The journey went on for days, weeks even. The scorching sun and the freezing nights were always the hardest part. Finding a decent inn or food was another hard part. Water was scarce, and Jasper complained more times than Dia could count. But to Dia, it was all worth it. Soon she would get her revenge, soon she would end them, soon she would avenge her family and Killian.
Jasper had told her all he knew about the Red Hand, and she dwelled on his every word, every detail, no matter how minute. They had entered some villages, small ones, to resupply and rest in preparation for the next day's journey. During this time, Jasper had convinced her to trade the horse for a cart for transport, as the horse was getting more tired by the day. She was reluctant but later hesitantly agreed.
In the end, they had enough money to get a cart and also had more money left for future use. They were nearing the Valley of Nefaria now, according to Jasper. It was also almost time for him to depart, just as he had said earlier.
"This is it," he said, pointing to the valley. "You see there, that's the Valley of Nefaria. As I said before, it will take you four days to get to Everia from there."
Dia nodded slowly, dimming her eyes under the heat of the sun. She turned to him. "So," she began, "I guess this is where we say goodbye."
Jasper raised an eyebrow dramatically. "Look at you, so eager to send me off already."
She rolled her eyes at him. He continued, "But yes, this is where we part. I just want to say that I really did enjoy my time with you, even though you were...grumpy and...difficult and rude most of the time, but beauty, I am going to miss your company. And I'm -"
Dia groaned. "Ugh, enough with the speech already."
"What? I'm trying to be thankful here," Jasper said, smiling.
"Keep your thankfulness," Dia said. "And the cart. I won't need it."
Jasper's eyes lit up in surprise. "Do you really mean that?"
Dia retorted, "Is there anytime I say a thing I don't mean?"
Jasper grinned. "Ahh, thank you, beauty. To be honest, I wasn't expecting you to let me have the cart, but I guess your heart isn't that stony after all"
He turned to the cart, and Dia glared at his back. He got into the cart and looked at her, gratitude and various emotions swirling in his eyes.
"Dia," he said, his voice soft.
Dia looked at him, surprised. It was the first time he had ever called her name.
"No matter what you do in Everia, don't get yourself killed," Jasper said, his eyes serious.
Dia smiled, a small, wry smile. "I'll try not to."
With that, Jasper nodded and left, the cart rolling on until it was out of Dia's sight. She turned towards the path that was to lead her to the Valley of Nefaria and began her journey, walking. Determination was etched on her face, and her eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
Four days, Jasper had said, but Dia was determined to beat that. Everia was a dangerous place, but Dia knew that she was more dangerous. She had always known that she was different, physically, she looked normal, but deep inside, she alone knew the differences that set her apart from the rest of the world.
She would find out more about herself soon, but for now, she had a more pressing goal: to destroy the Red Hand. Nineteen men, twenty including the leader, stood between her and her revenge. But Dia was not afraid. She was determined, and she would stop at nothing to achieve her goal.
She stood on the hill, far from the walls. Two days, that's all it too her to get here. Everia. Her sharp eyesight took in everything. From the people trooping in in fancy clothes, fancy horses and carriages. Her ears heard everything. Loud music and voices, the drums banging, the horses neighing and carriages screeching to a stop. The kingdom was in celebration mood, she deduced.
As she looked at the walls, her body shook in happiness, anticipation, pure hatred and utter evilness. Where had that last one come from? She was a bit confused. She felt her eyes burned, as they changed color, from golden brown to gold. Her fingers itched and her body quaked. The last time she got this feeling was when her parents died. Why now? What did it mean?
She decided to put it behind her and forge ahead. She was here now, nothing could stop her now. With her thick, long, leather jacket, her hood on, her sword hidden away from sight and her dagger at her hip, she moved. Her face neutral and her lips pursed into a thin line.
As she neared the walls, she saw how many the people were. Each wanting to get through the gate, the guards scrutinizing every one of them. She looked up, the watchmen seemed very vigilant, she had to be careful. One slight mistake and she would be caught.
She mixed with the crowd behind the fancy people at the front. She deduced these must be the staffs of the wealthy ones. Wagons and carts with goods lined up, waiting to pass through the gate. She watched her surrounding, no one seemed to notice her, not the watchmen, not the staffs.
She quickly scanned the area, looking for a way to sneak in. That's when she saw it - a wagon with curtains covering the back. It was parked near the gate, and the driver was busy talking to one of the guards. Dia saw her chance and took it.
She swiftly moved towards the wagon, trying not to draw attention to herself. She lifted the curtain and slipped inside, finding herself in a cramped space with seven barrels. She heard the driver in front say, "Rum, sir," and the guard reply, "Can I see it?"
Dia cursed under her breath as the guard asked to inspect the barrels. She quickly opened one barrel, finding wine. She opened another, finding rum. Another barrel contained flour, and another sugar. She opened another, and the smell of tobacco hit her, making her nauseous.
The guard was getting closer, and Dia knew she had to act fast. She swiftly got into the barrel, "The things I do for revenge," she whispered, closing the lid behind her, waiting for the guard to finish inspecting the wagon in front.
"...in there?" the guard asked. She heard him closely and she knew he was right in front of the wagon she was in.
"Seeds," the driver replied. "Textiles are in that one"
Dia gritted her teeth as the guard opened the barrel next to hers. If only she had checked that barrel, she growled inwardly. He guard got closer and she held her breath, hoping that the guard wouldn't inspect her barrel.
"What do we have in there?" the guard asked, his voice closer now.
Dia felt her heart racing as the guard lifted the lid of her barrel. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. But instead of the guard's voice, she heard him say, "Tobacco leaves."
Dia let out a sigh of relief as the guard closed the lid and moved on to the next barrel. She waited for what felt like an eternity until the guard finally gave the driver permission to move.
As the wagon began to roll, Dia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had made it into Everia undetected. But as she sat in the darkness of the barrel, surrounded by the pungent smell of tobacco, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in over her head.