The journey to the city was not as easy as they thought. They had to cross rivers, through forests, and up hills to find alternative paths. If it weren't for Luna, of course, Alice wouldn't want to take this steep and winding journey. But for the younger brother, this is a challenging adventure for him. They took a few hours, tiredness came over them and occasionally they stopped at a place to rest.
"Sis, the sun is very hot," Eryk said.
"Yeah, do you want to take shelter first?" the brother asked.
"Yes Sis, I'm hungry too. How about we find a place to eat together?" Erik asked.
"Okay," Alice spoke out, accepting her sister's request.
They also look for a place to eat in the village they stop by.
"Excuse me, sir, is there anyone here selling food?" she asked.
"Across from this village, there is a place that sells bread and milk, Miss. The name of the village is Glutches village, you just follow the road about a thousand meters from this place," said a man who met Alice.
"Okay sir, we'll be there soon. Thank you," Alice said.
The two of them immediately approached the shop that the man he had asked about earlier was referring to.
"Looks like that's the place, Sis," Eryk said, pointing to his right.
"Yes, I think that's the place," Alice said.
Alice then got off the horse and walked towards the place.
"Excuse me," Alice shouted.
"Excuse me," Alice shouted again.
"Yes please Miss," said a woman who was guarding the place.
"I want to buy two slices of bread and two cups of milk," Alice said.
"Okay Miss, please sit down. In a moment I will serve your order at the table," the guard said.
The two of them sat on the chairs provided. While serving them, the waiter was very friendly and warm, occasionally he spread a sweet smile toward the brothers.
"It's ladies and gentlemen, please," the woman said.
"Thank you, madam," Alice said.
"Madam, wait a moment. Is the road to the city still far?" Erik asked.
The woman stopped in her tracks.
"In about an hour sir, are you guys heading to town?" the woman asked.
"Yes, madam," Alice said.
"Soon you will pass a pine forest, if you pass through the forest be careful and do not stop or enter it," the woman ordered.
"Well madam, what causes you to say that?" Erik curiously asks.
"Just follow my word, for your safety," the woman answered.
Hearing the answer from the woman, Eryk was silent and did not want to force him to answer. After all, getting to town safely was more important than hearing the story about the pine forest.
"Sis, it looks like we'll be arriving in town by late afternoon. Then where are we going to stay?" Erik asked.
"Don't worry, we'll find an inn there. Looks like we'll be staying for a few days," Alice answered.
"You're not joking, are you?" Eryk asked again.
"No," said Alice, shaking her head and showing two bags of money and some gold coins.
"Where did you get it from?" Eryck is again more curious.
"I will tell you everything after we reach our destination," Alice smiling said.
Eryk was silent, for him it was also not important to him. The goal is only one, which is to see the luxury of the city as told by people who have been there.
"Eryk, you wait here for a moment. Brother wants to pay for this meal," Alice said.
"Okay, Sis," the sister replied.
Alice approached the middle-aged maid earlier.
"How much money do I have to pay Madam?" she asked.
The woman only handed over a piece of paper containing a note of the amount of money that Alice had to pay.
"Here, madam," Alice said, handing her a few coins.
"Thank you, Miss, be careful on the road," the woman said.
"Yes madam, thank you," Alice said.
Alice walked back to her sister who was still sitting on the terrace.
"Eryk, let's continue our journey to the city. Is our drinking water still sufficient?" Alice while asking.
"Okay, Sis, it's still enough for our supplies to arrive in the city, Sis," he said.
The two of them rushed over to Charlie and rode on him. The horse nimbly led them towards the city.
It was true what the middle-aged woman said, about fifteen minutes from the village they passed through a pine forest that looked shady.
A gust of wind and cool air caressed their bodies.
"Eryk, the pine forest is beautiful," Alice said.
The younger brother ignored his brother's words, he continued to concentrate on riding Charlie so he could get to town faster.
Thirty minutes passed, and the looks of sturdy buildings began to spoil their view.
Sis, we are almost in town," Eryk excitedly shouted.
"Yes, Eryk, the building is magnificent," Alice said, pointing to one of the buildings.
Suddenly Charlie's steps were stopped by two handsome men who were waiting in front of the city entrance.
"Where are you going?" one of the men asked.
"We want to enter the city," Eryk said.
"You have to pay taxes first to enter the city," the man replied.
"Okay, how much do we have to pay?" she asked.
"Just two coins," he replied.
Alice also gave two coins to enter the city. The two men were tax collectors.
They were finally able to enter the city of Baren, admiration appeared on their faces. The crowd, cleanliness, and splendor of the buildings that lined up made them stunned.
"So this is the so-called city of Baren?" Alice asked herself.
"Sis, how about we go around the city first?" Eryk asked.
"Okay, but don't you feel tired Eryk?" Alice answered agreeing to her sister's request.
"No Sis, I don't feel tired at all," Eryk said excitedly.
Eryk looks very happy to be in the city of Baren, and according to Alice taking his sister on an adventure is the right thing.
"After walking around, we look for lodging and food," the older brother answered.
"Okay Sis, but I'm still curious about your goal?" Eryk said.
"I'll tell you when you get to the inn," Alice replied.
The younger brother nodded and returned to control Charlie to go around the city of Baren.
After feeling quite tired, the two decided to find an inn.
"Sis, let's find an inn, it looks like you and Charlie look tired," Eryk said.
"Okay, Eryk, in a moment you will try to ask that person," Alice said, pointing at someone.
He immediately got off the horse and approached the man in question.
"Good Afternoon Sir, are there any inns around here?" she asked.
"Good evening, Miss, I happen to have an inn near here. If you are willing, let me take you," the man said.
"Okay sir, I'll call my brother first," Alice said.
He walked over to his sister and Charlie.
"Eryk, let's go there. Brother has got lodging," Alice said.
They both approached the man and stayed at his inn.
"May I know where do you come from? Looks like you've come a long way," the man asked.
"We're from Tuan's village, let me introduce myself Alice and this is my sister Eryk," Alice said.
"Introduce my name is Henry, the inn is already visible," John said.
This man's inn looks very clean and well-maintained, Alice and Eryk are willing to stay here for a while.
"How do you guys fit into my place?" Henry asked.
"Yes sir, how many coins do I have to pay to stay here for two days?" she asked.
"Ten pieces, Miss," Henry replied.
"Okay," said Alice, handing Henry ten coins.
The innkeeper immediately gave Alice the keys and left them.