( closed; quest ) the long and winding road

[sorser]

WHO: Stephen, Thancred, & Yennefer
WHAT: Three individuals go on a quest to help perpetuate better magical monitoring of the Singularity!
WHERE: ALL OVER THORNE
WHEN: End of March into mid-April.
WARNINGS: Some eventual monster-related violence and injury! But nothing else for now; will add as needed.



(( quest info here ))

Comments

FIRST (1)

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SECOND (4)

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[The road southwest of Thorne, hugging the northern tip of Lake Circinus, is not exactly perilous, per se. Their next destination is close to the main road, according to the map, and that should technically make it one of the more straightforward ones to reach. On paper, it's simple. Too bad reality itself laughs at the very concept of simple, silly mortal construct that it is.

He considers this, tiredly, as he cranes his neck up to glare at an obstacle barring their path to the next spot. A high bluff looms well above their heads, the top of which the castle's mages have decided is where they should place the next thaumametor. Because of course they have. And of course the main road does not pass over it so much as beside it, leaving them with one terrible revelation: they'll have to backtrack and go all the way around, taking an incline upwards if they want to reach that very specific spot.

Well, it's a terrible revelation for Stephen, at any rate, who has become certain that riding a horse for an extended period of time must be a punishment in some circle of hell. His back and hips protest just by considering it, a dull throb that his brain translates as, Oh, hell no.]

No. We are not backtracking. It's just-

[He points at the top of the bluff accusingly. It has offended him]

Up there.

[With that very helpful assessment of their situation, Stephen twists his body to rifle through the large bag he had kept slung over a shoulder. He is absolutely digging around for a thaumametor, thank you.]

THIRD (2) IN WHICH THIS BECOMES TOO MUCH HORSEBACK RIDING

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FOURTH (3)

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FIFTH (5)

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SIXTH (6)

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SEVENTH (7)

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[funbreaker]

[ The time between when Stephen came to Thancred with his offer of a quest and them actually setting out had been rather short, but that's what he prefers. Traveling is such second nature to him that gathering the supplies and effects he'd needed for the extended trip had been a simple enough endeavor. They won't be able to get far without mounts, and so renting horses from the stables of Castle Thorne had been the first order of business.

Nor had he minded the inclusion of Yennefer in their ranks. For all that he's accustomed to solo operations, he's also quite used to traveling alongside others, whether it was someone he needed to protect or someone he could trust to watch his back. He'll now have the chance to see for himself how these two fare when not coddled within the castle with every need met.

Granted, he's already been curious about both of them, so the opportunity to learn more of them without having to worry about who might be listening or watching within the castle is also a welcome change.

In an interesting turn of fate, it's Yennefer who seems far more comfortable on horseback and traveling through the wilderness, and she hasn't flagged at all since they set out. Stephen, on the other hand, seems to be falling further and further behind...

Thancred pulls up on the reins of his horse. While he's far more used to riding on chocobos, he has ridden horses and amaro alike, and this particular mare isn't giving him much trouble either. She comes to a stop, granting him a chance to glance back over his shoulder at Stephen. ]

Are you all right back there? Do you need a moment to rest?

[ If they stop to rest too often they won't make very good time, but Thancred's also aware that this opportunity wouldn't have even been available to him were it not for Stephen. He has no influence, no clout within Thorne, and yet he had been confident in letting Stephen know that he was the right man to ask along for such a job. Hopefully he can prove that sooner rather than later on their journey. ]

[vixening]

[ in learning of the geography of thorne and the surrounding country, yennefer had found herself especially drawn to the descriptions and stories she'd heard of hayle. between the simple fact that it was the largest city, the center of arts, the home to the duchess (who was rumored to be of particular power and status, equal to that of the monarchs themselves), and happened to house the university. the university. if she'd been allowed the option, she would have chosen to stay within the city for a day or so, possibly more - sample the wine, look into the classes, perhaps do a bit of checking in on the political thought. but the truth of their arrangement was that they were given a task, a task that they had only just begun.

there were two spots with which they were to place the devices near hayle, but one of them was much further from the city. it was partially why they set out as quickly as they did - splitting errands and funds so as to track down the necessary equipment for the trip itself, as well as securing transportation. they would set off only a few hours after landing in the city, with hopes to make it to the location before nightfall, and go from there.

