She thought the dagger Riftan had given her would sell for a hefty sum, but she could not bear to part with it. The same went for the battered shekel coin. After much thought, Maxi took out the palm-sized mirror from her pocket. She remembered hearing that mirrors were quite expensive, so surely it would fetch a good price.
She placed the mirror back in her pocket and headed out. When she arrived at the entrance of the basilica, she saw three carriages and six guards waiting in the square.
Maxi tentatively walked over to them. Idsilla, who was already seated in one of the carriages, waved at her.
“Come, sit with me. We asked the clerics for permission in advance, and they said that we only need to return before the evening service.”
Maxi climbed into the carriage and sat beside Idsilla. At the command of one of the guards, the carriage slowly began making its way down the road. Maxi watched the exotic roads of Levan pass by through the coach window.
Under the blazing summer sun, the white buildings glimmered like polished ivory, and the leaves of the laurel trees were a deep green. It was such a peaceful scene that it was almost difficult to believe there was tragedy raging outside the city walls.
Maxi was wallowing in the paradox when Idsilla spoke.
“We thought we would drop by the merchant guild first to purchase aid supplies. Some of the women donated gold coins, but most offered jewelry like bracelets or rings. It might take some time for us to reach a bargain with themerchants.”
“I-I also found something to help the cause,” Maxi said, hastily pulling out the hand mirror from her pocket.
Idsilla waved her hands, frowning. “That really isn’t necessary. It is more than enough that you have agreed to come with us.”
“P-Please accept it,” Maxi insisted. “I am also…relying on the kindness of Levan’s m-monastery, so I would like to help as well.”
When Maxi’s adamant expression did not budge, Idsilla resignedly took the mirror and placed it inside the bag along with the other ornaments.
Soon the carriage passed through the city square and stopped in front of a large building belonging to the merchant guild. There, the women sold the ornaments they had collected and purchased ample supplies of food, oil, and clean linen.
Since the valuables had fetched quite a sum, they had thirty derham coins to spare even after filling three carriages with aid supplies. The women decided to donate the remainder to the monastery and climbed back inside the carriage.
After riding for ten more minutes, Idsilla pointed to a ramshackle building outside the window. “That is the shelter.”
It was a wooden, two-story structure that looked as though it had been built a century before.
“It used to be a church, but it now serves as a refuge for orphans and vagrants who have nowhere else to go,” Idsilla explained. “According to the clerics, many of the families who lost their breadwinner in the war are currently stayingthere.”
Maxi furrowed her brows. The shelter looked like it could collapse at any moment. The boards covering the roof rattled precariously each time the wind blew, and vagrants in tattered garb formed a long line in front of its doors. The soldiers who were escorting the ladies spotted the crowd and quickly locked the doors of the carriage.
“Please remain seated,” one of the soldiers instructed. “We will go in and speak with the clerics first.”
Idsilla nodded curtly, and Maxi peered out the window to study the faces of the vagrants.
Most were young women carrying children on their backs. Were they widows who could no longer make ends meet? Looking at their dirty, grief-stricken faces made Maxi’s stomach twist in knots.
Although she did not wish to even think about it, Maxi could not help but imagine what would happen to her if she were to lose Riftan. She, at least, would not have to beg like these women. Instead, she would probably be forced to return to Croyso Castle, where she would face harsh abuse at the hands of her father until she died.
Maxi bit her lip. Alternatively, if her father wished it, she could be married off again. Maxi could not decide which fate was worse. Even supposing that the heavens would be on her side and she was permitted to enter a convent, she would undoubtedly spend the rest of her life missing Riftan.
Maxi touched the shekel coin inside her pocket. Running her finger over its rough, copper surface seemed to calm her nerves a little.
After about five minutes had passed, the soldiers returnedand opened the carriage door for them.
“My ladies, we have brought the clerics. You may step out now.”
The women tentatively exited the carriage and were greeted by clerics in worn, monastic habits.
“We thank you for coming to such a humble place,” one of the clerics said.
Alyssa took charge and spoke for the group of women. “We have heard that you are going through some hardship, so we brought food and necessities with us.”
The clerics glanced at the carriages behind the women and gave them a grateful smile. “Thank you. It so happens that we were about to request royal aid.”
