Dervish was not just west of Veral Ski, it was also north. Far north. I reminded myself of that fact as we plodded toward the small city, Broo Fane Tane and I on our horses and Seymuhr on his goat.
I could already discern the difference in climate as we traveled along the road. Away from the magnificent city on the plain, the air had taken a cooler edge. The wind, stronger out in the open, curled around the trees surrounding the road, dislodging an occasional leaf in an early sign of the changing seasons. I wondered if this was the best time to take the trip, but realized if the supply chains weren't opened soon, the ale and wine merchants of Veral Ski -- if not most of Korin -- would be running dry before winter fully set in and I doubted the country would survive. Like everyone else in Korin, I had seen brutal fights break out over breadcrumbs and the thought of the battles that would break out over a dwindling supply of ale sent an involuntary shudder through me.
What would I call such a tale? Battle of the Bottle? The Clash over Casks? Hopefully, it would not come to that. Not if our small band had anything to do with it. And, if we needed more help, surely bringing ale to the market would be a cause that every Korinite could rally behind.
The city was no longer visible behind us, obscured by the gentle hills we had crossed and the distance we had traveled. The sun was setting, making the road through the Greenwood somewhat dark. There were fewer people on the road, too, as night approached. I thought we should take shelter soon.
I should make note, here, of the names of many places in Korin. They are simplistic, and that is because Bartamus Fap, the great explorer who was among the earliest travelers in Korin, was a simple man. There was some debate among scholars over who deserved more credit for his discoveries -- Fap, or the mount who carried him. Brutal fights had broken out over that, too.
Regardless, Bartamus Fap coined many of the names in our great land, beginning with Nicaria, far to the east, and rumored to be the first place he saw after the arduous journey through the Tall Mountains.
"Wow," he said, according to the histories, "that is a nice area." It stuck. And, I admit, it is pretty nice.
This was also how the Deep River, the Wide River, the Flats and, of course, the Greenwood got their names. Bless his heart and adventurous spirit, but I often wondered if Fap's mount had the better mind of the two.
"It will be full dark soon," Seymurh said. "We could continue, but I could use something to fill my belly." He patted his midsection which, to my knowledge, he was never able to actually fill.
"There is a...light a...head," Tane responded. "Perhaps a village or tavern?"
Sure enough, the growing dusk ahead of us was eased by a soft warm light and, I thought, the sounds of muted conversation or even laughter. It was no doubt some sort of respite for travelers.
Still, I glanced nervously at Tane, whose ability to attract mischief had led to many brawls even in the short time I had been traveling with him and Seymurh, and could not ignore a feeling of dread.
"I can hardly wait," I said. Still, we went toward the noise.
