Moon Chasers: Into the storm [Finished]

Chapter Twenty-four: The traveler from afar

From that storm emerged a silhouette, and against the storm of cataclysmic proportion it looked frail and on the verge of being blown away by the sheer strength of the wind yet it stood there almost as if to contemplate the road so far and all they had already accomplished. They had crossed the storm once to get to the sea and once again to get back here and had survived.

Their heavy dark cloak beat in the wind, whipping the air and their side. They catch their breath and turn around with a heavy sigh, the road ahead might seem calmer it will not be less exhausting and long.

They needed to cross the continent once again to get back to those who sent them on their quest, this time avoiding the treacherous desert. In hindsight they should not even had thought it could be a shortcut, it was named Fool man's end for a reason. 

They walked for one day straight, but at the end of it instead of going to sleep in order to recover a bit from their previous ordeal they continued to walk until the sun was up and they did this for four days. For four entire day, from dawn to dusk and to dawn again, they walked, deaf to their pain, to their tired muscles and to little strains their body felt but that their mind tried its best to avoid addressing. At the end of these four days they finally stopped. They had found a road, and even if it wasn't yet civilization it was the first hint that they had seen of it in the past month, so they stopped.

They sat there for one day before going back on the road. They did that same routine two times before seing the first signs of a town ahead. In the setting sun small cloud of smoke could be seen, the smoke managed to be whiter than the clouds above a good sign that it was chimney smoke and not the smoke made from the burning remnant of the town.

They needed supply and also some semblance of contact with living people capable of forming sentences that made sense. Their canteen was empty and their rations had a terrible aspect even by their standards. And if they could afford it they'd ask for a shower, they would kill for a good shower right now, rain never did a good job at cleaning anything in this world.

They arrived at the city a couple of hours after the sun had set but a lot of people were still out and having friendly chat around a big campfire in the middle of town. When they arrived there was a moment of silence but soon the people realized they were a living person and the chatting resumed, someone came to them with a bowl of what looked like a mixed salad and offered them a seat.

They thank them a lot before sitting. Some people ignored them entirely but the one who gave them food seemed in the mood for a talk. It was a small elvish looking women who walked on two legs made of wood an vines.

"So where do you come from? there is not a lot to do in the neighborhood!" 

"I was on a job for someone, I'm on my way back"

"Oh"

"Where am I exactly ?" They asked, their voice still coming from under their hood

"Farwest town, we are the only settlers around here, you'd have to walk for four more days before you see another town."

"Well then, could I buy things here before I set out again?"

"Hm, it really depends on what you want to get your hands on, or your paws, we don't have a lot to spare to strangers"

"I need water, I wont be too picky on it's cleanness, and some food, I don't require a lot of both if the town you talked about is really that close"

"Well in that case wait until morning, we do have vacant beds. This night will cost you nothing, I can guess by your voice that you have been through a lot."

"Thank you very much and y compliment to the chef, I haven't had a meal which tasted that good in an eternity!"

"Thank you, I did my best !" She smiled at them, radiant, beaming with pride. Even if she couldn't see it they smiled too.

After another hour the group started to disband and she brought him to a small house. She opened the door with a heavy looking key and led him inside. 

"Your room is on the second floor, if you need anything I will be right in that room, just knock and ask"

" I do have one now"

"Oh?" she seemed genuinely surprised

"Why did you give me food if you have so little for everyone already?"

"You came to us after the sun had set, looking like a ghost. I had made too much food and it was still good to eat, there was no point in just throwing it out. You needed that meal perhaps even more Than any of us did."

"Thank you then"

"Plus, have you completely stopped believing in kindness, you who have traveled far and wide across our world?"

"I guess I am getting a bit old for hope"

"Don't say that, it's ever to late. On these words I wish you a good night even if sleep doesn't take you!"

She turned around and closed the door behind her leaving them alone in the house, They weren't going to wait until she came back to turn in, so they walked upstairs to meet with what they hoped was a calm and restful night. This woman was right, it was never to late to have hopes.

The next morning they woke up to the soft light of the sun. They had no recollection of falling asleep but for the first time in what felt like a lifetime they woke up without hurting all over. Either this woman was capable of magic or this bed was, whatever the case they were extremely thankful for this cease-fire. 

She was waiting for them at the small table, a kind smile on her face.

"The town will not be able to sell you travel worthy ration so I salvaged what was left of yesterday meals to make you another meal before the road, and here is the water you asked for."

"Wow, I can't thank you enough for all your troubles, how much do I owe you ?"

"Depends on what you have, we will take money but if you have goods you want to trades we can work a deal"

"I do have things that could interest you"

A handful of minutes later they were waving goodbye at her with a full canteen at their side and a lighter bag on their shoulder. Still finishing the food she had found them.

They liked these encounters, these meetings. People you will only talk to once in your life places you will never visit again, yet they are always so simple.