Liam walked through the city, realizing that it would be prudent to have rations and supplies for the journey ahead. He decided to stop by Silas's store to purchase some provisions before setting off on the two-day journey to the farmer's land.

Upon entering the store, Liam was greeted by the familiar sight of Silas, who was busy organizing items on the shelves. Silas looked up and acknowledged Liam with a nod. "Ah, Liam. What can I help you with?"

Liam explained his new mission and the need for rations for the journey ahead. Silas nodded and began gathering the necessary items, including some dried meats, fruits, nuts, and a water skin to keep Liam hydrated during his travels. While Silas gathered the items, Liam browsed the store, taking note of the various weapons and other adventuring equipment that could potentially be useful in the future.

As Silas assembled Liam's supplies, he glanced at the knife Liam had purchased previously. "Did you manage to get that knife fixed?"

Liam shook his head. "Not yet I've been quite busy lately. But I plan to when I find the time."

Silas calculated the cost of the rations, and Liam paid him with a portion of the gold coins he had received from the alchemist. Silas handed the rations to Liam, and with a curt nod, sent him on his way. "Good luck with your mission."

Liam set out from the city, the sun casting vibrant colors across the sky as it began its ascent. The world seemed to be a place of stark contrasts as he ventured further along the road, the air charged with a sense of both wonder and tension. It was as if the land itself held secrets, waiting to be uncovered by those willing to look beneath the surface.

The landscape stretched out before Liam like a sprawling tapestry, a beautiful mosaic of farmland, meadows, and distant hills. The sky above, a brilliant canvas of ever-changing hues, seemed to promise adventure and discovery. Liam pulled his cloak tight around his shoulders, feeling the exhilaration of the journey ahead.

As he traveled along the well-trodden road, he marveled at the surrounding countryside. Fields of golden wheat swayed in the gentle breeze, while the distant hills loomed like silent guardians over the land. In the distance, the river glistened, its waters winding their way through the landscape like a serpent made of liquid silver.

As he walked along the road, the distant sound of a river grew steadily stronger. The water's rhythmic flow served as a reminder of his ultimate goal, a bridge he had to cross in order to reach the farmer's land.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on the first day, Liam came upon an inn nestled at the side of a three-way crossroads. The warm glow of its windows and the sound of laughter and music drifting out into the night made it an inviting haven from the cool air settling in.

On a whim, he decides to inspect the entire building with his light spirit.

Wanderers Rest Inn

A cosy Inn.

Frowning at the somewhat basic description he focuses more internal light energy through his core and into his eyes. With eyes shining white, he focuses intensely on the building’s exterior.

Wanderers Rest Inn

2 Rooms – 1 Available

A cosy Inn where weary travellers can stop for some food, warmth and rest.

While feeling happy with the more detailed description. He decided to forgo camping and treat himself to the comforts of the inn for the night.

Before entering the Inn Liam inspects a small vegetable patch to the side of the building.

Vegetable Patch

Several potatoes are growing here, they will be ready for harvest in three to four weeks. A wooden beaded necklace lays under the soil.

Liam is surprised to see a faint glow under the loamy soil, bending he is able to retrieve a somewhat dirty necklace from near the surface.

The inn was cozy and welcoming, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of local folklore and history. The common room was relatively quiet, with only a handful of patrons scattered throughout. Liam could see just one other guest, a man with a grizzled beard and a thoughtful expression, seated in a corner by the fire.

Liam approached the innkeeper, a jovial man with a hearty laugh, and inquired about a room for the night. With a friendly smile, the innkeeper handed him a key and directed him to a small, comfortable room upstairs. After securing his belongings, Liam made his way back to the common room, his stomach grumbling in anticipation of a hot meal.

The innkeeper served him a steaming bowl of hearty stew, accompanied by a thick slice of crusty bread. As Liam ate, he glanced over at the other guest, wondering what had brought him to this quiet inn along the road. The man seemed lost in thought, his eyes occasionally flicking up to examine the flickering shadows cast by the fire.

