The stops along the way

[Zhara]

The crackling of the fire brought a little life to the dead silent of the night. Zhara, a young girl, sat leaning against a tree poking the fire absent-mindedly. She would've stayed at the inn within the city, but this for some reason felt right. The young girl had been traveling for a while now. Camping out wasn't a new idea to her because she hadn't been able afford a room. However, money was not such an issue now, but the excitement of a roof and comfy sheet had wane. Nature was now an old friend.

Maybe I'll find a room tomorrow She thought to herself. The thought did sound appealing. Just not tonight.

Zhara let the fire crackle as she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

[Kiko]

Around the sleeping girl life went on. The creatures more accustomed to moving under the cover of darkness woke up and started their night-time lives.

The wind picked up and fire grew a little higher, though Zhara had confined it well, most of the waking animals avoided such bright flames. Still, there were a few that recognized the fire and changed their normal behavior. The sounds made while doing so were impossible to detect, especially by a girl in the throes of a deep sleep.

Zhara might have regarded nature as an old friend, but everyone knows that old friends, given enough incentive, can switch allegiances. Oh, and night? She is a fickle mistress.

[Zhara]

(Sry, been a little busy.)

Zhara slept peacefully. The slight breeze drove the young girl into a deeper sleep. Traveling had always been tiring, and the young mage had always try to push herself maybe a little more than she should.

The weariness and the "peacefulness" of the forest only made Zhara dream more.

[Kiko]

(No need for an apology. In fact, it is me who should apologize. I did not realize when I posted that this was your home thread. I've invaded your personal space here at the Menagerie. So, 'tis my fault. Do you wish for me to continue here? I will take no affront if you tell me to get lost. )

[Zhara]

((Sure, continue. I'm curious to see what you have in store for me.))

[Kiko]

Zhara slept on as the wind picked up and the night-time sky obscured the threateningly, dark clouds.

A hundred yards away or thereabouts...

"I told you Wistvale is around here. It can't be more than a couple of miles now."

"Yeah, and I told you that we should have used the cave, like always."

"Look, aren't you tired of paying Bayard and his group of thugs just to dock? We tie the boat up and carry our goods into town right past the guards. I've explained this already. We make more money this way, even if we have to pay some farmer to borrow his cart. Come on I know I saw a fire."

Rickard sighed and glanced behind him. Rain clouds had been threatening all through the evening and here he was traipsing through an unknown woods with Al. He gritted his teeth. There was no convincing the man. He had spent the whole trip toward Wistvale complaining about Bayard's "dock fees".

As for Rickard he would rather be tied up safely in the cave and sound asleep. Rickard yelped as he banged his shin on another damn tree root. He loathed trees.