Southbound

Southbound

Morning came to the riverside south of Ravenhold.

Light slipped through the gaps in the cabin’s wooden shutters and fell at an angle across the floor. Zio was already awake before the sun had fully risen. He sat for a moment on the edge of the bed, letting his body settle into awareness, then stood.

He took a change of clothes and stepped outside.

The river air held a thin chill. The water’s surface reflected pale light, and the ground along the bank was still damp with dew. He went down without hesitation, washed his face, then dipped under in a brief dive.

From the distance came the sound of metal striking metal and wood being cut from Bob’s plantation. A steady morning rhythm that had not stopped for several days.

He returned to the cabin, dried himself, and dressed.

A small fire was lit and the kettle was set over it. Steam began to rise slowly. He poured water into a cup and added dried tea leaves.

The cupboard held one piece of wheat bread. He broke it, sat, and ate at an unhurried pace. Outside, the sound of hammers continued, distant but clear enough to remain as a constant backdrop.

The cup was emptied and the fire put out. Belt, the scabbard for his one-handed straight blade, and his black hooded coat were fastened as usual.

In the stable, the horse was already standing. Its ears shifted when Zio approached. Feed was poured and water replaced. The reins, saddle, and the horse’s legs were checked quickly. Everything was in order.

He led the horse out, tightened the saddle, and mounted.

The sun had climbed higher.

He guided the horse toward the new footpath along the plantation. The ground was still compact and rough. Trees on either side stood sparse, opening into wide stretches of grass. Several workers moved wood and stone in the distance, their silhouettes shifting slowly in the morning light.

The path eventually met the main stone road.

Its surface rose and dipped gently, linking Ravenhold and Solcarys. The wind moved more freely here. Now and then a cart passed with wheels grinding over stone. Birds crossed low over the fields.

Zio kept a steady pace.

As the city drew nearer, the stone bridge before the southern gate came into view. Water flowed beneath it, calm. Merchants and townsfolk passed in both directions, and Zio joined the stream heading inward.

The southern gate of Ravenhold stood open. The guards gave only a brief glance. No one was held for long.

He entered the city.

The streets were already busy. Wagon wheels, hoofbeats, and voices blended together. Several shops let out the scent of morning food. Shadows on the ground grew shorter as the sun climbed.

Zio stopped at the stables. He dismounted, handed over the reins, made sure the saddle would be removed properly, then walked on toward the center of the city.

The square was full of activity. Children ran between adults. Workers carried crates. A few adventurers passed with packs on their backs.

On the open side of the square stood the public notice board.

The large wooden board was covered in posted papers. Several people stood before it. Some were reading. Others had just put up new notices.

Zio stopped a few steps away.

The sky was fully bright, and the sun was nearing midday.

***

A warm early summer wind moved through the open space and stirred the papers pinned to the public board. The smell of heated stone and midday food from nearby stalls lingered in the air. Footsteps crossed the square in loose patterns. Wagon wheels rolled somewhere beyond the fountain. Voices came and went without staying.

Zio stood a few steps from the board.

Several people were still gathered in front of it. Some read in silence. One by one, they moved on.

The board grew less crowded.

Papers shifted lightly in the wind. A loose corner tapped against the wood. The sound of the square carried on at a distance.

No one remained directly in front of the notices.

From the far side of the square, an elf woman approached the board.

She moved at an unhurried pace, a small pack resting against her back. Dust clung faintly to the hem of her travel clothes. She stopped in front of the board and leaned in slightly, scanning the posted sheets one by one.

Zio stepped forward as well.

He came to stand within reading distance of the board, close enough to see the lines of ink but not close enough to crowd. The elf continued reading. A few moments passed.

She let out a quiet breath.

“Nothing here for a girl, huh. Most of these are men’s jobs.”

Her tone carried mild annoyance more than real anger. She gave the board one last look, then turned as if to leave.

Her footing slipped slightly on the stone.

It was a small misstep rather than a fall. The movement shifted the pack on her back. The corner of it brushed against Zio’s side as she steadied herself.

She turned at once and gave a short nod.

“My apologies, sir.”

“I’m fine,” Zio replied.

She lifted her gaze.

