Snow Witch'S Journey
The city at the end of the world

In fact, just a moment ago, I had the chance to think that my trip would be much worse. But, the truth is not. I met my first friend, his name was Edras. Even though we've only met for the first time, but he's been very kind to me. In the night, we've become very close.

We talked a lot during this dark journey. He told me that he often sold his merchandise in the cities. The trade he sells is usually in the form of fruits, wood, or animal skins. Sometimes he also delivers drugs and other necessities. It just so happened that the man wanted to go to the city, so he offered me a ride.

I also told her how I found my mother in the ice, how I cared for her, how I could never feel her touch, and how I felt how alone I was on the cliff.

She laughed as I told her how hard I was to beat my mother in my training routine. “So, if your mother doesn't change your practice by throwing stones, you won't be able to win for life. In other words, you will never be able to realize your dream, will you?” he's still laughing.

“Please don't laugh. I don't like wins like that,” my grumbling.

“Look on the bright side, now your dream can come true, no,” the man's words are true. Like it or not, I am far away from home.

This long talk makes me sleepy. He noticed me yawning and told me to sleep in the car containing his trading boxes. He said, it's warm inside and there's enough room for me to stick out my legs.

Of course I couldn't resist it, my eyes were already so heavy as to be pulled by gravity itself. I then got into the car. The wooden boxes that appeared to be quite heavy were arranged on the right side of the carriage, while the left side was quite empty. I lay down my body and curled up.

I use my arm as a pillow replacement. This train is also not as plump as my comfortable mattress. But, I don't really care, I'm really very sleepy now. I don't have to worry about Edras either, he's a good guy, so I can sleep in peace. The only thing I need to worry about is these shocks that are rumbling like waves.

Here's my. Waking up with a sick body in a trading train belonging to a young village man. The morning greeted me with cold. The forest is running low on both sides of the road. I even forgot all my long dreams when I saw a city standing at the end of the world.

“Good morning, Niva,” greet the man who still has not changed much since I left bed. The man was great, able to endure his drowsiness all night and continue to take us to our destination.

“So, that's what's the city?” I was stunned to see the city for the first time.

“Fast. We have arrived in Pondorian City.”

The man took us right in front of the gate. In a guard house, a man wearing full armour stopped us. It seemed that the man was a guard in charge of inspecting the people who were going in and out.

“Wait here, I just have to talk to the guard for a bit,” Edras told me. He went down and approached the guard. As the guard glanced at me, Edras said, “This girl is with me.” Afterwards, I saw Edras hand a small bag over to the guard.

I wonder, what are they doing? Is that the way to get into the city? I think the bag contains some sodium. So, do we have to pay to enter a city?

Edras then returned shortly after he handed over his bag of Pengrium. The guard in front got out of the way and let us in.

“Hey, was that a way to get into a city?” manya curious.

“Yes, sort of,” replied the man lightly.

I'll remember that important tip. I had not previously thought about how I would get into each city I would visit. I don't want to be a dazed wanderer and know nothing. A little information will be very useful for later.

I was amazed when I started to enter the city. I saw people walking around, horses pulling a carriage, and buildings that looked bigger than my house were especially neat.

“What is all that citizen's home?” point me to that big building.

“Not all, there are various kinds of stores, there are inns, many.”

I just nodded as I satisfied my eyes by observing the small town.

The streets of the city looked wide, enough for 2-4 horse carriages to pass through. Street lights dotted along the side of the street. The lamp used some kind of rock, if I'm not mistaken, it was Ausor ore. Rocks that emit light like stars. Unlike candles, lamps that use Ausor are more practical in terms of use but expensive. From the books I read, Ausor ore is found in caves and mountain mines on the Livadia Continent.

“Alright, I have to clear my merchandise first. Satisfy yourself to surround the city, if you are satisfied, meet me at this inn and we will continue the journey.”

The man dropped me off on the side of the road, right next to an inn with a sign of a sleeping horse. I waved my hand as the man drove his horse away.

I was thinking about how to start this. Do you surround all corners of the city? Do I have to enter all the buildings here? I thought hard and finally decided, I will book a room to stay for the first time.

I entered the inn and headed straight towards a young lady who seemed to be the innkeeper. I thought so, because he immediately smiled at me as soon as I entered. The hotel is quite warm with decorations that are not too crowded. There were a number of artificial flowers in every corner of the room, then there were paintings and a board that I didn't know what to do.

Edras said that he would wait for me at this inn. So, it wouldn't hurt if I would pay for the room as my gratitude, would it?

“Then, are there rooms for 2 people?” my many.

“What is with the husband of miss? If yes, there are special rooms for married couples.”

“Oh, no!” I immediately attacked him. “We are not husband and wife, we are just friends,” I replied shyly. I can feel my cheeks flushed.

“According to our rules here, we do not allow non-spouses legally for one room.”

“Then, 2 rooms, please.”

Why would I want to go to room with him? I was too excited to answer all the questions. Of course it's not allowed, our relationship is not that close. I already knew that kind of relationship from the explanation of the book and mother.

The woman then led me up the stairs, to the available room. It was smaller than my room in the house. There is one mattress, chairs and tables, cabinets, also a bathroom. I didn't expect much, because the price was quite affordable. A bed is enough for me.

“The other room is right in front of the lady's room, here's the key,” she handed me a key. “If anyone does not need, I am below.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as the woman left, I threw my hat on the chair, as well as my body on the bed. This is my first bed in a place other than home. My body enjoyed every one of those familiar tenderness and sensations. I could have fallen asleep again, because my sleep on the train was still unsatisfied.

I remembered something after I finished my shower. I thought about how Edras knew, if I paid for a room for him. The man could've rented another room, when I went around. So I decided to wait for him to come home. Then, I'll take him to tour the city together.

Seconds change seconds, minutes change minutes, and hours change hours. I looked through the window of my room on the second floor, waiting patiently for the man. Every now and then, I wander outside, waiting for his arrival.

I spent my time unpacking all my bags to double-check them, and then I put them down again. And that was when, I accidentally saw him enter the inn from the window. I ran straight down the stairs.

“You're back!” I cried with pleasure as if I were greeting mom.

“Hey, how? Already satisfied to go around it?”

“Actually, I haven't been walking around in town.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs. I forgot to give you the door key too. “This is your room. I paid it as my thanks.”

“Not bother, but thank you.”

“Hey, how about we go around the city together?” take me without further ado.

I saw the man's face pleased, but it quickly turned grim. “Sorry, that doesn't mean I don't want to, it's just that I'm busy tonight. I still have to take care of my horse carriage on stables.”

“Then tomorrow only!”

“Don't wait for me, Niva. If I can't, you can still do it yourself. Your dream is to see the world, right? So, I don't want your dream to be lost because of me.”

“Alright .. but, we can still travel the world together right?”

“What? No, I can't. I just said I'd give you a ride to your next destination, remember? We just stopped here for a while.”

He's correct. I expected too much of him. It's my own dream and it's a path I took myself. I can't involve anyone else on the journey. Just like my mother said, I can't always depend on others, I have to be alone.

The man approached me and patted my head. “Don't be sad. If you are happy, I am happy too. Have fun!”

Now I know, Edras is like my mother. He is friendly and gentle. The words that came out of her lips always made me comfortable. It was his attitude that made me always feel like I wanted to be with him. Therefore, I feel familiar with this feeling. I felt impatient waiting for her to come home like I was waiting for her, and greeted her when I returned. But, this familiar feeling, will someday hinder me if I don't let go immediately.

“You too, cheer up!”