The days began to blur together as Kalem and Onyx pressed northward, the steady rhythm of travel becoming both routine and oddly comforting. Each morning, Kalem would rise with the first light, checking his supplies and tending to Onyx before setting off. The bull, for its part, seemed to adapt well to the journey, plodding forward with unwavering resolve and an occasional snort of impatience when Kalem took too long packing up.
The landscapes shifted subtly as they traveled. Rolling hills gave way to stretches of dense forest, where the air smelled of pine and damp earth. Small streams and rivers crisscrossed their path, forcing Kalem to stop occasionally to refill his water supply and give Onyx a chance to drink.
Despite the quiet stretches of road, Kalem found himself observing every detail of his surroundings. He had always been curious, and the open road offered no shortage of new things to ponder.
One afternoon, they passed through a meadow dotted with wildflowers, the vibrant colors swaying gently in the breeze. Kalem paused to let Onyx graze, taking the opportunity to stretch his legs. He pulled out a small notebook—something Tharic had insisted he take with him—and began sketching the plants he saw, making notes about their appearance and potential uses.
"Could be good for dyes," he muttered, eyeing a cluster of deep blue blooms. "Maybe even some medicinal properties."
Onyx snorted, lifting its head to glance at him.
Kalem chuckled. "What? You don't think it's worth noting? You never know when something like this might come in handy."
The bull went back to grazing, clearly unimpressed, but Kalem continued his sketching.
As they traveled deeper into the countryside, Kalem encountered more signs of life. Small villages dotted the landscape, each one with its own unique charm. In one hamlet, he stopped to trade some of his tools for fresh produce and a loaf of crusty bread. The blacksmith there, a gruff yet friendly dwarf named Garrin, admired Kalem's work.
"Fine craftsmanship, lad," Garrin said, turning a hammer over in his hands. "Not often you see someone your age with this kind of skill."
Kalem nodded humbly. "Learned from one of the best back home. It's good to see my work appreciated."
Garrin gave him a shrewd look. "You heading somewhere particular?"
"Arcathis Academy," Kalem replied.
The dwarf let out a low whistle. "Ambitious. You've got the skill, no doubt about that, but take care. The road to greatness isn't always smooth."
Kalem thanked him for the advice and continued on his way, his cart slightly lighter and his pockets a bit heavier.
As the days turned into weeks, Kalem began to feel the weight of solitude. The occasional villages and travelers he met offered brief moments of connection, but the long stretches of road left him alone with his thoughts.
One evening, as they camped by a riverbank, Kalem sat by the fire, his gaze fixed on the glowing embers. Onyx lay nearby, chewing contentedly on some grass Kalem had gathered earlier.
"You know," Kalem said aloud, "I always thought I'd be more nervous about this. Leaving home, heading into the unknown... It's not easy, but it's not as terrifying as I expected."
Onyx let out a low grunt, and Kalem laughed. "Thanks for the encouragement."
He pulled out a small bundle from his cart—a book Elira had given him before he left. It was a journal of her own experiences as a scholar, filled with notes and sketches about the ancient ruins she had studied.
Flipping through the pages, Kalem found himself drawn to her descriptions of other regions and cultures. The way she wrote about her travels made the world feel both vast and connected, and he found a strange comfort in knowing that others had walked similar paths before him.
"One step at a time," he murmured, closing the book and leaning back against a tree. The sound of the river and the crackling fire lulled him into a rare moment of peace, and he drifted off to sleep with Onyx standing watch nearby.
The next morning, Kalem woke early, the rising sun casting golden light across the river. He packed up his camp quickly, eager to make progress. As they resumed their journey, the road began to climb, the landscape becoming more rugged.
It was on one of these steep inclines that Kalem encountered a fellow traveler. The man, a wiry figure with sharp features and a bow slung across his back, was struggling to free his cart from a rut in the road.
"Need a hand?" Kalem called out, bringing Onyx to a halt.
The man looked up, his expression wary at first, but he nodded. "Wouldn't say no to some help."
Together, they managed to lift the cart free, Onyx providing the extra muscle needed to move the heavy load. The man introduced himself as Corren, a hunter from a nearby village.
"Thanks for the assist," Corren said, offering a firm handshake. "Not many folks would stop to help a stranger these days."
"Happy to lend a hand," Kalem replied. "Where are you headed?"
"Just taking these supplies back to my village," Corren said, gesturing to his cart. "You?"
"Arcathis Academy," Kalem said.
Corren raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious. You've got the look of someone who knows what he's doing, though. Good luck to you."
They parted ways shortly after, and Kalem continued on, the encounter leaving him with a renewed sense of purpose.
As the road stretched on before him, Kalem felt a growing anticipation. Each day brought him closer to his destination, and while the journey was far from over, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With Onyx by his side, the open road no longer felt like a lonely expanse—it felt like the beginning of something extraordinary.