The morning air was crisp as I followed Rorik out of the house, the faint glow of dawn painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. Outside, a wooden carriage sat waiting, two horses tied to its front. Their breath fogged in the chill, and their ears twitched as we approached.
"Get in," Rorik said, motioning to the back of the carriage as he climbed up to take the reins.
I hesitated for a moment before hopping in, settling onto the worn wooden seat. The horses shifted restlessly as Rorik adjusted the reins, muttering something under his breath. With a soft cluck of his tongue, the carriage jolted forward, the wheels creaking as they rolled over the dirt path.
"Where are we going?" I asked, gripping the edge of the seat to steady myself.
"Akerholt," Rorik replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "It's a small farming village not far from here. We need to stock up on supplies."
I nodded, leaning back as the carriage picked up speed. The name of the village rolled around in my mind—Akerholt. It sounded simple, unassuming. But I couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity.
---
The journey stretched out before us, the dirt path winding through a landscape that was both familiar and alien. Rolling hills rose and fell like gentle waves, their green slopes dotted with wildflowers that swayed in the breeze. The scent of fresh earth and grass filled the air, mingling with the faint musk of the horses.
Here and there, small farms broke the monotony of the hills. Wooden fences enclosed fields of crops, their green stalks standing tall against the wind. Smoke curled lazily from the chimneys of stone cottages, their thatched roofs weathered but sturdy.
We passed a field where a man and a boy were working side by side, their hoes cutting into the soil in rhythmic motions. The boy paused to wave as we passed, his face lighting up with curiosity. I raised a hand in return, a small smile tugging at my lips.
Beyond the farms, the wilderness took over. Tall trees with gnarled branches lined the path, their leaves casting dappled shadows on the ground. The occasional rustle of leaves hinted at hidden life, and I caught glimpses of deer grazing in the distance, their sleek bodies blending seamlessly with the landscape.
A rabbit darted across the path ahead of us, its fur a blur of white and gray. The horses snorted in surprise, but Rorik held them steady, his hands firm on the reins.
"Wildlife's abundant here," he said without looking back. "Good for hunting if you know what you're doing."
I nodded, my eyes scanning the landscape. Birds flitted between the trees, their songs filling the air with a symphony of chirps and whistles. A hawk soared overhead, its sharp cry echoing across the hills.
---
The two-hour journey felt shorter than it was, the beauty of the countryside captivating my attention. But as the path began to level out, I noticed a change in the air—a faint hum of activity carried on the breeze.
"There it is," Rorik said, nodding toward the horizon.
I leaned forward, squinting as the village came into view. Akerholt was nestled in a shallow valley, its cluster of stone buildings surrounded by fields and a small river that glinted in the sunlight.
About thirty buildings with thatched roofs formed a loose circle around a larger structure in the center—a building that towered over the rest with its sturdy stone walls and arched windows. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the faint sound of voices carried on the wind.
The river ran along the edge of the village, its clear water sparkling as it flowed past a row of small docks. A handful of boats were moored there, their hulls bobbing gently with the current.
I took it all in, my chest tightening with a mixture of anticipation and unease. This was the first real glimpse of civilization I'd seen since arriving in this world.
"We'll stop at the blacksmith first," Rorik said, guiding the horses down the path that led toward the village.
The carriage creaked as it rolled forward, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this trip was going to be more than just a simple supply run.