Margarita and Anna, weary from twelve days of travel, leaned against each other in their shared sleeping bag; the only one they owned. Mongolia, with its vast open steppes and nomadic tribes, had been both an adventure and a challenge for them. Margarita had managed to charm a wealthy family into covering their expenses, a feat that still surprised her.

Leaving Mongolia behind, they now journeyed towards Irkutsk in a caravan of traders hailing from Qing, their ultimate destination being Moscow. They were able to find this group of foreign traders thanks to the rich family’s connection and decided to join without a second thought.

The biting cold drew them closer, their bodies instinctively seeking comfort in each other's presence. The chill of the Siberian air seeped into their bones, causing Margarita and Anna to huddle closer; their bodies instinctively seeking comfort in each other's heat. Margarita found herself unconsciously snuggling Anna’s head in her bosom in a gentle embrace.

As the first light of dawn crept through the small tent, Margarita stirred, her cheeks flushing as she realized the intimate position she and Anna unconsciously were in. Shaking off the momentary embarrassment, she roused Anna and set about preparing for the day ahead. Outside, the sounds of the caravan coming to life filled the air, prompting Margarita to hurry their preparations.

"We should get ready or they’ll leave us," Margarita remarked to Anna who stretched her limbs while yawning.

“Hey!” A jovial voice called them from outside. “It’s me, Antoine!”

Margarita went outside the tent to check on the black-haired Frenchman who received her with a warm smile on his face.

"I came to wake you girls up!" he chuckled. "We will depart in half an hour. Join us for breakfast once you're packed."

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Margarita and Anna swiftly gathered their belongings and dismantled the tent, following the Frenchman towards a group of people gathering close to a table eating. Margarita engaged him in conversation effortlessly, her natural charm shining through. The two middle-aged Frenchmen were a rare sight among the Central Asians, the Cossacks, and the Russians in the caravan, their exotic wares destined for the elite in Paris.

Sitting down to a light breakfast with hot chocolate, Margarita savored the warmth spreading through her body. The cold nipped at her skin, but the clear sky above held a beauty that captivated her. Anna, on the other hand, found solace in the snow-capped mountaintops surrounding them.

"You know, we've been traveling for almost two weeks, and I still don't know where you're from," the second Frenchman said as he bit into a sandwich.

"Anna is from America, and I’m from the Netherlands," Margarita replied with a playful lilt in her voice.

The same blond-haired Frenchman leaned in, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "What are two young ladies like yourselves doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"

Margarita's smile faltered for a brief moment, a shadow passing over her features. "We were on an airship that met with an unfortunate accident. We've been trying to find our way back home for the past six months or so."

Antoine offered them a piece of dried meat, a small gesture that brought tears to Anna's eyes as she tasted it. "Are you all right?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"It's just... I haven't had meat in so long, not even jerky," Anna confessed, her voice filled with emotion.

Turning to the Frenchmen, Margarita inquired about their destination. "Where exactly are we headed?"

"In a few hours, we'll reach Lake Baikal. We will stop at Irkutsk for a few days before continuing our way to Moscow, but first, we'll visit an island in the middle of the lake. It's going to be quite the journey," the blond-haired Frenchman explained, his eyes alight with excitement.

As the caravan rumbled to life at their incoming departure, Margarita's mind raced with thoughts of the unknown adventures that lay ahead. The vast expanse of Siberia stretched out before them, a land of untold mysteries and dangers waiting to be discovered. With each passing mile, Margarita's resolve grew stronger, her determination to find her way home unwavering.