The day of departing had arrived sooner than expected. Ruby's wounds still needed little more time to heal, but her fever was under control, Daria was worried about the journey ahead. Only if she could get a few more days. How would they change her bandages, keep them dry? She made three leather waists for them out of her old cape. For Ruby, in hope of keeping her wounds dry, and also for all of them to cover their female body and look more boyish..
As they walked towards the market street she saw two cramped carriages with about ten horse riders, standing in the middle of an empty market. Her head turned subconsciously towards empty shops. Every makeshift tent looked...venerable, helpless, like its power has been snatched away. She wondered if that's how she looked to Grover? And that's how he controls them, giving as much and as little power as he wants, he can make them look human enough or turn them into animals in an instant and snatch away every drop of hope they carry.
"Are they expected to cover a week-long journey in those?" Ruby's worry was obvious.
"It's better than walking on foot" Pamela said as sensing their gazes.
"Let's meet up the riders, they should be the one guiding this troop" Erich said as he moved ahead.
Daria looked at Pam and Ruby in concern, are they disguised well enough to fool a troop full of men? Though Sherra gave them a remarkable men's haircut, which surprised even Allen and Erich, she can't hide that they won't be having any mustache or change their voices completely with herbs. Not to mention its unreliability and how it leaves her throat scratchy is extremely uncomfortable.
She looked back at the riders, all big men covered head to toe in black leather, black cape and black mask, exuding power and demanding obedience. She already started feeling the weight of their judging gaze. Looks like they will be replacing Grover for the next few months.
Though they looked like royal nights but she couldn't find the Golden Troven insignia on them, yet her aching memory were daring to come back.
"Get in" a rider next to the first carriage ordered and she instinctively looked at Erich, he nodded. As the eldest in the group he took care of them in such times, but without him they might feel lost. She knew she's going to miss them, before getting in she nodded him back as a good bye. Ruby and Pam followed.
To their surprise, there were two compartments in a tiny space, still big enough to accommodate four people in each. They went in the back, hoping not to disturb anyone.
Daria pulled out a pillow from their small luggage and carefully arranged it for Ruby to lean back. Taking an opposite seat she pulled Ruby's legs on her lap to make it comfortable for her. Pam took a seat next to Ruby to give her support. This setup should work.
As they got comfortable the carriage shaked a bit and she found a rider getting inside, but he halted in middle.
"Come here, let him lie down" Her heart almost jumped out of her chest. He was calling her in the front? He didn't wait for her reply and went inside other compartment.
Taking a deep breath, she had to remind herself they were all disguised as men. She turned to look at Ruby, her leaned figure on pam, in the small space looked uncomfortable. She was scared for them, for her. What if it didn't work? all that preparation felt like nothing in the face of reality?
But this is not the time, she needed to pull herself together, their precautions and practice wont work if they lack even a single drop of confidence. Not to mention he definitely looked like the most powerful among all the men going on this journey. Not wanting to cause any trouble she got up.
"I'm going to sit in the front" as she announced, Ruby looked worried.
"Its not like I'm getting in a locked room with a monster" she whispered as prepared a bed for Ruby.
"Get comfortable, and call me if you need anything" saying that she came to the front.