The village of Dhela, where Ranav had lived since his reincarnation into this world, was a humble settlement. It housed a handful of general stores, merchant shops, blacksmiths, a butcher, a bakery, a pub, Nanima's Healing Centre, and a sprawling village square. Among the many villages in the County of Khohdwar, Dhela was one of the smallest. The Count of Khohdwar attended the New Year celebration here annually… not because of the village's significance, but because of his wife's deep friendship with Nanima, who was renowned as a competent healer.
Nestled along the border of the vast Doon Valley, Dhela was abundant with greenery. Trees grew thickly within and around the village, adding to its rustic charm. Fierce beasts were rarely seen in the nearby forest… perhaps once or twice a month. Such incidents were swiftly addressed by the village knight squad. Despite its tranquility, Dhela had strategic importance as a route for herb collectors heading to the White Mountain Range, owing to the relative safety of its forests.
The villagers themselves rarely left Dhela, except for merchants and storekeepers who needed to travel for business. The village thrived on farming, and as a prominent landowner, Trinav held considerable respect among the locals.
Today, Ranav accompanied his father to buy new clothes for his upcoming county trip. Nanima had arranged an appointment with the forgemaster three days later, and she and Ranav would leave for the county the following day, staying at the Count's estate in the meantime.
They visited several shops in the village before Trinav finally settled on a set of clothes for Ranav: a shirt, pants, and a vest. The shopkeeper proudly claimed, "This is the latest fashion, very popular in the county!"
Ranav suppressed a laugh. "Whether it's Earth or Vishvam, this seems to be the eternal sales pitch," he mused.
One observation puzzled him… there was no concept of underwear in this world, or at least none that he had seen. Neither his home nor the shop stocked anything similar. Feeling awkward, he decided to buy a pair of very short pants to serve the purpose. Trinav, seeing his son's interest, readily agreed to the purchase, glad to indulge him.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Ranav prepared for the journey and walked to Nanima's house. She informed him that they would leave after lunch, traveling with merchant Dhavak Patel, who was heading to the county for business.
Ranav spent the rest of the morning meditating in his room. After lunch, as he discussed his progress in light magic with Nanima, Dhavak arrived with his horse-drawn carriage.
The journey began.
The carriage rumbled along the winding, muddy road, the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves marking time as they moved through the serene countryside. The cool morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying the earthy scent of the surrounding forests and fields. Ranav leaned back against the wooden seat, his gaze fixed on the unfolding landscape.
Their first stop came when they reached a small village nestled beside a meandering stream. The gurgling sound of water rushing over smooth stones added a gentle melody to the stillness of the day. The village was mesmerizing, with low wooden houses scattered across the green fields. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys into the pale blue sky.
Farmers worked diligently in the fields, their faces weathered by the sun, while children played near the schoolhouse, their laughter carried by the gentle breeze.
"Such a peaceful place," Ranav said, his voice soft as he admired the attractive scene.
Nanima glanced out of the carriage window, a fond smile lighting up her face. "Each village has its own rhythm, its own way of life. There's a comforting steadiness in seeing how these people live in harmony with the land."
Dhavak turned slightly from the driver's seat, his grin broad. "I wouldn't mind stopping for a while. That bread smells heavenly." He gestured toward a bakery with a dramatic flourish, eliciting a chuckle from Nanima.
The coachman shook his head, amused. "No time for that. We need to reach the county before sundown."
The road stretched on, winding through wildflower-filled meadows and dense patches of forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting dappled patterns on the ground. The rhythmic beat of the horses' hooves was the only sound, blending with the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
Their second stop was at a smaller village. Here, whitewashed cottages stood surrounded by neat vegetable gardens and small orchards. Trees heavy with ripe apples and pears lined the road, their fruits glistening in the sunlight. The air was sweet, carrying the scent of ripening fruit. Children darted through the streets, their laughter echoing in the stillness.
"It feels like stepping into another world," Ranav murmured, his gaze fixed on the idyllic surroundings.
Nanima nodded. "It does. These villages are untouched by time in many ways. The people here live off the land, thriving in harmony with it. This one is Sankissa, known for its fruit orchards and vegetables, unlike Dhela, which depends on its rice and corn fields."
As the villages disappeared behind them, the landscape opened up into rolling hills. The golden fields of wheat swayed gently in the wind, and cattle grazed peacefully in the distance. Beyond the fields, the faint outline of the mountains could be seen on the horizon, their peaks kissed by the afternoon sun.
At the crest of a hill, they caught sight of a bustling market town. Its rooftops gleamed in the sunlight, and the narrow streets were alive with activity. Merchants shouted to advertise their wares, their voices mingling in a lively cacophony.
The air was filled with enticing aromas… freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and the tangy sweetness of ripe fruit. Travelers and locals crowded the streets, haggling over prices or sharing stories.
"It feels like we've traveled to another world," Ranav said, his eyes wide with awe.
"It's only been a few hours," Nanima replied with a knowing smile. "But the contrast is striking, isn't it? From the quiet villages to the bustling life of the town, each place has its own beauty."
The carriage clattered through the cobblestone streets, the vibrant energy of the town filling the air. Despite the bustling activity, Ranav found himself longing for the peaceful simplicity of the countryside they had just left.
The carriage finally stopped in front of a luxurious two-story building. Ranav, Nanima, and Dhavak stepped down.
"Thank you for the ride," Ranav said, offering Dhavak a polite nod.
"You're welcome," Dhavak replied warmly. Turning to Nanima, he bowed slightly. "If you need anything, just send someone to my shop. I must attend to an urgent matter now. Farewell."
With that, he climbed back into the carriage and drove away.