Chapter 33: First Encounter
"Choose those men whom people will not recognize." Hook declared, his voice sharp and commanding, resonating with an unmistakable intensity that demanded attention.
After giving the instructions, Hook went upstairs and entered the private room he usually used when he was in town. Wine was prepared for him, and he smirked at his lackey’s thoughtfulness.
Meanwhile, Lara and Barett busied themselves at the rice shop, purchasing three sacks of white rice. Then, they proceeded to the nearby market to buy salt, sugar, spices, and lard. Lara looked for cooking oil but did not find any. An idea struck Lara like lightning as they scoured the shelves for other supplies.
Palm oil.
Back in the Roca Plateau, where Galeya’s Throne was nestled, she had successfully extracted oil from palm fruit—a resource that grew abundantly at the eastern slope of Mount Roca. She could replicate the process and start a lucrative business venture with Reya and her master.
"Sir Kane," Barett said, interrupting her thoughts, "if we’re buying all this, we’ll need to hire a bull cart."
"Good idea," Lara replied, masking her excitement. "Let us leave these here for now and find us a cart. I’ll go to the clothes shop while you’re at it."
"By the way, do you know of a seamstress?" Lara needed to have another set of men’s clothes. Two was not enough for her. Her bamboo backpack was too small to carry all her stuff, including medical supplies so she wanted to customize a backpack similar to the ones that mountaineers used during the modern time.
"Aunt Lina knows how to sew. My mother, too."
Lara was not surprised. She knew that sewing was a basic skill that women of ancient times had.
Barett left.