Winter Shadows of the Vale

𝖕𝖊𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖗

𝖕𝖊𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖗 (𝖓) 𝖆 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖘𝖒𝖊𝖑𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖋𝖗𝖊𝖖𝖚𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖑𝖞 𝖆𝖈𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖊𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖘𝖙 𝖗𝖆𝖎𝖓 𝖆𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖆 𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖉 𝖔𝖋 𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖒, 𝖉𝖗𝖞 𝖜𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗

The next day surprised most, considering it decided to rain in the warm countryside. It wasn't a big occurrence except in the Spring and since it was the late summer, it was a surprise.

The rain was coming down extremely hard, and the dirt paths were slowly turning into full on mud. So Duran and Winter sat within the inn contemplating whether or not to sit the day out or not.

"We have to go whether or not we'll get covered in mud, we can't waste any time on getting to Laniniel. If we want to get there before winter, and since it gets cold down there, we want to be there beforehand." Duran spoke over to Winter, who was looking out into the abyss of rain.

All she did was nod, "Then let's go before it has the chance of getting worse."

Duran gets up and she follows behind him through the mass of people huddled within the inn. At some point she feels a hand on her backside and turns to slap whoever is there, and the guy just smirks. 

Duran turns when he feels her stop and looks over in question, "What? You should be flattered."

Winter scoffs, "Should I?"

Duran grabs her and pushes her forward towards the stable door and she stumbles through and heads to Witz first, handing him an apple she had grabbed earlier. 

The man looks up to Duran who just stands there with a raised eyebrow, "What? She your girl?"

Shaking his head Duran goes to leave but then turns and hits the man across the head before finally leaving the patrons flabbergasted. 

"Ready to go?" He asks as he enters looking at her petting Witz's mane with a smile painted on her face. 

"Yeah." This time she manages to pull herself up onto the horse with only a little trouble. Duran smiles and grabs the reins. Once they exit, the rain is still beating down but they manage to weave around the big patches of mud and set Witz outside of he medical building.

Duran stops and pulls Winter over to him, "Here," he hands her money, "Get medical supplies and head over there and get yourself a new dress or two and a pair of pants."

Winter just nods, blinking back the rain falling into her eyes. He turns to head to another building down the street while she gets into the store.

"Raining a lot?" The man speaks from behind the counter and she laughs.

"A little bit." He beckons her over.

"Now, what do you need, miss?"

Thinking it over for a moment, "Bandages, cleaning supplies, and some needle and thread, please."

The man nods and turns back into the shelves to grab what is asked of him. The woman stands there for a moment and shakes some of the water from her boots and wiping her face off.