I’m sure of it. There’s noth–“ Wait…Is there something else?

“What, Zin? Don’t pause all of a sudden like that!” Lin’s angry voice came at me. “Zin!”

“L-Lin, give me a moment and take the rein for a bit.”

“Huh?”

“Just take it!” I then leaped inside the wagon, leaving the confused looking Lin that grumbled under her breath while holding the rein I left behind.

“Z-Zin? What happened?” Surely enough, I was greeted by a nervous looking Ris that stay close to the crate while trying to keep the crate from moving around.

“Sorry, Ris, I need to look at the request on the crate.”

“The request? What’s the matter with it?”

“Just…making sure of something.” I know that my answer was very vague and the effect of that answer clearly reflected on Ris’ expression that showed even more worried. I ignored that and approached the crate and looked at the piece of paper nailed onto it. “Deliver the crate…okay…to the merchant center…okay…price…content...and…nothing’s strange…huh?”

“What is it, Zin?”

“There’s…something strange written on it.”

“Huh? Let me see.” Ris got next to me, trying to look at the paper too. “…Don’t…make it let out a sound…don’t let them…heard…Huh?”

“Don’t let them heard what?” I knitted my eyebrows as I read the line again. “Who is ‘them’? And don’t make what let sound? I” Just from a single line, at least two questions came into my mind. Really. How did I miss this line? “W-Wait a minute! The ink!” I touched the ink with my finger. My eyes widened after that.

“What’s with the ink?”

“It’s still wet!” They just put that in the last minute!? You don’t put something important like this in the last minute!

“E-Eh?...Zin, it is still wet!” Ris shouted the same thing as she did the same thing as I.

“What’s the matter there?” A shout came from the front. I looked at the source and found Lin peeked inside. “You’re so noisy back there.”

“W-Wait! Keep your eyes on the road!”

“Huh? Oh, relax, relax.” Her hand waved to me as she said that. “It has been nothing but straight road. Like there’s something that will–“

All of a sudden, the sound of Altent’s neigh came from the front followed by a very rough shaking of the whole wagon.

“W-W-WAAAAHHH!!!”

“KYAAAA!!!”

“L-Lin! Rein! The rein!”

“R-Right!” While the wagon kept shaking roughly, I jumped near Lin as she once again took the rein. “E-Easy there, boy! Slow down!”

“Altent! Calm down, boy!” Both I and Lin shouted as Lin tried to take control of the wagon. Thankfully, the worst could be avoided and we regain control of the wagon. “…Lin, you…”

“…Sorry…” She averted her eyes from me. “My mistake.”

“…Just keep your eyes on the road next time…” I scratched my head as I said that. “Keep your eyes peeled. I will check on Altent.”

“..Careful, Zin.”

“Huh?” Her words stopped me just before I was able to jump down. “Why?”

“Because…just be careful. And be quick about it.”

“…Okay…” Isn’t that ominous? Ugh…Let’s just get this over with. “Ris! You okay back there?”

“F-Fine!”

“Good! Be right back.” I then jumped down to check on Altent’s condition.

As I jumped down, I noticed that we have gathered quite some crowd. And just like before, their eyes gazed at us so intensely, making a shiver ride down my back. Ugh, this is getting scary. What’s wrong with everyone?

“…Young man…”

“W-WAAA!!!” I shouted as I backed down reflexively. I then realized that someone just greeted me. As I looked at the person, it was an elderly looking man. “O-Oh, please excuse my rudeness, sir.” I let out a cough as to recompose myself. “How can I help you, sir?”

“Do you…bring…metal?”

“E-Eh?”

“I said… do you…bring metal?”

“Metal?”

“Yes!” He suddenly closed the distance between us in an instance, startling me. “Metal!”

“W-What? A-Ah, y-yes?” Seconds after I said that, his hand grabbed mine. “S-Sir?”

“Give it to me!” His eyes suddenly turned bloodshot. There was a slight hint of madness appeared inside them, scaring me more. “GIVE IT TO ME!!!” W-What’s going on here!?

“GET BACK OLD TIMER!!!” Before I could understand the situation, a sudden voice entered my ears and I saw the old man was being pulled back by a man probably as old as me that immediately stood in front of me. Ah, it seems the old man’s antics was known in this town. Although I felt bad for the old man, I really am glad I have someone to help me in thi– “THE METAL IS MINE!!” …Eh?

“NO, IT’S MINE!” This time I looked to my side and found a woman, probably older than the man, shouting the same thing as the man in front of me. “BACK OFF YOU BRAT!!!”

“NO WAY! YOU BACK OFF, YOU HAG!!”

“I FOUND HIM FIRST!”

“NO, I’M THE ONE!”

“…What in the name of Great Dielach is happening?” As the three were busy with fighting with each other, I noticed that they all gave me the same madness feeling from before. It was as if they were controlled by something else and forgot to act with common sense. It was the first time I have seen something like this happen. Crazy is all I could say.

“Zin!” Lin’s voice snapped me from my own confusion. “Around us!”

“H-Huh?” Around us? What’s around us? …Oh, dear merciful Dielach…they’re…everywhere… The ominous sight made me back off to almost a step away from the wagon. ”Uhm, can I help y–“

“Metal…”

“That sound…metal…”

“They…have metal…Give me…”

This is bad. This is very bad! They all have the same madness looks in their eyes. And the number is increasing fast. We are surrounded by more than thirty people. I looked to the front and I could see more are coming. As I glanced back, the situation is not even slightly better. In fact, I could see more people from the back of the wagon.

“…Lin…” I beckoned her to get closer. She leaned her body toward me. “Tell Ris to prepare a wind spell. Not a powerful, but strong enough to make them back off slightly. At my mark, shoot that spell and then we will ride toward our destination as fast as we could.” I delivered the instruction with a low tone that was audible enough for her. Or at least I hope so. I glanced back at her. “Do you get that?”

“Got it.” A nod came from her and then she went into the back of the wagon.

“Good. Wait for my signal.” I then slowly climbed the seat.

“HEY, THE METAL’S GETTING AWAY!!!” Tch! They noticed that!

“NOW!!!”

“Fly freely [Wild Gale]!” As soon as that phrase shouted from the back of the wagon, a strong gush of wind surrounded our wagon, making the surrounding people backed off while covering their face. I grinned as the first part of the plan worked just as planned.

“Altent! Go! Hyah!” I whipped the rein and made Altent gallop as fast as he could. “Lin! Ris! Stay there and guard the crates! They might jump in!”

“Got it!” “J-Just be careful!”

“As you said, girls!” I then steered the wagon as best as I could. No matter how they act toward us, we shouldn’t hurt them. Because of that, I need to be careful to not crash into one of them. Ugh…I knew the pay is too good to be true!

Author Note:

Please give me comment and opinion for this story, or even critique so that I can improve my writing. Do tell me if you find something strange or wrong with the chapter. Thank you for reading!