In the eastern region, currently in the town of Shakter, a man and a boy strolled along a paved path, descending from their house, which was perched at the highest point a building could be in such a place.
"Father, is this mine far?" I asked as we walked down. I could see all the houses from up here.
"It will just be a short ride with a horse, about 30 minutes at least," Father replied, his gaze sweeping over the village as we descended.
"Maybe I'll teach you a little about riding a horse too," Father added.
'Oh, that actually sounds exciting,' it piqued my interest as I had never gotten the chance before.
"Does that mean I get to ride a horse?"
"No, you will be in the cargo cart with the supplies. I'll just give you some lessons," said Father.
'Oh, sigh.'
As we walked, the stone-paved road changed to an ordinary dirt path. People started to notice and greeted Father with good mornings and good days.
"Ow, Chief, looks like another great day of work today!" a middle-aged man shouted from a distance, waving his straw sun hat while sitting at a higher ground where his house stood.
"Hope you have a good hunt too, Hunel," Father greeted back, and we continued to walk.
Kids passed us on our way to the town's entrance. Three kids noticed Rio walking with Kaschet, and one with chestnut hair shouted, "Hey, it's Rio!"
"Huh, where?" said the blond-haired boy on his left.
"He's with his dad," said the black-haired boy on his right.
"Where are you going, Rio? We didn't see you yesterday," said the blond kid.
"Yeah, thought you'd play with us again," said the black-haired boy with freckles on his face.
"And I plan to be the king of the hill this time. Next, I'll be the king of the mountain, then the king of the volcano in the empire, then this mountain here, then..." the chestnut-haired boy didn't get to finish his words as Rio cut him off.
"Yea, yeah, you're king alright. Say that after you beat me."
"You! I'll win this time!" the chestnut-haired boy declared.
"I've already run out of fingers in counting how many times you lost already. Ah, whatever. I'm going with Father to his work today. See you!" Rio left without waiting for another comeback from the boy, and Kaschet patiently waited for the kids to rant at each other.
"Hey! I'm not done yet! You can still count on your feet!" The chestnut boy tried to go after Rio but was grabbed by the blond-haired kid.
"Nicha, let's go."
"But-"
"The others are already waiting for us."
"Tsk, you're right Zhel." Nicha nodded at Zhel and then looked at the black-haired kid with freckles. "Nash, let's go."
Nash nodded.
...
We got out of the entrance, and the flat plains of the east unfolded before my eyes with its morning sun reflected on it. Our town was part of the mountain range, acting like a long stretch of natural tall walls covering the plains, at least that's how I could describe it.
"So, where's the cart?" I asked Father.
"It's on its way, don't worry," he replied as he gazed upon the horizon, probably appreciating its beauty that could be enjoyed every morning too.
***Wossshhhh ***
'Ahhh, the wind makes me want to fall asleep,' I thought as the breeze went through my body and hair, and the grass started to look comfortable to sleep in.
I unconsciously started to close my eyes, with the wind passing through the short grasses of the plains and the breeze whispering through my ears. One just can't help it.
(I know not everyone knows the feeling, not even the color of grass.)
...
"R...o."
"R...i."
"E.yy.y."
Rio finally awoke from his sleep trance that nature put him in. He felt something on his left shoulder, looked behind, and met his father's gaze.
"Finally awake?"
"Sigh, must have been the morning breeze, wasn't it," Kaschet said as he looked to his side where the cart now arrived. "I know the feeling; you can just go back to the house if you want to."
"Ah, no, I'm ready," said Rio and clapped his cheeks.
"Let's go then."
...
"Another great morning, isn't that right, Kaschet?" said the coachman with a smile. The man seemed to be at least in his 50s, with his hair now fully white and wrinkles giving a clue.
"Indeed, Belosh," Father replied.
"Finally teaching your son the way," the old man named Belosh asked.
"Maybe, but mostly just a visit," Kaschet replied as he hopped into the wagon.
"Really now?"
Hup "Come on, Rio." Kaschet gave a hand to Rio and pulled him up. "Just find a seat and make yourself comfortable," said Kaschet to Rio as he sat behind the coachman, readying the horse. "I just thought maybe it's time; it's better to know what your son is more interested in early than make them do what they don't like too late," said Kaschet without looking at anyone, too busy dusting off some dust on his seat, and the coachman just took the reply with a nod.
"Hya'." /tcht!/ (Horse neigh noises)
The coachman then started his vehicle with 1 horsepower. The cart was only a two-wheeled vehicle, not too big nor small, just enough to carry supplies to the miners and some people along with it.
"So, you think kids these days will be interested in the mines with its shiny rocks? All I hear nowadays is kids wanting to learn spitting fires and throwing special rocks at the Empire's school or something," Belosh grumbled like any old man.
"Hmm, you might be right, but you never know. Special shiny rocks are still special for a reason; one is the Empire mostly runs because of them, and the east has the best," Kaschet said with his arms crossed and, of course, with his eyes closed as well, to rest while on the way and look cool doing it.
(Remember to straighten your back, or you will look stupid, author advice.)
"I suppose you're right. Sigh, before the so-called hero arrived 30 years ago, life was so simple, yet grim. But life needs all the good and ugly. We used to compete in hunting the most beautiful antlers back in the days," mumbled the old man with nostalgia in his eyes.
"Yes, it was simple, I suppose," Kaschet replied.
Meanwhile, Rio with his head resting in his hands on the edge of the cart, looked through the waving grass and some shiny puddles along the dirt road. He watched brown small mammals hopping around, entering and exiting some tunnels.
The coachman then took a glance at the quiet kid. He looked where his eyes were looking and saw some animals.
"Hehe, it's the middle of summer, and the breeding season of Ukha's. Village hunters will let them be for 5 to 6 weeks first, at least before hunting them. I mostly prefer them grilled!" the old man said cheerfully, trying to raise his voice to make Rio hear him as his eyes were focused on the road.
(Ukha: basically a hare, just with four pointy ears and violet eyes.)
And Rio just gave a "Hm" in response, his eyes still looking bored while looking at the Ukha. As one Ukha also looked him in the eyes, with its eyes shining purple, two front paws raised, body straight standing, eye to eye with Rio.
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"EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! !!!!!!" the Ukha looking at Rio suddenly shouted.
"What the!?"
The colonies of Ukha suddenly paused, their ears perked up, their eyes glowed for a moment and disappeared. They all stood and looked at Rio in the eyes with their violet and some with purple eyes.
And they too started yelling.
EK! EK! EK! EK! EK! EK!
EK! EK! EK! EK! EK!
And that too while staring at Rio. "Um," Rio started to feel uncomfortable. After that, the colony of Ukhas started to run, running around their homes or tunnels in circles and randomly entering and exiting.
"HAHAhAhHAha, kid, it's rude to stare, you know. Ukhas have feelings too, HAHAAHAH," the coachman started laughing, seeing Rio's expression, and Kaschet smirked with a 'hm.'
"Don't worry; it's just what they do when they feel threatened. It's harmless," Kaschet assured.
"O.,Ok."
"HAHAHA, ehehe, well anyways just five minutes and we're there, the tallest part of the Felsokro mountains. We just passed the old curved tree," said Belosh.
Kaschet opened his eyes, and Rio now paid attention.
5 minutes later...
"Well, we're here."