As they walked, clouds came to cover the rising sun, and a damp darkness fell beneath the trees. Soon it started to drizzle, foiling their attempts to keep dry. Luckily Bernon had enough waterproof cloth of various types in his possession to provide them all with coverings for their heads and gear. After an hour or so, there came a loud rumbling from the river, and it began to foam furiously as it rushed by not far away. Small rivulets of water crossed the sloping ground all around them, and the mud became very deep and messy in places. It was safe to say that no one was in a good mood by this time.
After a while of walking in the mud, the trees provided enough cover so the ground wasn't as damp and muddy, a plus to the whole horrible day it had turned out to be. Eventually by mid day, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped the suns rays peaked through the canopy of leaves over head.
Bernon squinted up at the receding clouds. "Man, noon already? Doesn't feel like it's been that long since we first woke up."
Mike spoke for the first time in hours. "We got a late start again." He seemed to have calmed down a bit by now. "We're almost to the crossroads. After that, there's a small village we can find more food in. I know for an absolute fact that these people will welcome us."
Tanrial rolled her eyes, knowing fine well what he was talking about, "Then let's hurry, we don't want to waste anymore time."
(Sorry gtg for the night, seeya later^^)
(Okay, seeya ^^)
They quickened their pace a bit, and in a half hour they broke through the trees into the open once more. The dirt road they were on intersected with another up ahead. This new road wound between two steep forested hills and into a small valley that had been cleared of trees. In the center of the valley, surrounded by fields and garden beds, was a collection of wooden huts and sheds, surrounded by a half-built stockade wall. A few people were out tending to the crops, while others went about the village on various errands.
Bernon brightened considerably when he saw the village. "The Gardeners? I've been here before! These people are awesome."
(I might be a little late to arrive, just to let you know ahead of time)
“They just look like normal people to me, but if they’ll help then I guess that’s good.” She followed closely behind, one hand ready to grab a weapon if need be after their run in with Johnny. They didn’t look dangerous unlike them but you could never be too careful.
(Okie dokie)
One of the men saw them coming and went to greet them, smiling. His long hair was adorned with small braids and beads, and his clothes were hand-woven from some kind of grass or fiber in rich greens and browns. He carried no weapons, only a long wooden shepherd's staff.
"Hello," he said when he reached them. "I see you are travelers from far away. Do you come in peace?"
“We do, we might not look it but we’ve had some…problems with unfriendly mercenaries on the way here,” Tanrial smiled at the man, “I am Tanrial, and this is Bernon and Mike.”
"I am Fir," The man replied. Then his face lit up. "Wait, Bernon? It's good to see you!"
Bernon grinned happily back and shook his hand. "You too, man. Looks like this place is doing well."
"It is." Fir frowned. "But you met mercenaries?"
"Some Gator Boys. It's all right, they're way behind us now."
"Good." Fir motioned for them to follow him. "Come this way, have a rest. We'll get you some food."
“He seems…nice.” She said as they followed Fir through the village. It wasn’t massive but it wasn’t small either, able to accommodate everyone that lived, and passed through.
Mike nodded, watching Bernon chat happily with their host. "Looks like he's the chieftain now. I passed through several years ago, when he was younger. They couldn't farm as much because of the bandits in the area. I guess now they've figured that out." He glanced around at the villagers, who were watching them curiously as they passed. "I wonder how they did it."
“Don’t know, don’t care,” She sighed, “Gods, I’m starting to sound like you.” She said with a slight laugh.
He may have possibly almost smiled. "Starts to make sense after a while, doesn't it?" He paused, then attempted an offhand tone. "So, about earlier. Sorry for brushing you off like that. I guess we should probably try harder to work as a team. Arguing is…..stupid. Next time we have a problem, let's…let's ask Bernon to stay and make us talk it out, together. Deal?"
“I cannot believe you said that,” She laughed, “Deal, I’m sorry as well, I should’t have snapped,” She looked over to where some kids were playing some game and looked over at them in confusion and amazement. Tanrial waved and they all giggled and went back to their game.
