KamiKowa: That Time I Got Transmigrated With A Broken Goddess-Chapter 119: []Your Woman

Before Naomi could unleash the tirade building behind her clenched teeth, Xavier stepped closer.

"You’re right," he said, voice pitched low enough that only she could hear. "I should have consulted with you first. Especially since it’s your money involved." He glanced at the busy caravan members before returning his gaze to her face. "I’m used to operating alone, making snap decisions. But we’re partners in this, and I disrespected that. I apologize."

Naomi’s mouth opened slightly, then closed.

"I should have waited to discuss options with my woman before making arrangements," Xavier added, his hand briefly touching her elbow.

"Your..." Naomi’s eyes widened, and a flush crept up her neck. "Your woman?"

"Unless you’d prefer a different term?"

Naomi seemed to short-circuit for a moment, her usual sharp retort nowhere to be found.

"Come on, Nessa," Xavier said, using her local name loudly enough for nearby workers to hear. "Let’s go get those horses before they leave without us."

He placed his hand at the small of her back, guiding her toward the gate. Naomi allowed herself to be steered, still looking slightly dazed.

"That was... unexpected," she finally managed once they were out of earshot of the caravan.

"What was?"

"You. Apologizing. And the whole..." she waved her hand vaguely, "...possessive thing."

"Was it too much? I thought it might help sell our cover."

"No, it was..." Naomi cleared her throat. "It worked. For the cover."

They walked in silence for a few moments, Xavier’s hand still resting lightly on her back.

"So what’s the actual plan?" Naomi asked, her practical nature reasserting itself. "Are we taking the horses or the caravan?"

"Both," Xavier said. "The caravan offers protection through the mountain passes, which we’d be fools to turn down. But having our own horses gives us freedom to leave if necessary."

"That... actually makes sense."

"Try not to sound so surprised."

Naomi’s lips curved upward. "So we’ll join the caravan, but keep the horses with us rather than in their stables?"

"Exactly. We pay for passage, benefit from their protection, but maintain our independence."

"Smart."

"I have my moments."

They reached the stables where Tomas had prepared their horses. Smoke, the gray gelding, whickered softly at Xavier’s approach. Ember, Naomi’s bay mare, stamped impatiently.

"Just like their riders," Naomi murmured, patting Ember’s neck.

Tomas emerged from a stall, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Right on time, yeh are! Got ’em all saddled up an’ ready to go, just like yeh asked."

"Thank you," Naomi said, slipping easily into her role as Nessa. "We appreciate it."

"Everything’s packed up proper, just like we talked about," Tomas said. "Should get yeh to Hearthome safe an’ sound, long as yeh take care on the road."

"Change of plans," Xavier said. "We’re joining the caravan."

Tomas’s bushy eyebrows rose. "Smart thinkin’, that is. Those mountain passes can be right treacherous this time o’ year, ’specially for just two travelers like yerselves." He glanced at the sky. "Weather’s turnin’ nasty too, I reckon. There’s a storm brewin’ up north - can feel it in me bones."

"We’ll still take the horses," Naomi added. "Just ride alongside the caravan."

"Even better," Tomas nodded approvingly. "Gives you options if things go sideways."

Xavier checked Smoke’s saddle and bags, running his hands along the leather straps to ensure everything was secure.

Naomi mounted Ember, settling into the saddle and adjusting her cloak. "We should head back. The caravan leader said they’re leaving soon."

Xavier swung onto Smoke’s back, feeling the horse shift beneath him as it adjusted to his weight. Riding wasn’t his specialty in his past life, but this body seemed to know what to do, hands naturally finding the right position on the reins.

"Safe travels," Tomas called as they turned the horses toward the gate. "Mind yerself on that northern pass after the first waypoint, now. That’s where the winter beasts do their huntin’."

"We will," Naomi replied, then added more quietly to Xavier, "Assuming we even know where the second waypoint is."

"The caravan will know," Xavier said. "That’s why we’re joining them."

