The next day after Sarah did her rounds Geo called her to the bed, he was lying in to discuss the further steps with her.

“Listen, I am thankful for what you have done for me. But I think it’s time for me leave you all and be on my way again. I want to discuss with you how I can ideally do this.”

“Guess it became time that we talked about that… Any ideas?”

“I guess my best bet would be to either go back home or to New-Alexia, where I was intended to go to in the first place.”

“No idea where that is. But I guess that your best bet would be to go to a big port town and look from there. Maybe you could go to Sailport? It is a bit dangerous to get there, but it’s reasonably close. It’s about twelve days from here. So, it might take a while.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Think I could go soon?”

“Definitely not. For three reasons. Firstly, you don’t know the way and could easily get lost. Secondly the road is dangerous. There are a lot of wield beasts and fiends prowling around and if you travel alone you likely will get attacked. And finally, you are still not healthy. You are clearly doing good progress but just yesterday you collapsed. There is no way you are ready to travel that distance. Maybe wait a few more months. At least until the temperatures start rising again. It will become quite cold soon. Listen, I would love to keep talking, but we have to finish this later, I promised to keep an eye on Miki today afternoon.”

As the temperatures started to fall Geo regained more and more power. Going against his expectations there was no snowfall, even if it was cold enough for water to freeze and the ground to harden. Once Sarah gave him the ok, he started helping in the village by doing various odd jobs, from helping the villagers fix nets over to help them isolating their houses. The villagers were grateful for his abilities, as they could help them to dig holes in the now hard ground or even reinforce houses that lacked isolation. One fateful evening while warming himself on some warm fish stew a decently sized group of travelers entered the town’s only inn. Sitting at the counter Geo asked a fisherman sitting next to him.

“Who are those people?”

“They are a caravan; they pass through here every few months. You must have still been in bed when they came through here last time. They usually stay here for a day or two to restock their food supply. Besides the occasional tax guys, these are the only travelers coming to our remote village regularly.”

“Where do they go?”

“I think they travel either up north towards Sailport to buy wares and then go further inland after passing through here.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Sounds inefficient. They could make a B-line towards the inland instead of making the long way around.”

“Maybe it faster, but there are also a lot more beasts on that route. No need to risk your lives or wares over that. Wait a second. I’ll get Sieg. He runs the caravan. He can explain that better than me.”

The fisherman stood up and walked away, leaving Geo and his portion stew on their own. Shortly after he returned with a muscular man, who’s beard started to show a few white strains.

“So, Sieg could you please explain!”

“To make it short most of it is untamed wilderness. No villages or towns to rest in and the rocklands are filled with fiends and beasts. Last I heard there was a lionwulf pack with a hundred members running around over there. Not sure if I can believe the numbers but I ain’t dumb enough to test my luck. Also, it is super difficult to transport enough food for the entire caravan for such long stretches before we could restock. So, better save, than sorry.”

“I understand this makes sense. Way less big predators along the coast. Same as back home.”

“Oh, there are big predators, just less than inlands. Say, I’ve never seen your skinny face before. Are you that guy they fished out of the water a while ago? If so, my condolences.”

“It’s ok, I’m over it. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, but before that.”

Siegfried turned around and got himself a stool. And with a few hand signs he told the tavern clerk that he was having the same as Geo was having.

“How about we introduce ourselves first? I am Siegfried, but all me Sieg. I run the caravan and Eric over here”

He looked around for the fisherman that introduced Geo to the caravan leader but could not spot him anywhere.

“Always leaves without telling a soul. Anyways you had a question?”

“Yes, I am Geoffrey, but you can call me Geo and my question. Are you going to Sailport? Because I need to get there, and I’ve been told that I shouldn’t try to do that on my own.”

Siegfried tapped his fingers on the table waiting impatiently for his order and answered.

“Yeah that’d be a bad idea. But sadly, right now we are going south then inlands sorry. We are loaded with salt and tapestry, stuff they want there. We probably won’t be going to Sailport for another few weeks.”

Geo left out a sad sigh.

“Yeah, you are probably right. Couldn’t afford the passage fee anyways.”

“You could have him work as a bodyguard for the trip.”

Eric surprised the two out of nowhere.

“Dude, you scared me, where you’ve been?”

“Sorry, had to take a leak, only heard about half. But I am serious. This kid is a blackhand. So, maybe that could help?”

“Blackhand? Interessting. What kind of magic do you do? Not all is suitable for us.”

“Oh, my powers can absolutely help. I used to be a big militia private and qualified for a few badges for outstanding performance during in the various exercises. I got sculptor, eagle-shot and even iron-wallmaker.”

“No, idea what that means.”

“Big militia private means that I reached the second highest rank someone could get during obligatory military service and the badges I earned for proving to have a lot of skill with control in various categories. Especially the iron-wallmaker is impressive, because it means that I could hold a wall against a ten-minute nonstop barrage on my own. Less than thirty a year qualify for it.”

“Sounds impressive. Still, doesn’t mean that I can help you. Listen kid, how about we do it like this. When we come back through here the next time in one or two months, IF you look less like a skeleton and IF your magic is really that impressive, then maybe I’ll have an open slot for you to work. And even then, this is a big maybe. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Call me Sieg! Now let’s stop talking about work. This is evening is the closest thing I’ll get to time off for a while. Say Eric, how are things going with the wife…”

The rest of dinner Geo spent with Sieg and Eric talking about various things from family problems over to gossip until Geo had to return to Sarah. A bit more hopeful about the future than before.