Chapter 2:
A merchant never enjoys his travels in the snow. If the wagon became stuck, and no one was there to help them, it meant not only would they lose their profit, but lives were also at risk.
It was quiet once again; the sun was directly overhead of the wagon, signaling that it had already turned to the afternoon. Out of the thick forest, the wagons only obstacles now were small hills, stretching for a least a good few miles. Cueing his horse to turn right, Lawrence memorized the twisted pattern of the snowy path. If they were to make it to the next town safely, the man knew he had to do everything in his power to stay as close to the road as possible.
"I am not one to be impatient, but how much farther do we have until Kveir?" The wolf deity questioned as she gently groomed her silky, smooth, white tipped tail.
When Holo spoke so suddenly, it came to a rather shock to the peddler. She had been so quiet before he could not help but wish it had stayed that way a bit longer. "It's just a bit further now. Look..." Pointing his index finger out in front of him the young male smiled. "Just over this hill and we'll be right at the gateway to Kveir village."
When Holo did not respond, Lawrence only gazed over at the woman in disbelief. He could tell she was becoming quite agitated about being forcefully stuck on the cart for a few weeks.
So like calming a whining child, the peddler spoke calmly to her, reassuring the wolf that they were not far. "I cannot stop you for not believing me Holo, but I am telling the truth. As you know you're eyes are sharper than mine, if you were to just deter your attention away from your tail for one second you'll see the village for yourself."
This remark had only annoyed the wolf further. "ARE YOU SUGGESTING MY TAIL IS NOT OF IMPORTANCE!" She growled, leaning close to the peddler's face. As she scowled Holo revealed her sharp fangs to Lawrence.
If this had been around the first time he met her, Lawrence would have become a bit nervous by the wolf's actions. However, he knew now this was only a gesture of mere complaining. Releasing a sigh, the merchant simply scratch the back of his head. He knew at this moment, no matter what he said, the agitated deity would only find a reason to fault it.
"WELL?" Holo shouted, demanding a response from the peddler.
Keeping his eyes focused on the path ahead of him, Lawrence frowned merely disappointed in his lack of communication with Holo. "If you could just stop and be in my position for one second Holo, you'd realize your being a bit over-dramatic." Came his response. After all, Holo wasn't the only one feeling a bit agitated from the long journey.
Though it wasn't what Holo was looking for, the young woman simply sighed before taking her seat. Holding onto her fur she frowned, greatly disappointed in Lawrence. "I am very proud wolf." She spoke, her crimson eyes focused onto her tail. "I am aware that to you, my tail means nothing, but to me, it means everything." Allowing her tail to fall back down, Holo turned her attention now towards the path ahead of them. "I am also not a fool. If you so choose to assume I did not believe you for merely not responding, then you lack trust Lawrence." She remarked annoyingly.
Lawrence could not argue with Holo. Though he trusted her, he had always found it very difficult to fully understand what she wanted. Normally the wolf would blurt out exactly what was on her mind, but other days, anything and everything was like trying to solve a puzzle. "You're right, I'm sorry for judging you so quickly." He finally spoke.
Hearing her soft giggles Lawrence knew he had fallen once again for one of her traps. No matter what situation it was, he always found himself defeated by the young woman.
It did not take long before the two found themselves arriving at the entrance of Kveir. Though it was small, the village had been barricaded by a thick stone wall, possibly to protect any noblemen inside. "Strange, looks like the gates are closed?." Question Lawrence as he stopped his horse right at the entrance.
Unlike a big city like Ruvinheigen, Kveir did not acquire a legal travelers document to pass through its walls. Yet, judging by the amount of guards in the watch towers above Lawrence assume that didn't mean it wasn't going to be any easier to get inside.
"Halt, who goes there?" Suddenly came a low male's voice. Turning his attention away from the gate, Lawrence spotted a plumped middle aged man sprinting over to his cart. Breathing heavily, the man skimmed the wagon and the passengers before repeating his previous question. "Who are you and what brings you to Kveir?"
Holo, who now had her tail hidden and hood up stayed quiet as Lawrence put on his best merchant act and smiled towards the man. "As you can tell, I am merely a traveling merchant. I came here hoping to find a place to stay and perhaps sell a few of my goods."
Cocking his head curiously, the man looked to Lawrence before glancing over at Holo. "And she is?" He asked, pointing his index finger over at her.
Lawrence chuckled, acting as if he accidentally forgot to introduce the young woman. "Oh my apologize, this is my companion Holo. She is a nun who is on a journey in hopes to spread the word of god."
"I see." The male nodded, seeming to buy such a ridiculous story. "Well, I cannot promise you you'll find any good housing here in Kveir, but if your looking to trade, you've come to the right place." With a completely different expression on his face, the man now smiled before turning his gaze towards the cart. "If you don't mind, could you show me what your kind of goods you offer?"
Keeping his merchant smile, Lawrence shifted his position and removed a little bit of the cloth that hid his items.
The man peaked inside and nodded his head, as if convinced the goods were suitable enough for trade. "You're a smart man bringing spices and armor here." He chuckled turning his gaze back towards Lawrence.
