What had been a seemingly endless stretch of wild plains had gradually become a series of cultivated fields. Scattered farmers working in the fields could be seen ahead.
This change of scenery, flowing with signs of life, was something Lawrence could never get enough of. Just then, they finally caught up with the team of fish-transporting horse-drawn carts that they'd spotted earlier.
The team consisted of three carts aligned with one another, each drawn by two horses. The carts did not have driver seats installed. An elegantly dressed young man sat inside the very last cart, and three men, probably hired workers, controlled the horses as they walked.
Lawrence's first thoughts were how impressive the two-horse carts seemed, but upon closer inspection, he realized that the purpose of the two-horse arrangement was not at all to impress.
Upon the carts were placed barrels and wooden crates large enough to contain an entire person. A few of the barrels were filled with water for the fish to swim in.
Any fish that had not been treated with salt, regardless of species, was considered high grade. Needless to say, live fish were even more so.
Although the transport of live fish was indeed not something one would see everyday, what really surprised Lawrence was something else.
What surprised him was that the owner of this three-cart train transporting such high-quality goods was a merchant even younger than himself.
"Buying fish?”
The man sitting in the last cart replied from beneath his hood with the voice of a youngster after Lawrence had addressed him. He wore a greased leather coat commonly worn by fishmongers.
"Could you perhaps spare a few fish and sell them to me?”
Lawrence asked after exchanging places with Horo. Hearing this, the young fishmonger immediately replied: "I am terribly sorry. The fish we are selling have already been assigned to buyers.”
The unexpected answer came as a surprise to Lawrence. His reaction was perceived by the young man, who promptly removed his hood to reveal his face.
Beneath the hood was a face matching the voice Lawrence had just heard, that of a youngster. Perhaps calling him a youngster was exaggerating a bit, but the face appeared to be less than twenty years old. Besides, fishmongers were for the most part rugged and tough-looking men, but the man standing before Lawrence was unusually slender. His blond hair, which danced in the blowing wind, gave off an air that could even be described as elegant.
Nevertheless, if the man was able to transport three carts-worth of fresh fish at once, then he was certainly not a merchant to be underestimated.
"Pardon me, could you be a traveling merchant?”
Although Lawrence couldn't tell whether the man's amiable smile was inherent or the smile of a businessman, he decided that whether it was the former or the latter, the only appropriate response was to smile back.
"Yes, I have just come from Rubinhaigen.”
"I see. In that case, if you just follow the path we came from for about half a day, you will reach a lake. If you just consult with the fishermen there, you should be able to purchase some fish. The quality of carp caught during this season is quite good.”
"Oh, no, I am not buying for business; I was just hoping you could spare a few fish for tonight's supper." The young fishmonger's smile suddenly turned into an expression of surprise, perhaps because this was the first time he'd ever heard anyone make such a request.
For fishmongers transporting salt-treated fish over a long distance, a request like this was quite common, but for one who was merely traveling between a town and a nearby lake, this was perhaps not something he'd be used to.
However, the young man's surprised expression quickly changed to one of contemplation.
Most likely, the expression was due to a situation contrary to his usual business sense, and he was pondering over the possibility of turning it into a new kind of business.
"You really are someone who is passionate about doing business,” said Lawrence. Upon hearing this, the young fishmonger snapped back to reality with an audible exclamation, and smiled embarrassingly.
"Pardon me. Ah yes, you want to buy fish for tonight's supper, which means you will be staying in Kumerson tonight?”
"Yes, I am here to see the grand winter fair and festival.”
Kumerson was the name of the town Lawrence was heading to. The town was currently holding the town-wide fair that took place each summer and winter.
In addition, in junction with the winter fair was a festival held at the same time.
Although Lawrence was unfamiliar with the details of the festival, he'd once heard it was a pagan festival radical enough to make a member of the Church faint.
The region arrived at after traveling six days north from the Church city of Rubinhaigen, which even today functioned as a supply base for punitive expeditions against pagans to the north, was a place where the relationship between members of the Orthodox religion and pagans was not as simple as in southern countries.
The vast region extending north from Rubinhaigen was controlled by the country of Proania, whose ruling class included many pagans. As such, it was only natural for Christians and pagans to coexist in the same town.
Kumerson belonged to the powerful aristocrats of Proania. It was a large-scaled town built with the purpose of promoting a prosperous economy, while distancing itself from complex religious issues.
Consequently, there was no Orthodox church in Kumerson, and missionary activities by members of the Orthodox religion were forbidden there. It was considered a taboo to ask whether the festival held there was Orthodox or pagan, and usually it was simply explained as a traditional festival belonging to Kumerson.
Because the festival itself was a rare occasion, and the fact that pagans could also come freely, this so-called Raddora festival seemed to attract a startling number of people each year.
Since Lawrence usually only came to Kumerson during summertime, he had never before witnessed the festival.
Lawrence had purposefully planned to arrive early according to what he had heard concerning the festival, but it seemed like he'd been overly naive.
"May I ask whether you have already booked an inn to stay at?" The young fishmonger inquired with a look of concern.
