"How filthy" I muttered under my breath. My face scrunched up in disgust as I walked through the streets of Eduardo.
Unlike the clean forest air, the one here had a thick layer of smelly smog hanging in it making breathing difficult.
The ground was littered with muck, mud and trash. Beggers and the disabled roaming the streets were a common sight but they were mostly ignored by the people. They couldn't be bothered to care for others when they were too busy fending for themselves.
Most of the houses were in dire need of refurbishing and the ones didn't were far and few in between.
The streets were filled with people bustling about, stalls and carriages.
Even though I had grown accustomed to the situation this wretched town,it still left a sour taste in my mouth. How much more do they intend to fill their pockets that they neglect everything else.
Eduardo was a town built around a large hill, with walls erected around it. The one I had to go through was built at the foot of the hill but there was one more.
The town's original design had been intended as a stronghold, with a second layer of walls built into the hill's slope. This was meant to serve as a last line of defense, providing a higher vantage point to repel invaders. But now, it seemed to serve only as a physical reminder of the chasm in the disparity between the poor and wealthy.
Compared to the outer district of Eduardo , the inner district seemed like a dream land.
Despite never having set foot there, the stark contrast was clear to see, even from a distance.
'Well, that has nothing to do with me' I thought to myself continuing at a steady pace as I arrived at my destination.
"Mr. Pawn's trade"
A shabby looking place, nothing noteworthy about it, well, at least on the outside.
Walking towards the door, I opened it and stepped in.
The first thing that hit me was the smell as it assaulted my nostrils. There wasn't anything bad about it, it was just too much. The acrid tang of iron, the earthy nature of plants, the sweet smell of cinnamon.
It was just too much.
Inside the the shop was littered with... basically everything. Herbs, spices, weapons, he sold it all.
Despite the clutter,the place was surprisingly well kept with everything neatly arranged and illuminated by the light coming through the windows. Even as I walked in he was busy organizing his inventory.
"Ohh, Arthur.... Only one here today again huh" the man is question spoke up after glancing at me before returning to his work.
Mr. Pawn was an unassuming figure without any distinguishable features, someone you would forget you saw by the end of the day. He worked hard like everyone else trying to survive which led him into trade, he sold everything he could get his hands on to anyone that wanted it.
"Hmm" I replied with a nod.
"More beast hides I assume"
"Yes"
"Hm" he replied almost dismissively, something was off
"Is there a problem?"
Clank.. dropping the jar he was cleaning, he finally looked at me properly.
"Sigh... Kid, we've been working a long time so Imma be frank with you."
A feeling of dread gripped me as he continued.
"The demand's running low, not a lot of people want this stuff no more."
Casually deeping his hands into his pocket, he brought out a small pouch and tossed it towards me.
" I won't send you back empty handed for old time sake but I have no more use for these wretched things."
'Dammit, things were already hard enough as is, now something like this had to happen.' my thoughts raced as I thought of alternative methods to earn money now that our primary source of income was gone.
I stood frozen, my gaze fixed on the pouch in my hands.
"No hard feelings kid, it's business."
Mr Pawn's expression softened a little looking at the sorry state of the boy standing before him. His shoulders were trembling slightly and hands shaky while he held the pouch. Although he felt a pang of sympathy for Arthur, he couldn't afford to let his emotions sway him.
So he hardened his gaze and turned away, focusing on the task that required his attention. Giving the young man the opportunity to express himself was all he could offer.
'Sigh'
I do not know how long I stood there before my emotions finally stabilized. My expression was still grim from the news but there was nothing I could do about it now.
I glanced towards Mr. Pawn as he remained busy with maintaining his establishment.
"Thank you" I muttered
He had no reason to let me waste his time for so long but he allowed me to.
"Yeah, don't mention it kid." He answered without taking his eyes off what he was doing.
'70 silver coins'
That was the amount inside the pouch, barely enough to get the medicine Mother needs.
She was in pain while I wasted time like this. I steeled my resolve and softened my expression.
"I'll come back for the wagon tomorrow"
"Hmm?"
" I have to get some things and it'll slow me down"
"Ah... Well sure whatever. So whatever you want" Mr. Pawn replied dismissively before signalling at me to leave.
I bowed slightly and stepped out the shop.
I hurriedly made my way through the streets of Eduardo, bumping into some people.
"Hey! Watch it"
"What's wrong with this kid"
I ignored their complaints and pushed forward , too much time had elapsed: I had to hurry.
'hmmm?' I stopped and snapped backwards, nothing looked amiss but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. I immediately changed my route, taking erratic twists and turns.
My suspicions were confirmed. I was being followed.
It wasn't hard to figure out why, I had foolishly gotten involved in a matter that didn't concern me and now I was paying the price.
They probably started trailing me the moment I passed through the gate and I didn't notice because of how tense I had been.
'Sigh, how bothersome'
They definitely would not let me go with just an apology. I'd be fortunate if they simply robbed me and went on their way but I knew it wouldn't end with that.
I had no time for this, I was already behind schedule.
Trying to lose them was out of the question, the fact that I didn't notice them at first meant they were professionals. My failure to detect was a red flag, regardless of how on edge I had been.
'There's no other option' I thought to myself as I reached for my axe strapped to my hip.