A Tale of Crown and Country

Tavin

Other than the fact that it was further south, more enveloped by the forest, and a great deal larger, the provincial town of Quaelsi was exactly the same as Weltyn. It had the same General Store as Weltyn, though there were two of them, and the same systematically laid out streets in the centre. A small town square added to the town and thatched roofs lent to the incredibly picturesque qualities of Quaelsi, despite the unfortunate name in Tavin's opinion. The streets stretched out from the central square. Straight streets departed from the square in every direction. Growing nearer to the edge of town, the streets grew wider and wilder, the houses grew more individual, and the natural world began to invade. From there lay a few fields full of crops to support the town, and beyond those came the forbidding shades of the forest. Above the tree lines to the east Tavin could distinguish the tips of the Teblaus Mountain range that dwindled out of sight.

    Tavin had arrived well before night fell, when the sun had barely had the chance to change to the colours of the sky. He'd wandered in from the north, following whichever road had seemed to be the most populated and therefore could lead him to the centre of town; there he would most likely find the town's inn. The dirt road he had travelled on gradually turned to cobblestone, and Tavin could tell before entering Quaelsi that it was a much more prosperous settlement than Weltyn.

    Tavin quickly found the inn two streets over from the central square. Being the only one in town, it was simply labelled "Inn" on the wooden sign that hung from the eaves of the two-storey building, Inside, Tavin found the proprietor and requested a room for the night. It was cheaper than he had expected, and Tavin was pleased to find his coins would take him further than anticipated. He ate a simple meal of bread and a sort of mystery stew.

    The town was uneventful compared to Weltyn. Tavin found himself exhausted by the day's journey though not enough to go straight to sleep after supper. He wanted to explore, wanted to see more of the Allriyan life that he had been wrong in suspecting would be anything like his own upbringing. Though Quaelsi was more similar to his home town, it was simpler, more provincial, and more relaxed. Tavin could feel from the atmosphere that it wasn't a pressure-filled place. It was a kind and forgiving place, and he wanted to stay another day to find out more about the little town at the foot of the hills.

    But now with a plan and a means of arriving in Aldira sooner rather than later, Tavin reminded himself he had to leave the next morning. He remembered his promise of return as soon as he could. Besides, if he stayed away too long, Fenwur was sure to win Atryada over. He needed to hasten his pace. This was not the time for relaxing journeys through the Allriyan countryside. This was a goal, a quest, a place to be. Tavin didn't have a time-line, but he had created one for himself. Tomorrow he would depart for Odeila and leave the tiny town behind. He was getting into the heart of Allriya, to the bigger cities, the true people, and the heavier culture.

    Tavin returned to the inn. He avoided the crowded first floor and weaved his way through the growing crowd to his room on the second floor. Apparently the inn also served as impromptu bar, and the owners didn't mind one bit.