As a pair of brothers settled down on the floor of a dining room turned guestroom, using a rolled-up blanket as a shared pillow. A mother and a son spoke.

"Calum hasn't responded to any of my letters in months," Sol spoke.

His mother turned to him. "Traffic hasn't been coming this way, can you blame him?"

"He's a week walk away at best, mom. Aren't you concerned?" Sol asked pointedly.

"Of course I am, but I know where you're going with this. You're not ready."

"Neither were you when you started it and if they'll have me. Then I'll have bodyguards, something you didn't."

She bit her lip, deep in thought. Despite her displeasure in it, Sol had a point. She had started her own pilgrimage early, with less Divine favor then he had, and alone.

She wasn't in much of a place to judge him for wishing to start early, and in many ways, she was proud of him for it.

More than that, the fears that clawed at her of what might happen to Sol weren't entirely justified either. Even if he did travel alone, he still likely wouldn't face many of the difficulties she had. She knew all this objectively, but she didn't like it.

Sol was patient, though. They'd had a lesser version of this argument a few times already. But now, the presence of the drakon brothers had given him a leg up on his side of the debate.

He knew his mother, and both knew she would either have to bend to the logic or outright forswear him from a pilgrimage altogether, which she wouldn't dream of doing.

While neither had seen the brothers fight, they had seen them spar. And between them and Sol's own martially focused divine favor, he'd be better starting it now, when he could begin traveling with companions. Paladin companions at that. Well worth the traded time of growing used to Soltris's divine power.

"If they don't agree, you come right back."

"Of course." he smiled, he'd won. So long as the brothers agreed to have his company, his pilgrimage would start tomorrow.

—-

The brothers were woken by Sol, and as they stretched and ate, he broke the silence or at least the ambient noise.

"I've spoked with my mother about it. I'll be coming with you."

Argus raised a brow, swallowed, and asked: "Why?"

"The direction the caravan is heading is in the same direction as a town I need to visit, Dale. I have a cousin there, and he hasn't been responding to our letters for a while. It might be the lack of traffic coming this way, or it might be something else. Either way, I intend to travel there and make sure he's okay."

Then he spoke again. "You'll also need someone to talk for you. Most humans are terrified of you, and I suspect if you approach the caravan saying one of their guards stole from you, they'll close ranks and tell you to prove it, which you can't." Sol stated, very matter-of-factly.

"Ah, I see. You wish for us to go all the way to Dale then?"

Sol raised his own brow back at the drakon. "Did you intend to come back?"

Argus paused and shared a look with his brother.

They had intended to come back and took a moment to figure out why. They were supposed to be traveling! Not making a new home somewhere away from the tribe. They might as well return to their family if they intended to cease their journey already.

They had been caught off guard by Riverstead and had become transfixed on it and its people. They were supposed to be seeking those in trouble and helping them, growing the power of their Oaths. Not merely cutting firewood and lifting heavy things. If anything, Riverstead was even more peaceful than their home tribe.

Asgar shook his head, and Argus tapped the table twice. Signifying an end to their silent conversation. They had both reached a conclusion.

"No, we are not."

Sol nodded, the conclusion seemed obvious to him.

The drakon may not be on a pilgrimage to Soltris, but they were on a journey of sorts. One of which looked quite a bit like a pilgrimage in effect, if perhaps not intent.

At least it did Sol's eyes. Untrained as those eyes might be.

Asgar's eyes suddenly widened, and he turned to Sol. "You wish to travel with us beyond this, 'Dale' then?"

Sol resounded with more excitement than even he was expecting. "Yes, if you'd have me. By your leave, I'll start my pilgrimage today, traveling with you."

The brothers thought, then quickly came to another silent agreement, and Argus said it out loud. "We'd be glad to have you."

A small sigh of relief escaped Sol before he smirked. "Good, I'd hate to have to unpack. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should go grab my things." He stood and retreated to the bedroom to acquire his traveling kit.

Argus chuckled. Then he turned to his brother, speaking once more.

"We will have to say goodbye to Major."

Asgar nodded. "Now?"

