Chapter 17: Embarking on the Journey
The morning light slowly opened the curtain of the night, and the light blue sky was covered with a touch of fish belly white. The dark forest was looming in the morning mist, like a quiet and mysterious ink painting.
Ebot bid farewell to Adi and set out on the journey to Mohenjo-daro alone.
He followed Adi's instructions and went deep into this unknown dark forest in the direction of the rising sun.
The tall trees blocked the sky, and only a few mottled spots of light shone through the gaps between the leaves and fell on the ground sporadically. The air was filled with the smell of damp soil, mixed with the fragrance of various strange flowers and plants, strange and mysterious.
Ebot carefully pushed away the vines and bushes in front of him, and was extremely cautious with every step. He knew what kind of dangers were hidden in the depths of this forest, but he knew that he had to stay vigilant at all times to survive in this dangerous world.
He stopped from time to time, carefully observing the surrounding environment and listening to the movements around him. He dared not miss any subtle clues, because he knew that in this forest, any negligence could lead to fatal danger.
After walking for an unknown period of time, Ebot came to a stream. The clear stream flowed happily, as if adding a touch of vitality to the quiet forest.
Ebot stopped by the stream, bent down, scooped up a handful of cool stream water with his hands, and drank a few sips happily. Then, he took out the bag of herbs that Adi gave him from his backpack and carefully identified them.
These herbs were all varieties that Ebot had never seen before. They were of different shapes, bright colors, and exuded various strange fragrances. Ebot classified these herbs one by one according to Adi's description, and then kept them properly. He knew that these herbs might save his life in the next journey.
After a short rest, Ebot got up and continued to move forward. He climbed over a small hill and passed through a dense bamboo forest. The scenery in front of him gradually became open.
The dense forest gradually receded, revealing a landscape of rolling hills dotted with colorful wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. Ebot stared at the magnificent view in awe. The oppressive forest haze was swept away, replaced by a magnificent view full of vitality and color.
In the distance, a wisp of smoke rose, standing out against the vast wilderness. Ebot's heart lit up with a glimmer of hope. What could it be? A village? Or a traveler like him? He quickened his pace, his anticipation growing with every step.
As the distance shortened, the column of smoke became thicker and thicker, and the smell of food mixed in with the smoke made Ebot's stomach growl. He had been trekking through the forest for a long time without eating, and now he just wanted to find a place to rest and have a good meal as soon as possible.
Turning a corner, Ebot came to a clearing, and the scene in front of him surprised him. A few thatched houses were scattered in an open space, surrounded by cultivated fields and grazing livestock. A group of villagers dressed in simple clothes sat around a campfire, and the firelight illuminated their smiling faces.
Ebot hesitated, not knowing how these strangers would treat him. But the villagers' warm smiles and inviting gestures dispelled his doubts. He took a deep breath and walked towards the crowd, full of hope, looking forward to a friendly encounter with them and getting much-needed rest.
Ebot approached the villagers with trepidation, but their smiles and warm greetings made him feel at ease. After a brief exchange, he learned that the village was called "Takur" and was located along a river on the way to the city of Mohenjo-daro. The villagers made a living by farming and lived a simple and peaceful life.
Ebot told the villagers about his journey to Mohenjo-daro and the difficulties he encountered in the forest. The villagers all expressed sympathy for him and encouraged him to continue.
An old man named Karim told Ebot that he had been to Mohenjo-daro before and could give him directions. Karim took out a hand-drawn map that marked the route to Mohenjo-daro and some important landmarks along the way. Ebot was grateful, and he said goodbye to the villagers of Thakur Village. Ebot continued along the route provided by Karim. The map would be an important guide for him to continue his journey.