The night had already fallen, covering a long and unkempt dirt road as a rather large and well built traveler marched on, carrying only a travel pack slung over his shoulders and a bundle of blankets in between his arms. Travelling alone at night, even under the moom's light, was a very dangerous thing to do as any number of things can ambush unsuspecting travelers. However the man in particular did not seem to mind the darkness so much, as he continued to walk with full confidence in every step. He appears to be a very well built man with black short hair and a face that has most definitely seen its fair share of fights. Whether those scars were inflicted by man or beast however, remains unclear.
He peered left and right, examining the shadows of the trees for any movement. When all seemed clear he placed his gaze foreword at the long stretch of road he had ahead of him.With a soft *pit* *pat* to his steps, the man began his journey once again.
After two hours of non stop marching, his feet felt worn and his legs began to ache as he has been traveling since dawn without rest.
'We’ve still got quite a few more hours ‘till we reach the village, then we can finally rest. If only I had a bit more money I could have hired a carriage to take me the rest of the way.'
As he thought to himself, the tiny bundle within his arms began to squirm. With a warm smile the man gently pries open the folds in the little bundle he was holding, as a tiny pale face peeks out from within. Inside is child, a baby boy to be specific. The boy had inky black hair that even the moon’s light does not reflect and a set of dark brown eyes that stare curiously back at the unshaven and rough faced man.
'Ah, what a cute face. All right! I’ll definitely give it my all. It’s only few more hours of walking. How hard can it be?'
With renewed vigor and warmth in his chest the man lifts his spirits and picks up his pace.
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A few more hours have passed and the man’s spirit has yet to falter. He was not too far from his destination. Yet, even with his regained strength the man slowly becomes bitter as his thoughts drift towards the village he was heading towards, and then towards the man who was supposed to meet him there.
'Brenan that bastard, he better not be lyin’ to me about finding me a new house. I trusted him with damn near all of my money, so he’d better come through with our deal.'
Embittered and in deep thought, he suddenly heard movement coming from the shadows of the trees next to him. The man sharpened his eyes as he pauses, examining every inch of the darkness and listening to the swift patting of feet that were quickly approaching him.
Suddenly, two rat like creatures jumped out wielding tiny, very crudely made spears. The creatures hissed as they pointed their spears at him, pointing their spears over their tiny heads and up towards the man’s knees.
The man’s eyes shifted down towards the little bundle he was holding as he heard the soft sounds of slow breathing. The child had already drifted to sleep and the sounds of the new attackers have yet to wake him. The man looks at the child warmly then he glares at the imposing Ratmen with sheer hatred.
'Graahh! I’ll kill anyone who even thinks of waking him up!'
After taking a few deep breaths and calming himself, the man, without the slightest bit of alarm, relaxes his posture and carefully shifts the child to his left arm. While still being completely relaxed, he then pointed at the two Ratmen and muttered a single word.
“[Spark]”
Suddenly a small orb of ember shoots towards the Ratmen at high speeds, exploding into a small blaze just before impact on the creatures. Frightened the critters hissed and fled back into the shadows were the sounds of their scurried feet can be heard running deeper into the woods.
Clinging to the bundle of cloth tightly to his chest. the man continues on the dirt road.
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After a few hours without rest and peeking back into the bundle of blankets every so often, the man had finally made it to the town, Greyfield. From what he can see the town was quit rustic with small cottages and shops dotting the area here and there.
As he arrived at the town entrance, the traveler was hailed by a single tall and lanky man covered head to toe by a single plum colored robe. This new stranger’s clothes were nothing special. They were simple, and had light embroidering on the arms.
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“Ahh , it seems you have made it safe and sound. I take it your journey was a smooth one.”
“It was definitely a long one, I can tell ya' that. ‘Specially since there weren’t many carriages headin' south. Makes sense. Not much business to be had 'round here. Anyway, what about you? Where ya' here jus' for me?"
