Life on the road|Ilyamen

[riwe]

Raol was sitting outside his little tent, repairing a broken strap of one of his bags and making other little preparations for the journey ahead. Small groups of people passed him by every once in a while, but he didn't take his eyes off his work. His ears served him well enough. There was a lot of talk about the sickness. Some of family matters. And most of the groups just moved swiftly and silently, and always away from the city.

The man sighed. Ilyamen had seemed such a logical choice, but now... a major city, eh? That meant another few weeks of traveling. He didn't really mind walking, though. He just wished for this ridiculous task to be over and done with already.

So what if it were? What would you do - return to your homeland in honor and glory once again?

He wouldn't. He couldn't.

What's the point, then? You complete your task and then - what? No gifts for you, pal. No blessings. Just -

Shaking his head, Raol dismissed such thoughts - for now. He began to scrape the hardened mud off his boots, well aware that whatever improvements he would manage to make to his appearance, they wouldn't last a day on the road.

[Northen Light36]

There is one woman heading towards the city, her purple and blue wings revealing her to be either a Wind elemental or a very odd Beast affinity. She's looking quite wind blown and tired as she approached, but there was an air of excitement about her as well.

[riwe]

After one accidental glance, Raol actually raises his head to stare. He recalls overhearing some talk about people with wings in one or the other roadside inn, talk he has - until now - bypassed as mere nonsense and fairy tales. Well, they do look pretty, he admits with a slight smile. Pretty. Yes. But impractical too. I wonder how she gets her shirt on.

"Ho! Wing-lady!", he calls, still smiling - not exactly in a friendliest manner. "You going to the city? Better not. They say death walks there now."

With that, Raol lowers his eyes back to his chore. His attention, however, is still on the strange woman.

[Northen Light36]

"I've heard, but I have some herbs to give to the city guards that they can give to people that might help," the woman replies. "Also, I'm meeting my husband and daughter outside the city. I'm Tavia by the way."