Argus shook his head. "Pack now, we don't want to get...stuck." He meant, of course; they might not want to leave after saying goodbye, and packing after doing so would just give them chances to second guess themselves.

While Riverstead wasn't home to them, in some ways, Major was. They owed him their lives, as they likely would have died from their wounds in the mud had he not picked them up and nursed them back to health.

And had done so with not a single request in return. Then as if a life saved wasn't enough, Major had given them money- a lot of money actually. And taught them skills worth even more than the frankly ludicrous amount of money he had given them.

Beyond that, they simply found him to be extremely likable. Odd as they found it, it was going to be just as painful to say goodbye to him as when they'd said goodbye to the tribe. Perhaps it was the debt they owed him speaking, but he was practically family now.

Darcie eyed the two of them before she finally spoke, "Pilgrim's heartache. You'll find you're going to say goodbye to a lot of friends." she shrugged. "When it's a goodbye like this? It's easier."

The brothers mulled that over and stood to pack. They gathered their weapons and the scrap armor. They had been tempted to purchase new armaments from Riverstead. But it would have been rather expensive and long in the making. As the workers here were unused to making armor for creatures with their build and proportions.

It was a moot point now, as their coin was presently hanging off a sticky-fingered caravan guards belt. Or at least they suspected as much and were reasonably sure.

The packing was reasonably easy all around, as they didn't have too many possessions to their names.

Of the three, Sol had the most gear and was carrying the most sizable pack as a result. After noticing the discrepancy of having the smallest person carrying the heaviest bag, the trio redistributed. With the brothers taking the bulk of his items.

And with that done, they began to head to old Anverth's shop. Which was where they knew Major to be working.

—-

Old Anverth's herbalist shop was odd. A three-story building made of stone, with a strong scent emanating from it that could be smelled as soon as one stepped onto the street where it stood. It was not a part of the market square, which was the surprising part. It was clearly a house and a reasonably lavish one at that. Surrounded by homes just like it.

The only sign that it was actually a shop beside the smell wafting from it was the literal sign marketing it as such. which labeled quite straightforwardly "Old Anverth's Herbalism."

Asgar stepped forward and knocked, and then heard an old voice call out.

"Don't make me waste my voice tellin' ya to come in, we're open. Get in here already, I keep tellin' everybody I'm open till sundown. No one listens, just all the knocking nonsense. Just come in! How hard is it to pay attention? Did they even tell ya I'm always open from sunup till sundown!"

The brothers took a bewildered step back and were suddenly reminded of their introduction to Sol's mother, albeit perhaps a far less pleasant one.

Sol stepped forward and opened the door. Calling out and interrupting the rant. "Their newcomers Anverth, travelers! Stop yelling at them."

"Don't you tell me who I can and can't yell at in my own home! You take after your mother too much, always telling folks what to do. I don't answer to you! Even if Soltris does like ya! Don't let that power get to your head, boy, you're not my goddess! Besides, I didn't tell newcomers to come here!"

"They're not here for you; they're here for Mr. Major."

"Oh, great." The old voice called, so thick with sarcasm that one could practically see it in the air. "Now, I got visitors coming to see my workers! This here's a store, not a tavern."

Finally, a more familiar voice called, Major's deep drawl cutting through the rant. "Asgar, Argus, s'that you behind Sol? Come on in before Anverth bites your heads off."

The old voice switched targets and began cursing at Major for being 'disrespectful' as the brothers entered.

If the street outside had a strong scent, the interior was almost overpowering. A cacophony of smells assaulted the brothers. Some were familiar, but most were not. Still, it was not exactly unpleasant, beyond merely being very strong.

Stepping into the building, they discovered a scene that did actually look somewhat like the tavern in town. A table was in the center of the room. And at its back, sat a bar, or perhaps not a bar, but a counter.

Behind the counter, was a series of shelves on which various bottles sat, looking not unlike the various liquors kept behind the bar at Beatrice's tavern and inn.

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But the similarities stopped there, as there was only a single table, and it was covered in various containers. The walls had shelves built into them. The shelves were also displaying bottles and bowls and all sorts of things designed for the holding of other things.