was it the most comfortable trip she's taken? unfortunately for her, she'd grown almost used to the elegance and comfort that her magic had afforded her in her travels. but she also knows how to travel without magic, knows her way around a camp site and a horse, and knows what journeys such as these generally ask from those on them.

thancred, as she soon came to realize on the other two location sets, also could handle himself on the journey. it was stephen, though, who seemed to be having the most difficulty. a difficulty both she and thancred noticed back when they first started all of this, and one she supposed would continue to be an issue as they continued on this quest. but, for all she enjoyed watching a man's hubris come back to bite him in the ass, they weren't even halfway through the quest, and many of these trips would be much more arduous.

which leads them to where they are now - thancred and her up on the front bench of a cart, with stephen in the back, settled amongst the bags and supplies. she's also fairly certain he took something of a pit stop to one of the university bookstores, but for now she keeps her mouth shut, instead checking back over her shoulder into the cart with a small grin. ]

Is this more to your liking, your highness?

[ it's not the first joke they'd made on the topic, but after traveling with stephen and thancred for just under a week now, she finds it just as entertaining. ]

[sorser]

[Stephen had not considered himself a spoiled traveler, having left those days of all the excess comfort money could buy long behind him. But that was before he committed himself to a weeks-long journey trekking across the terrain of Thorne. Before he had to endure the reality of riding horseback from point A to point B, distances that were rarely short, with the roads always uneven. It isn't so much that he wasn't made for it, rather that his body simply wasn't acclimated to it, each bump and jostle making his bones feel like cracked porcelain. He already had begun to ache, and though he knew there was still a long way to go, his pride is no longer bloated enough to not request a wagon ride when the opportunity presents.

So, yes, he sits nestled among the supplies at the back of the wagon, legs outstretched and ankles crossed. He holds open a book as they ride, one that he indeed picked up at Hayle; though it had been a shame they couldn't stay longer, there was little to no chance Stephen would not indulge himself in the university bookshop, expanding his knowledge of their theories and practice of magic, if even by an incremental amount.

Yennefer's little barb, though, still pierces through his focus. Stephen rolls his eyes, unseen, both unashamed and resigned to the jokes that were fated to follow.]

Ha ha. Laugh it up.

[Sarcasm. He turns a page of his book.]

I lived in New York City. I know that doesn't mean anything to the two of you, but we didn't travel by horse anywhere. Our modes of transportation were much more terrifying, but at least I could walk the day after.

[He will never complain about public transit ever again.]

[sorser]

[He's thankful that he isn't alone in this journey, have no doubt. Stephen knows where his strengths lie, and they contrast even more pointedly with his weaknesses; traveling out onto the open road, with stretches of wilderness couching their sides for miles at a time, belongs in the latter category. Though he is no stranger to taxing situations, at least he had the full capacity of his magic when he wanted to travel long distances; just summon up a portal and move across dimensions in the multiverse, no problem there.

This is different. This is far more mundane and yet requires an infinite amount of more effort all the same -- he is glad for Yennefer and Thancred's presence, who seem to take the lead on horseback so comfortably that he can't be but a little jealous.]

I'm fine. [He calls out, and he hasn't quite passed the threshold of being either snappish or impatient with the inquiry. Stephen nudges his horse forward. It trots ahead as requested, and he regrets it immediately, one hand gripping the reins, then other on the horn of the saddle as if steadying himself will ease the locomotive stride of the animal beneath him.]

Just- [He grits his teeth. He refuses to slow this party down, especially when the invite to go on this little journey had come from him.] Need some time to get used to this.

[funbreaker]

[ As nice as it might have been to spend some more time in Hayle and actually soak in another part of Thorne (one of its largest cities, in fact), Thancred's been quite strict about keeping to a schedule and the other two, to their credit, have not made any protest to that. Even making good time, they are committing to being away from the castle for weeks. That doesn't particularly bother him and any urgent news will no doubt find its way to them even this far out, but he also would rather they not end up too delayed.

Besides, they will need to return to Hayle to bring back the cart and also grab the next portal to yet another unknown location. That may grant them a chance to explore a little bit more. Thancred is relieved that the method of teleporting oneself in this land isn't nearly as hard on his body. Memories of the aetherial sickness he'd sustained when traveling to Thavnair are not easily forgotten.

