Throughout the valleys of the seventh' region, an awkward clanking can be heard echoing and two men can be seen awkwardly hiking through the hilly terrain.
„ You know, it seemed kind of weird that you of all people would ask me for a favor."
{Leo}: „You've been to Eldenhoph before, right? I figured you'd make a fine guide for when I get there."
„ But are you sure about this? You've been living on that farm for so long, aren't you gonna miss it?"
{Leo}: „I'd be greatly surprised if I do. Farming makes me sick."
I brought him along because I figured, that he'd be useful but it's getting kind of annoying.
This guy is the one who owns the farm that I cultivated. Back then I was desperately looking for a place to settle in and he was the one that offered me to use the farm that had eventually become burden to him.
Come to think of it…
{Leo}: „Hey old man, what are you gonna do with the farm now that I'm gone?"
„ I'm gonna hold on to it until you return."
{Leo}: „Hey, who said that I'll return?"
„ Haha, I know you won't, but I still hope you do. I think, that seeing you pick up those tools that had been left dusted and left behind by my son made me think that maybe my dead son lives on in your heart. You know that I will always regard you as family, Leo."
.
Ugh this old man is guilt tripping me again. I'd be a fool to fall for such empty words. But…
{Leo}: „Just don't come crying when I don't end up returning."
„ Haha, you're cold as always, aren't you?"
The rest of the hike was spent in silence and the old mans heavy panting until we finally stopped to rest.
The next few days were much the same until we finally seemed to near our destination.
Luckily food and water wasn't an issue on the journey, as I had a few sheeps follow me on my journey, carrying luggage. The journey itself was on quite hilly terrain for the first days, then it began subsiding as I neared the city of Eldenhoph. Reinhardt the second, one of the 14 emperors technically rules over the area, Eldenhoph is built in, though he's rarely ever seen there, as his castle itself is far.
Because of Reinhardts neglectance, Eldenhoph is publicly seen as a free city, which makes it quite attractive to traders, thieves and even large guilds trying to profit off the lack of enforcement.
One of the reasons for coming there is the hugely spread information guild within Eldenhoph. It won't be hard getting in contact with them so I petter prioritize keeping up my public image and staying incognito.
„ We're finally here, boy. How about I show you around a bit before we get to say our goodbyes."
{Leo}: „All I need is a place to stay and the location of the information guild. Only after that can we part ways."
After the old man insisted on showing me around, he finally dropped me off at the information guild and left with the remaining luggage.
„ Make sure to stay safe, boy. You better invite me to your wedding if someone like you ever has one, hahahaha."
{Leo}: „Don't get yourself killed, old man."
I don't know why, but for some particular reason, I felt like something important had been forgotten as he left.
It left me with a sense of loneliness.