The road out of Glazebend narrowed quickly as they left, trading its stone paving for beaten dirt, sand and gravel. Joren walked with his coat slung over one shoulder, the collar of his flannel already damp with sweat. Gus trudged beside him, a massive satchel bouncing gently against his side with every step. "You sure this is the right way?" Gus asked, peering at the winding path ahead. Joren and Gus had mapped out the journey plenty the night before, but it didn't seem like it would be this long. "When I left my village, I thought it would be quicker than it was, too. We will reach Duskfen eventually."
Gus huffed, swiping a hand across his forehead. "Eventually, huh? That's a mighty flexible word. It's getting kinda late, why don't we set up camp for the night?" Joren looked up at the sky, a hazy orange bleeding into deeper indigo. The sun had dipped low, casting long shadows through the crooked trees. He gave a slow nod. "Yeah… that seems like a good idea." They veered off the path and found a flat patch of grass between two leaning birch trees. The clearing was small but dry, and a gentle breeze kept the bugs from being too bold. Joren set down his pack while Gus grunted and started unfastening his rolled blanket to set up his bed.
Early Nightfall – The Camp
Night fell not long after they arrived, it was a good suggestion from Gus. Joren went out to gather firewood while Gus started getting things ready to eat. Soon a modest fire crackled between them, warm light dancing across the tree trunks. Joren sat cross-legged, fiddling with a rock while Gus was cooking something in a dented little pan he swore was just as good as a proper skillet if you tilt it right. The air smelled faintly of herbs and dry meat, mingling with the smoke that drifted lazily upward. "You know," Gus said, stirring with the handle of a spoon, "I used to think camping was only for hunters and lost travelers, but this… it's not so bad." Joren gave a slight smile, flicking the rock into the fire's edge where it sizzled briefly. "It's peaceful, at least, but I enjoyed staying at an Inn far more.
The fire popped softly between them, casting shifting shadows across their faces. "Well," Gus said, lifting the pan and dividing the food onto two tin plates, "How about we eat for now. Maybe if we start getting some odd-jobs on our travels we can afford to stay inside more often."
Joren accepted the plate with a nod, the simple meal steaming in the cool night air. "Yeah… That wouldn't be so bad." Gus settled back on a log, stretching his legs with a satisfied grunt. "Exactly. People always need something fixed, carried, or scared off. I once got a whole ham just for wrangling a goat that kept climbing onto someone's roof." The two shared a laugh, letting the night settle comfortably around them as they ate their food.
Early Morning – The Camp
Morning sunlight filtered through the thinning canopy above as birds chirped lazily into the new day. Joren rubbed his eyes and stretched, the smell of cooled ashes still clinging to his sleeves. Gus was already up, sitting on a log near their now-dead firepit, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of dried meat.
They had only been walking for half an hour before they heard it; an exasperated groan, the creak of wood under strain, and the sharp crack of something snapping. "Oh no, no no no, not again!" Just over the rise, they found a merchant hunched beside a tilted cart, one wheel half-buried in the soft dirt, the other detached from the axle. Colorful blankets filled the cart, along with pots, bundles of herbs, and a large, wrapped jars of pickled goods. The merchant was a wiry man with a wide hat and a bushy mustache. He looked up in panic. "Please tell me you're not bandits."
Joren raised his hands in a peaceful gesture. "No bandits here. Just travelers." Gus gave a hearty chuckle, stepping closer to examine the broken wheel. "Looks like you've had a rough morning." The merchant sighed, running a hand over his hat. "Tell me about it. I've got to get these goods to Glazebend by the end of the week or I lose half my payment. If you can help fix my cart, I'd be forever in your debt." Joren glanced at Gus, who nodded with a confident grin. "We'll see what we can do. Might take a little time, but it beats sitting out here all day." The merchant offered a weary smile. "Thank you."
Joren and Gus got to work. Joren used his gravity manipulation to lift the side where the wheel had detached, allowing him to put a log underneath to keep it elevated. Gus, with his broad hands and practiced eye, examined the broken wheel carefully. "Alright," Gus muttered, pulling out a small hand saw from his satchel. "We'll need to trim these branches to fit as braces and secure that rim back on." He began cutting through a thick branch, shaping it into a replacement spoke. Meanwhile, Joren was busy getting the wheel into place on the axle and helping Gus secure the branches with twine in the cart.
After hours of sweating and careful fitting, Gus hammered and tied the braces tightly, reinforcing the wheel's structure as Joren removed the log that was holding it up. Gus grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "She's not perfect, but she'll roll." The merchant nodded with a relieved smile. "I can't thank you both enough. If it hadn't been for you, I'd be stranded out here. Here, why don't you take some of this food with you" Gus shook his head with a chuckle. "No need for that, but we won't say no to a bit of extra grub." Joren gave a small smile, accepting the bundle wrapped in cloth. "Thanks, it'll help on the road." The merchant tightened the straps on his cart, ready to continue his journey. "Safe travels to you both. May the road treat you kindly." Gus bellowed back "When you get to Glazebend, go check out my porcelain shop. It has the strongest dishware you will ever see, and it's damn beautiful too." The merchant laughed, giving a quick wave as he urged his cart forward. "I'll be sure to stop by! Thank you again, friends. Oh, by the way if you are looking for an Inn, there is this small place down the road a ways. You might be able to get their tomorrow if you hustle"
Joren exchanged a glance with Gus, the hint of relief softening their tired faces. "Sounds like just what we need," Joren said, adjusting his pack. Gus nodded. "An actual bed and some hot food will do us good after today." With renewed purpose, they picked up their pace, the promise of shelter spurring them onward through the whispering trees and fading light. It was still another night outside.
Mid-Morning – The Road
The soft crunch of leaves and twigs beneath their boots filled the quiet spaces between their footsteps. The forest around them seemed to lean in closer with every step, the towering oaks and maples cloaked in shifting shadows as the sun rose above their heads. Joren's thoughts wandered back to the merchant's recommendation about the inn. He said it was small and near the road, offering the kind of warmth they desperately needed. It felt like a beacon in the fading light.
Gus, usually blunt and straightforward, slowed his pace to match Joren's. "You ever notice how the forest changes with the light?" he said quietly. "Morning feels different somehow, its like the trees are waking up too." Joren nodded, scanning the dim path ahead where patches of sunlight pierced through the canopy in golden shards. The air smelled damp, a mix of earth and moss that clung to their boots. Somewhere nearby, a bird trilled a melody, and the gentle rustle of leaves whispered on the breeze. Joren took a deep breath, letting it fill his lungs.
A faint wisp of smoke curled above the treetops ahead, signaling the inn. The scent of burning wood and food made not long ago could just be smelled in the air. As they stepped into a small clearing, the worn wooden sign swayed gently on rusty chains: The Lantern Inn. The building was modest; it had weathered planks, a crooked chimney, and windows glowing softly from lights. Inside came the murmur of voices and the occasional clink of a mug. Gus gave a tired but genuine smile. "Looks like we found our rest." Joren nodded, the tension in his shoulders loosening for the first time in days. Together, they approached the door, ready to find warmth and shelter before the road called them onward once again.