Thankfully, any queasiness he experienced as a result of those terrible memories has passed now that they're out on the road with plenty of fresh air. He holds tightly on the reins as they navigate through lands even less familiar to them than those around Castle Thorne, though they've got a map which is unfurled between him and Yennefer.

Thancred had thought to let Stephen rest both his body and his pride for a short while now that he's settled in on the cart, but Yennefer turns out to be far more ruthless than him. He might wince a little, but she will be able to see he's smiling all the same. Stephen manages to accept all the teasing in a good-natured manner, which is something Thancred quite likes about him.

New York City, eh? It means nothing to him, no, but what Stephen says next serves to quickly capture his interest. ]

Terrifying? [ He turns his head only halfway to show that he's interested, well aware that he can't take his eyes off the path ahead of them for long. ] In what way?

[ You can't say something like that and then not elaborate! ]

[vixening]

[ she doesn't need to see the roll of stephen's eyes to know it is happening, even from behind the book he's buried in. she still lets herself look back just in case, her smirk an accurate response to the sarcasm.

( there is a part of her that realizes this lighthearted joking, that the ease she's found herself sliding back to, is in no small part because of their distance from the castle. that, in addition to her general understanding of the types of people thancred and stephen were from their previous interactions, it wasn't too difficult to allow herself to relax in small segments. to let down the lady yennefer the venerable that the castle thorne knew her to be. )

with thancred's hands around the reins, it was yennefer's task to keep them on route - the more local map something they'd picked up in the city, which was hardly the most helpful map she's ever used, but it has them moving in the right direction. and, if everything went smoothly, they were barely a couple hours away. ]

Let me remind you that you're the only one having issues walking.

[ because yes, she has no problem being ruthless - especially when she knows that stephen is good natured enough with regards to that sort of humor, and in general. plus, thancred isn't entirely safe from her ruthlessness either - there's still plenty of time left in their journey for her to find something. for now, though, her curiosity does pique at thancred's question, her own eyes glancing back to stephen again. ]

Yes- how terrifying if this mode of transportation? [ which, really, she is curious about this - stephen had mentioned portals to her, previously. and was familiar enough with them as they made it to hayle. what would he constitute as terrifying? ]

[vixening]

[ stephen's request for her to join him on this quest hadn't been a surprise, necessarily, given their previous conversations and discussions on the singularity and thorne's politics with regards to the summoned, but it had in many ways also been a relief. after the events of the summit, after what all had happened between her and geralt, she had been vaguely anxious about what would come of it all upon her return. prior to the summit, she'd been all but entirely absent from court, then the summit itself, and - not long after - the eclipse. yennefer knows that her actions would be considered suspicious to even the most distant of eyes, and she'd already been accosted once...

that all goes to say that when presented with an opportunity to set out on a journey, an ambrose-sanctioned quest at that, she was quite ready to take it. living on the road, whether it were on her feet or on horseback, was something quite familiar to her (and, if she were being honest, she'd take this route more than her most recent experience, the memories of those dreams still haunting her). horseback, though, with adequate food, supplies, a map and time to prepare - it was such a breath of fresh air, she almost felt herself excited. almost.

her spirits were definitely much higher, though, the moment their horses left the walls of the castle - finding an easy pace on the back of her mare, their path to this first location. it would be about a day to get there, she assumed, and the weather was at the very please pleasant compared to the biting cold of the earlier winter. if thancred and stephen were paying enough attention, they could probably see yennefer relax bit by bit, though the increments would be small and subtle. that curiosity of how she would do outside of the castle? well, actually, quite well - though the way she misses her magic to make all of this easier is a tight and solid mass in her chest. ]

Relax your hips. [ she calls back to them, not unkindly, as she continues on ahead down the path. she will be the first to admit she is incredibly curious as to what this could show them, and it shows in the way she pushes forward. ] If you're too rigid, this is going to be a much longer journey than it already is. Speaking of- how much further was it supposed to be today?

[sorser]

[The little jabs back and forth barely prick his pride, expected as they are. If he were in their shoes, he’d be probably making them, too — but regardless, despite his aching bones and sore muscles, he’s relaxed enough to time a quip back without worrying about causing offense. It seems that they all share the same shades of humor among them, at least to a certain degree. He has to admit, it’s a little nice.