They rode back to the eastern gate, the horses’ hooves clopping against the cobblestones. The guards recognized them this time and waved them through without issue. The caravan was nearly ready to depart, with drivers checking final preparations and guards taking positions around the wagons.

Efler spotted them first, her golden eyes narrowing at the sight of the horses.

"Thought you were riding in my wagon," she said as they approached.

"Change of plans," Xavier replied. "We’ll ride alongside, if that’s acceptable."

Efler shrugged. "Your choice. Same price either way."

"That’s fine."

"You must be his companion," Efler said, turning her attention to Naomi. "I’m Efler."

"Nessa," Naomi replied, meeting Efler’s gaze steadily. "Pleasure."

They stared each other down for a few seconds.

"Well, Nessa," Efler said, "hope you can ride better than most city folk. Stragglers get eaten first."

"I’d consider myself a professional rider," Naomi replied, glancing at Xavier.

Efler’s mouth quirked. "Good for you." She turned to Xavier. "Check in with Dalen about the horses."

Xavier nodded and guided Smoke toward where Dalen stood consulting a map spread across a barrel top. The old man looked up as Xavier approached.

"So you found your companion," Dalen observed, eyeing Naomi. "And horses too."

"We prefer having options," Xavier said.

"Smart. Though it means you’ll be responsible for your own safety if you choose to stray from the caravan."

"Understood."

"We follow the East Road through the foothills, then take the northern pass at the fork. A Fortnight to Hearthome if the weather holds." Dalen folded his map. "First rule: stay with the caravan. Second rule: what the hunters say, you do, no questions. Third rule: anything attacks us, you either help defend or stay out of the way."

"Fair enough," Xavier agreed.

"One more thing," Dalen added, his voice dropping. "Lukas doesn’t send people my way without reason. Whatever business you have in Hearthome, keep it to yourselves. My caravan doesn’t need complications."

"No complications from us," Xavier assured him. "Just travelers seeking safer passage."

Dalen studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Take position behind the red wagon. We move out soon."

Xavier guided Smoke back to where Naomi waited on Ember, her posture tense as she watched the final preparations around them.

"Everything set?" she asked.

"Yes. We ride behind Efler’s wagon." Xavier settled into his saddle, checking his reins one final time. "Dalen seems confident about the route, but he made it clear we’re on our own if we stray from the group."

"And if something goes wrong with the group itself?"

"Then we’ll have bigger problems than just being on our own."

A horn sounded from the front of the caravan—three long blasts that echoed off the surrounding buildings.

Around them, the caravan transformed from organized chaos into purposeful motion. Drivers snapped reins, wheels creaked into motion, and guards took their positions. Xavier watched a heavily armed woman check her crossbow one final time before mounting her horse, her eyes already scanning the treeline beyond the settlement.

"I don’t trust her," Naomi said quietly, her eyes fixed on the red wagon ahead of them.

"Who, Efler?"

"Yes. Something about her..." Naomi’s voice trailed off, and Xavier saw her jaw clench as if she was biting back words. "The way she looked at me felt... I don’t know, maybe I’m just being paranoid."

Before Xavier could respond, Efler appeared beside them on foot. "You two ready for this?"

"As ready as anyone can be for a journey through winter beast territory," Xavier replied.

Efler’s smile was thin and didn’t reach her eyes. "Good. Because once we’re in those passes, there’s no turning back. The beasts can smell fear from miles away." She glanced at Naomi. "Stay close to the wagons. They go after the stragglers first."

With that cheerful warning, she swung up onto her wagon and took the reins.

The caravan lurched into motion, wheels grinding against cobblestones as they rolled through the eastern gate. Xavier felt his headache intensify with each yard they traveled away from the settlement, as if something was pulling him inexorably toward their destination.

"You think a little paranoia will keep us alive?" Naomi asked, falling into step beside him as they passed through the gate and onto the mountain road.

Xavier looked back once at the settlement growing smaller behind them, then ahead at the dark clouds gathering over the peaks.

"In this place? I’m counting on it."