Chapter 91: Embarkation (1/2)
Sighing, Julia slumped down on the barrel she had been helping to carry. Manual labor had never been her forte, so the last few days had been particularly terrible. With almost all of her worldly possessions destroyed in the event which had become known as the Night of Ruin, she had little choice but to seek what work was available to her.
Since the Grey had disbanded, and security had increased dramatically in the city, it was almost impossible for her to earn a living in her chosen trade of thievery. So, she was forced to seek other employment.
”Hey, you! Get back to work! We have two hours to move these barrels down to the docks!” Yelled the burly armed teamster that was running their particular work detail.
Julia hurried to pick the barrel up again. She couldn't afford to lose any income for failing to keep up at work. This job paid well, but any slacking would come out of her paycheck.
Ever since the Night of Ruin, transport jobs had become nearly as common as construction ones. The severe damage to the City's buildings and roadways meant that any flow of goods had to be transported around the numerous construction sites, often times through narrow or infrequently used passages. This meant relying on brute muscle to carry it through the confusing maze of Wyrport's northern districts.
After an hour of frantic scrambling, lifting, and occasionally dragging, the team finally arrived at the docks and delivered their cargo, dried fish from the smell of it.
Julia collapsed into a panting heap nearby and waited for the feeling to return to her limbs. She didn't think she could keep this up much longer.
”Alright, everyone!” The team leader shouted energetically. ”Five minute break, and then we have to deliver these crates to the Sarson Merchant's Company. We'll need to get it there in less than an hour, so be prepared to pick up the pace!”
The crew, with the exception of the beastman currently reevaluating her life choices, responded with a hearty cheer.
[Why???????] Julia shouted internally.
A shadow fell over her face, as a short-haired blonde woman leaned over to look at her. She was barefoot and dressed in a ragged clothes that looked far too big for her, but the woman herself was remarkably clean and healthy looking. Something about her set Julia on edge.
”You've been touched by him, although not as strongly as the one from before.” The woman said with a confident smile.
[Oh great, another crazy.]
Standing up painfully, Julia fixed the woman with a suspicious state, ”Listen lady, I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't want to know what you are talking about, so you best go elsewhere.”
”My apologies! I haven't explained yet.” The blonde replied. ”You have interacted with the Hero recently. Traces of his destiny are still clinging to you, along with some other….things.”
The woman frowned while examining Julia, as if she had seen something troubling. ”You haven't done anything to get yourself cursed recently, have you?”
Julia suddenly recalled the horrible idol in the underground cavern. The one that was apparently belong to an evil demon cult, and that she had destroyed, ruining their plans.
Looking away, she feebly responded in a monotone voice, ”Noo…..why would you think that?”
The woman shrugged, ”Oh well, probably not important then.”
[Eh? No, wait…..]
”Anyway, I want to hire you to be my guide.” She said while placing her hands on her hips.
Julia blinked, once again looking at the clothes her potential 'customer' was wearing. ”What, really?”
”Of course! Unfortunately, I don't have much to pay you with since I was force to take a mortal form without any of my possessions…..” The woman began patting her rags as if looking for her money pouch.
”Look as interesting as this is, I need to be getting back to work soon….”
”Aha! Will this do?” She held out a grimy lump. ”I made sure to acquire a few of these while traveling here in order to trade for provisions.”
”I don't want your dirty ro...Is that gold?” Julia asked, taking the rock in hand. With some closer inspection it became clear that it was an unrefined nugget of gold.
Julia felt her heartbeat racing. With this amount, she wouldn't have to work for months if not years. She could afford to move out of the dingy apartment she was sharing with three other women. Julia didn't know who this crazy woman was, but she evidently had a line to some serious wealth.
Slipping the nugget into a pocket, she turned to face the woman, ”So what was it you were needing again?”
”Oh good! So, you accept.” The blonde woman dropped a heavy arm onto Julia's shoulder. The grip felt ridiculously strong. So much so, that Julia immediately began to regret her decision.