"The festival does not start until the day after tomorrow right? You are not trying to tell me there are no more places available are you?”
"That is exactly the case.”
Horo shifted slightly next to Lawrence. Perhaps she was worried about not being able to book an inn. Although unsure of how it would be for Horo in wolf form, Horo in human form was just as susceptible to cold as any human. She was no doubt already sick of camping out in such a cold season. Even so, Lawrence had an alternative plan should this be the case.
"In that case, I do believe the town's foreign firms arrange inns for their members each year in coordination with the festival. I'll just ask the firm for help.”
Requesting help from the foreign firm would most likely mean being thoroughly questioned concerning his relationship with Horo, so Lawrence would have preferred not to, but it seemed like the only remaining option under the circumstances.
"Ah, so you are a merchant belonging to a guild. Pardon me, but may I inquire as to which guild that is?” “The Rowen Trading Guild's firm in Kumerson.”
The moment he heard this, the young fishmonger's expression brightened up instantly. "What a wonderful coincidence, I also belong to the Rowen Trading Guild.”
"Oh, this must be God's guidance.oops, saying something like that is considered taboo in these parts huh?” “Ahaha, it is quite alright, I am also a Christian from the Southern countries.”
The young fishmonger laughed for a moment before coughing lightly and continuing: "Then, allow me to introduce myself. I am Fermi Amati, a fish merchant working in Kumerson. In business, I go by Amati.”
"I am traveling merchant Craft Lawrence. Likewise, I go by Lawrence.”
Though the two people b
oth gave their names sitting on their carts, because their distance was within hand's reach, they shook hands directly.
With that done, the next thing was for Lawrence to introduce Horo.
"This is my traveling companion, Horo. We are traveling together for a particular reason, but we are not married,”
Lawrence said with a smile. Horo, hearing this, leaned forward slightly and looked over at Amati with a smile.
Horo was indeed very charming when she was quiet and well-behaved.
Though Amati managed to reintroduce himself in a flustered manner, his cheeks had become bright-red. "Is Miss Horo a nun?”
"Basically, she is a traveling nun.”
Going on a pilgrimage was not something restricted to devout males. Townswomen frequently made pilgrimages as well.
In addition, most women who were in the middle of a pilgrimage referred to themselves as traveling nuns. Compared to identifying themselves as town citizens on a pilgrimage, referring to themselves as traveling nuns was a more effective way of avoiding various problems.
However, because donning attire that would make one instantly recognizable as affiliated with the Church would pose problems upon entering Kumerson, people that were so dressed would habitually attach three feathers to their garments when entering town. As for Horo, she also had three brown, shabby-looking chicken feathers attached to her hood.
Although Amati, who had introduced himself as hailing from a Southern country, was young, he seemed to comprehend all of this instantly.
Amati did not question further, probably because he understood that there must have been a good reason for a traveling merchant to be traveling together with a young woman.
"Well then, I suppose running into problems every now and then can be considered as tests ordained by the heavens. The reason I say this is because, if there is need for only one room, then I may be able to arrange that, but unfortunately, arranging for two rooms would be somewhat difficult.”
Amati's proposal came as a surprise to Lawrence. Perceiving this, Amati smiled and continued: "We belong to the same guild, so this must be God's guidance. If I just ask an inn with which I have business associations to help out, I am sure they would be willing to spare a room. If you were to bring your female companion with you to request help from the foreign firm, surely the old faces would pester you without end.”
"Indeed, you are exactly right. But, would it really be fine to trouble you like this?”
"Of course. I am a merchant after all, so I am making this proposal for business purposes. In other words, I would like for you to enjoy plenty of delicious fresh fish during your stay at the inn.”
Being capable of holding a deal worth three cartloads of fish at such a young age, Amati was indeed no ordinary character.
This was exactly what was meant by "flexible and considerate.”
Lawrence's feelings were half of bitter regret and half of thankfulness as he responded: "You definitely have great business sense. Could you kindly arrange that then?”
"Aye, just leave it to me,”
Amati replied with a smile. For just a split second, his gaze shifted away from Lawrence. Although Lawrence pretended not to notice, he knew that the gaze was directed toward Horo. Lawrence began to wonder if Amati's proposal was perhaps not for the sake of doing business at all but rather to show off his best side to Horo.
Seeing something like this inevitably brought a slight sense of superiority to Lawrence, who was traveling with Horo. However, he also knew that filling his mind with such useless thoughts would surely cause Horo to tease him even more.
Lawrence shook the extra thoughts from his mind, and focused on building deep relations with the young and outstanding merchant before him.
Not long after that, Lawrence and the rest arrived in Kumerson as the sun was beginning to set in the west.
At the dining hall, the table was loaded with a variety of primarily fish and shellfish dishes placed around a large pot of hot soup, made with carp slices and root vegetables at the center.
Perhaps more or less due to the influence of the fishmonger Amati, who had helped to arrange for the inn, the main course and other dishes present contrasted sharply with the meat-oriented dishes typical to southern countries. Among these, the steamed snails proved to be the most eye-catching.
