He faced back away from me, in the direction of a tall building with fenced windows and heavy doors. The interaction, while brief, had been incredibly intimidating. It dawned on me once more that there was a lot I didn't know, and had to learn.

For a moment I considered apologizing to the man again, but I didn't want yet another dose of humiliation. I dug my heels in the stoned ground, fastening the straps of my bag on my shoulders, nervously.

It didn’t look like the line to enter this imposing building was too bad. I peeked between the shoulders waiting to enter, and counted only half a dozen groups. Every now and then we all took a step forward, getting closer to the raucous.

Of all the faces pacing around and traveling beside us in the hectic center of the supply camp, I was surprised to see that many had ink and marks on their skin, sometimes wearing their hair in fancy turbans, braided with metal ringlets or freely under dark hoods. It was easy to feel underdressed. As far as I could see, I was the only one with messy bed hair thrown in a bun.

Here and there a couple of hooded figures floated around, beelining from stall to stall. Some were followed by carts and cars full of provisions, and weapons.

The cacophony emanating from the building pulled me back in, before I'd realize it I stepped foot past the large doors. Everything inside was burgeoning. Two rows of windows were waiting for visitors, with employees smiling behind each of them. A pair of women was agitated on the furthest side of the building, one of them rummaging through a large leather suitcase. Close to the exit, on the opposite side of where I was standing, a man was holding a small child, crying its eyes out, while their golden locks waved in the wind.

“Go on!” An older lady threw at me with a strong accent, before knocking on my back a few times as I was holding the line.

I lunched inside the huge entryway, letting my eyes drift and hoping to spot the loudest man in the building per Domna’s directions. Sat right on top of a large desk facing the doors leading out, a tall figure erupted in laughter while holding its round belly. I jogged in his direction, examining him as I came closer. He was tall, I assumed twice my size, and probably one and a half times as large as me.

“Um, excuse me?” I tried meeting his gaze with mine.

“Can I help you, kid?” His voice fell hard on my shoulders, like the heaviest branch of the tallest tree.

“Damna asked me to come see you. I’m Merille’s… apprentice.”

As I stopped talking he looked at me in my entirety. I blinked a few times, now absolutely unsure if he heard me.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“That old bag don’t want to come see me no more?” He let out another laugh, no quite in my direction, and waited for my response, his mouth still agape.

“She’s been sick… for a while now.” Ashamed, I let my nose point to the ground while I had to put into words what had happened, again. “I’m sorry, she passed away two days ago.”

“I thought so. I thought so.” He declared. “You’re the girl that’s been living there with her, uh?”

“She’s been raising me, and taught me a lot. I still can’t believe she’s gone.” Before I could continue, he raised a hand in my direction motioning me to get closer to him.

“Okay, okay, sit down.”

He gestured down to his desk and sat behind it, as I planted myself on the stool on the other side. With all the noise around us, people walking around us in a somewhat orderly fashion created a weird sense of privacy. The man abruptly opened a drawer behind him and ruffled through a few pieces of paper. Soon he pulled out an envelope with a leather cover and placed it between us. As he continued working he finally addressed me.

“Hm, okay. What do you want to do next?”

“I’m sorry?” I slid my bag under my seat after taking out my note and picture of Merille.

“What’s all of that?” He continued, ignoring me.

“I-I wrote this to explain to her family what happened. I’d like to send this to them, or let them know at least that she’s passed.” I awkwardly gave him the package I was holding. He examined it for a second before continuing.

“Not sure how much you know about these kinds of affairs but there’s some papers to sign, forms to fill out, you see” He pushed a small odd container in front of me and slid a few documents out as well. “You up for it?”

“Right now? Y-Yes, sure. Whatever I have to do.”

As he briefly explained what I was looking at, I dipped my index and thumb in the ink and applied my signature print where needed.

“This one’s to demand for a healer’s report for her death. Right here, everything for the estate to belong to you. You can do what you want once that’s notarised. Here, um, money account: she wasn’t a big spender; if you follow her steps you should be fine for a few decades. And finally-” He presented a small card to me with a few words written, a template to notify families of a loved one’s passing.

“You can add whatever you want, I'll take care of whatever cost. This, here, will make sure everyone in the continent knows. I don’t know that it’ll reach her folks quickly… but that’s just how we do things around here.”

“This is my first time out of the house, i’m not sure how-”

“I know, I understand. What you’re doing here is already more than enough. This is just how things are around here, you see?”

He nodded some, before putting some notes on the card and storing it in the leather file he kept everything in. Everything seemed to happen fast, before I had time to understand what and why. I appreciated everyone’s help but as always I just felt like a foreigner simply going through the motions without grasping anything.

“Someone’ll come to the property tomorrow, alright.” He concluded. “How're you holding on? Got everything you need?”

“I… I think so.” I let out with finality.

It was hard to stay concentrated. People, conversations and laughter were all around us, draining me from all the courage I had. I was tired and I wanted to go home. The safety of the house, the comfort of the bed in the master bedroom, and Toby’s quiet company were what I longed for.