Behind the counter sat a short, stooped human man.

And instead of green and horned like many of Riversteads folk. His skin was dark grey and had a rough stone-like texture.

Like most of Riverstead's men, he wore a beard. But unlike them. His was a shade of dark red and seemed to shine as days light rushed in through the open doorway.

For a moment, the brothers thought he was eyeless, but a second glance revealed his eyes had no whites and were the same shade of dark grey that his skin was.

He scowled fiercely at them. "You make a go for the beard, and I'll hit ya, my Pa was a Spellborn. I might be old. But I ain't a living bounty!" As he raved at them, he plucked a club from beneath the counter, and waved it in the air threateningly.

Major spoke out to him. "Calm yourself, Anverth, they don't even know your beard's valuable anywhere. And they'd be the last ones to try to take it, by Karver's calling, they have silver scales! They're more in danger of being poached than you."

"Don't mean nothing." The old human said, though he eyed the brothers and calmed down. "Well, at least they understand, go talk to em and get them out of my shop already. Or sell them something."

The brothers were bewildered. They had never seen Major act so frustrated. Not even when Asgar had gotten their money stolen off them.

The ogre-kin just shook his head and approached them.

"You saying your goodbyes before you chase after the caravan?"

Argus's, more often the mouthpiece of the brothers, then not answered him. "Yes, Major. but more than that..."

He struggled, and Asgar stepped in for him. "We think we will keep going after we catch up. We are supposed to be traveling and empowering our Oaths, finding people in need of help."

Major took on a somewhat disheartened face before forcing it away. "Right, of course." he nodded. "Well." he shuffled his feet. "You know where my cabin is, I'll be there when you wander on back."

He stepped forward, pulling the brothers into a hug as he wished them farewell.

"Thank you so much, Major, for everything."

"Now don't ya worry about that, just pay it forward. I know you will, anyway." Major gave them a smile and patted them on the back.

"Now you best get moving. Don't want that rascal of a thief to get away."

—-

Darcie had seen Sol off tearfully, and much to Sol's chagrin, she had repeated continuously how proud she was of him. Major had, of course, also made a showing, and presently Sol's mother was telling him about how proud she was of Sol.

Sol, in turn, took a moment to glance at Major suspiciously.

Darcie and Major had been on several 'meetings' at Beatrice's inn for food.

Yet, on the other hand, he was leaving. And perhaps the company would be good for his mother. And so he swallowed the urge to perform any confrontations.

Final farewells were bid, and the three men began their journey.

Thankfully, leaving the town was a far more straightforward affair then entering, luckily there was no demand for payment. As while Sol likely could have covered the costs. It would have dipped into the limited amount of currency the three-man group now had.

There was always the chance they would be unable to reacquire the funds taken from. And if that was the case, Sol's would be all they have until they could find a means of making money. Luckily if they became that desperate, they could sell recipes from Majors herbalism book or try their hand at being traveling herbalists themselves.

Thankfully following the caravan was not a difficult task. As it was the only one that had passed through recently and the group of 30 or so humans, they were following left tracks to be led by.

It was during this that Sol and the brothers fell into a discussion.

"Sol, do you know why that human believed we would steal his beard?" Asgar asked as he was genuinely perplexed as to why anyone anywhere would be interested in stealing the strange hair humans grew seemingly everywhere and nowhere all at once.

"Old Anverth's a half-dwarf. Not a human with some dwarf ancestry, I mean a true half-dwarf. His father was one of the weeping king's pure humans. And his mother was a pure dwarf. Or at least that's what he claims."

"So?"

"It means he inherited a gem beard. His beard is made of ruby wire. When cut, it becomes as strong as the best fishing line you can find. He sells it after his yearly trims. to some people, it's as valuable as your scales."

"So some humans are at risk of being... What did he say? 'poached'?"

"Yes, hunted for our rarer parts. Even I'm at some risk, depending on where we're at." Sol reached up and touched his ram-like horns gently. Then continued, "I don't believe it's legal anywhere on the continent, though."

