Villain transmigration: The doll maker.-Chapter 88:Caravan

Inside the place looked different, unique to say the least. Unlike the normal trade spots, the place was extremely simple. This place embodied the barbarian simple living conditions.

A few chairs were scattered around the waiting room, making the space appear larger than usual. No one was seated on the chairs, they felt more like decorations in the massive hall.

Most of the people were seated on the floor with small tables next to them filled with various fruits and liquor.

They seemed so natural seating on colorful carpets woven from water reeds and then painted with different patterns to make them more beautiful. I couldn’t imagine myself sitting on something so hard.

Almost every person seated had caramel colored skin and long messy hair held up with different ornaments and jewellery. The skin color that is rarely found in the kingdom was a very common trait of the barbarians.

A skin that has tanned from all the sun, in their kingdom.

As I started to walk in they threw curious glances at me before they lost interest and the room was filled with chattering again which had died down the moment I stepped inside.

"Welcome, how can I help you?"

An older woman with the same skin colour shouted from the reception that was deeper into the large sitting area. I walked through the small winding pathway left by the groups who were seated on the floor and came to a stop in front of the large desk.

The older woman looked at me from top to bottom before she smiled and leaned forward her eyes gaining that predatory gaze. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Good morning maam."

I started slowly.

"Good morning young lord, excuse my rudeness i thought it was one of my regulars."

She bowed her head while apologising. I shook my head slowly encouraging her to stop bowing.

"It’s nothing, the room is dim, which makes it easier to recognise someone wrongly."

"Thank you young lord."

She smiled at me and went back to her scrutinising gaze that was glued to my face. I knew I was so out of place in these trade spots just from the skin colour.

I was too pale probably even paler than a normal human and my eyes were unique. I was used to these gazes everywhere.

"I would like to ask when the caravan to the barbarian kingdom would leave?"

I went straight to the point after the pointless pleasantries and long stares.

"Two days from now. Due to the snow, the travels have been delayed since they were supposed to leave tomorrow but the snow is falling faster than usual, and no one wants to experience a blizzard."

The woman said respectfully while looking behind me. I glanced back to see the seated group looking at me. It felt more like an examination than mere curiosity most people have towards strangers.

It was clear from their scrutiny that they had been listening in on our conversation. I didn’t care, I wasn’t trying to be quiet when talking.

"When did the caravan arrive?"

"Yesterday night, just as the snow started. "

I nodded.

"How lucky ."

"Luck has nothing to do with it young noble, it’s skill. Our brethren can predict a snowfall before it starts to snow."

One of the men seated on the floor intervened. He seemed to be the oldest in the group, with a large silver beard and too muscled for his own good in my opinion.

"Really, that’s impressive i must say. How long have you been travelling between the two kingdoms?"

I asked him. I had finally gotten their attention. It was clear when I entered the room that this group was the barbarians’ caravan.

"Since this young...After I stopped weaning."

He held his palm just above the floor. From my calculations it seemed to be a two-year-old or less since barbarians tend to grow taller than most people, I could only estimate.

"Isn’t that too young?"

I said. At that time i was still sleeping in the crib enjoying the luxurious benefits brought by noble privilege.

"No, it’s not i begged my old man to bring me along. Only wusses stay with their mothers after two years.. "he paused as he thought what he had said just replayed in his mind," I didn’t mean it in a malicious way young lord but in my kingdom we start to earn a living at a very young age."

He excused his previous words. I nodded. I wasn’t in the least bit offended just impressed.

"Travelling for almost all your life and starting at such a young age. I’m impressed by the tenacity, it’s a feat to be very proud of."

I said to the man. His smile broadened at my praise.

"So, young master....where would you be going while visiting the kingdom?"

He went straight to the point after that. It was as I wanted.

"The flame ruins, I would like to visit there. "

The man nodded and sat up straighter.

"Are you sure young master? Anyone who has entered the ruin has come out mad or too scared to even speak of it. Most have never come out."

The man said seriously, the small warning undertone more visible in his voice.

I shook my head.

"I still want to go and see what is causing such distress. I’ve heard of its reputation and that’s what made me want to visit the ruins. You can say I’m just curious, that’s all."

"But that will put your life at risk. No one knows what is inside and it just keeps expanding. "

The man said, his frustration evident from his tone.

"We have to risk our lives sometimes to get what we want. I presume travelling through the forest and moving between the kingdoms is a very dangerous thing but you still do it, don’t you?"

I said. The man met my eyes and burst into uncontrollable laughter. It was the loudest one I have ever heard. It boomed and echoed around the room causing anyone who wasn’t concentrating to concentrate on us.

"You are right young lord, that was presumptuous of me. I can say you are already lucky as it is since we were planning on going north to the Fern kingdom but decided against it and came south, here."

The man said and took a gulp from the wooden cup on the small desk next to him.

"Why did you come here, isn’t Fern the best kingdom to visit?"

I asked in confusion. Fern kingdom bordered the eastern part of the kingdom and was known as the most beautiful kingdom.

"Nothing just had a feeling and those people in the Fern Kingdom do not easily welcome someone who is not of their descent ."

"Ooh, their delusions that they were cross-breeds of high elves and humans."

I said nonchalantly. The Fern kingdom was not the most liked kingdom with how condescending they were towards the other kingdoms.

"Yeah, I’ve gone there a couple of times since they are good spenders."

"Let’s forget about that, are you going to travel during the day or night?"

I asked him.

"We’ll start at night on the third day since the outskirts of the forest are not really dangerous but as we move in We’ll travel through the day. I want everyone to arrive safely."

I nodded a smile on my face. I was happy by the fact we weren’t going to travel through the heavy snow yet, at least this gave the girls a grace period to adapt fully and recover even though it would put us behind schedule.

"Then we will meet in three days, thank you for your escort."

I said to the man. He chuckled and leaned against the small table. He turned back to his companions and started whispering about the oncoming journey before turning back to me again.

"You don’t have to be thankful young master, you are paying me a hundred gold that is more than enough for me to get you outside the ruins."

He said his voice was jovial. I nodded and turned to the receptionists who had been silently watching our interactions.

"Thank you for your service maam, here ...how about you help yourself to some warm tea to get rid of the cold?"

I said and slid her five gold coins. She smiled and pulled them towards her faster than any of the other people in the room could see.

"Thank you young master, if i have any news I’ll make sure it reaches you in time."

She said enthusiastically. I smiled and nodded.

"Thank you. "

I left the now crowded building and walked to my horse that the servants had already brought out.

"Will you be going home directly young master?"

Luna asked me after we got on the horses. I shook my head.

"Let’s go to the market, it wouldn’t be bad to bring home a gift or two for the others..you can even choose one for yourself if you want."

I said to luna who nodded in response and we both got on our horses. The horses moved slowly down the now cleared road as we headed north of the town where the main market was.