It had been easy enough to hitch the horses up to the cart that morning, and to thread the cover over the seats so that the sun didn't bother them too much on the ride. They'd be heading out soon -- it would be a whole day trip there and back, and as far as Mina knew, they'd have lunch there, do a little shopping, and she'd pick up a couple things that they needed around the tavern. With her going with Ruth to Nairn's wedding ceremony as his plus one, she wanted to make sure everything was good at the Back Water for Coop before she left.
And while she was there, she'd tell Ruth that this was to be their last time together. The stables had been fun, and the wedding would be a sort of goodbye to their time together, but it was happening for a good reason. So she was at peace with her decisions. She loaded up a couple of baskets into the cart and then hopped into the seat, backing the cart out to the front of the Back Water and tying the horses up at the pole for a moment, to head back inside and get some money from her room.
Coop, you almost ready to go? I got the cart ready for us. I'm gonna lock the back entrance. She called towards his room across the hall as she milled through her vanity and found the gold pieces she was looking for, sliding them into the pocket of her loose pants. She didn't like the idea of pants, but they were comfortable for the ride, and she'd be able to hop up and down in the cart easier that way, so pants it was for the day.
Coop? She called again, as she ducked out from under her little room under the stairs, braiding her loose hair into a single braid to keep it out of her face.
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over Cooper's room. He sat on the edge of his bed, a small wooden box open beside him. Inside were old papers, mementos from a past he rarely spoke of. His fingers traced the edges of a faded drawing – his wife and son, smiling back at him from a happier time. A pang of regret and nostalgia tugged at his heart, but he quickly pushed it aside.
Today was about the present. About spending the day with his daughter Mina, enjoying a trip to Kirkwall for lunch and shopping. It would be a long day, but he looked forward to the time with her.
I’ll be right there! he called back, quickly shuffling the papers back into the box. He slid it under the bed, burying his past mistakes once more. He took a deep breath, tying his boot laces with practiced efficiency.
Standing up, he straightened his shirt and made his way out of the room, his mind now focused on the day ahead. As he stepped into the hallway, he saw Mina waiting, her hair neatly braided and her eyes bright with anticipation.
You look nice, Mina, he said with a warm smile, genuinely appreciating the effort she’d put into her appearance. It wasn’t something he usually noticed, but then Mina was his second chance at getting things right. He was trying to prove he was worthy.
The man had raised her, from an infant. She knew that he hadn't had to, that he could have left her out in the wilds and a wolf or something would have taken care of her. Gods knew that daughters, let alone elven ones that got left on a bar top, weren't always smiled upon in families. Thankfully, Coop hadn't been that sort or man, one that would let her die of exposure or having been ate -- but she knew that it had been no picnic for him, raising a child that neither looked like him, nor would have any of his personality. It took a special type of person to have done what he did, and Mina thanked all her lucky stars that he had.
Aww, thanks Coop, Mina smoothed her long tunic down, before tugging a cap down over her ears, and tucking her brain up inside. She was small enough, that she could pass for a male child, riding next to her dad into town. It would be enough that no one would look at them on the road and target them -- where as if she had gone in her dress, or left her hair free, they might have been deemed easy pickings -- she was having none of it. The last bits of her appearance sorted, she held her arm out for him, grinning. And you polish up quite nice as well, if I do say so myself, and I do say so.
She had started the statement with a clear ending, and then realized she circled back as she spoke, giggling a little -- she wasn't an actual child anymore, but Coop always made her feel like she was always going to be his little girl. She reckoned that would never change, even as life progressed.
Cooper looked her over with a small smile, shaking his head just a bit, but clearly pleased.
Well, look at you, all clever and practical, he muttered, grabbing his cap from the hook by the door and settling it firmly over his own graying hair. Suppose we’re both lookin’ presentable for once—who’d have thought it. He chuckled, though there was a gruff fondness in his voice as he gestured for her to head out in front of him.
He walked over to double-check the lock on the back door, as if he needed the extra assurance. After all, the old tavern was a patchwork of memories and sweat, cobbled together like him and Mina’s life. Sealing it up, even just for the day, wasn’t something he took lightly.
Stepping out into the bright morning sun, Cooper squinted a bit, glancing at the cart and horses waiting for them. He was quiet for a moment, watching Mina as she made some final adjustments to the horses’ harnesses with practiced hands. She was more capable than most folks gave her credit for, and for a moment he felt that same pang of pride he’d felt the day she’d taken her first steps behind the bar, a steely determination in her eyes that seemed to say, *I belong here, too.*
Alright then, little lady, he finally said, hoisting himself up onto the driver’s seat with a slight grunt. Let’s get a move on before the whole day slips away from us. And you’d better believe we’re stoppin’ by the smithy—I ain’t about to haul this cart up to Kirkwall just to have it fall apart on me halfway.
Make us less a target on the road, I don't trust many people outside of the boundary, I've seen them at their worst! But, she was traveling now -- that was a win in her books. She had left the boundary of the Back Water the first time only a few months before, and looking back, she wasn't sure why she had stayed put as long as she had -- she had a lust to wander now, more so than before. There was wide open sky out there, and water for as far as the eye could see, perhaps even further out. But if it meant leaving Coop, she wasn't ready yet. Her entire life had been with the man, and she couldn't shake the idea that leaving out for more than a couple days at a time would kill them both.
She climbed up next to him on the bench of the wagon and nodded, grinning, Ready, and we have the whole day, I'm sure things will go just fine, and it's not like we don't regularly stay up till all hours. She giggled a little as she leaned over and rested her head on his arm, closing her eyes to enjoy the sun shine. Falling apart cart is a big old no in my books as well. She's gotta get us there, and then back with all the stuff we're gonna get.
She patted on her pocket, and then pulled out the sheaf of paper that held the shopping list. Mina was fairly excited that she was getting to go along this time, never before having really wanted to go, she always had things at the Water that needed to be done, but now that Colt had taken her off property and shown her some of what was out there, well, this was an adventure she wanted to have, and besides, it was work that would go faster with two sets of hands. Has the cart been un-reliable in the past?
Cooper glanced down at Mina as she leaned against his arm, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He clicked the reins lightly, setting the horses into motion, the cart creaking as it lurched forward.
Unreliable? he repeated with a low chuckle, shaking his head. Let’s just say this ol’ cart has seen better days. Had a wheel pop off once, right as we were haulin’ back a full load of supplies. Nearly sent me flyin’ into the ditch. Thought my heart was gonna leap outta my chest faster than that damn wheel rolled down the hill.
He gave a quick glance at her, his eyes soft with affection despite the gruffness in his voice.
But nah, we’ll be fine. The smithy’ll tighten it up, maybe replace a spoke or two. Nothin’ I can’t fix if it comes to it. He paused, eyeing the road ahead, scanning the horizon out of habit. Still, you’re right not to trust folks out here. We’ve had our share of trouble on these roads, but you know that already. Guess it pays to be cautious—keeps us breathin’ another day, at least.
Cooper let out a deep breath, the familiar creak of the cart wheels and the steady clop of the horses a comforting rhythm. He rested his hand on Mina’s head briefly before nudging her playfully.
But listen, you don’t gotta worry ‘bout the cart today. We’ll get where we’re goin’, grab what we need, and be back before sundown—no broken wheels or sudden disasters this time. He smirked, glancing at her list. And besides, with you ridin’ along, I’m sure things’ll go smoother than usual. I always could use an extra set of eyes to make sure I ain’t missin’ somethin’ important—like more biscuits. You did put biscuits on that list, right?
The question was half-joking, but the glint in his eyes made it clear he was only half-kidding. Biscuits were essential, after all.
