The Journey

Noel

"Noel," the boy spoke quietly. His name sounded foreign to his own ears. Ray, his uncle, only called him boy and that's how he saw himself. The mother seemed oblivious to Noel's conflict. "Well Noel, since you seem to be in much better health. Would you go to the back room and grab me a pale of water? Also another heating stone if you see any." Nodding his head absently, he searched through the room. It's been a day since he came into their care and the weather calmed down plenty. The health of the couples daughter on the other hand didn't. It gnawed at him to know his uncle was still missing, but the barkeeper made it painfully obvious he'd be little help running lost.

Found it, he thought silently. The stone gave off a warm and comfortable heat that seemed to melt his worries away. Magic stones were mysterious and rare, and they behave in erratic ways that can leave many wanting. Every stone gives off a aura that carries some elemental trait. Some are cold, others increase gravity, and some are incredibly practical; much like the one Noel held in his hand. A stone that heats surrounding objects with a certain trigger. They are all unique and some discharge haphazardly, so the market for them varies.

Carrying the bucket and the crude rock back, Noel shifted his gaze at their daughter. She was pale. While she was a complete stranger, he couldn't help but feel her affliction might be how his own uncles faring. Alone and cold without any certainty of tomorrow. The smell of ash filled the room pulling Noel from his thoughts. The barkeepers wife was shaking the magic stone with rhythmic practice and tossed it into the chilly water. With an audible plop, a rising boiling sound soon followed. The barkeep left the room and quickly returned with a handful of snow, "you overdid it darling." The woman was going to retort with obvious spite, but her complaint died down when she saw their was no accusation in his gaze.

They tended to their daughter and Noel's mind drifted towards his own worries. Who will take care of my uncle? He argued weakly that the storm wasn't that bad. And Noel would have been correct to doubt, had the storm been all he had to worry about. Bandits, wolves, and creatures of massive proportions wander the lands. Even in the snowy wasteland did dangers lie in wait.

"Don't go anywhere Noel." The barkeep firmed his resolve and habitually placed his hand on his sheathed axe. A bluff that was obvious to the wife, but one that easily swayed Noel. "We'll leave later during the night, where there are less eyes in town and when the darkness can conceal us." Noel shifted under his hard gaze. It was common knowledge that beasts became more active during the night. His uncle would share several stories of monsters and creatures of old taking foolish travelers during the dead of night. It was an opportunity to look for his uncle, so the boy kept his peace.

"How'd you know I wanted to go?" Noel asked helplessly. The wife chimed in quickly, "how could we not see when you've been eyeing the doorway all day. Stay still and you can leave with proper clothing. At least you won't risk your hand this time." The barkeep grunted in approval.

With plans made, they continued to passively nurse their daughter. She was skinny and frail. Ragged breathing and occasional tossing sounds could always be heard from her direction. Nightmares, of what, it's unclear. Many things could keep the common folk awake. Worries of the future and the constant need for food. Few things grew out from the mountains. While travelers were considered foolhardy, the truth remained that the village relied on merchants. Without them coming with several trinkets and supplies, the people would suffer. Her nightmares could have stemmed from the horrible things that hid across the lands. Giants capable of leveling houses and shadow snakes that choked the sleeping, unguarded folk. Those fears could have stemmed from the very neighbors she lived near.

The only clear thing, was that the presence of her family soothed her trembles. Had she not been so frail, Noel would have thought she was beautiful. But his worries crushed any affections that could have blossomed. His uncle could have been dying. If his uncle were to return to the cabin, would he believe the wolves had gotten to him?

Night fell and Noel's resolve firmed. Snow rained fell endlessly and the sounds of animals dying rose across the land. Seeing blood and corpses strewn across the clean snow wasn't abnormal. Despite the drop in temperature, the barkeep had kept his promise and gave Noel clothes that guarded against harsh winds. With another magic stone, a poor light lit the path ahead of them. Following the barkeeps footsteps, it became apparent that he was limping. Thoughtlessly, the man pushed a wine skin towards the boy. The mead could go a long way towards warming a person. Noel grabbed the container and chugged it naively thinking it was water.

"I'm such a fool!" The barkeep cursed himself for the fifth time that night. On his back, the boy hung listlessly. "Your a miserable drinker. My daughter could down four without any problems." Despite his complaints, the barkeep knew he was muttering to himself. "Why did I think giving him such a strong mead was a good idea?" Should I keep going upwards? The barkeep deliberated over this while measuring the boy on his back. Noel was likely large for his age. "He might be close to my daughters age?" While creatures roamed often, the barkeep knew a path that was mostly safe. A purple plant with an awful stench scared most prey away. Without any prey, the predators naturally followed them away. "Was it safe enough for a drunk lad? Damn Ray, your gonna owe me one."