At that moment they reached the center of the village, where there was an extra-large building. It seemed to be a space for the entire community, and there were people sitting at the low table, either eating, talking, or busy crafting things such as baskets, dresses, or gardening tools. The room quieted when Fir led them in. He waved at the villagers and motioned toward his guests.
"Everyone, some travelers have arrived from across the river. They are tired and hungry, and I have offered to let them stay a while. I have to go back out and attend to the harvest, so please see that their needs are met. Thank-you."
Eagerly, a group of the older children came over and led them to the storerooms, peppering them with questions. "How far have you traveled? Have you seen any monsters? What are in your backpacks? Will you be staying long?"
"We can't stay for more than an hour, Mike muttered to Tanrial. "We still have a lot of ground to cover today."
Tanrail nodded, “Alright alright, one question at a time. Yes, we have travelled a fair way, yes we have seen monsters, weapons and supplies and we won’t be staying long.” A chorus of disappointed sighs sounded when they found out they wouldn’t be staying long.
Bernon grinned at them. "We'll be needing some good, wholesome, long-lasting food to keep us going when he head off. Can you guys help us stock up?"
"Yeah!" The kids quickly scattered to find the best supplies for the group.
(I gotta go now, seeya later ^^)
“Nice kids…why is everyone here so nice?” She shook her head smiling.
(Seeya later^^)
One of the women came up beside them, nodding a polite greeting. "It's our way of life," she said. "From a very young age, children are taught the duties and responsibilities of this life, and it becomes like a game to them. We also believe that there is goodness in everyone, and that even strangers are out brothers and sisters. How can we be unkind to family?"
Mike didn't look entirely convinced. "What if a stranger is dangerous? What about thieves and bandits? You can't befriend everyone."
"I'll beg to differ on that," the woman said with a wry smile. "I know your type, young man, so distant and untrusting. And it's all right, I understand why you think such things. But people who are cruel to others are simply hurt and suffering. If you welcome them and nurture them, they return to health. They are no longer cruel. Those bandits you mentioned? A year ago they joined our village. Fir's closest friend is a man who used to be the most feared in the entire valley." She chuckled. "Now he likes to grow medicinal herbs. You see?"
Mike made a non-committal noise, looking slightly disgruntled. Bernon sighed happily. "I love you guys. You're the only ones that ever agree with me about that."
“Wish I’d grown up here, it seems like a nice place to live. Yeah, befriending everyone you meet as great, peace is what everyone should be working for but… there has to be some exepctions to that rule? What if you try to befriend someone and they still want to attack you, kill you. What do you do then? I know some…” She paused for a moment trying to think of the right words “People who wouldn’t even talk to you they’d just kill you on the spot without a second thought, how do you deal with them?” Tanrial asked, genuine curiosity growing inside her. She did agree with the woman, yes but there had to be times where they had to disregard the rule.
The woman looked away sadly. "Tragedy happens sometimes. Some people have been hurt too deeply–they can be difficult to heal. In times of great need, we have defended ourselves, but we do not kill. If we can, we keep our attacker in a safe, secure place and try as hard as possible to befriend them. I know for certain that love and kindness should never have exceptions, and I'm sorry that you had to live in a place where misfortune and violence were so common."
She shrugged a little, “Don’t be sorry, I’m not there anymore so it’s fine.” She offered the woman a smile, trying to take the woman’s and her own mind off of a place where violence was an everyday thing.
"I'm glad," she said. "You seem like a very kind, smart young woman."
Just then the children returned, carrying bread, dried fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts, and seeds, all carefully preserved and packaged for travel. They loaded their guests down with the food, advice on how to prepare them, and stern orders to not eat so much meat. They also had a new flint stone, woven gloves and socks, and a small kit of medicine in a beaded satchel which they presented as a gift to the three travelers.
Tanrial smiled as she carefully took the satchel, “Thank you, you’ve been too generous, really,” She said, “Your kindness won’t be forgotten.”
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