[b]Miriam
Chapter 23: The White path[/b]


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7e0lbzAgwY
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Miriam gnawed idly on the dried piece of jerky, she walked as she ate, there was no point in wasting time sitting down. With a brisk walking pace she and Leia had gotten quite far in the last three days. As Miriam looked around she was glad to see that the bogs and wastelands had been replaced with more lush, if white and snow covered woods. The wall of trees loomed on either side of the road and Miriam couldn't peer into the dark forest any further than she could throw a rock into it. The gravel road that she walked on was lit by the stars above and walking down it was no issue. Miriam tore off a piece of the jerky and she whistled briefly, garnering Leia's attention to then feed the dog the scrap casually. Leia tore into it and chowed heartily, barking gratefully in return. Miriam smiled down for the dog and pet her head, but something caught her eye in the distance, down the road a light was bobbing. Miriam took it for a lantern and she grew a bit tense, this would be the first person she had met since leaving Fort Royal. Miriam moved a hand beneath her new gray cloak where a Midway dagger was fastened behind her back, just to ensure that she still had it. She then doffed her hood and whipped her tied up hair back. Leia walked in behind Miriam's legs as the cart came rolling slowly toward them, the light had indeed been a lantern which was hanging off of a wooden carriage, untop of the carriage sat a sullen driver. Judging by the woodwork and the horse rather than mule that pulled the thing this was a wealthy lot. The driver had spotted Miriam down the road by now and as they came closer he locked eyes with her. Miriam lowered her head and walked as if she had not seen them, she would rather just be on her way. The carriage passed on her right, its creaky wheels moved and they passed. Miriam sighed in relief, there was then a spur of the reins, the man hollered and the horse that pulled the thing halted. Miriam cringed.
	"Oy, 'scuse me!" Said the man in a tenuous voice. He called back over his shoulder. Miriam turned and looked back toward him.
	"What?" She asked.
	"Well, figure I should tel-.." The man was interrupted as a woman popped her head through the carriage window, her face was scarfed and she was dressed up to her top in animal furs, primarily wolf. 
	"Timothy! Why are we stopping?!" The lady demanded to know as she barked at the driver. Her face was pinkish red, either from the cold of maybe from her rage. The driver scratched his neck and murmured briefly, Miriam did not hear his response as he was too far away. The lady stared at the driver, known as Timothy and then she snapped her eyes back to the white dressed Miriam where she stood on the road. The lady scoffed derisively. 
	"Then get on with it, man." Said the woman and she thrust her head back inside the cart, whereafter she promptly shut its window. Miriam looked after her and then set her eyes on Timothy. He nodded and then said.
	"Might not wanna go West, miss. The sudden cold got lots o' people dead and there was no time to burn most, Undead outbreak is going to turn out pretty bad 'til the King's men show up."
	"The King's men are fighting Raylians, far as I know." Miriam replied and she shrugged half heartedly. This made Timothy blink, the man was undoubtedly counting on the army to clean up and had not considered that they had problems of their own.
	"Well - er. We're going to Raftfjord. I'd offer you a ride but the missus ain't go-.." Again he was interrupted as the same Missus was banging on the carriage wall. Miriam shook her head and said.
	"That's alright. I'll be sure to avoid the West, good luck, you."
	"Eh. Good luck, miss." Said Timothy and he turned rather hesitantly to face forward.
With a snap of the reins the carriage began to roll again down the road Miriam had walked. She sniffled and adjusted her brand new bag, looking down to Leia for a moment. She then nodded her head and the two were on their way again. She would have to avoid the Western lands for now, perhaps she'd have better luck North...