Because it was commonly said that sea-snails (note: a.k.a. conches) could slow aging, whereas river snails were the source of abdominal pains, people living in regions farther south from Kumerson did not eat snails, although they did eat double-shelled shellfish. The Church even claimed that demons dwelt within snail shells, and warned people not to eat them.
However, rather than calling it a teaching of God written in the Scriptures (note: I don't think the Bible actually mentions anything about this, but I could be wrong), it was probably more of a practical warning than anything else. Lawrence himself had once gotten lost during the course of his travels and, being unable to resist his unbearable hunger, fed on snails from a river, resulting in excruciating abdominal pain.
Ever since that experience, Lawrence hadn't dared to touch another snail, be it from river or sea. Luckily, the snails weren't served in individual portions, and Horo seemed to enjoy them just fine.
Lawrence left all the food he dared not eat to Horo. "Mmm.so this is what shellfish tastes like,”
Horo said, all the while stuffing herself with piece after piece of snail hooked out of the shell using the tip of a small knife borrowed from Lawrence. As for Lawrence, he was helping himself to a heavily-salted river barracuda.
"Careful. If you eat too much, you might get a stomachache.” “Hmm?”
"Demons dwell within river snails. If you accidentally eat one, the consequences would be quite disastrous.”
Horo glanced at the snail she had just removed from its shell, tilted her head slightly, then popped it into her mouth.
"Who do you think I am? Determining the quality of wheat is not the extent of my ability.”
"Well, you even said it yourself that you once ate some red peppers with earthshaking consequences." Horo was a bit angered by what Lawrence had pointed out.
"It would be impossible even for me to determine taste purely from appearance. That thing was red all over, just like a ripe fruit,”
Horo said as she worked on removing another snail. Occasionally she would take a sip of the drink within her mug, then close her eyes tightly.
Because this region was not under the tight surveillance of the Church, distilled liquor, which the Church viewed as forbidden and had banned from public sales, was a common sight here.
Lawrence and Horo's mugs were filled with a nearly transparent liquor known as "burning wine.” “Should I order some sweet liquor for you?”
"…”
Horo shook her head silently. The way she looked with her eyes tightly closed gave Lawrence the impression that he'd see a greatly swollen tail should Horo's robe be removed.
At last, Horo managed to gulp down the wine. She gave a long sigh before wiping the corners of her eyes with the mouth of her sleeve.
Drinking what was also known as a "soul-shaking liquor," Horo was of course not dressed as a nun. With a triangular kerchief tied to her head, she had on the appearance of a typical city girl.
Before supper, Lawrence had brought a changed Horo with him to thank Amati once again. The expression Amati showed back then was beyond hopeless. Not only Lawrence, but even the innkeeper looking on couldn't help bursting into laughter.
And Horo, as if to increase her sins even more, put even more effort than usual into playing the fair maiden while expressing thanks to Amati.
If Amati were able to see the manner with which she ate right now, surely his dreams would be shattered within an instant.
"…sip. What a nostalgic taste.”
Either because the liquor was too strong, or because the memories of her hometown had been stirred up, Horo seemed a bit teary-eyed as she said this.
Ind
eed, the farther north one went, the higher the amount of soul-shaking liquor. "Even I'm clueless when it comes to distilled liquor with such high alcohol content.”
Horo, who had gotten tired of shellfish and occasionally ate from a roasted or stewed fish dish replied cheerfully: "Appearance or shape is easily forgotten after ten years, but the taste or smell of something is not easily forgotten, even after many decades. The taste of this liquor is very similar to that of Yoitsu, and fills me with a sense of nostalgia.”
"Strong liquor is more common in the North after all. Did you always drink stuff like this?”
Lawrence asked after glancing at the wine in his mug and then at Horo. Horo, with a bit of roasted fish stuck to a corner of her mouth, replied, her face full of pride: "Sweet liquor does not suit a sage wolf of such noble character, is not that so?”
Forget sweet liquor, Horo in human form looked like she was more suited to drinking honeyed milk, Lawrence thought, but smiled lightly in agreement anyway.
The wine's taste had no doubt triggered a nostalgic remembrance of Horo's hometown.
Although this was a delicious meal that she had not had the chance to enjoy for a long time, it was not the reason behind her smile.
Because of something beyond her expectations, Horo was deeply imprinted with the idea that she was getting closer and closer to Yoitsu. Just like a young maiden who'd received an unexpected gift, she was smiling from the depths of her heart.
Even so, Lawrence couldn't help removing his gaze from Horo in her current state.
Lawrence was not worried about accidentally losing himself, watching her like this, and being teased about it later.
All this way, Lawrence had concealed from Horo the legend he'd heard that Yoitsu had long since been destroyed.
The reality of this made Horo's innocent smile, sprouting from the remembrance of her hometown, as difficult to look upon as the blinding sun.
Still, Lawrence was unwilling to break the cheerful dining atmosphere that was so hard to come by.
In order to prevent Horo from seeing through his thoughts, Lawrence forcefully changed his mood, revealing a smile to Horo, who was just then reaching out for a piece of stewed carp.
Spice and Wolf, Vol. 3 Page 2