Roads, Ruins, and a Stranger

The dirt path was long.

It went up and down over rolling hills. The grass here was not just green. Patches of bright yellow, soft red, and even pale blue covered the landscape like a quilt. Bob had never seen anything like it. His eyes, peeking out from under his grey hood, moved from one color to the next.

Strange animals grazed on the hills. Some looked like deer with six legs and long, curly horns. They moved in herds, their heads lifting to watch as Traveller and Bob passed by. They were not a threat. Just a part of the world.

Bob held his stick-sword tightly. He felt small in this wide, open space.

After walking for a while, they passed something on the side of the road. It was a jumble of large, grey stones, half-buried in the earth. They were covered in thick vines and green moss. It might have been a wall once, or a small house. Now, it was just a pile of rocks.

Bob stopped and pointed his stick-sword at the ruins.

"What?" he asked.

Traveller paused and looked at the stones. "Old," was all they said. "Forgotten." They didn't offer any more explanation. They just started walking again.

Bob looked at the forgotten stones one last time before hurrying to catch up.

The two suns were high in the sky when Bob heard a new sound. A creaking, rumbling noise. It was getting closer.

Coming towards them on the path was a large wooden cart. It was pulled by a single, massive creature that looked like a furry, six-legged bull. A person sat at the front of the cart, holding the reins.

Traveller put a gentle hand on Bob's shoulder. "Hood up. Stay quiet," they whispered.

Bob pulled the grey hood forward, so it cast a deep shadow over his face. He held his breath.

The cart slowed as it got closer. The driver was a large man with a thick, red beard. He wore simple leather clothes. He raised a hand as he saw Traveller's white robe.

"Well, well! If it isn't the quiet Traveller," the man boomed, his voice loud and friendly. "Good to see you on the road again! Heading to Mokhaven?"

"Hello, Jorn," Traveller's voice was calm and even. "Just passing through. The roads are safe, I trust?"

"Safe enough! Just a few spiky badgers in the woods, but nothing a man with a cart can't handle," Jorn laughed. His eyes flickered down to the small, grey-cloaked figure beside Traveller. "Got a new apprentice with you?"

Traveller's hand rested firmly on Bob's shoulder. "Just a travelling companion. Not much for words."

Jorn nodded, accepting the answer easily. "Many are like that these days. Well, safe travels to you, Traveller." He flicked the reins, and the big creature grunted, pulling the cart forward again. The rumbling and creaking slowly faded down the path.

Bob waited until the cart was just a small dot in the distance before he dared to peek out from his hood again. He looked up at Traveller.

"Friend?" he asked.

Traveller looked down the road where the cart had gone. "Just another person on the path," they said. "There are many kinds of people in this world, Bob. It's good to be careful."

Bob nodded. He understood. His grey cloak felt a little heavier now, but also a little safer.

He looked ahead. The path continued over the colorful hills. The town was still far away.

He gripped his stick-sword and kept walking.