After finishing his meal, Liam decided to strike up a conversation with the stranger. The merchant, named Eamon, was a tall, middle-aged man with a lean build. His eyes were an icy blue, and his hair was silver, appearing as though it had been kissed by frost. His skin had a pale, almost translucent quality, a result of his ice-based ability Liam suspected. Despite his chilly appearance, Eamon emanated warmth and kindness, his face creasing into a genuine smile as he interacted with others.

Liam and Eamon sat together at a small wooden table in the cozy inn, the warm glow of the fireplace flickering across their faces as they shared a meal. As they ate, they exchanged stories of their respective journeys.

Eamon was eager to learn more about Liam's current mission. "So, what brings you this far from the city, young man?" he asked with a friendly smile, leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of his drink.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Liam hesitated for a moment, wondering how much he should share. He decided to be cautious, remembering Rolf's advice about not revealing too much to strangers. "I'm on a mission from the Adventurers' Guild," he said, keeping the details vague. "I need to cross the river and help a farmer deal with a pest problem."

Eamon nodded, his frosty eyebrows arching slightly. "Ah, I see. That river can be a bit of a hassle, can't it? The bridge is a fair distance away, which can add quite a bit of time to your journey. Still, once you get to the other side, I'm sure you'll be able to sort things out for the farmer. You seem like a capable young adventurer."

Liam appreciated the vote of confidence and felt grateful for the friendly company during his travels. As the evening wore on, the conversation between Liam and Eamon continued to flow, making the long journey ahead seem just a little bit less daunting.

As the conversation between Liam and the merchant deepened, the man's eyes grew misty when he mentioned his late wife. He confided in Liam that he had recently lost a necklace she had given him, a cherished memento that held great sentimental value. The merchant had searched high and low for the necklace, but to no avail.

A flicker of recognition crossed Liam's face, and he reached into his pouch, producing a necklace he had found earlier in a potato patch. It was a simple string with seveal wooden carved beads, at the midpoint a larger bead is inscribed with a rune Liam does not recognise. The merchant's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he beheld the familiar necklace.

"Is this the necklace you lost?" Liam asked gently, holding it out to the man.

The merchant took the necklace with trembling hands, his eyes filling with tears of gratitude. "Yes, yes, it is," he managed to choke out, his voice thick with emotion. "I never thought I would see it again. How can I ever thank you?"

Liam smiled and shook his head. "No need for thanks. I'm just glad I could help."

Eamon's frosty blue eyes glistened with gratitude as he clutched the cherished necklace in his hand. "Liam, I cannot thank you enough for returning this to me. It means more to me than you can imagine. You've truly done me a great kindness."

Liam waved off the praise, feeling a little embarrassed. "No need to thank me. It was just a lucky coincidence that I found it. I'm glad it's back in the right hands."

Eamon seemed determined to show his appreciation. "No, I insist on rewarding you somehow. Actually, I may have an idea that could help you with your mission." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You mentioned you need to cross the river, right? And that it's a bit of a detour to get to the nearest bridge?"

Liam nodded, curious as to what Eamon had in mind. "Yes, that's right. It's adding quite a bit of time to my journey."

Eamon smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, it just so happens that I know a way to cross the river without going all the way to the bridge. There's a spot not too far from here where the river narrows, and with my ice abilities, I can create a path for you to walk across. It'll save you at least a day's worth of travel."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That would be incredibly helpful! Are you sure you don't mind?"

Eamon chuckled, shaking his head. "Not at all, my friend. It's the least I can do to repay you for returning my wife's necklace to me. Consider it my way of saying thank you."

Liam couldn't help but smile, grateful for the kindness of this stranger. The thought of a shorter journey filled him with renewed energy and enthusiasm for the task ahead.

As the sun began to rise, Liam and Eamon set out together, the air still crisp and cool from the night. The path they took led them through the lush countryside, with rolling hills and the occasional small farm. Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of peace as they walked side by side.

As they traveled, Eamon regaled Liam with tales of his past adventures and experiences. "You know, I once traveled to the frozen tundra up north, where the ice never melts. It was a difficult journey, but well worth it. The sights were absolutely breathtaking."

