Chapter 38

On the eighth day of traveling, Ayla and Rhobart crossed paths with a traveling merchant. He was heading to the Warrior Clan and other villages with his wagon full of sweets from all seven kingdoms, silks and furs, books, toys, and many other things. Two young men accompanied him.

Rhobart made a sign for the merchant to stop.

Ayla hadn’t seen a traveling merchant since she was a child. Her mother rarely left the Royal Palace of Myrthana. Traveling merchants would come to the palace at least once a week, and Queen Lavia and Lady Anza often bought expensive clothes or books, and for Ayla, toys or sweets made of marzipan, chocolate, and caramel. Once, when her mother was haggling with the merchant, Ayla went inside his wagon to look at some dresses when she saw an old book on a small table. It told the story of a young woman who ran away from her childhood sweetheart because she thought he was a monster. After hiding from him for many years, they were finally reunited, and Ayla never fo