Seems like a fine enough plan, Boss. Here’s hoping we’ll find what you want, eh?
"Of course we will find it. Friend, and with you with us, I have no doubt!" There Vesemir, smiling radiantly. Despite his age, the man was always easily pleased when someone was agreeing with his idea. The Gray Flame has learned at least that much since their partnership started a week ago. Such a simple characteristic that had
become not as simple as it looked anymore the more you know about the man.
And because he knew, The Gray Flame would rather not debate him when he brought up the matter about the items. Engelbert too seemed to share the sentiment, and would rather add more smiles to their boss' lips by assuring that the details in their contract to protect him would remain unchanged. It was a jolly declaration. That led to another proposition for Engelbert to volunteer to cook the dinner for everyone.
And so he did.
Gray stayed in the living room, sitting on the sofa directly facing the fireplace, seemingly in a deep contemplation.
The dinner arrived at last, and it came with the sound of marching metals. Vesemir was delighted he went to the stairs and shouted like a fussy nanny;
"Roxas! Tillius, the dinner's ready!" Nothing really special about a pot of stew, but it was always a recognized comfort food, especially when a rainstorm was still raging outside. Everyone quickly claimed their share, bowls filled, and hardtacks dipped. It was warm, just what most of them needed, and filling, and delicious enough.
The dinner had finished at last. The Gray Flame and some others volunteered to wash the dishes, and the tea set on the granite counter ceremoniously, like it had a sentimental value for him, or perhaps just a way of saying thanks.
It was midnight, and outside, the rain was still pouring. Before sleeping, Gray Flame reminded Rezello that there was some supply of firewood in the kitchen enough to keep them warm until the morning came, should he need to extinguish his fire.
The night was uneventful, and the following morning was dry, full of sunshine, and filled with optimism. After a brief preparation, the party continued their journey, leaving the lonely house behind, and for a certain someone, the past that was never connected to him to begin with.
__________
The Road of No Return
By midday, they already passed the Village of Lindunn, then after many tranquil fields, green pastures, and forested dells, stopped again at night in the village near the unnamed river. After that, same routine, until they were close to the border.
And at last, on the third morning since they left Alkautsar, the party halted once more. Before them, disconnected from the glades they had just passed, and still dark in the twilight was the mass of forestry. The sources of legends, and shivering stories.
The road, strangely was not severed and continued on toward the forest like a grim path of no return. It looked like the remains of an ancient road, that had once been broad and well-planned, and it still did, as if there was an enchantment that made the encroaching ivies and roots curled and turned away from the curbs of its stonework.
And because the road was decent, the convoy continued with a good speed. Everyone was vigilant, but Gray Flame was focused on the road ahead and not on his surroundings. Especially not to his surroundings, and as their guide, it was better that way.
The air around felt stiff as if enriched by an unknown fine substance, yet the forest around them looked normal, slightly greyed perhaps under the eaves of the old branches and leaves, but the scenery was neither hostile nor fear-inducing, and the calling from kestrels that hid among the swaying chestnut felt like a blatant rebuttal that made the reputations and tales they heard so far sounded nothing more than spurious claims.
But the Gray Flame knew better. That behind those normalcy many kinds of gruesome peril awaited, and it was much better for them to not make too much stop. He knew this forest and this forest knew him.
The convoy continued on with a constant speed and small infrequent rest, but hours upon hours trodding through the lonely road had made the sign of fatigue on the horses apparent, and Carnatia had already stopped her outriding duty for safety reasons hours ago.
It was after he consulted with Vesemir and his own map they finally made a stop. It was 4 in the afternoon, and they would make their camp here, on a glade not far from the road. As they observed the surroundings, everyone could have sworn they saw a similar chestnut tree on the first mile they entered this forest, and now they were under its branches again, which still bore many broad brown leaves of a former year, like dry hands with long splayed fingers; they rattled mournfully in the afternoon-breeze
And as the sun started to sink deeper, the seemingly natural and tranquil ambient sound of chirping birds and crickets was gone, replaced by eerie whispers of the wind, and rustling in thick shrubberies.
Would that make our eccentric archeologist falter? Ha! Hardly! The moment he stepped on the moist soil of this so-called Land of Twilight, it seemed as if his neat suit would swell in excitement. Instructions flew rapidly from him like a busybody commander. Set up the tent, take care of the horses, make a campfire, and clear the nearby shrubs.
“Get on with it boys! We are far from home, but that doesn’t mean we can't make this place feel like one!” And finally, after one of the porters laid out two crates as the table and a collapsable canvas chair for him to sit on, the eccentric elf opened the map and had everyone gathered.
“The ruins of Lasse is just around the corner, and we are visiting tonight! Yes, you heard that right! No time to waste We are going to Lasse tonight. So I suggest you to get comfy!”
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