It’s that same sense of humor that’s qualified New York public transport as “terrifying”, which may be an exaggeration to some — and nothing short of accuracy to the rest.]

Think of yellow metal wagons screeching [honking] at each other on a crowded city street, narrowly avoiding jaywalkers. Or a collection subterranean metal boxes speeding along a track, stuffed to the brim with individuals trying to get to work on time.

[It’s hard to put into words the trials and tribulations of experiencing it first-hand, but he affects a dismissive gesture.]

Give me some time. I’ll be back on my feet sooner rather than later.

[Not that he has a choice. Their marked spot on the map can’t be that much farther; over the hill on the horizon at this rate.]

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred cannot help but observe as Stephen makes an attempt to catch up with them, as the man spurs the horse onward and then looks a shade away from panicked as he attempts to keep his balance on it as it picks up in speed. He has the look of someone who has possibly never done this before, or if he has, it has only been a handful of times.

While not everyone in Eorzea and beyond knows how to ride a mount, most in Thancred's circles do. Plenty of people rely on carriages, wagons, boats, or even airships to help them get around, and so he can't see he's never encountered someone who looked so unsteady on a horse. Given that he tends to run alongside other seasoned travelers and adventurers, however, this is an outcome he hadn't fully considered.

Surely Stephen had known what he was signing up for when he accepted the mission from Ambrose? ]

Like anything, it becomes easier with practice. [ Thancred nods to Stephen as he catches up with him, then applies some pressure to his own mare's flank so that they can make pace with Yennefer. If anything, it's the soreness that follows that will really prove a challenge for Stephen, but Thancred opts to bite his tongue on that point for now. No need to force him into a state of dread when little can be done about it. ]

I'd assume we have at least a few bells left to ride, at least. [ This is directed in response to Yennefer's question. ] If either of you do end up requiring a rest, I'm sure we'll be able to find a decent spot along the road.

[funbreaker]

[ There is no doubt in Thancred's mind that being out here, far from the castle and undergoing what some what consider grueling travel from place to place, is much more comfortable for him. It isn't that he can't exist or even thrive within Castle Thorne if he chooses to, but out here he can be far more himself, rather than having to consider how he might be perceived at all times. Castle Thorne expects a certain level of decorum, and there are no doubt any number of unwritten rules about how to behave and navigate the petty politics therein.

It's exhausting, simply put.

He's gathered that both Stephen and Yennefer have also relaxed some with more time spent away from that place, whether or not they've realized it themselves. Stephen may be suffering from the inexperience of this sort of travel, but he has been a good sport about it all the same, and he hasn't let that inexperience slow him down much. The wagon helps, of course.

As Stephen describes the transportation from his home, Thancred narrows his eyes, realizing that it all sounds rather familiar. ] Are you referring to automobiles and trains, by chance? [ If so, he still doesn't quite understand what's so scary about them, though having a large number of people packed in might be the contributing factor there.

He makes note of the hill ahead of them and focuses on directing the two horses hitched to the wagon toward it. ] There's a nation where I'm from that utilizes such technology. I will confess I don't have as much experience with them as I do with chocobos or horses, but... what exactly makes them scary?

[ It might be an instance of having to be there to truly understand, or Stephen has made a joke that hasn't quite landed. Thancred is genuinely curious rather than teasing at this point, though. ]

[vixening]

[ that is probably the exact middle ground of their partnership, at this point - that yennefer sees no issue with poking fun at the sorcerer mostly because she knows he can handle it, and she knows - if the opportunity ever happened - she would get it in equal amounts. even still, they did make the effort to get the cart for him, which speaks volumes, and as far as yennefer is concerned, means she has plenty of time to keep making fun of him for it.

the description has her snorting, once, and turning back to the map - fully aware, now, what it is that stephen meant by 'terrifying'. or, at the very least, finding very little terrifying about th descriptions he gives, no matter how little of it she can picture for herself. ]

Why would anyone travel that way? [ especially the subterranean boxes. she sees nothing efficient in that. and then thancred is the one to call them automobiles and trains, and yennefer's attention turns to him, not impressed necessarily but. a little surprised. ]

You've heard of them? [ at thancred's explanation, yennefer finds herself shrugging. alright, she supposes that could make sense, though she still can't quite picture any of this. it appears thancred is trying to change the conversation towards having stephen explain himself, which yennefer would very much also like, but she is still caught up on some of what he said. ]

Hold on- did you say chocobos? What is that supposed to be? Another steel cart?

