There was a steep hill which led downward to the city - our horse struggled with keeping intact hence we dismounted it and just decided to walk, after all it wasn't that far. As we get closer, we met more people on the way - they were as happy and as excited like how we were during that time. I wondered what could be so special about that place, what kind of uniqueness did it offer that many people wanted to get inside.
But unlike Lee and I most of the people came out in numbers, in groups, and hence forming a long queue of merchants bringing in varieties of goods, medicines, fabrics, meat and gold. They looked like they had a long journey hence my suspect was they came far - maybe even far away above the horizon.
Lee held on to the horse's handle and I had to cover my face with the scarf that I had. I still looked like a man - for I was in men's clothes and I wasn't recognized by anyone. The city's gates was just a few steps away and we didn't even know what the guards usually look at in order to grant passage.
"We are the only ones who don't have anything to offer" I said.
"Do they need something?"
"Lee pay attention, look around..."
He wondered his eyes all over the place, then he looked back at me "I have"
"And --?"
"And... What?"
I pinched him and he acted as if it hurts. "Look! They are all merchants and we are just... Just nothing"
"We are not nothing Mingzhu, we are people"
"Exactly, just people with one horse who can't even be bought for five cents. We have to ask them" I said and walked to one of the men who was in a group of six men, they had a huge carriage which was pushed forward by their horses.
"Evening Sir" I greeted him raising my two hands before him, his friends looked at me with sore faces - like I was disturbing them or interrupting their crucial moment. They didn't stop their horses hence I had to keep up with their speed.
"What do you want?" He asked me arrogantly, without even looking at me.
"I only inquire about the place, where we are heading to"
"You don't know where you are headings to?"
I paused for a moment and replied "No"
"Well that's risky -- especially for a woman not knowing where she's going. There are a lot of bad men in there..." he said grinning from ear to ear and I was struck with amazement after hearing what he said.
"What? How did you --?"
"Oh please... I noticed you from a far. Any intelligent man can too, better choose a better disguise next time. Your breasts are popping up"
He even tried to touch my breasts before I jerked his hand off and instantly pulled out my sword. The whole queue went mad - they all looked at me like I had just gone crazy. They whispered words amongst each other, but I was too busy pointing my sword at the merchant to concentrate on what they said.
Lee came to my rescue and pulled me away from the caravan. "It's alright, I got you. Let's go" he said and walked me to our horse but my eyes were still glued at that man. I felt so angry for his disrespect towards me just because I was a woman, nobody disrespects a princess. I made a promise to find him - and kill him.
His eyes were still on my face and he even winked at me, it was dark but I still saw it - somehow he gave me way more reasons to kill him. He was a tall man, but a bit older perhaps ten years older than me. He had short hair and wore a colorful robe which was adorned by pieces of gold, his face was serious most of the time and he looked like trouble. But to whoever he was, I made sure that I would kill him one day.
"Let it go Mingzhu" said Lee and he brought me back to my senses. "He's just a typical trader, they are all like that"
"You mean disrespectful?"
"Yes, and arrogance. They are rich, have powerful connections we can't risk it especially since we are new in the estranged city"
"We don't even know what city this is Lee"
A man who was inside the carriage overhead us and he opened the curtain. "Get in, both of you" he said with a smile on his face and we didn't even think about it, we barged inside the carriage and abandoned our horse.
"My name is Yokosh, I'm a merchant of gold and salt" said the man.
"I am Lee and this is my friend... Jang Li" said Lee and he looked at me, I loved it how he didn't patronize me and introduced me by my fake name as if it was my real name.
"Two young abled boys wondering around the gates of the most lavishing and luxurious city in the whole country. Somehow, they seemed lost, are you two lost?"
It took us a minute to think of what we should reply to that question, we were lost or just destined to be there.
"No we aren't lost Sir, we are destined to be here" I quickly replied and he managed a simple smile.
"I love that. Welcome to Karta, a city with opportunities, a city of love, excitements, music and also just a little bit of danger. Are you guys ready?" he asked and we nodded nervously but excited at the same time.
That man's carriage wasn't inspected at all - he didn't need to provide anything for he was very famous and held a high ranking among the society of those people. The people of Karta who lived their lives way different from all the people in the world.
Just at the first glance of the city, I managed to unzip the curtain of the carriage and blessed my eyes with the extremely pleasant surprise of Karta. From it's magnificent architect which left me speechless, to tall standing buildings made up of stones that it made them look like they were flying. Every house was lit up by numerous candles and lamps making it way more brighter than the other, it didn't even feel like it was dark with how shining Karta was.
"Whoa... Lee have a look!"
"What is it?"
"Look at that house, and that..."
"I have never seen anything like this. Sir, what's the secret beyond all of this?" Lee asked Yokosh who remained calm looking at us getting excited like little children.
"Why don't you go and wonder through the city, whenever you are ready to see me just ask anyone - anyone in the city about the whereabouts of Yokosh castle and they'll lead you to me"
"Thank you Yokosh, thank you for everything"
"You are welcome Jang Li and your friend, welcome to Karta" he said and ordered his men to stop the carriage.
We got out of it and he continued with his journey, they dropped us right at the centre of the city where there was a lot of locals outside doing their normal shopping.
The place looked like a market and later we learned it was indeed a market. But this one was way bigger and more crowded than the one in Tong'an - also it was alive. From varieties of spices, fabrics, food stands, baskets, furnitures to tailors making brooches and customers waiting in line for them.
Everything was smelling so good, Lee and I even tested few breads - for free and there was a live band playing drums right at the heart centre of the market. The band was made of four guys and after sometime the locals joined up for a dancing session.
"Come on let's dance" said Lee pulling my hand.
"No, no I can't dance"
"Well, me neither but I'm willing to try"
He pulled me up to the front and held my hand, the music was not upbeat rather very smooth. It sounded like waking up on a warm day beside the river - or laying down at an open sky on a cool night trying to breath in and out as much as possible.
"Wait for me here, I'll be right back" I said to Lee and dissapeared within the locals. I knew he would be so confused, but I wanted it to be a surprise for him.
I looked around for a place which sold women's dresses and I found just one which exactly matched my preferences and I stole it from the merchant, right under her nose and I found a dark place and changes from the men's robe I wore to a beautiful green dress which had a stripe of blue color at the waistline. I felt amazing and beautiful, it had been so long since I felt like a woman. My hair which was tied up, I let it fall back loosely so as to enhance my feminine side.