Two Figures
1376 Words
"Have you got all your stuff already? You didn't leave anything behind?" Samuel asked Isabella as she was picking her bundle of possessions and ensuring that she didn't drop anything important behind.
"Everything seems to be in order. I didn't rummage through my stuff last night and only had used your mug from your saddlebags. My cloak seems rather wet with dew from the night before but I'm sure the dampness would go away soon."
Isabella can't help but notice that certain parts of her cloak were damp with dew as she had used to sleep on the bare grassy ground next to the fireplace.
Besides, even though the sun was up but the temperature was rather chilly as it was nearing winter pretty soon. It didn't help much to evaporate the dampness on parts of the cloak that Isabella was wearing.
"Do you have a spare cloak to change into? I mean at least you can air dry the one that's is damp and change into a more comfortable one?"
Samuel was reaching into his saddlebag for a blanket that could be used as a temporary cloak for Isabella as she could air dry the one that she was using right now.
"Tch... Don't bother, Samuel. It is not that I am unused on the hardship as well as elements of nature. The dampness would dry off soon and I am sure I would be able to change into something more comfortable when the time comes."
"It's already past midday and as what you mentioned, it's a 3 hours trek to the town that you mentioned, eh? Luckily you had caught numerous fish in the early morning and had roasted them out for our meals later on. Do you travel alone like this since your parents had passed, Samuel?"
"Yeah... It is lucky that the fishes still would be biting during this time of the season. Normally the fishes would take a longer time to haul in, especially nearing winter."
"I had been travelling with Donkey ever since my parents had passed. Besides, I have no other means of support and even if I do have uncles and aunties, I am never close to them. It's because of I..."
Samuel let then words hung at the tip of his lips as the painful memories rushed in at the thought of him being ostracised by his own relatives. Ah well, if a person is rich, an unknown number of relatives would come swarming by, but if one is poor and down, no one acknowledges you...
"Haish..this is the harsh reality of human mankind. There's no one to trust except for myself and Donkey here..." Samuel sighed to himself inwardly and gave a rub in Donkey's head as it brayed acknowledging.
"I beg your pardon if I do bring up the past, Samuel. I do have my share of ups and downs and mainly it is down for most of the time and only experiences the ups in life once in a blue moon."
"Tch...don't you bother much about me. If you get to know me well enough, I would prefer to keep myself silent and be in observation mode rather than partaking in some conversations that might not be beneficial to either party."
"Don't get me wrong, it's not that chatting with you is unenjoyable but I think you would know what I mean. We tend to talk when necessary and talk only of the things of importance."
Samuel explained and Isabella simply nodded her head in acknowledgement. The back of her mind, all she could think of was, "Is this guy thick or something?" and crunched her eyebrows as she walked alongside Donkey, while she balanced her bundle of possessions on the saddlebags.
In terms of age, it is clear that Samuel was much older than Isabella but in terms of mentality, it seemed that Isabella was the one that tops between the two. It might be due to exposure or simply on how one thinks on their own. Maybe associating too long with a Donkey might turn a person into one as well. Just isabella's thoughts, that's all. Haha...!
"We have reached the River Ure. Why no we take a break and offload the saddlebags from Donkey. He looked like he could use a short break as well. Let us find some firewood to start a small fire for our meal. The town is just over yonder."
Samuel signalled to have a short break as he hoisted the saddlebags off Donkey that brayed in appreciation. Only Isabella knew what Donkey was rambling about as she could understand what Donkey was braying.
She looked a Donkey and rubbed it's head and patted the part where the shoulder has once been. Donkey was braying enthusiastically and in a content manner as if thanking Isabella for the little attention she had given to it.
"Sure Samuel, it is past high tea as well and I'm sure Donkey would love to have a break as well. Isn't that right, Donkey?"
*BRAY* *BRAAAAAYYY*
Ah well, only God knows what Donkey and Isabella were conversing about as Samuel unhooked his kettle from the saddlebag and gathered some water downstream. After checking that the water was free from contaminants, he set it up and collected some Firewood to get a small fire burning.
Soon, the two enjoyed some fish that Samuel had smoked earlier in the day and copious cups of hot tea near the riverbank. From their position, it seems that the town they were headed would be reached roughly about an hour's trek.
Upstream, Isabella could notice that their destination was rather within reach and from that distance, the river happens to act as a natural divider within the town. Specks of golden fields dotted the area across the river and that could spell one thing — GOLDEN HARVEST.
Isabella couldn't help to wipe the grin off her face when she was offered a mug of hot tea by Samuel. "You looked kinda happy, don't you? Glad that you came along?"
"Yeah... Its nearing winter and the crops that lined over yonder in the town is to be harvested soon, innit? The people over there won't get hungry anyone soon and from the looks of it, that harvest could sustain them throughout winter."
Isabella pointed the far away but within reach town with her lips while she enunciated her thoughts to Samuel.
"Aye, that's right and that's where our destination would be." Samuel nodded his head and replied to Isabella as he poured some hot water inside a bucket and mix it with the cold water from the river to cool it off a bit for Donkey to drink.
It was close to dusk when the two teens and an animal decides to pack up and heads towards the town upstream. As the town gets closer with every step they took, each of them anticipated what the town held for them and the kind of reception they would receive if the residents were to find out if their uniqueness.
Unknowingly, as they trudged onwards, the two teens happened to glance at one another and soon, smiles carved over their faces. Anticipation was clearly written on their faces as they inched closer to the side entrance of the town.
The golden harvest could slowly be seen spreading across the riverbank while some green crops were prepped over on the side entrance where they were heading.
A watchtower could be seen clearly while an armed guard was manning the entrance that made up of a simple structure. The ground that they were walking on soon make way to a sturdier in the was lined with bamboo strips to prevent erosion.
It was crude but it served its purpose well. When the teens were within earshot, the armed guard hollered at them.
"Hello there, are you seeking shelter here? Do you wish to gain access to Gracehaven?"
The teens looked at one another and can't help thinking, "Gracehaven... Such a nice name for a small town."
"Aye, Sir... We wish to gain entry and we wish to seek employment and a place to stay." came the reply from Samuel and soon the barricade was pushed as the armed yard welcomed them in.
- Writer
