NEMO: Into The Depths

Chapter 13: Kitted out

It had been four days since they had left Surasho, hitching a ride with a merchant crossing the border into Luminae. Alex had somehow convinced the trader to hire them both as bodyguards. The journey was quick, under the pair's vigilant protection, the caravan had to only stop once, and that was to sleep on a real bed. They had parted ways the previous day, and after convincing a surprisingly reluctant Alex, he hired a horse for them both, and they continued the last leg of the journey on horseback

Soon, they were barrelling through the woods, the rhythmic clopping of the horse's hooves on the unpaved road echoing through the air. The horse navigated the terrain with ease, effortlessly galloping over any obstacles in their path, all while maintaining a full gallop. However, for Elyza, the experience was far from comfortable. Since mounting the horse, Alex had clung to her as if his life depended on it, unleashing a barrage of random curses at the animal whenever they travelled over rough ground. Fortunately, or so Alex claimed, they were on the verge of reaching their destination.

Bursting into the light at the end of the tunnel of trees, Elyza was in awe at the scale of the Capital.

Before her sprawled an expansive clearing, the rolling plains stretching out dramatically, yet they looked flat next to the imposing presence of Mount Hrafnafjall to the west. Vast fields of crops radiated outward from the stone walls, forming a pattern that could only be seen from afar, with people bustling among the green like bees working for their hive. The walls themselves were colossal, towering behind the field as if formed for the gods themselves. They ate into the craggy rocks of the mountain, standing as stalwart guardians shielding the castle that ascended behind them—one of the few structures visible in the city's silhouette. Even at the break of dawn, a queue of carriages awaited entry, while locals traversed the gates, bearing freshly harvested produce.

The horse snorted, gradually easing from its spirited gallop, affording Elyza a chance to fully savour the breathtaking view. Alex's grip on her loosened as they trotted onward, and he finally broke his silence, his tone edgy, "Yes, yes, everybody has that look on their face when they first lay eyes on the city. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get off from this lamentable example of evolution. I'll be waiting for you at the gate; do grab some oranges if you come upon them." The horse neighed in apparent defiance, and Alex gracefully descended from the moving horse, all the while flipping it off as he sunk into the horse's shadow.

Elyza gently nudged the stirrups, coaxing the horse into a swifter trot, and it willingly complied. The clops of the hoofs, the melody of the wind, the rustling of the crop, and the chatter of the people working them, all of them melded together to form a tranquil song for her journey down the main road. A handful of farmhands, their carts nearly empty, crossed her path, and she indulged in purchasing a couple of apples for 20 bronze coins from one of them. As they passed, many bowed respectfully, and she returned the gesture, only to notice a perplexed look spreading across their faces. Elyza could have used the rare moment of peace to digest the last five months, make sense of her thoughts, where she was going, instead Elyza chose to silence her mind and relish the simplicity of her existence.

Reaching the gate, she saw Alex waiting for her, snapping his fingers rapidly to keep himself entertained. Disembarking, she led the horse towards him, earning a teasing comment, "Took your sweet time, didn't ya?" he remarked, stepping to her side until Elyza found herself standing between him and the horse.

Suddenly, all of his peculiar behaviour from the past day aligned in Elyza's mind, and she realised a fact that seemed too good to be true. "Are you... scared of horses?" She said, smiling.

Alex replied, oh so matter-of-factly, "I don't fear them, the proper term is 'Loathe'," His words became light-hearted, "And I'm disappointed it took you so long to notice. We've been stuck together for at least half a year."