--- Western Edge ---
Rinn Arniman
Interactions:
@xaltwind Victor & Wilma
The Tanglesteppe winds blew relentlessly, the thick scrubland grass cascading in great waves with every gust and giving the rolling landscape a living appearance dichotomous with the still blue sky overhead. A lone figure trudged ever onward across the hills, his booted feet dragging a toe along the overgrown dirt path with every step as he slowly made his way east. His bright red cloak flapped over his laced blue shirt and every so often one thin hand had to yank the fine wide-brimmed hat down over his flowing chocolate curls as it was buffeted by another burst of wind. The beautiful feather it had once spouted blew away long ago, much to his continued disappointment, and he would be damned if he let the expensive accessory follow suit. It was one of the last few pieces of finery he had left, after all.
"So... hungreeeeeeeeeeey..." Rinn Arniman moaned to no one in particular, being completely alone for another solid straight day. The owner of the last inn some two days previous had given him a rather alarmed look when he expressed his desire to head further east and in hindsight such regard from someone more familiar with the landscape should have given him more pause. What meager provisions he could afford had run out that morning and with virtually nothing to scavenge or forage he now found himself in a position that was becoming more and more familiar every day he lived outside his family's estate.
He was starving.
As Rinn crested a rise and one hand shielded his bright topaz eyes while they squinted at the new horizon. The first thing he noticed was a noticable dip in the landscape as the hills funneled down into a luch green vale but what truly caught his attention was the tiny cluster of specks at the vale's heart that could only be the telltale marks of humanoid settlement. He let out a whooped holler at the sudden rush of joy in his heart though the sound cut off quickly as he puzzled over its origins. Whatever this place was, it was certainly no hub of civilization and up until a moment ago he would have had no idea such a hamlet would exist this far from any known landmark.
And yet... he had known it would be here, hadn't he?
Tightening the straps of his vielle, the bard ever-so-slightly quickened his step with newfound energy. The following hour felt longer than the six he'd spent walking that very morning and by the time the distant buildings began to take focus he was practically vibrating with excitement. On the road ahead he spotted movement and his breath hitched as he recognized a donkey-drawn wagon. He ran then, desperate to make contact with the only other travelers he'd seen in days but even the small distance between them left him pitifully breathless as he drew up beside the wooden vehicle.
"H-hey! Ex-... -cuse me! H-hello...! Hi there!" He panted, his breathing hard and fair skin beaded with sweat. Rinn blinked in surprise as he saw the wagon's occupants were no more than an old man and a girl, practically an infant.
"Uh... Hail and... well... met." Slowly, his heart began to slow and he leaned backwards, hands on his hips as he took another deep breath.
"Good people, where-... What village is this and would you kindly direct me to the closest tavern?"