Quiet Between Rivers

Quiet Between Rivers

Warm evening light stretched across the dirt road leading toward the riverside. An early summer breeze moved gently through the fields, carrying the scent of fresh timber and soil still holding the heat of the day.

From a distance came the last strikes of hammers and the scrape of shifting wood. The workers at Bob’s plantation were packing up, their voices fading one by one.

Zio and Nyssa rode a single horse along the narrow path. The skeletal frames of new structures stood against the open sky.

“So they really are rebuilding the farm.”

Zio did not answer at once. He lowered his gaze slightly, making sure the reins lay evenly against the horse’s neck. His fingers tightened a knot with short, precise movements.

“Are you going back to work there once construction’s finished?”

He secured the knot fully before replying.

“I don’t know.”

Nyssa studied the tall beams and newly raised posts.

“Hm. It’s going to be a plantation using magical equipment developed by researchers.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly, recalling what she knew.

“From what I’ve heard, those tools can speed up growth and increase crop yields.”

“Mm.”

The horse slowed as the cabin came into clear view.

They stopped. Zio dismounted first and steadied the horse while Nyssa climbed down. He led the animal to the small stall beside the cabin and adjusted the saddle with a quick, efficient motion, as if it required no thought at all.

Nyssa stood a few steps from the door, looking at the wooden structure that still appeared newly built.

“Your cabin still looks brand new.”

Zio nodded.

He opened the door. Sunlight angled into the room, casting long shadows from the window frame and the trees outside across the wooden floor.

Nyssa stepped closer.

“Mind if I come in?”

“Go ahead.”

The interior was simple. The wooden walls still carried the scent of fresh cut timber. The air inside held the warmth left over from the day.

Zio moved without unnecessary sound. He gathered firewood, stacked it neatly, and lit the fire. A small spark flared briefly before settling into a steady flame.

“There’s only one bedroom,” he said evenly. “You can use it. I’ll sleep outside.”

Nyssa fell quiet. She watched his back as he adjusted the kettle so the heat would spread evenly beneath it.

Then Zio stepped outside.

The door remained open. The evening light still touched the floor, slowly softening in color.

Nyssa stood in the middle of the room for a moment. She turned slowly, taking in the walls, the small table, the freshly lit hearth. Her fingers brushed against the wood near the doorway.

She glanced outside at Zio’s retreating figure.

The corner of her lips lifted slightly.

Nyssa let out a soft breath, almost like a restrained laugh. She shook her head at herself and walked toward the bedroom.

The bedroom door opened without a sound. The space was plain. One bed, a small window, and pale wooden walls.

She sat on the edge of the bed.

Her brows drew together. She pressed both hands against the mattress, then let her weight drop back a little harder.

“This mattress is hard as hell,” she muttered.

She stared at the wooden ceiling for a few seconds, then closed her eyes briefly.

A quieter breath left her this time.

Her hand rose to cover her face.

“God… I’m seriously reckless,” she murmured. “Yeah… so far it’s fine.”

From the main room came the sound of another small piece of wood added to the fire. The flames crackled softly.

Nyssa opened her eyes and turned toward the sound, remaining still for a few seconds before finally sitting upright again.

The night air was colder than it had been in the late afternoon. The cabin door stood half open. Moonlight fell at an angle across the ground and trembled over the surface of the river.

Zio stood a few steps from the water’s edge.

A straight blade rested in his hand.

He raised it to shoulder height and cut forward. The motion was clean. The tip stopped just short of the water.

He drew a breath. Shifted his footing. Cut again.

The air parted softly.

On the next swing, mana flowed along the length of the blade. A dense layer traced the steel. The river before him quivered, as if pressed by something unseen.

He turned his wrist and drew the blade to the side. Mana ran through it once more, then faded.

Footsteps came from the cabin.

Nyssa stood at the doorway.

She said nothing. Just watched.

Her eyes widened slightly.

The silver of her irises lit with a faint blue sheen. Fine lines formed within her sight. The flow of mana around the blade opened clearly before her. Every path was tightly sealed. It moved in and out of the core with steady rhythm.

Nyssa frowned.

“What… is that?”

The next swing halted midway.

Zio turned his head without shifting his stance. The mana around the blade vanished at once.

Nyssa blinked. The light in her eyes faded.

She walked closer, her steps brushing over damp grass.

“Uh… Do you usually train at night?”

Zio sheathed the blade. Steel met scabbard with a short sound.

“Not often.”

He walked to the riverbank and sat on a flat stone. His elbows rested on his knees. His gaze settled on the water.

Nyssa stopped behind him. She faced the river.

The sound of flowing water filled the silence between them.

“You look used to fighting,” she said. “So why do you always take rough labor jobs?”

Zio did not answer. He set the blade down beside him.

Wind moved across the river’s surface.

Nyssa glanced at his back.

“Yeah… I guess everyone has their own reasons.”

She folded her arms.

“I’m the same. You know I graduated from Solcarys Academy.”

“Most graduates use the academy’s name to get better work.”

She shifted her foot, the tip of her shoe nudging a small stone.

“Sorry if I’m being nosy.”

Her eyes fell on the blade.

“You look very trained. Did you have a mentor?”

“Yes.”

The answer was brief.

Nyssa drew a slow breath.

“Your mentor must have been someone impressive.”

Zio tilted his head slightly.

“Why?”

Nyssa gave a small smile.

“It’s nothing.”

She looked at the river for a moment.

“The way you channel mana is different.”

The wind passed between them. A few strands of her hair moved with it.

She turned toward the cabin, then paused after a step.

“You probably shouldn’t try registering with the Royal Forces.”

Zio lifted his gaze toward her.

Nyssa pressed her lips together, then let out a breath.

“...I’m getting sleepy.”

She raised a hand in a small wave.

“I’ll turn in first.”

She went back inside. The door remained half open. Firewood crackled faintly.

Zio stayed seated outside.

The river flowed on, unchanged.

His hand rested on the hilt beside him and remained there.

The night deepened.

Nyssa woke slowly.

Her brows drew together. Her back felt stiff. She took a breath and rolled her shoulders, stretching her body. She rubbed her eyes several times.

Morning light slipped in through the small window. A pale line fell across the wooden floor and stopped at the foot of the bed.

Nyssa sat up and let out a short breath.

“Ahh… my back…”

She rose and stepped out of the room.

The main space of the cabin was still quiet. On the small table sat a cup and a teapot. A thin thread of steam still lingered above it.

Nyssa paused.

She picked up the cup. Warmth spread into her palms. She took a small sip.

She didn’t speak.

After a moment, she stepped outside.

Morning light washed over the ground in front of the door. The air from the river felt clean. The sound of flowing water carried clearly.

Zio was already outside.

He stood by the river, brushing his horse in slow strokes. His movements were steady. The brush moved up and down along the animal’s neck. The horse remained still, flicking an ear now and then.

Nyssa stood a few steps from the door.

Zio sensed her presence. He turned his head slightly.

“Morning.”

Nyssa blinked, as if only then realizing she was not alone.

Then the corner of her mouth lifted.

“Morning.”

A brief silence settled between them.

The soft sound of the brush against the horse’s coat continued. The river flowed on. The morning light grew fuller.

Nyssa lingered a moment, holding the cup with both hands.

Zio returned his attention to the horse.

The morning breeze moved lightly between them.