Liam, genuinely intrigued, asked, "Did you use your ice abilities a lot there? I can't imagine how cold it must have been."

Eamon laughed heartily. "Oh, more than you can imagine. I had to create structures, protective barriers and even an igloo or two. My abilities were certainly put to the test. But I was in my element."

As they continued, Liam felt increasingly grateful for Eamon's company. The older man's stories and guidance made the journey seem to pass more quickly.

"Before we continue, there's something you should understand about most rivers," Eamon said, his frosty eyes taking on a grave look. "They can be quite dangerous. The river spirits and creatures that reside here don't take kindly to humans building too many bridges. They see it as an infringement on their territory and often attack them in retaliation."

Liam's eyes widened as he considered the implications. "Do you think the spirits will be angry about you creating an ice bridge?"

Eamon shook his head. "Ice is a part of their domain, and it's temporary. It's less likely to provoke their ire than somebody creating a bridge from stone. Still, it's best not to linger too long. The spirits can be quite capricious."

Liam nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "Thank you for the warning, Eamon. I'll make sure to keep it in mind and be respectful of the rivers.”

Eamon smiled, his eyes regaining their warmth. "That's all we can ask for, Liam. Remember, nature is powerful, and we must learn to coexist with the spirits that protect it."

Eamon led Liam to a narrower section of the river where the current was relatively calm. With a deep breath, the merchant closed his eyes and held out his hands, palms facing the water. A soft, frosty blue aura began to emanate from his fingertips as he concentrated on the river before them.

As the seconds ticked by, the temperature around them dropped significantly. The water's surface began to ripple as if reacting to an unseen force. Gradually, tendrils of frost extended from Eamon's hands, reaching out to touch the water.

Upon making contact with the river, the tendrils of frost began to expand rapidly, freezing the water molecules and transforming them into ice. The ice bridge started as a narrow strip, slowly widening and thickening, eventually forming a solid and stable structure capable of supporting their weight.

The air crackled with the energy of Eamon's ice manipulation, and Liam could see his breath materializing into puffs of vapor as the temperature continued to plummet. The sounds of the water freezing and the ice bridge forming were mesmerizing, like the tinkling of a thousand chimes in harmony.

After several minutes of intense concentration, Eamon opened his eyes, sweat glistening on his brow despite the cold. The frosty blue aura around his hands faded, and he looked at Liam with a tired but satisfied smile. "There you go," he said, gesturing toward the completed ice bridge. "It should be stable enough to get you across. Just be careful, and remember what I told you about the river spirits."

Liam looked at the ice bridge with awe and admiration, marveling at Eamon's incredible ability to manipulate ice. He thanked the merchant once more before carefully stepping onto the bridge, feeling the cold surface beneath his feet, and began to cross the river, grateful for the help and the unforgettable experience.

Once Liam had safely reached the other side of the river, Eamon turned his attention back to the ice bridge. He knew it was important to return the river to its natural state, both as a sign of respect to the river spirits and to avoid any potential danger for others who might happen upon the bridge.

Eamon took another deep breath, this time focusing on the warmth within him. He raised his hands towards the ice bridge and closed his eyes in concentration. The frosty blue aura returning to his hands.

Slowly, the ice bridge began to respond to Eamon's manipulation. The surface of the ice started to glisten as the heat from his hands reached it, melting the once-solid structure. The process was delicate and controlled, ensuring that the bridge dissolved gradually, returning the water to the river.

The sound of the ice melting was like a gentle hissing, as the heat met the cold, and droplets of water fell from the bridge back into the river.

Finally, the last remnants of the ice bridge vanished, and the river flowed unhindered once more. Eamon opened his eyes and lowered his hands, the blue glow dissipating. He took a moment to catch his breath, knowing he had done his part to respect the balance of nature and the river spirits.

With a final nod towards Liam, who was now on the other side of the river, Eamon turned and began his journey back to the inn, satisfied with the assistance he had provided and the knowledge that he had done the right thing.