[ it appears they have officially reached this level of conversation in their time together. ]

[sorser]

[Relaxing his anything feels like an ordeal. It's not as though Stephen is afraid of heights, owning a magical cape that allows him to soar through the air if necessary, but that does not erase all caution from his aching bones. Namely, that it would still hurt to take a tumble from a horse, especially if this unfortunate turn of events came swiftly. (Then again, he does wonder how much the Cloak of Levitation, hanging at his back, would be able to keep him steady on his mount if this tragedy did sending him flying. It'd probably be fine.)

Stephen sighs. He forces himself to relax, which is a paradox at its core. One he's sure to ignore once they move across another stretch of rocky terrain, or an ungodly downward slope, but for now, he loosens his grip on the horn of the saddle.]

Bells? [Distance? Time? What is that? You know what, never mind. He suspects Thancred means "close".]

I won't slow us down. Don't worry. [Says the man who will request a wagon ride in the future with zero regrets.] I've powered through a lot worse than a long, outdoors road trip. And with worse company. The two of you are bearable, at least.

[He jokes. Be flattered! His horse snorts.]

[sorser]

[It's a joke that didn't quite land, one sure to go flying over most people's heads without a play-by-play of NYC public transport life.]

Because it's faster. And because some prefer not to spend the rest of their lives walking bow-legged. [To Yennefer. This one's to Thancred:] A subway train, actually, but yeah. It's impossible to convey the existential dread that descends upon a mind when crammed into a subway car like a pack of sardines. Just take my word for it.

[He leaves it at that, for the imagination to pick up and run wild with. Meanwhile, Stephen shifts his weight a little to make himself more comfortable and turns his head to see how much closer they are to their destination -- as though he would be able to tell without being the map-bearer. It earns him a scrunched-up expression and a wince, pressing his elbow into a knobbly bag of supplies to find a position that doesn't make his body protest. His success is minimal.]

A chocobo sounds like something you eat.

[Off-handedly.]

[vixening]

[ that may be a core place that yennefer and thancred differ - thancred is worried for stephen, for the oncoming soreness, for what lies ahead of them in the coming weeks of continuous travel. yennefer, on the other hand, figures stephen will figure it out. it is his quest, after all. and he has his magic. any worry she might have about this trip is held mostly around their schedule, and potentially any altercations they might find out on the road (she's no stranger to bandits, and she can handle them without her magic well enough, but she doesn't want that known, so if they can avoid it entirely, well. that would be her preference).

she can hear the two of them pick up pace just enough to catch up with her, as yennefer's eyes are still on the path ahead. she is also unfamiliar with the term bells for time, but stephen asks and she considers that addressed. ]

Considering you did choose us to join you on this quest, I would hope you would find us as at least bearable. [ she jokes in return, without so much as looking back to him. though, of course, he might just have a masochistic streak - yennefer hasn't ruled that out completely yet. ]

Which does beg the question of what you've asked us out here to do. [ stephen hadn't necessarily been lacking on the details when he'd first asked yennefer to join him on the quest, but truthfully she hadn't needed them to agree. now, though, even if they are still some distance from the first location, she supposes they should know what they're getting into. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred, on the other hand, has very little concern as to what obstacles they might run into during their travels. Tussling with bandits and monsters is more or less like any other day for him. He has his gunblade and some cartridges, which he may ask Stephen to try and infuse if they have the time.

Ah, right, his terms for certain things do not quite seem to match up with everyone else's. He'll need to remember to adjust to avoid this sort of confusion. ]

It's a measure of time. I believe they're called hours, here. Or it's close enough to not make much difference, at least.

[ He is quite curious about what worse experiences Stephen has had, and with what worse people. He would be happy to drill him for that information, were it not for the fact that Yennefer brings up a far more relevant topic of conversation. It's true that Stephen has yet to give them the true purpose of this quest, beyond what would be required of them. Just about any reason to leave the castle and explore the rest of Thorne would have been enough, for him. ]

Yes, a full briefing would be nice. And will serve as a decent distraction from any saddle soreness, I would imagine.

