When morning came, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the small holes in the cottage walls, casting a soft, dappled glow across the room. Luke stirred from his slumber, stretching and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. As he gathered his thoughts and prepared himself for the day, he realized with a jolt that Gareth was nowhere to be seen.
A sense of unease settled in his stomach. He had grown accustomed to Gareth's steady presence and felt vulnerable without him. After hastily dressing, Luke peered through one of the small holes in the cottage wall that served as makeshift windows. The streets of the Village of Midhill were already bustling with morning activity.
The villagers moved about with purpose, tending to their daily chores, but Luke couldn't spot Gareth among them. Anxiety prickled at his mind. He remembered Gareth's warning about the villagers' Antinoirist beliefs, and without his ally, he felt exposed and uncertain.
Just as his worry began to deepen, he spotted a familiar figure not far away. Gareth was standing by a well, conversing with a burly man who seemed to be giving directions. Relieved, Luke quickly left the cottage and made his way toward them, careful to keep a low profile.
As he approached, he overheard snippets of their conversation. It seemed Gareth was gathering information about the safest route out of the village and toward their next destination. The villagers paid little attention to Luke as he sidled up to Gareth, who greeted him with a nod.
"Morning, Luke," Gareth said, his tone reassuring. "I see you're ready for the day."
"Where did you go?" Luke nodded, trying to match Gareth's calm demeanour.
"I needed to get some information about our journey," Gareth explained. "And to make sure we have everything we need. Don't worry, I wasn't far."
"Are we safe here? You mentioned last time that these people don't take kindly to mages," Luke glanced around nervously.
Gareth placed a reassuring hand on Luke's shoulder.
"We're fine for now. Just keep a low profile. They have no reason to suspect anything if we don't draw attention to ourselves."
Feeling slightly more at ease, Luke let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. He recalled their previous night's conversation about Gareth's training as a knight. Knowing that Gareth was skilled in combat and capable of protecting them offered some comfort.
"I saw you talking to that man," Luke said, nodding toward the villager who had now walked away. "Did he give you the information we need?"
"Yes," Gareth confirmed. "We'll be leaving soon, heading toward the City of Purewood. But first, we need to make sure Tora is ready and that we have enough supplies for the journey."
Luke glanced back at the cottage and then at Tora, who was resting nearby. The tiger seemed more energetic this morning, stretching and prowling around, his wound healing well.
"Is Tora going to be okay to travel?" Luke asked.
"He's a tough one. He'll be fine. Let's just make sure we're prepared for the road ahead," Gareth smiled.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Luke and Gareth set about their final preparations. Despite his initial anxiety, Luke felt a growing confidence. The bond he shared with Gareth, forged through their recent trials, was a source of strength. As they prepared to leave the village, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead, knowing they would confront the challenges together.
Just as they were finishing their preparations, Gregor, the burly man Gareth had spoken to yesterday, approached them with purposeful strides. He greeted Gareth warmly, but his gaze slid past Luke, as they had not been formally introduced and likely never would be.
"Morning, Gareth," Gregor said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I've got news about the meat and food stocks you requested. Everything's been accepted and is ready for you at the stable."
"Thank you, Gregor. We'll head there now," Gareth nodded appreciatively.
With Gregor leading the way, the three of them walked through the bustling village streets towards the stable. As they approached, Luke's eyes widened at the sight before him. The stable was unlike any he had seen back in his world. The reverse perception of carnivores and herbivores was on full display, challenging everything he knew about animal behaviour.
Inside the stable, several animals were kept in tidy stalls, munching contentedly on hay and other greenery. Luke could hardly believe his eyes. A pack of wolves lay sprawled in one corner, gnawing on thick bundles of grass. A sleek panther lounged lazily, its jaws working over a mouthful of leaves. Even a pair of bears, much like the one they had eaten from the previous night, were contentedly munching on hay.
Luke's mind reeled at the sight. The juxtaposition was jarring: animals he knew as fierce predators were behaving like gentle herbivores. He watched in astonishment as a fox-like creature daintily nibbled on a pile of greens, completely at odds with its predatory appearance.
"Must have been weird, for you I meant," Gareth said, noticing Luke's dumbfounded expression.
"This is... I don't even know how to describe it. It's like everything I thought I knew about animals is turned upside down," Luke nodded slowly.
