Norbert walked along the path, the boy jumping around and pointing at things. Obsius stared at him, ensuring he wouldn't get past without warning. Once more, walking to the centre of town was more straightforward than last time, being pointed many things and people waving towards them as they walked across their path.
Norbert looked and could make out things here and there that he passed last time. The little signs of magic and lights spread throughout the area. Poles were sticking up at weird times, and some engravings were on fence posts near the bottom. Tools he walked past had engravings. Squinting, Norbert even noticed some of the rooves having them placed in areas, all of them having it near the side, assuming it would be to collect the water falling on them when it rained; Norbert saw it go into containers on the side of some houses.
In others, the pipes continued going into the fields, barns, or other steads to hold animals in. Looking around, Norbert saw no stone being used for building, only seeing the same type of dark wood being used. All expertly smoothed and not a speck of dust on it. Breathing in, Norbert was happy to breathe in the air again. As he grew closer to town, he stopped seeing gardens in the front, either filled with bushes with some fruits on them or just grass throughout, forming instead to be closer to the path and have two stories.
The ones like this usually had signs out the front, Norbert assuming it was the wares they were selling. The wooden signs hanging passed his eye one after the other. Still, Norbert saw some two-story houses with a garden at the front, generally with a fence and a gate surrounding it.
However different the house looked, the people were still much the same, smiling and shouting at the pair behind him as he made his way across. Rattling around on the side, Norbert had to sometimes make way for other carriages being pulled by beasts.
Looking at them, they seemed like cows, but in the usual regard, it was different, having the elongated facial structure like that of a horse while its ears flapped down over its head like a golden retriever. Slowly it plodded past Norbert; looking at the back, it was filled with food items, the most he had ever seen and such a wide variety. Looking back as it passed, the other driver reached down, picked up what Norbert assumed was an apple and tossed it to the boy behind him. Shouting something, the boy smiled and waved to the gentleman on the other cart.
With a wave and words from the mother, the cart passed; Norbert had to put some effort in to get the cart back on the road due to the loose dirt before continuing through the town. Thankfully, they only passed a couple more carts that he had to pull over, some with items like furniture and some with freshly pulled crops. As Norbert continued towards the town more people stood on the side, blatantly staring at him as he walked across the path.
Seeing that they were nearly at the butcher, the mother climbed over to him and pointed at it, signifying wanting to head over there. Pointing towards and making sure nobody was around, Norbert headed in the direction as he stopped Obsius flying off his head, landing on the door frame and standing in the middle. Watching the son jump off the cart, about to run off before his mother called him back. Holding out his hand, he held it for the mother, who gracefully jumped off the cart, not needing assistance.
Inside, the pair of them walked, Norbert slowly putting the cart down the road and looking around. Realising that he was in town for the first time with someone able to buy items for him without him being blindsided, Norbert patted his pockets. Only feeling his phone and the talisman, Norbert remembered leaving them in the room he sleeps; due to the number of coins he was carrying, it was too bulky in his pockets.
He realised this was what coin pouches were made for, and he had nothing like that. Adding it to his mental list of today buying a coin pouch or something similar so he could take the meagre amount he had with him. Interrupting his thoughts, the woman exited with a smile, carrying nothing in return. Norbert picked up the cart while the pair climbed on board again; turning around, Norbert looked at the woman, waving around to ask what the next place to go would be.
Holding a hand to wait, Norbert looked around to see what could happen. Around the side of the butcher shop, the butcher appeared again, holding meat packages. All finely wrapped in what looked like paper or something similar to keep them clean in the travel, Norbert saw him load it on before returning and returning.
He returned two more times, the cart bed nearly filled with meat. He was looking back and raising an eyebrow about why the small family would need that much meat when the father was some hunter. Getting only a smile in response, that twinkling in the mother's eye knowing he had made a mistake she pointed down the path again. Pulling out in the street, Norbert called out to Obsius, who had just opened an eye before closing it again.
Shrugging his shoulders, Norbert continued on the path, "Oh well, I will probably pick him up on the way back."
As they continued across, the path was busier and busier, Norbert needing to slow down for the people there. Looking ahead, Norbert saw why; about a dozen stalls ranged out neatly in a field on the side. Everyone had their space and showed the food they had. Each contesting towards who had the better prices. Some of them were standing on boxes and pointing at their items. Others have megaphone-looking devices, talking through them and the sound magnifying. While others were doing some tricks for the kids, hoping to quell the parents into buying their food. Upon seeing the crowd of children, sounds came from behind Norbert once more; turning around, a discussion between parent and child was happening.
Looking at the two of them, the boy jumped off the cart with a smile and lots of nodding and ran into the crowd of children. Waiting for the next place, the mother pointed towards one of the stalls, seeing the currently small amount of meat there and the woman tending it, realising it was the butcher's stall. Heading towards the direction, now realising the crowd was staring at him as it parted, Norbert made his way to the stall. Words were exchanged, and hugs were given; seeing that he would be stopping here, Norbert placed it on the ground before slowly taking the items and handing them to her. With the cart finally empty, Norbert looked towards the mother at what to do next.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Pointing to the side of the stall, Norbert moved the cart across, leaving the two women talking to each other. Seeing that he was now at the end of it, no more stalls to his right, Norbert looked out across the tiny field with no stalls, having children run across and playing games. With a smile at the youth, Norbert looked further across, seeing one more plateau standing there, high above the walls looking the same as always.