[ While hardly missing a beat, Thancred reaches into his pocket for a sugar cube and reaches around to feed it to his horse, who takes it happily. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Yes, Thancred has heard of them, and while he hasn't had much opportunity to ride in either an automobile or a train on a regular basis, he can see how they would be widespread in certain worlds for their efficiency. It would all depend on how much fuel there was to go around, of course, and ceruleum is a limited commodity. Mayhap that is not the case in Stephen's world.

Both of them seem equally baffled at the mention of a chocobo, and Thancred can't help but shake his head to himself with a small smile. There is still some novelty in running into these instances where something that is so common in his life earns little more than confused stares from his comrades. ]

They are not steel carts, but they are yellow, and sometimes they are eaten. [ He realizes his words sound like a riddle, and he lets them hang in the air for just a moment so that they can both puzzle through it. ] They work best as pack animals and mounts, however. They're large birds, large enough to ride, and easily trained. Some people even race them.

[ Were he any sort of artist, he could draw them a picture the next time that they take a rest. He might give it a try anyhow, just for the amusement of it. He is no Alphinaud, but he should be able to give them a vague idea if nothing else.

They're coming up on the hill, though Thancred does little but adjust in his seat as the horses begin to ascend the gently sloping incline. When he hears Stephen shifting around among the supplies behind him, he casts a glance back. ]

No need to wriggle around so much. I'll let you know when we're close.

[vixening]

[ unfortunately, stephen, any joke you might have with modern context will mean very little to someone from fantasy medieval poland and...a final fantasy. even still, she shoots him an incredulous look before giving a shake to her head. no, she doesn't believe they're faster, or more efficient. and stephen has magic so really - what is he so worried about after all?

still - part of her is much more interested in the eexplanation, though existential dread leaves her almost loudly rolling her eyes. she never realized he was so dramatic, but then again, perhaps his sore legs have left him a bit cranky.

thancred leaves them both with the riddle and yennefer spends a moment or so of that just staring at him, waiting for him to go on, when she's pulled a bit suddenly by the waiting to point further down their path. ] Up there - you're to take a right. You should see it soon enough. [ and then back to the conversation, because she's not quite ready for it to leave. he called them large yellow birds, and yennefer hadn't been sure what she was picturing, but it hadn't been that. ]

Well, yes, but all of that save for the yellow could be said about horses as well. And the bird...do they fly, then? Because I could see the use in that.

[ but don't worry, thancred. the more yennefer learns about them the more confused she's going to be, artistic talents or no. it's around then that the cart starts to shift a bit - in no small part to stephen's weight sending things off-kilter, and yennefer steadies herself with a hand to the railing. ]

Careful- we spent enough coin on all this shit, I'd rather not lose it before we even get there. You didn't break anything, did you? [ said to stephen, and then, because they're far enough up the path of the hill now for her to see the turn in the path, she points towards it again for thancred, sliding a bit closer on the front bench. ] There.

[sorser]

[Large yellow birds. Thancred's version of horses, he assumes, but Yennefer is the one to say the thought aloud, so he only adds somewhat unhelpfully as he moves a bag around, trying to center his gravity so he doesn't send the wagon tilting:]

So they're like ostriches, but yellow.

[He grabs for one satchel in particular, which has always been held close to one of the three travelers to highlight its importance. The dull sound of something rustles within. Stephen's made sure to wrap each thaumametor in thick cloth so that they don't needlessly clink into each other during their journey, no matter what it brings. Wouldn't be much help for all that magical energy to spill out after all this effort.]

Are you talking about the supplies, my bones, or my pride? [He flings back at Yennefer, his sarcasm projected for all to hear. The latter might not have come away unscathed, but he'll survive it. For now, he tucks his book away and waits for the wagon to go move around the bend and a little further down. There, they should find their destination: a hilly stretch of ground right at the edge of a forest which, if he had read the map correctly, would crawl all along the coastline if they took the time to explore it properly.

Which they are, decidedly, not doing. It's good to see one more spot to soon be checked off the list, and he waits for Thancred to direct the wagon closer.]