Recovering his goods with the cloth, Lawrence simply chuckled. "As any good traveling merchant should while heading north." He replied softly.
"The names Darren by the way. I apologize if I made you nervous at all. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Kveir." The middle age man spoke with a humble smile and reaching his hand out.
Smiling, Lawrence grabbed the extended hand, and shook it. "Oh, not at all! The names Kraft Lawrence. Worry not, my companion and I will gladly enjoy our stay here."
Happily, Darren walked away from the cart and waved one of his hands up towards one of the guards who stood in the watch towers. Noticing him, one of the men swiftly sprinted away and soon the giant metal gates slowly sprang open. "Good luck young Merchant, I hope you find everything you are looking for."
Saying their farewells, Darren sprinted off back towards the direction he original came from, as Lawrence looked ahead, passing through the gates and arriving in the village.
"Finally, I cannot stand being on this cart for far to much longer." Said Holo, Standing up and admiring the village.
The young merchant himself was doing his own fair share of site seeing. Yet, unlike his companion who glanced around with wonder, he felt there was Something off about Kveir.
During their travels, a young merchant had crossed their path and spoke with Lawrence about Kveir. He explained that if Lawrence was looking to go North and fetch a good profit than he should not think twice about visiting the village of kvier. In his description any time of the day was packed full of merchants from all around, waiting to sell their items. Yet, unlike the story went, the current state of the village was barren with nothing more than a few people taking care of their daily errands.
"Did you not hear me Lawrence." Soon came a rather agitated voice. Snapping swiftly out of his thoughts the young peddler turned his attention to the scowling deity beside him. Still standing up in his wagon, she was resting a hand onto her hip, waiting for his answer.
"I cannot say I was." He replied in a teasing voice. "However, if you'd like to tell me again, I'll gladly listen to you this time."
Holo simply turned to glare at Lawrence once again. Speaking much slower she responded to the peddler's mocking tone. "I do not like repeating myself." She scowled, slumping back down into the seat before adding; "However, I am aware something is troubling you. Could it perhaps be this village?" She finished raising her brow curiously.
Though she had guessed it correctly Lawrence did not want such a thing to bother Holo. Instead, he managed to place the most convincing smile on his face before focusing all his attention on steering his horse. "Not at all. I was just thinking about how we can finally have a good meal for a change." He lied, knowing that the young women wouldn't believe him. He only hoped that she was hungry enough to cave in and take it as the reason.
Sure enough, Holo did not argue with the peddler. With widen eyes and perked up ears, the young wolf deity smiled, clapping her hands. "Oh yes, how I would enjoy a good meal. Perhaps the meat of a nice plumped deer would do just fine. Or maybe even a nice warm bowl of pig stew."
Chuckling, Lawrence cued his horse through Kveir, all the while listening to Holo go on about the courses she would love to chow down. "For now, lets just focus on finding a place to stay for the night and then worry about food alright." He added, peering over at Holo who happily nodded her head, and sat patiently in her seat. Lawrence himself couldn't help but smile as he felt the deity's tail happily brush against him. Though it was just a small little gesture, it always pleased the merchant when he could make Holo happy.
As they journeyed on, the peddler was amazed to see just how large Kveir truly was. Though called a village, it's size was more suited to be called a small town than anything else. Buildings filled almost every inch of the inner village, and in the center was none other than a large church which towered over everything.
Deeper in, he soon passed a few houses he believed to be a few trading firms. Unlike the other buildings, these were greatly detailed and kept well established, much like the church.
After a bit of site seeing though, Lawrence and Holo eventually stabled the horse and entered a small inn.
Upon entering the building, the peddler was greeted right off to the warmth of a nice fire place. Holo herself seemed greatly satisfied as she stood beside Lawrence with a delighted smile.
To their left, standing behind a counter, stood a beautiful young lady. "Excuse me, do you happen to have a room open for my companion and I. I'm a merchant and we've traveled quite a long distance. I was hoping we could stay here at your inn for the night." Venturing over to her, Lawrence put on his best smile, waiting for a kind response back.
However, the woman did not look so enthused. Scowling she merely glared at Holo before turning back to Lawrence. "And why should I bother giving the likes of you a place to stay?"
With a surprised expression, Lawrence was a bit blown off guard by the woman's reply. "I can understand if you do not trust me, but perhaps you'd do it for my companion here." He spoke, gesturing towards Holo, who simply stayed quiet.
Sighing the woman grabbed a cup and a rag that was on her counter before scrubbing the glass wear. "I can tell your not from around here, but we ain't to fond of you traveling merchants...Especially ones with companions...Last time my husband and I trusted your kind, we were nearly robbed of everything we had." She spoke, glaring at the two as if they had been the ones to do it.
Lawrence, trying to stay as calm and composed as he could simply bowed to the woman. "I do apologize for your loss, however, I assure you my companion and I will not do such a thing. After all, I am traveling with a nun." He spoke calmly.
