Warmth ~<GreenWind>~

❄️{Five

Not long after, Lloyd was set to head out. He was bundled up and had a few supplies with him in a pack that he was carrying over his shoulder.

He was offered a horse, but he declined that offer. "I don't want to endanger anyone but myself." He claimed.

People ran behind him saying their goodbyes and good lucks. The gates were opened and Lloyd passed through them. He last said "I won't say good bye. I'm not leaving. Farewell, for now." And the gates closed again behind him.

Lloyd stared ahead at the clear sky and gorgeous snow in front of him. He almost felt bad walking on it.

It hasn't snowed, why are there no footprints? How is that possible?

Lloyd saw untouched snow everywhere.

All around him, it was almost unreal. He continued walking forward, his eyes peeled for anything in particular that seemed off.

He didn't want to come back with nothing. But coming back with something was scary too.

Lloyd reached behind him and pulled forward the pack. He dug around until he found and pulled out binoculars. He put them up to his eyes and looked around him. Nothing.

Sighing, Lloyd let them hang on their string around his neck. He ventured out a little farther, picking up the binoculars occasionally and scanning the area.

Just as he was about to give up and turn back, he spotted something small flapping from a small leafless bush it was caught in.

Lloyd grinned to himself. The journey wasn't for nothing after all. He half ran, half tripped through the thick snow.

As he got closer, he saw it was weak, faded paper. He picked it up gently and examined it. It was a map.

What was a map doing there? Lloyd thought to himself the possibilities.

He rolled it up and held onto it so it didn't fall out of the pack accidentally on the way back, which he was starting now. He stepped in his footprints he made on the way to stop from completely sinking into the snow again.   He was really curious to what was on the map but he didn't want to open it and ruin it unintentionally.

Lloyd's legs were tired. Sure, he'd felt worse before but this wasn't enjoyable at all. He wanted to be home and safe and warm with Morro. But now he had so many responsibilities. He had things he had to get done and he couldn't take time to rest. How did Morro do this every single day?

Lloyd got caught up in his thoughts and  soon found himself back at the gates. He pulled on the string to ring the bell, letting everyone know he was back. The gates opened and Lloyd was instantly overwhelmed with people.

"Did you find anything?"

"Are you alright?"

"You must be freezing."

"What's that?"

"Did you get hurt?"

"What did you see?"

Lloyd got hit with questions everywhere all at once. He didn't know which one to answer.

"Dareth coming through. Move aside, peasants." Dareth pushes through the crowd. "Give the guy some room!"

Everyone moved onto sides and stopped crowding Lloyd. He escorted himself through, Dareth chasing after him. Is this the security they send me? Lloyd thought to himself. Lloyd paused. "Dareth, organize a meeting for tonight with the staff."

"Right away, I'm your man!"