Her eyes moved up beneath the shadow of his hood. She paused. Recognition settled in slowly.

“Zio?”

He did not answer at once. He looked at her, his expression unreadable behind the shade.

The wind moved across the square again. Papers rustled against the board. Somewhere behind them, a cart rolled past and faded into the distance.

The moment held, quiet and unforced.

***

Zio remained standing in front of the public notice board.

Nyssa watched him for a few seconds before speaking.

“Looking for a new job again?”

“No.”

“So you’re still working at the farm?”

“No.”

She frowned. “Then what are you even doing?”

“Just looking.”

A warm breeze stirred the corners of the posted papers. The shadow of his black hood covered part of his face as his eyes moved calmly across the lines of ink.

Nyssa glanced over him. The hooded coat. The straight blade at his side.

“Your clothes changed.”

He did not respond.

She narrowed her eyes. “You wearing that hood so people you know won’t recognize you or what?”

“No.”

Nyssa let out a soft breath through her nose. “Hah. Still the same.”

After a moment, Zio stepped away from the board.

Nyssa reached out and lightly caught the edge of his coat.

“Hey. Where are you going?”

A faint sound broke through the noise of the square.

Nyssa froze.

Zio looked at her.

“To the bakery.”

Her cheeks colored slightly. She gave a small awkward laugh. “Heh. I’ll come.”

They crossed the edge of the square toward a small wheat bread stall. The smell of fresh bread drifted warmly into the street. Sunlight reflected off the simple wooden counter.

Zio stopped.

Nyssa stopped beside him.

“You can go first,” he said.

Nyssa looked down, fingers twisting together. “So. About that. My last bit of money went to the carriage ride coming here.”

Zio said nothing. He stepped inside the stall.

A short while later he came back out holding two paper bags filled with bread.

He handed one to Nyssa without comment, then walked toward an empty bench along the street.

She followed.

Zio sat and immediately began eating.

Nyssa stayed still for a second, watching him with the bag resting on her lap.

He glanced at her. “What?”

“Nothing.” She looked down quickly. “Thank you. You’re actually kind of nice.”

She started eating.

After a few bites she peeked at his bag. “You bought a lot.”

“For later.”

“Doesn’t your inn give you food?”

“I’m going back to the farm.”

“I thought you said you don’t work there anymore.”

“I don’t. But I still live there.”

She chewed slowly, thinking, then looked at him again.

“Can you help me find a job? Nothing heavy. Just something simple.”

He shook his head.

“What about your place? I can water plants. I’m good at not killing things.”

“The farm is being rebuilt.”

Nyssa leaned back against the bench. “Of course it is.”

Time passed. The light shifted. Shadows stretched longer across the square as afternoon drifted toward evening.

Zio stood.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Home.”

She hesitated, then rushed the words out. “Wait. Can you lend me some money for an inn tonight?”

He reached into his pocket briefly. “I don’t have any.”

He started to walk.

Nyssa stared at his back for a second.

“Hey. You’re seriously just going to leave me here?”

He stopped. “My money is in a cabinet. I can get it for you.”

“Where?”

“In the plantation area south of the city.”

Nyssa groaned. “That’s far. It’ll be dark before we even get back.”

Silence settled between them. The wind felt cooler now. The crowd had thinned.

She looked at him directly. “Fine. I’ll just go with you. Just for tonight.”

Zio glanced toward the lowering sun.

“Come on,” she added. “Just temporary.”

He stood still for a few seconds, then turned and walked toward the city stables.

Nyssa followed behind him.

Rows of horses stood inside the fenced area. The smell of hay and leather hung in the air.

“Wait. That’s your horse?” Nyssa’s eyes widened slightly. “You have your own?”

He nodded.

With an easy motion, he mounted the saddle.

She stared at him for a second, then climbed up behind him.

The horse moved forward at a steady pace, leaving the stable yard. They passed through the southern gate of Ravenhold. Stone road gave way to packed earth. Late sunlight spread warmly across the open fields.

The city slowly faded behind them.

After a while, Nyssa shifted slightly behind him, adjusting her seat on the saddle. Her shoulder brushed faintly against his back before settling. She did not say anything.