Waiting in the Weeds

The morning sun gave the prairie grass a beautiful golden glow as Agnes, Chloe, and Hektor rose in their makeshift lean-to. They had heard this region described as the “Lonely Coast” before and while that always seemed an odd moniker for an area containing one of the largest cities in all of Argos, waking up with such a brilliant scene and no sign of civilization as far as the eye could see helped them understand why it was a fitting title. The same trend continued as they shoved off and began their second day of river travel on the raft they had christened “Little Pilgrim.”

The river was gentle, aside from the occasional rapid when the elevation changed. The three companions were proud of their craftsmanship as the Little Pilgrim held together with not even a loose lashing or gap in the clay holding the logs together. It was a tranquil morning in that endless plain. At about midday Hektor was the one to finally ask why such an area was so barren out loud. Agnes offered the best explanation she could, that there were a few towns before some war or other long ago, and that it would be unlikely they left many ruins behind. This would also be the easiest area for the giants to raid.

“Trelle doesn't really do colonies,” Chloe added. “They feel like they can just buy anything they need. And the soil here is pretty rocky. Not as good for farming as you can find up and down the coast.”

“Now how would you know that?” Hektor inquired. “Spend a lot of time in Trelle?”

“Everyone has a hometown, right?” Chloe responded with a shrug.

Agnes could sense the sadness in her body language. “Sounds like it isn't the happiest homecoming.” She mused, wanting not to pry too deeply. She had noticed the girl could get cagey when the subject of her past came up.

“Hmm, yeah I guess...” Chloe trailed off as she hugged her knees.

Agnes decided it was best to change the subject. “Won't be there long though, we can trust your relative right Tumlin?”

Hektor didn't bother looking up from his fishing pole, “Much as I like you Ms. Agnes, you know I won't stand for anyone casting doubt on the family.”

“Proper answer Tumlin!” Agnes replied with a cackle. “And I would never, if you trust him I trust him.”

With that diversion the mood lightened again and the trio took turns trying to spot prairie wildlife. It was harder to see them in the tall grass than in the forest, but they spied a few things like rabbits and ground-nesting birds making their way to the water's edge for a drink. After their hasty exodus from Zylpolis and harrowing trip through the Wood of Artemis, the quiet of the plains was a welcome change and they still had a reliable source of food and fresh water from the river travel.

There were a few spots along the way that got a little tricky. A rapid or area the river ran low requiring them to drag the raft, but Agnes's practical magic at least tended to make such occurences a lot easier than they would be otherwise. A little bubble of air could do so much more than Chloe and Hektor ever considered before.

They ended up needing to camp out one more night before their river excursion ended in a lake running aside the road to Trelle. Thankfully here they found a small fishing village and a meal of something other than just fish. Hektor was even able to negotiate the sale of the Little Pilgrim to a family in town, and while they were sad to say goodbye a little extra coin before reaching the big city certainly seemed like a fair trade on top of enjoying the thought their hard work wouldn't just be left behind.

The three didn't even mind the return to foot travel after a few days on the water. Agnes especially found that the break gave her knee time to fully heal, thought she did like to tease Hektor about needing to be carried again. A joke Chloe also joined in on as they made their way down the road. As the Summer sun passed its apex that day, they saw the sight for the first time.

Agnes did not fully understand the scale of a city like Trelle compared to her humble home in the foothills. She knew it was large, but this city dwarfed anything she had seen to the point she wondered if even Zylpolis was closer to it or her village. She could see several towers of gleaming marble and with their slightly elevated position even a harbor that itself was larger than River's Bend.

If the size of that impressed her though...what lied beyond was an even more spectacular sight. Shining silver water stretching as far as she could see. She stopped for a moment, muttering to herself “This is why they did it, isn't it?”

“Huh?” Chloe asked as she turned back to see the stunned Agnes. “First time seeing the ocean? It really is impressive, isn't it?”

Agnes needed a moment to sit and take it all in. “I knew I led a simple life, it never bothered me. But just...wow. I never knew how much beauty there was in the world. How small I was in it.”

“Hey! Don't talk like that.” Said Chloe, taking a seat next to Agnes. “I'm from there, I know it like the back of my hand. So take it from me when I say you're as interesting as anyone there.”

“That's sweet of you to say, little cat burgular.” Agnes replied as she wiped away a tear and leaned on Chloe.

Hektor sighed and cut their tender moment short, “You know...if we don't make it before nightfall the gates will close on us.” Barely finishing before a pebble struck him in the forehead.

“Boo!” Chloe mock-shouted, “We were having a moment!”

Agnes stood and dusted off her dress, saying “He does have a point though. I think I'd rather stay at an inn rather than spend another night camping out.”

With that the three continued on, making the last leg of their journey to Trelle well short of the expected time for the trip. Hektor's word he was seeking a relative to charter a ship was good enough for the guard, who like many didn't need to guess at his family name, and they rented a room for the evening at an inn near the city gate. Hektor reasoned it wouldn't make much sense to seek out his relative Max so late, and the three made a plan for Chloe to show Agnes around the city the next day while he negotiated passage to their next destination.