I've been a nomad my whole life. Being on the move in such a dangerous world people unlike me often ask.
Those with more than just layers of fabric and leather to retreat to at night. With their fancy walls, fences, guards with spears, and towers with hulking bells for alarm and... You get the idea.
What's the most dangerous being you've encountered?
Maybe goblins? A pack of dire wolves? A flying beast circling overhead as you run along in a plain with nowhere to take cover?
Or maybe something simpler like falling fatigue in a less favourable environment.
The answer surprises everyone.
Boredom.
You do something enough times eventually you get good at it. Trekking mountains, through tundra, desert, fields, forests, a marsh - its all the same to me now. But boredom? You can only sing so many songs, converse on every topic, even muse about this very problem before even that becomes stale and repetitive. At this point I'd welcome even a monster attack - probably not actually.
"We'll stop here!"
That old man's name is Jarrem, he keeps the bunch of us safe. Without him we'll pro-
"Ack!"
"Quit staring you fool! You know what to do, check the surrounding area. Just when I thought you've gone and done your job without being told to I find you staring at me eyes glazed."
"Come on old man, no need for the stick. I was just admi- ack!"
"You talk too much. Get moving."
"Alright, alright."
Spurred on by his whipping I looked for the nearest elevation I could find in this forest we're in and started moving. I walked past people who are starting to make fire to heat their food or boil water. Those I knew well waved or nodded in greeting.
You might be wondering about Jarrem.
He's a strict old man but he means well, most of the time anyway. Although I would hate to admit it in front of him he's saved us from multiple situations, dangerous or otherwise, that's why we rely on him.
I remember when he still shepherded a herd of 3 headed goats, he ended up trading them all along the way. We, or rather he, traded them for tools and medicine that we might need for the road. I refer to him as 'he' because we aren't related by blood or in anyway, so I don't have any right to benefit from those goats.
The majority of us met him during our own travels or while residing in our dwellings. Many people followed him because he claimed there was a newly established kingdom of humans up north, blessed by the dwarves and its king, and that he is on a journey to reach it. However, I am sceptical of his claims
I was really down on my luck when I met him and he helped me out, so out of the kindness of my ever generous heart I decided to follow him until he makes it to this Hamel place. I mean, what kind of vile person would ever abandon an old man who helped him? Not me, nuh uh. Definitely not an old man with a daught-
"Ack! I didn't even hear you coming..."
"Spacing out again, you really need to pay attention Sol."
"And you need to stop hitting me with that stick!"
Any case, although he hits me a lot I know its for my good. The goods he traded the goats for where used mostly by us, lost goats - that's the term we use for the people he's picked up, we made it up when we got drunk once upon a time, when we had money, once upon a time.
He's a great man overall, but he'd make for a terrible in-law someday.
I won't tell him that.
"Ack- I get, I get it!"
"It doesn't look it from what I'm seeing."
"Geez, ok, ok. Sorry, I'm a little distracted that's all. It isn't my fault you're so reliable that I don't even see the need to pay attention when you're around. A pious son I am."
"Sigh. Alright, let's be serious now."
" ...Footprints... "
I said, pointing my finger ahead.
"A hoofprint too, so at least one mounted. As you can see, there's maybe a dozen of them. Some make deep imprints, really deep ones Jarrem."
"Hmm, they don't appear to be masking their track. No formation - walking up hill. They're going at a straight line. What do you think?"
"We should be fine, they seem to be a human's. It's going differently from us too."
"That's all?"
"Well... They vary in weight based on the different depths of the impressions they've left behind..."
He's still staring.
"... Meaning they're not carrying the same items, so they're not wearing any sort of uniform. We can rule them out being soldiers."
"Hmm... correct, but not completely.
"..."
"Just because the depths of the prints aren't similar does not mean they aren't that of a soldiers'. Nor does the other way imply that it is of. This set of footprints simply suggests that they vary in weight and are not uniform. The soldier thing was just an example last time."
"So they aren't soldiers? Ack!"
"Sigh. Yes, Sol. They probably aren't. Too disorganized and almost lackadaisical looking. Look at how some prints are dug up, almost as if their toes dragged at the ground when they were moving. Yet they still moved uphill when they didn't need to, anyone that tired would just go around the steep. Its shows that their behaviour isn't alert, not being chased or at chase."
You could've just said so! Why hit me still!
"You know, sometimes I think you hit me just because you like to. I'm telling Sarah that you're being violent again ACK-!"
"If I've raised her right, which I did, knowing her, she'd probably hit you too! Now come on back and have a rest, I'll show you the map again before we get moving. We should make it to the outpost in about a week at most."
= * =
There she is, my darling - she who heals me!
Her stretch of hair depicting that of an abundant wheat field. Her vivid green eyes that seem to pierce right through ones very soul. That long and thin walking stick aimed at m-
"Gah! Sarah!? What was that for?"
"A pre-emptive strike for whatever you did this time."
"But I haven't even said anything yet? How'd you know it was me and not your abusive and intolerant father! AH!"
"Don't bad mouth the people around you and well done daughter, I knew I raised you right - you'd have made your mother proud."
" ... Was he being listless again?"
"It's his sickness."
"I suppose he makes up for it by being tough. Well, come on then and grab your soup. It should be ready now."
"Thank you Sarah, we'll follow in a bit... Sigh, Old man look at that. She's started hitting me more often now, what would our neighbours say in the future? I don't want to be seen as a henpecked husband!"
I notice Jarrem glaring at me.
"You've got guts kid, I'll give you that. Stop calling me old and stop daydreaming, I've only seen 39 winters."
Jarrem pulls out his map and sets it down on the nearest flat rock surface as he crouches down.
"We're here at this..."
Damn, his full beard looks really good; I wish I could grow a beard like that. I wonder if it dirties easily. Is it hard to clean? Does it help against the cold? If so then how hot does it get when its summer time?
"Sol!"
= * =
For lunch, I had Sarah's soup and a piece of bread. While it wasn't anything special, just meat and vegetables, it still tasted great when she cooked it. I knew for a fact that she'd make for a great wife!
I then proceeded to compliment her cooking, almost serenading her in front of her father and the people around camp.
I'd say its effective by how hard she hit me with her walking stick. She may pout and strike at me but I know she likes the attention I give, she can't fully hide her smiles - a bad liar she is.
"Listen Sol, I want you to scout ahead of the group now. As I've said before, we don't know if there's any danger ahead and if there is it would be difficult for a group of 34 people to escape swiftly. Remember to stay alert and if there is even a small sign of perceived danger come back. No need to check yourself, alerting the group to the possibility is more important. Is that understood?"
"Yes father! Your future son-in-law will make sure to come back safely, Sarah will not be widowed anytime soon! You can leave it to me."
The people around me laughed and cheered. To which Sarah glared at me and handed me a leather flask with water.
" ... We are close to the border now so there shouldn't be anything too dangerous. Pay attention; don't be caught listless. Bring Kaya and Mayy'k with you."
"You know I only do that when you are around, like I said, you worry too much."
"Be careful Sol."
"Thank you Sarah."
I smiled at her then looked at Kaya and Mayy'k.
"You two ready? Let's go."