Kitanna
Chapter 175: DÉJÀ VU

Chapter 175: DÉJÀ VU

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: GREEK TRAGEDY ~ THE WOMBATS]

Back at the merchant’s inn, Axilla was far from being comfortable. She was hearing voices in her head, and they belonged to the young master, but she couldn’t remember when it was said. Was that her subconscious? Her inner wish? Was it to kiss the young master? Axilla asked herself as she got ready for the day. It was going to be her first day at work even though she knew nothing about what she was going to do.

After eating the porridge Kayla served her, Axilla dressed up and joined others outside. The party spirit was now gone. Everywhere was lively as people bargained at different stores, pricing, and checking out the quality of goods. The whole place was busy, but unlike last night, there was no loud music, just crowd chattering and carrying goods here and there.

Axilla stood on the side; she didn’t know what to do at the moment. She looked around to see if the young master was around, but the place was so busy. Axilla caught sight of Kayla, who was giving her best smile to one of the customers; the girl looked like she knew her job very well.

"Axilla, good morning. How are you doing this morning?" William asked from behind, coming to stand beside Axilla.

"Oh William, I’m doing great this morning. And you?" Axilla asked, bowing slightly.

William noticed that the girl did not remember what happened last night. He had been worried about nothing, the young merchant smiled internally. "I’m fine. Thanks for asking." He noticed how intrigued the girl was with the crowd who had come to buy directly from merchants.

"You must be surprised at how busy everywhere is. These people come to buy from us before we move down to other kingdoms. You see not far from here is the sea port; we offload our goods and rest here for a while before continuing our journey. During this period, some retailers who also sell in large quantities come to buy directly from us, then travel back to sell it in their different kingdoms." William enlightened the young girl.

Axilla nodded her head, "But why? I mean, won’t you still move around to the kingdoms? Why do they stress themselves for it? And how do you merchants gain? Before you get to the kingdoms, these retailers have already sold to your customers." She asked, enjoying the conversation

"You are a natural. An insightful merchant," William smiled, before he continued talking.

"You see, when the retailers travel as a group to this place, their transport cost is lesser, but when we bring it to their stores, we add our transport, increasing the price of the goods. Now as a merchant, you have your priced goods; we don’t bring them out during these days because it’s what we sell to the most powerful men of different kingdoms. We just sell to these retailers what the locals can afford and maybe a few for noblemen. That way everyone is gaining." He explained.

Axilla pressed her lips; trading was not so bad, she thought to herself. It was like a game, where you have to outdo your other contenders with only one wish to please the buyers. She watched as people rushed for a particular product, arguing over who got it first.

"Where do I fit in all of this?" Axilla asked, turning to look at William.

"Follow me," he walked in front while Axilla walked two steps behind him. Bowing to greet other merchants she met on the way, still keeping an eye out for the young master.

"Here, count these bags of salt, then the wild ginsengs. Then you move to these pearls, record them and send it to the head clerk." William pointed at the goods which almost filled up the large room, handing Axilla a long record book.

Axilla reached out to take the book when William pushed his hand back, making Axilla crash onto his chest.

"Sorry, I wanted to tell you good luck," William said, after Axilla had moved back, looking at him suspiciously.

"Thank you," Axilla whispered, watching as the young man walk out of the room. For some reason, she suspected the young man, and it was not as if she didn’t remember what he tried to do to her last night. She did, clearly, but she tried to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Now alone in the room, Axilla exhaled; it was going to be a long day for her, but she was excited to earn her pay, for the first time in her life. Starting from the salt, Axilla counted and recorded each one of them.

Before afternoon, she was done with the salt; she continued with the wild ginsengs, arranging them in the process as she recorded each on her parchment. When it was mid-afternoon, Axilla became tired, rubbing her shoulder gently she decided to step out and drink water.

"Where are you going to?" Axilla heard a woman’s voice behind her.

When she turned, she pointed at her chest to be sure the woman was referring to her.

"Yes, you, or are you deaf?" The woman asked again, this time her voice was harsher than the first time.

Axilla gulped; had she stepped on the woman’s toes when she was walking out of the room? Why was she being mean? The bright flower thought, but she pushed it behind her, and answered the woman politely.

"I want to take a few minutes of a break; I’m thirsty." The younger woman replied, still holding her record book close to her chest.

"Thirsty?" The woman scoffed, the side of her eyes crinkling. "Thirsty for more things to steal?" She completed.

Axilla was confused; she pointed her chest again; maybe the woman was mistaking her for someone else. What could she possibly steal? "No ma, you’re getting it wrong. I want to go and drink water." Axilla tried to clarify, still sounding polite. She didn’t know who was superior, so she wanted to act right.

The woman started moving closer, "Are you saying I’m lying? It’s better you give up what you stole, you little thief, before I take this outside."

Axilla noticed other young girls standing behind the woman, and the moment felt familiar. It was something she didn’t want to experience again. She decided to make a run for it and hide until everything was resolved because looking at the woman; she was out for her.

Before Axilla could take a step back, the woman shouted, "Catch that thief!"

Axilla, who had weak legs, didn’t make it past three steps before she was caught by other girls. She tried to wriggle herself out, but there was no point because it was one against four.

"We found it ma!" One of the girls shouted, bringing a shiny pearl out of Axilla’s bag.

Axilla shook her head, "How did it get there?" Her eyes were burning with tears.

"Just like every thief would ask. Drag her out!" The mean woman barked.

"Not again," Axilla muttered, as the girls dragged her out of the room.