Shadows of the Forgotten Realms

9

They set off for the town shortly after sunrise. Naraina had not slept for a long time when the first of the town's residents, Marcus, entered the kitchen. She was just nibbling on the buns prepared the day before when the boy joined her and leaned against the other side of the cabinets."You're an early bird," he said, taking a bite of her partially eaten bun from her hand. She raised an eyebrow as she watched him take a bite. She wiped her hands of the bread crumbs and straightened up. If he had woken up a few minutes earlier, he would have noticed her absence. Before dawn, Naraina had returned to the hut and took a few moments of much-needed rest. During her nighttime excursion, she had come across some buildings at certain distances from each other. The forest was teeming with life, which was unclear to her until she encountered a deer on her path. She could have killed it, but it made no sense. She gathered some plants that might come in handy and then ran. She had to exercise to loosen her tense muscles. She didn't come across any signs of strangers and traps. However, she also did not come across the bodies left a few hours earlier."A longer day offers many opportunities," she said, looking at him. He nodded in agreement, swallowed, and replied, "We're heading to the town. We should reach there in the evening, unless we decide to make a stop for the night.""I don't think we'll need to, little brother," Malsa interjected as she emerged from the bedroom she shared with her husband. She was still limping as she walked towards them, her braid swaying – "last time, we made it before twilight," she went to the table and looked at the nearly empty basket of buns, then at the boy who was just finishing his last bite of bread. He smiled mischievously at her and then began to get dressed."I'll go prepare Diane," Naraina said, furrowing her brows as she looked at Malsa. "That's our mule. Marcus named her," the girl yelled before the boy could open the door, "and Marcus!" He stopped in the doorway. "Agnes is joining us.""She said she wasn't planning to waste time on an unnecessary journey," Marcus replied, frowning. "Apparently, she's changed her mind," Naraina added without further explanation.As Marcus left without a word, Naraina approached her bag, pretending to have forgotten something to pack. She had no idea what to do with all this free time, and going outside would mean meeting others and having to engage in conversation."I still don't know your name," Malsa said while packing fruit."Naraina," she replied, approaching the table with her bag slung over her shoulder. She saw the gears turning in the girl's head. "No, I'm not from anywhere near this land," she added before Malsa could ask her any questions.In the meantime, Leighton had risen and approached them, planting a kiss on his wife's forehead. "Our savior," he smiled at her, to which she burst into laughter. "I see it's time to get going.""Marcus is outside; maybe you could help him?" he didn't object. He only took two of the last buns and ran away from the towel that Malsa threw at him."Before you go, I have a request," both exchanged glances before looking at her. "Anything you want," Leighton replied, and she thanked him with a smile. "Please don't mention yesterday's events to anyone. Spreading that information would not benefit anyone," she looked at each of them individually to ensure they understood."Of course, it will stay between us," both expressed their support, and she thanked them. In the meantime, Leighton left the building, and Naraina watched him go."He seems like a good husband," she said, and Malsa replied, "He is, just like Marcus will be someday," she observed something Naraina couldn't see."You know," they both started simultaneously, so Naraina asked her to begin. "Marcus is a good man, and he clearly has taken a liking to you, which Agnes won't like, as she has been in love with him for as long as I can remember," Naraina took a deep breath. When was she supposed to make an impression on the boy? She hadn't spoken to him more than that short exchange of words at the beginning."Malsa," she began, shaking her head, "you must have seen something in advance. I," she tied the bag full of fruit, "I'm not looking for anyone in the near future," Malsa gave her a knowing look, "life takes as much as it gives."A few minutes later, the two men joined them in the company of Agnes, who stopped at the entrance and noticed Naraina. She was dressed more elegantly than the weather demanded, and it was evident that she was not prepared for the journey, even though it was summer. She had light blond hair that reached her chest, brown eyes, which most Valndoru residents had, and slightly tanned skin. They exchanged looks with Malsa, who sighed and shook her head. They didn't sit down; Malsa chased everyone away, and before the doors closed behind them, they were already leaving. All the bags, except for hers, were attached to the mule. They wanted to help, but she didn't allow it. The items she had in her bag could raise too many questions.The town had its charm. Shortly before reaching their destination, new people joined them, but she slowed her pace to look around, especially to avoid the curious questions of those she had just met. For a moment, it worked, but shortly after, Marcus joined her. He was quiet, so his company didn't bother her. Of the three of them, he seemed the most mature, even though his sister was in a serious relationship.They passed the first buildings, farmhouses, and fields full of grain. The mill ground wheat, and its wheel churned the river water. These were the outskirts, and there was no indication that a fair was going to take place anytime soon. Although she had never been to one, she imagined that you could tell when a fair was approaching. They walked along a country road, and people working in the fields turned their heads towards them. Most of them were elderly, worn out by work and the sun. Only a few younger people were accompanying them, along with their families."Fairs are usually held in the spring so that the working population can survive the harvest season," Marcus said for the first time since morning. "But this year, like in previous elections, the fairs are taking place during the harvest season.""Elections?" From the information gathered from the king's messengers, the warriors were trained in special places, where the election – the trial – didn't matter, or were they challenges? There was a lot of information in the king's letters, but it didn't provide any clues about the challenges."Interchangeable terms," he shrugged. "These are trials to determine the most suitable individuals for the kingdom's affairs. Each time, the trials are different, as are the number of candidates and the goal they are pursuing. This year, nothing has been announced yet. This will happen at the upcoming event at the fair in every larger town, where the recruitment of candidates will simultaneously begin."