Such conversation happened with some consistency, as it had the week prior. The brothers would ask Sol questions, and he'd answer as best he could.

The days began to pass, and yet they didn't catch up to the caravan.

And while the trail never disappeared, and remained ever easy to follow, it felt as if the caravan must be moving at a double pace. Even if the trio were traveling with some haste, they couldn't begin to close the gap.

Sol, breathlessly asked the brothers, "How much money did you have in that bag? It feels like the whole caravan ran off with it."

"Three gold, a handful of silver, and another handful of copper." and while the amount listed was far from a small sum. It also certainly wasn't enough to drive a caravan to the extreme pace they must be going at to say ahead of them all.

A week on the road passed, and eventually, they could see a town on the horizon.

They had followed the tracks all the way to it.

Dale was a small town, smaller than Riverstead. With the area, its walls were far less impressive, and unlike Riverstead. It did not sit right beside the river. It was, however, surrounded by an extensive orchard. One Sol's had seen before on previous visits. It was an apple orchard, and apple trees dotted the region around the town aggressively. It was a plant non-native to the area, brought from the warmer climates down south.

It was an eerily, quiet town. As they approached the gates, they saw a single guard eyeing the approaching three. Devoid of armor and holding a wooden spear. He was an older man, revealed by the grey hair and beard he wore. his skin was a deep green, made darker by age and damage from the sun. He called out to them in a weathered voice.

"Ho there! State your business!"

Sol called back. "Travelers, visiting family here!"

The guard squinted at the two drakon, before calling back. "Family of yours then?" Directing his retort to Sol. "Very well, come up then."

The trio approached the gate, discovering it was in some state of disrepair. They looked to the walls and found no other guards as well, and so Sol asked. "You have no other guards?" It was strange to have a single guard for an entire town's entrance, even a town smaller.

The elderly guard squinted at him, suspiciously. "Ay, I'm all we need."

"My apologies, no offense intended. I was just surprised. May I ask you a question?"

"Ask." the guard spoke shortly.

"Has a caravan come ahead of us? With traders from Goldhome and lanky guards?"

"Ay, they've come and gone. A day ago."

This news surprised the three, and Sol prodded further, "They didn't stay to trade?"

"That's what I said." The guard replied and spat to the side.

"I see." Sol nodded, apprehension taking hold. Before half turning to the brothers, "I'll have to do my business quickly. And we can get back to following them, it's surprising how quickly they've been traveling, and odder still they didn't stop to trade-"

The guard interrupted him. "You calling me a liar right in front of me?"

Sol turned back, confused by the sudden hostility from the man. "No, of course not. I'm simply saying it's odd. I have no reason to doubt you."

The guard harrumphed, then asked with a point to his voice. "Ya coming in or not? One copper."

Sol nodded, handing the man his fee. A far more reasonable one that Sol's own town charged for entry.

"Go on then." the guard spoke, pocketing the coin and pushing the creaking gate open through which the trio entered.

The interior of the town was not in much better shape, and it was very, very quiet. Oddly so to Sol, who knew Dale to be a somewhat bustling little town, if still smaller than Riverstead.

"Follow me." He said as he began heading towards his cousin's home. Taking moments to remember where it was located, though luckily for his sense of direction, the town had not changed much.

"What does your cousin do, Sol?" Argus asked. Occasionally spotting the rare passerby on the almost empty streets.

Sol shook himself from his thoughts. "He's a carpenter. He lives in his shop. So I suspect he'll be there. And if he's not, we can wait."

This time Asgar spoke. "You have been here before, yes? Is it always like this?"

Sol answered thoughtfully, "So empty, you mean? Perhaps we should have turned back and asked the guard. I doubt a plague hit, he would have told us. But don't let anyone touch you till we can ask Calum what's going on."

The brother's steps faltered at that, glancing at each other. And Asgar plucked his recently made book of herbalist recipes which Major had given him and began turning to the various medicines for combating diseases.

Not much later, they found a building labeled 'Calum's Carpentry.'