"I suppose it would be, from your perspective. But this is just how things are here. You get used to it after a while," Gareth chuckled.
Gregor, meanwhile, was busy ensuring that the supplies Gareth had requested were securely loaded onto the carriage.
"These should last you a good while," he said, patting one of the sacks filled with dried meat and other provisions.
"Much appreciated, Gregor," Gareth said. "Your help is invaluable."
As they finished loading the supplies, Luke couldn't help but continue to marvel at the stable's inhabitants. It was a surreal experience, seeing creatures that would be feared predators in his world behaving so docilely. The reversal of roles added yet another layer of mystery to this strange new world he found himself in.
Tora, meanwhile, had been watching the proceedings with a keen eye. The tiger seemed eager to get back on the road, his energy restored. Seeing Tora so full of life brought a smile to Luke's face, reminding him of the bond they had quickly formed.
With everything packed and ready, Gareth turned to Luke.
"Let's get going. We've got a long journey ahead, and the sooner we start, the better."
Luke nodded, taking one last look around the stable. The sight of carnivorous animals peacefully chewing on greenery would be etched into his memory, a vivid reminder of the bizarre and wondrous world he had stumbled into.
As they climbed onto the carriage and set off once more, Luke felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. The Village of Midhill was behind them, but the journey ahead promised even more revelations and challenges. He glanced at Gareth, grateful for the companionship and guidance of his newfound ally.
Their destination was the City of Purewood, and as they travelled, Luke knew that each passing day would bring him closer to understanding this world and his place within it. The mysteries were far from solved, but with Gareth and Tora by his side, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As they left the Village of Midhill behind, Luke couldn't help but glance back at the small cluster of cottages and the bustling figures of the villagers. It was a place unlike any he had known, both fascinating and intimidating. The lack of a church in a typical village setting was strange enough, but the sight of predators behaving like herbivores was something he doubted he would ever fully get used to.
Tora trotted along steadily, pulling the carriage with ease. The road ahead was a mixture of rough dirt paths and occasional patches of cobblestones, evidence of sporadic maintenance. The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. The air was fresh and carried the scent of pine and earth, a refreshing change from the tense atmosphere of the village.
Gareth seemed at ease, guiding Tora with gentle commands and occasionally glancing at the map to ensure they were on the right path. Luke sat beside him, absorbing the surroundings and trying to make sense of his new reality. The conversations from the past days played through his mind, particularly the revelations about the reversal of predator and prey roles and the peculiarities of this world's language.
"So, Gareth," Luke began, breaking the comfortable silence. "How often do you travel between these villages?"
Gareth smiled, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Quite often, actually. My duties as a knight-in-training had me travelling a lot. Now, I can relax a bit, as I've finished my training. So I'll be a full-fledged knight for City of Purewood. Still, I like to stay connected with different communities and understand their needs and concerns."
"It must be challenging, though. With the different faiths and all," Luke nodded, admiring Gareth's dedication.
"It is," Gareth admitted. "But it's also rewarding. There's a lot of fear and misunderstanding in the world. If I can bridge some of those gaps, even a little, it's worth it."
They continued in companionable silence for a while, the rhythmic clopping of Tora's paws on the ground providing a soothing backdrop. Luke found himself growing more comfortable with each passing hour. The initial shock of his new surroundings was giving way to curiosity and a desire to learn more.
The road gradually began to slope upwards, leading them to a higher vantage point. As they ascended, the view opened up, revealing a sprawling forest stretching as far as the eye could see. In the distance, faint outlines of mountains loomed, their peaks shrouded in mist.
"We're heading towards those mountains," Gareth said, following Luke's gaze. "Purewood lies at their base. It's a beautiful city, surrounded by nature."
Luke felt a surge of anticipation. The journey ahead was long, but the promise of discoveries kept his spirits high. He was no longer just a stranger in a strange land; he was a part of this unfolding adventure, with allies by his side and a purpose guiding him forward.
As they crested the hill and began their descent, Luke took a deep breath, feeling the cool, crisp air fill his lungs. The Village of Midhill was now just a memory, a stepping stone on his path to understanding and belonging in this new world. With Gareth and Tora leading the way, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, confident that each step brought him closer to his goal.