Well, I'm here to tell a tale, that's what this journey and this diary are about. Oh, and songs, I'll write songs about my travels as well.
So I'll tell you about the expedition from Nob's Boots all the way to... well, the first time I saw Koriszegy Keep to the southeast from a hilltop. Yes, from the very road we were on, lying right there.
Ready? It was... sort of boring.
You read right: that leg of our journey was not very exciting - except for Lina, of course. But more on that later.
I'll summarize it for you, dear diary: we went through a thicker oaks forest, two keeps, and one kingdom border.
Riverfork Woods (or Achelos Woods if you like) would have been more interesting in the fall or even spring.
At the keeps and the border, there was this vibe of uneasiness: papers were checked, taxes were paid. I can't blame them, doing what they do and being stationed where they are, close to Blight Swamp and the humanoid-infested mountains. In spite of the general discomfort, I could realize the guards of all three places know Lina and Pandal well.
The stench from Blight swamp, first to the east, then to the south, was more unbearable to me than anyone else in the caravan. Also, I kept my ears and eyes alert, but no attack came.
But hey, I owe you a story or two about Lina and my impressions on the infamous Koriszegy Keep.
As the sun rose, we set on our way from Thantabaar towards the Karameikos border. Soon it will be my first time in Long-legs lands! So cool!
It was a two-day, uneventful trip from Thantabaar to Nob's Boots. We camped where the forest to the northwest gets closer to the sea to the south. We had no problems during the night.
This leg of the journey was not too cold, but the wind chill caused by the sea wind made coats necessary. The good thing about being close to the sea - and having no hilly terrain there - the altitude did not bring extra cold.
The second day of this leg of the trip was misty, giving the sun and its side of the sky an alluring brass colour. Snow came, too late in the season, and very light.
Lina's hair, with those snow dots, became sort of salt-and-pepper, making her even more attractive. The times when our eyes crossed, I realized she thought the same about me. I know for a fact we're connecting, and it feels sublime!
When having dinner at the Inn in Nob's Boots with Lina - and Mr. Roughchest, yes... - I was told that the river mouth is beautiful to see, as is the bridge crossing it. I was curious and excited.
Also, I was hopeful that Pandal would leave Lina and me alone, but as usual, that never happened. I could tell without effort that he wanted me out as well, so the three of us kept chatting, and he tried consistently to outsmart me. I just stayed cool.
Next day, with sunrise, we departed from Nob's Boots towards Rollstone Keep, and I was excited to see the lovely river mouth and the pleasing bridge I was told about.
We stayed at the same Inn as Lina... I mean, the large caravan did.
The dawn came, and I was, of course, ready for my first breakfast. I went downstairs and saw Lina across the room. I asked her if I could join her and the other person at their table. Was he also a caravan officer or her... something?
She introduced him to me: her second-in-command, Pandal Roughchest. What a surname! After less than one minute of conversation, by the veins in their foreheads, verbal and non-verbal cues, I could tell her that the relationship there was not symmetric. As you might have guessed, dear diary, she was not interested. I felt guilty to feel relieved. Sorry, pal! Honestly.
I then ordered tea, bread, and soup, mirroring what she had. Well, that has been working for me so far, so what not?
The caravan would be doing one day of trade in the town. Lina takes care of more... uh... point-of-the-dagger affairs, so she was somewhat free. Then, I asked her to tell me about the trip ahead of us, telling her that I had never left the Shires.
"Why not, rookie?", she said, with a gorgeous smile.
Without realizing, we were strolling by the sea, and most of our conversation took place during that walk. I could quickly tell Lina was nervous, blushing, yet trying to avoid it. That made very nervous as well. Totally not true!! That made me feel awesome! The more I learn to use and trust these "superpowers," the more confident I get. Yay!
She used beach rocks and rough sand to show me the towns and dangerous places we'd be going through. That - allied to that newly-acquired perfect memory of mine - came in pretty handy. Thanks, Lina!
During the conversation, we had apples and peaches for second breakfast. As the time for lunch approached, we headed back to the Inn, where Pandal received us with a confused look - and towards me, a hostile one.
We focused on further preparations to resume the journey the next day with the sunrise.
For dinner, I stayed on a table with other folks, not Lina. Also, I gossiped with Kashorn Alemaker, the Innkeeper, but not much happens around those parts. The only interesting fact I got from him is that Mr. Roughchest is not to be trifled with.
I asked him: "Why are you telling me this? Did he mention something?"
He said, "No."
And he was lying.
Posts