The robed man smiles weakly, “Not exactly, I was here to sell another house. After all, you are not the only one who moved here to start a family.” Suddenly a tiny sneeze diverts the man’s eyes to the little bundle.
“Is that..?”
“Yep. Let me show ya'! This here’s little Eiso.”
“Ahh, what a lovely little face. Perhaps he will grow up to be a strong and smart man.”
“HA, of course he will. Look who you’re talkin’ to. There’s no way he’ll turn out any different.”
“Er... I’m...sure.”
“Any way, mind showin' me my house. We’re a little tired here.”
“Ahh, right then, follow me.”
The two men, with child in tow, began to walk through the town and towards the eastern most edge. The buildings they passed have on their way had all gone dark. Evidently all of the villagers are now sleeping and the only sound to be heard is the gentle breeze of the wind.
As they are walking the robed man turned to the traveler wearing a chipper smile.
“By the by, have you heard from the rest of our party? You are the first person I have met from our previous travels, so I have been curious as to what their lives have led them.”
“Last I can tell, they seem to be doin’ just fine. Russell became captain. An’ last I remember, Milanor worked at the kingdom's capital. As for the other two, I don’t know.”
“I...see. That is a shame. I had been wondering as to what has happened to them, but I suppose that it cannot be helped.”
They then passed the village’s crop field that dot the ground on the town's south; the smell of tilled earth is still fresh in the air.
“I apologize for the house being a little bit out of the way compared to the other buildings. At the very least it will be fairly quiet and peaceful.”
Finally after a considerable amount of walking, they arrived at the last building on the road. The house in question had been, for the most part, surrouned by trees and look more like a fairly well built cabbbin, with two floors and a small wooden fence. Vines grew at certain points around the building and the wood finish looked worn and had lost all of its color giving it a rather depressing appearance.
“I-I’m sorry Deckard, but with the money you provide, this was the best I could find”.
“No... It’s fine. In fact, I say it’s pretty damn good. It jus' needs a little muscle work an’ soon it’ll be good as new.” As the traveler looks proudly at his new home, his grin turned slowly into a small frown as he looks to the robed man.
“…Strange.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s strange for ya' to be this reliable.”
“Is it really? I’m rather hurt, and here I went through all of the trouble to procure you this building,” the robed man lets out a heavy sigh, “and here I thought we were all friends.”
“We are. That’s why it’s strange that you would be able to handle money so well. I still haven’t forgotten what ya' did last time.”
“Er… w-well…t-that’s all in the past. As you can see I have turned over a new leaf since then.”
“Hmm…I suppose ya' have”.
After a brief moment of silence that was broken by gentle wind, the robed man pulled out a rolled up piece paper tied by a ribbon and a small key, from his bag.
“Well here it is…the key and the deed to surrounding lands. All of the furniture and beds have already been placed inside. Well. With this there is no reason for me to stay here. I have to get back the Capital tomorrow morning. After all, there is still much money to be made.”
“I see. In that case…’til we meet again Brenan.”
Seeing the traveler extend his hand out, the robed man gives a small smile and shakes it.
“Untill we meet again Dekard.” With that, the robed man departs towards the center of the village.
The traveler then entered his new house, dropping all of his possessions onto the nearest table as he takes a good look around.
Inside he found a single table with two chairs, a cook stove, and other assorted baubles. As for the walls, they are very well made and sturdy. The previous owner was a bit of a shut in, hence the great condition, and apparently the, ‘at a glance’ shabbiness was confined to the outside only since the inside was very well kept and worth far more than what he had paid for.
'Brenan… so ya' did go through a lot of trouble, huh.'
With a warm felling and a new found respect for his ‘friend’, the man took the child into one of the upstairs bedrooms that contains a shelf filled with books as well as a single crib. He then placed the sleeping child inside as he gently patted the boy’s head.
'Night kiddo. See ya’ tomorrow.'