Holo, who had been quiet this whole time before now put on the act and shyly walked over towards the counter. "I myself am greatly sorry for your loss. May god bless you and your family from here on out." She spoke as if a true nun.
The woman though stayed quiet for a moment before finally releasing a sigh. Placing the cup back down on the counter, she looked at Lawrence before grabbing a key and handing it to the young peddler. "If not for your companion being a nun, you would not have this luxury merchant." She scowled miserably.
Trying his hardest not to show any sign of being nervous, Lawrence accepted the key and handed the woman the amount of coins needed for the room.
"May god look down upon you with delight for your kindness." Holo spoke, keeping her hands together in a pray like position.
The woman simply rolled her eyes, before grabbing another cup and continuing her cleaning.
If their truly was a god, he certainly had been on Lawrence's side this time around. Entering the room, Lawrence exhaustively slumped down onto the closest chair. Leaning back, he rested a hand onto his forehead before closing his eyes.
Something very unsettling was going on in Kveir, and it truly puzzled the peddler. Not only had the merchants stories from before be false of the village, but people here disliked peddlers more than enjoyed seeing them. He also knew that the merchant might not have been lying, and something just coincidentally happened to make the village so dull. Either way, not trusting it, Lawrence knew to ask a few questions, and if too dangerous for him and no gain for profit, he was out in an instant.
Holo, who stood staring at the peddler simply chuckled before removing her robe. "I cannot say I have seen you so troubled for some time now Lawrence. Perhaps the wrath of one angered woman was too much for you." She laughed again, tossing the wet robe onto the floor.
Ignoring her tease, the young merchant simply stayed quiet, taking in everything he saw in Kveir and trying to wrap some sort of conclusion out of it. Yet the more he tried, the more he knew he didn't know enough of the situation to do so.
Holo simply smiled before gently taking a seat onto the bed. "I can tell you are still troubled Lawrence. If I am not mistaken it is about Kveir correct?" She asked with a curious expression.
"I can never hide anything from you can I?" The young merchant spoke, sitting up in his chair.
Holo, who sat comfortably on the bed only smiled slyly. "I am a wise wolf after all...And for this, I can tell that you are a bit puzzled about this village not being as that one silly merchant foretold it to be."
Lawrence could only shamelessly nod his head at the young woman. It terrified him how accurately Holo could read him. He never had to say anything, and she already knew what was troubling him. "That's correct. In the Peddlers story, Kveir is suppose to be a hot spot for merchants traveling north. Yet, there are a few things bothering me about what he said."
"Perhaps it is because of the wall, or is is by chance the rude villagers glaring at us?" Holo spoke, recalling earlier on the wagon.
"That, and the fact that there is no other merchants here...well besides the town ones that is. For a village known for trade, I'm getting the feeling we've been lied too...But for what reason?" Lawrence spoke, resting a hand underneath his chin.
However, he was soon cut from his thoughts as a loud growl interrupted their conversation. Glancing over at his companion, he saw Holo, now holding onto her stomach. Her white tipped brown ears now drooped down as she glanced over at Lawrence. "I admit this place is a bit odd, however you did promise food."
Blinking his grayish tinted eyes, Lawrence tossed Holo a rather puzzled look. "I made no such promises. I simply said, I was excited to eat something that wasn't something cold for a change."
"I do not care what you call it, I am hungry. I demand food!" Holo growled, pointing a finger at the peddler who now stood up and stretched.
With a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead, Lawrence released a sigh before walking over towards the door. "Fine, why don't we go get something to eat. But after words, I would like to walk around the village and see if I can sell a few things...Do I make myself clear."
"Do as you please. As long as I can eat, you can do whatever your little heart desires." She spoke swiftly jumping out of bed, and venturing over towards the young peddlers side.
With that, the two left the room and quietly made their way towards the kitchen area. Though the thought of the Kveir still troubled Lawrence, he decided to not let it bother him to much while he ate. It had been too long since he had a good meal, and with hot cooked duck in front of him, and stew as a side, he and his companion ate like kings, for a reasonable price.
During it, the two shared good laughs and wine, before finishing up their meal and making their way back towards the room. Holo, as always, had ate and drank more than she could take in. Lawrence had to carry her all the way back to the room and gently rested the young woman down onto the bed. Covering her up with the sheets, he then blew out the lantern before making his way towards to door once again.
"Lawrence..." Came Holo's soft voice.
Turning to face her, the young peddler smiled before placing his hand onto the door handle. "Worry not, I'll be back soon. As I said earlier, I'm going to see if I can sell a few things. You rest up now." He spoke calmly.
Exhausted, Holo simply closed her eyes and snuggled against the sheets. Lawrence found her to be extremely charming every time she slept like this. Keeping such thoughts to himself however, he soon opened the door and made his way out of the inn.
Grabbing his bag of spices, Lawrence glanced down at the barren streets before releasing a sigh. Though it wasn't a town bustling with merchants, Lawrence began to make his was towards the only other place he could think of...The small shops within Kveir. If anyone was going to buy his spices and give him knowledge about what was going on, Lawrence knew it was the town merchants he had to turn to.