On the run
“A house was ransacked in the next town!”

“How unfortunate! Isn’t that the place where not too long ago they caught the members from that underground group?”

“You mean the same town where the witch’s house was burned down?”

Lia listened to the murmurs of the townspeople in this place, acting normal as she bought her rations. After running non-stop for two days in the woods, staying on paths not usually used by people and camping on trees, she finally arrived at this town last night. This was the closest to her town.

After she left Yolly’s house, she dressed as Frankie’s and tried to act as if she was him. She wandered around first, ticking off the places Frankie told her to go.

“If they are watching us, they probably know our routine. So you’ll have to go where I usually hang out but don’t linger too long or the folks will know it’s not me,” Frankie had said.

As Lia went around, she made sure that no one was tailing her when she got out of the town, heading straight to this new town.

Her heart sank as she listened to the bystanders talked about how Yolly’s store ended up being attacked by those men. She was also the cause of the attack last time. Lia could only apologize in her heart to the bad things that she brought at Yolly’s door and could only pray for the other two’s safety. The rumors did not say that someone died or was injured so Lia could only hope that they managed to run away.

She went back to the inn she was staying at once she replenished her supplies, pulling her hat low.

“Mister, your breakfast is ready at your room at your request. Did you go shopping this early?” The innkeeper inquired when she saw Lia came in.

“Yes, better get my exercise while I’m at it.” Lia smiled and crossed her fingers that her voice sounded at least a little lower than usual. She did not correct the way she was addressed. She was actually glad to be thought of like a guy.

“Mister Eric, just tell us if you needed anything more. We’ll provide them for you,” the innkeeper said at the already leaving Lia.

Eric was the name she gave when she asked for a room. She wanted to stay in the forest to avoid leaving a track. But decided otherwise when she realized that the next town would be too far away. It would take her about a week at most. By that time, her energy, as well as her stocks, would be depleted. Besides, she needed to clean her body.

She went back to her room and ate her breakfast as she turned the events in her head over and over. No matter how many times she thought about it, she really could not understand why they were made a target. What was it that her mother was afraid of?

She hated being used as a pawn like this. She hated being left in the dark. What she only wanted was to live a quiet and simple life. Was that too much to ask?

She sighed, releasing all of her worries in that single breath. She could only move forward and learn the truth. If no one would tell her what that truth was, she would forcefully get it out. That would only happen if she managed to get to the capital alive.

And that was a big if.

Lia unfolded the map she hid inside her clothes and studied it again. She already read it a couple of times while on the road, committing to memory all the routes and mastered the possible routes she would take. To be on the safe side, she also outlined other emergency routes in case there were enemies waiting for her on the road. This was the map Yolly gave her before she left.

“Take this map. Tamara had a cartographer mapped the country and even included where she could get all the best herbs. You’ll need it.” Yolly had said.

Why and how did Tamara get a cartographer, Lia could not know. Perhaps it was one of the many mysteries of her mother. This map, though, had proven really helpful to her.

She tapped her finger on the outline of the river. There was a thicket near it which would make a good camping place, also a place to bathe, and a place to get food. Not to mention, the abundance of sage and willow near the riverside which would replenish her stocks of herbs.

Lia knew where she would go next.