Sigh 'I wonder why dad doesn't want me around town. I could be of some help! I mean, I know he is way stronger than me, but I could at least be an assistant.' Ritz thought as she walked out the gate.
She made her way down the main road for a little while before finding a small forest to the side. 'That'd probably be the best place to setup camp, I can forage for food as well as wood for a fire. I also have a tent so shelter won't be a problem.'
Ritz debated a bit before settling to setup camp by the forest. She first looked for some level ground to setup the tent. After finding a good spot she gathered some rocks to make a enclosure for the fire.
It took her about a hour to find the spot and another half hour to setup the tent and campfire enclosure. Dusting off her hands she said "Well, lets go get some firewood." while looking at the forest.
She spent another half hour gathering up twigs and dry leaves before bringing them back to the campsite. "Sheesh, I didn't realize that camping alone would be so tiring mentally. My body is strong from all of the special medicines and food I got from daddy, even the knowledge on how to survive came from him. But actual practice is so much different." she complained and self reflected.
"I'll look for food tomorrow, I'll just eat some of what I already have. Oh right! I'll need to get water too, well I guess I could just make it instead." she said while starting setting up the campfire, she didn't light it yet as it was still early and wasn't cold out.
Taking out some of the food and a water pouch she began to eat. After she finished she started to train.
A few hours past as she was training. The sound of several people and a carriage could be heard in the distance, causing her to stop her training. Watching the group came towards her on the road she got ready to defend herself or run if needs be.
"Haha, this was such an easy job, the monsters here are too weak, and we didn't meet any bandits. And we're getting paid a lot for this escort, its too bad that there wasn't anything interesting though." the voice of one of the well built men walking along the carriage came drifting in.
"Oh hush, you know that the bandits aren't stupid, if they were stronger or heavily outnumbered us, they won't do anything. Heck. I spotted a few of them just after we left." the biggest man at the front of the group yelled back, "And stop slacking off, we're not in the city yet."
"Yes elder brother." the man who spoke earlier replied.
Ritz saw a skinnier man move up to the large man at the front and whisper something in his ear. After which the large man turned and looked in her direction, giving her a slight scare. His eyes glowed momentarily before returning to normal, after which he rose his first in the air and everyone stopped and stared in the same direction.
Ritz was getting nervous when a bunch of strong men were staring at her, she drew her short sword and held it in a defensive stance. "We are the Earthen warriors sect. We are escorting a merchant to the city of Zhul. As long as you don't do anything, we will leave you alone and be on our way." The large man in the front said to her.
"I am Riku Peng, I am camping here waiting for my father who is in the city." she said back, still holding her sword in front of her.
"Oh? Why would a father send his beautiful daughter to camp outside while he stays inside the safety of the city?" the mans eyes became slits, but was giving a warm smile.
"He has some business to finish before we set out for the capital." she replied still wary of the group. "You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up." he said to the rest of the group.
"Ohh! Okay elder brother." one said with an understanding tone as he elbowed the large man.
Smack!
The large man smacked the one that spoke sending him flat on his ass. "Do you all not learn!? Have you even check how strong she is? She is at my level, maybe a little bit stronger. You all would be mince meat. Apologies for your rude intent." The group gasped at this and stared wearily at her while the one that got smacked stared dumly at the 'elder brother'.
He looked between his elder brother and her before getting up and bowing towards her. "I am sorry if my words have offended you ma'am."
"It's fine." Ritz replied, but she didn't move her sword at all. The large man just sighed at the sight. He knew the young girl would be on edge, but he didn't think she'd still be on guard after hearing him send everyone away. His sect wasn't famous, but it was known around this area and she didn't react to it. So either someone from a sect had done something to her, or she didn't know about them.
As the group left, he stayed put, he didnt move closer or backed up. "They are gone now, why don't you put away your sword?" he asked.
"Would you put your weapon away just because a stranger asked you out in the wilds?" she retorted. "I guess that makes sense. Then, tell me what is the real reason your father sent you out?" the man crossed his arms as he waited for her reply.
Ritz looked troubled. She wasn't sure how to answer since the man didn't believe what she said before. Then she remembered what they told the merchants they traveled with before. "We were traveling to deliver some goods but we got attacked by bandits. My father and I escaped. We are on our way to how headquarters over at the captial. I have to assume he wants to do some business in the city before we leave. But my guess is that it might be dangerous, or something he doesn't want me to know."
"Hmm..." the man stroked his chin as he listened. "I guess he wants to put a bounty or something like that. Taking a beautiful daughter might raise the pricing, I guess." he said.
They started chatting about the bandits that attacked her and her father, what goods were stolen, and so on. During which, Ritz eventually put away her sword. And since it getting late, she offered some food to the man, but he refused politely.
"We'll I have to get back to the sect and report to the master. It was nice to meet you Riku." The man said as he left towards the city.
As she watched him leave, she suddenly realized that she was all alone. She definitely wasn't used to loneliness.