It was a little, single-story building. Smaller than Sol's home by half. The cleric promptly walked up to the door and knocked, calling out as he did, "Calum, its Sol. Are you home?"

No answer was given, though Sol could have sworn he heard the sound of something moving. And as a result, he continued knocking, hoping to wake the carpenter if he was simply sleeping. After some time of silence, Sol resolved himself to wait. As the now somewhat antsy brothers shifted from one taloned foot to the other.

It was ten minutes later than a green-skinned man sporting a pair of horns and sharing a clear resemblance to Darcie and Sol both approach from up the street. Calling out in a deep voice with a wide smile. "Sol! Good to see you! How long has it been?"

Sol returned the smile. "A year perhaps? Maybe more."

Calum laughed deeply like a hilarious joke had been spoken. Much to the drakons befuddlement. "Too long, too long!" He resounded, stepping ahead and attempting to open the door to his shop. Cursing softly when it didn't open and began trying keys, speaking to Sol as he did.

"How is everything back home for you, Sol? how's the family?"

Sol quirked a brow. "My mother is well, as am I."

"Ah, good, good!" With a click, he got the right key and opened to the door of his home. Stepping inside and looking around. "Right. anything I can get you?"

The interior of the small house and workshop smelled strongly of wood and was immensely cluttered besides. A bed sat snugly, in the corner. A worktable; which based on the pair of plates sitting on its surface also functioned as one for eating, was in its center, and a stove stood across from the bed. The floor was caked in wood dust, and Argus sneezed as they entered.

Tools hung from the walls. Saws, hammers, and other equipment they didn't recognize.

Sol looked around. "I see you finally moved everything into your new house, stepbrother."

The brothers squinted at Sol as he said this, and Calum looked up somewhat puzzled himself before answering. "Yes, I suppose I did take a while. remind me, when did you last see my old home?"

Sol turned to him, softly smiling. "Oh, I haven't. You told me about the troubles you were having moving after your difficulties with here. Remember?"

"Oh! Right, of course, of course!" Calum beamed back at Sol.

"I must say, I'm happy to see you're doing better after that mess. I don't think I've ever seen you this outgoing."

Calum took on a mournful expression, before seemingly forcing it away. "Well, one shouldn't get stuck in the past, you know?"

Sol nodded. "Wise."

Calum cleared his throat. "Not to seem like I am unhappy to see you, stepbrother. But is there a reason for your visit?"

"Oh, you just haven't responded to my letters in some time. I was growing concerned."

"Oh, I'm touched. There just haven't been any caravans of travelers heading your way in a while. I'm sure you've noticed?"

Sol took on an expression of confusion. "Well, no, of course not. My cabin doesn't see much of the road. You know that."

Calum palmed his forehead "Of course, I'm sorry. I've been quite busy. Lately, you see. I'm the only carpenter in town at the moment. And I've been swamped with work."

"truly? I'm glad to hear things are turning around in that regard then, I know you were struggling for some time."

"Yes, but all is well now! Oh, but I forgot to ask. Who are these two?"

Sol laughed. "Truly, you must be overworked if you don't remember by traveling companions, Bior and Mord."

The brothers did a mental double-take but battled to keep their emotions from showing. Something was very, very wrong here.

"Oh, of course! I'm so sorry! I'd totally forgotten."

"Perhaps a rest is in order, stepbrother?" Sol offered.

Calum smiled his incredibly broad smile. "Yes, I think I shall take you up on that. But you must be wary yourself, no?"

"Somewhat, we shall stay at the inn. Of course, I don't wish to crowd your humble abode."

"Ha, very well! Let us speak there later tonight."

"Of course!" Sol smiled back, speaking more energetically then the brothers had ever seen him. "

We'll take our leave for now, but we'll see you soon. and tell you of our adventures in coming here."

Calum's smile never broke, and it had started to become unnerving to the brothers. "I look forward to it."

Sol opened the door, gesturing the brothers out. Calum's friendly gaze on their backs as Sol closed the door. Walking at a brisk pace away from 'Calum's Carpentry.' Then, once they were well away. Sol spoke to the brothers. "That wasn't Calum."