The green grass is vibrant, and looking at the river cut across the land, the other side of the fields, people are still working there, tilling the land and tending to the crops. Looking slightly to the left, Norbert saw the bridge connecting both sides. Looking at the waterfall once more, not believing the drop he had made while holding onto the wolf unconscious, the feeling of the water sent shivers down Norbert's spine. Looking, Norbert wondered when he was picked up from the river, thankful for whoever was kind enough to do so.
Following his eyes, it was lost, hidden by the other stalls and the crowd. Looking at the crowd, Norbert was confused, being the only person his age around, seeing several he would judge a couple of years younger and even a few several years older Norbert looked confused, seeming to see nobody in the 18-24 range, thinking that they must be out in the fields or working Norbert put it to rest.
The mother headed towards him and stood beside him; Norbert went and picked up the cart, looking expectantly at the next place to go; the woman shook her head; as Norbert was about to lower the cart, she also shook her head, indicating to continue to hold it.
The two of them standing in the crowd, Norbert realised he hadn't talked to anyone sheltering him, not even knowing their names. Face palming himself, the slap caused the mother to look towards Norbert, thinking back to the lack of manners he would have gotten from his mother. Norbert pointed to himself, saying, "I'm Norbert", before pointing to the mother expectantly.
A strange look took her face; again, Norbert pointed towards himself, saying "Norbert" before pointing back.
The mother, now pointing towards Norbert, repeated the exact words before pointing to herself and saying, "Helga."
Norbert repeated the name, hoping he wasn't having any inconsistencies when using it and forming links to a name he already knew.
Getting a smile and a nod, Norbert was happy that at least he knew the mother's name and didn't need to call her "Mother" only.
Pointing towards the crowd, Norbert pointed towards the son before pointing towards himself, saying Norbert, to Helga saying "Helga", then at the son expectantly. With understanding, Helga said, "Nassan", repeating Norbert got a smile and a nod of the head in return.
As the conversation died down, Helga was approached by people, looking to the side but paying attention to the conversation now, not just drowning it out in his thoughts like usual he heard the mother's name and his name called multiple times. Partway through the conversation, coins were exchanged from one person to the other, sometimes to Helga, other times towards the other. Helga indicated that fruits and vegetables were being exchanged to Norbert, who took the product and placed it in the cart behind him. Like this, it continued throughout the day, the food they were storing slowly getting more and more until the cart was packed to the point of overflowing.
As the last people of the day slowly died down, Norbert looked out towards where all the shop owners came together and talked about business, and he assumed a prosperous time. Seeing the other kids run off to their parents, Nassan joined him at the side, not wanting to listen to the conversation. Pointing towards Nassan, Norbert said, "Hi Nassan, son of Helga, did you have fun?" with a wave.
Shook Nassan looked back at Norbert, confused. With a laugh, Norbert then pointed towards himself, repeating "Norbert" before pointing back to Nassan and saying, "Nassan."
Comprehension and looking embarrassment Nassan said back. Norbert assumed a greeting, placing his name in there.
With Helga coming back, they both started walking towards the exit.
Looking perplexed, Norbert shouted, "Helga, Nassan, get on the back; it's lightweight."
While pointing towards the back of the carriage.
With looks of concern and scepticism, both sat on it, finding space for only their legs; they sat on the railings on the side. Finally, everyone was there. Norbert made his way out of the path, careful not to be too bumpy and knock something off. Making their way back to the doorframe at the town centre, Norbert slowed down to stop, calling for Obsius. With a flutter of wings, Obsius landed on his shoulder, Norbert getting a peck on his ear. For the amount of time he waited, Norbert was sure.
Looking back at Helga, Norbert pointed at the ground around him, trying to encapsulate the town.
Pointing towards himself, Norbert repeated the names, wanting the town's name.
With understanding, Helga said the word "Flare-dew."
He repeated it several times until Norbert pronounced it correctly.
With a smile and quickening his pace, Norbert returned home.
At the cabin, Norbert helped them unpack the items, a tarp already pulled out on the side of the house. Norbert unloaded the goods onto it with the help of the father.
With darkness consuming them once more, Norbert picked up the now empty cart and walked out after receiving a nod in return from the mother.
Pointing towards the house, they picked up the cart. Norbert headed back out, passing once more on the path.
Placing the cart outside the house, Norbert knocked on the door; of the lady before opening it; Norbert pointed towards the cart, and then towards the shelter it came from. With a nod and a smile, the lady stepped out. Picking up the cart, Norbert headed towards the shelter. Hearing a whinny from inside, Norbert assumed it was a barn instead.
Opening it again, Norbert looked inside and saw one of the cow-horse animals from earlier.
Surprised, Norbert went and placed, the lady turning on a lamp she held for him to see. Looking at the walls, he could see a tackle on one side. Looking at one piece that looked like a pin, Norbert thought it was strange to pin something with no cart to do it. Placing the handle down on the ground once more, Norbert saw a hole in the handle; with horror at what happened throughout the day, Norbert also picked up the pin, able to slide it in the perfect fit before the two secured together.
With horror, Norbert looked around, realising that he had carried the cart around for half the day for nothing.
Laughter could be heard from the lady as she walked over to give Norbert a pat on the back. Picking up the last bit of courage, Norbert headed to the carriage, waiting at the door and breathing in, knowing the looks he would have received as he headed through the doors.