Jenna curled her body in the corner of the carriage; she finally found sleep after so many minutes of looking for comfort with every turn.
Seeing the stranger excited about his head being rubbed made her even more relaxed. The man was just too innocent, and it made her anxiety disappear, knowing he wouldn't be a threat to her life... for now.
Yet after she moved away from his side, she still found it a little difficult to sleep until the rain quieted.
It was a short sleep, but when Jenna heard the first sound of the cock's crow signaling the presence of dawn, the young lady smiled, stretching her body before pushing her window open.
"It's morning," Jenna smiled to herself. Each new morning gave her some kind of hope... seeing the day bright again made her believe that there was a future for a woman like her.
Unlike the darkness that ironically came with rain, making Jenna feel trapped and lost. Scared and confused.
Jenna turned to her side and noticed that the stranger wasn't there anymore. She pushed her door open and jumped down, fixing her money pouch around her waist.
"Good morning, My Lady," Percy greeted when he saw his mistress.
Jenna waved, "You too, Percy." She scanned the surroundings as if searching for someone.
"He is over there," Percy pointed inside the woods, though slightly jealous. "Answering nature's call, I guess?" The young boy shrugged.
Jenna nodded, touching her hair. She didn't know why she was suddenly worried about someone she had just met. Someone who could remember his past anytime and walk away.
"You're a fool, Jenna," she knocked her forehead and smiled. Turning back to her carriage, Jenna picked up a horsekin that stored water for her, and she moved to the side to wash her face.
Business had been slow for her since the rain began. Most times, her goods got washed away by rain, or even at the ports, pirates hijacked their goods before they got to them.
Jenna had been struggling to keep her crew afloat until the rain passed, and she was also meeting old-time friends for alliances just so she could have goods even with the turbulence in trade at the moment.
"Master..."
Jenna mumbled, gurgling because of the water in her mouth. She spat it out and turned to meet the hazel eyes of the young man staring at her.
"Anne, how do you feel now?" Jenna asked with a smile, her eyes falling on his chest, then she looked up.
Without a word, the young man stretched out his hand.
Jenna followed his hand, "Oh, you want water? It's not much, but—" she handed it over to him, but he grabbed her wrist.
"Ow!" Jenna yelped. "What are you doing?"
Rhane turned and started walking, holding Jenna.
"Okay, wait, where are we going?" Jenna asked, trying to keep up with his long strides.
The young man continued walking without replying.
"Alright, at least walk slowly so I can catch up," Jenna begged, now feeling scared. She looked around just in case this man was trying to harm her, so she could scream and call Percy and the coachman for help.
Jenna knew better than to fight a man who was dragging her. She knew it was going to be a losing game.
The young man slowed down his steps and walked slowly beside Jenna, their feet in sync.
"Thank you," Jenna breathed out after catching her breath.
They continued to walk deeper into the woods, and each step scared Jenna even more.
"Um... Anne, where are we going? Maybe I should let Percy know!" Jenna screamed Percy's name, trying to make it sound normal so the young man wouldn't know she was scared.
Rhane didn't stop walking, his eyes forward like a man on a mission.
Jenna rubbed her tongue on her lips. She was beginning to tremble, already thinking of the worst.
What if? What if this man suddenly started hitting her? Or ripped her clothes? Or even killed her off in the woods? Was he sent by her husband?
With Jenna's mind conjuring different scenarios, her guard went up, so when Rhane stopped walking and raised his hand-
Jenna backed away and screamed, "Help!" She covered her ears with her hands.
Seconds passed, and there was no screaming. Nobody was hitting her... neither was he raising his voice. Jenna peeked and saw the young man pointing at something.
The morning dew slowly disappeared, revealing the beauty of nature beyond. Water...crystal water- trickling down from a stone. It was a spring.
"Oh... wow," Jenna stood straight when she saw the spring and the trees that hid it.
Jenna turned to look at the young man; there was hurt in his eyes.
"I didn't mean to scream... I was— I'm sorry. I didn't know you wanted to show me that," Jenna whispered, feeling bad.
Why did she think that everyone was trying to hurt her? Why? All this person wanted to do was show her a spring.
"Master doesn't like it?" Rhane asked, putting his hand down by his side.
Jenna shook her head. "I do... you found it for me?" He nodded, and she pressed her lips together.
"I love it... but you should have told me before bringing me. I was scared," Jenna began, then paused.
How was she supposed to explain to this man that her past was so dark that everything looked like an act of evil to her?
She wished she could explain to him, a young man with no memories of his past- but she couldn't. Lucky him, Jenna thought to herself. She wished to have something like that, to return to when she was just innocent.
"Why is Master scared?" Rhane asked, staring at Jenna like there was something interesting on her face.
Jenna could feel the young man's strong gaze boring into her soul. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel nervous, that made her want to look elsewhere.
"Um... you see, I don't really trust people, so I get scared when—" Jenna paused. She didn't even know what she was talking about.
"Master can trust me," Rhane said, his head slightly tilted.
Jenna beamed, "I can," she said, throwing her face heavenward and smiling. "You're so childlike... but Anne, trust doesn't just come that way. It's built over a long time... then earned."
He nodded and turned his face away, as if deep in thought.
Jenna wanted to ruffle his head again. He was just so cute. But she turned her attention to the spring.
It had been a long time since she saw something this peaceful. It was so soothing to watch and listen to water trickling from the rock- a hopeful reminder to Jenna that she could smile again.
"It's beautiful..." she muttered, even though her heart felt heavy.
The young man turned, this time he didn't take his eyes off Jenna. "But Master is more beautiful," he said in a calm voice.