To Walk

"Potential."

          Hiya guys! Man, looks like I have NINETEEN WHOLE hardcore readers... That's WAAYYY more than I expected! Dang, even if I had ONE consistent reader, I'd keep posting...I know how awful it is to come across a story you like, only for it to get discontinued. Thanks so much for sticking with this story, I've got some twists planned, and mayyybe another perspective? We'll see. This isn't the traditional Steve vs. Herobrine many people love (I love 'em too), buuuut I DO have plans to publish another book along those lines!! If ya follow, you'll be alerted as soon as it comes out (lol don't let me push ya, tho.) Ok, shutting up now, ENJOY!!

(edit: Oh gosh...it looks like there's, like, 21 now!!! THANKS FOR READING!!!)

Damon Rivers' POV

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          As the gates swung open before us and we entered, the sights, sounds, and smells of the village seemed to wallop us in our faces. The noisy bantering of neighbors and chattering of shopping women blended with the shouts of vendors in the nearby marketplace and the giggling of street children as they dashed in-between travelers. I caught one ragged urchin picking a man's pocket as the man was conversing with a friend. I caught the child's eye and glared, and he got a nervous look on his face, slipped the coins he'd just scored back into the gentleman's bag and scurried off. The man didn't even notice the ordeal.

          The smells of newly-baked goods and meats drifted on the breeze, though it was often tainted with the stench of unwashed workers and refuse piled in the alleys. I saw woodcutters, miners, traveling scholars, the works. It seemed a bit of every town had been pinched off and tossed into this village. The different accents and styles blended in a flurry of color and sound. It was the melody of a prospering town, and I found my spirits lifting from it. It was so unlike the silent, blackened ruins of the village I'd been born in.

          We continued down the main street, though it was growing more difficult to stay together. The crowds swelled as we neared the market square, and people seemed perfectly comfortable with shoving and being shoved. With not a few shouted apologies and elbow jabs, we made it to the first vendor. It sold blankets. Perfect. The stall was covered in a bright red tarp to keep the sun off the merchant, who was a rather energetic old man. He was deeply tanned and dressed in simple clothes, a brown tunic, dark pants, and leather boots. His short hair was graying and a neatly-trimmed beard outlined a smiling mouth. Carpets and blankets galore hung from bars and lay draped on piles of other cloth. The merchant spotted us looking at his products, finished up with another customer, and eagerly made his way over, "Ah! I see you are interested, no?"

          Jasher smiled politely, "Aye, that we are, sir. We have a rather low price range, however, and need sturdy covers meant to weather the elements."

          The man glanced at me, I was standing slightly behind Jasher, before nodding, "Ah, indeed! Wait here, my good sirs, and I will fetch some." He quickly vanished behind his wagon, which made up the back-most part of his temporary 'store'.

          Jasher turned and leaned against the portable wooden counter separating the shop from the pressing crowd on the streets, "Notch, this place is busy." he grunted.

          I looked over my shoulder, then turned back, shrugging in response.

          "What, this is normal?"

         The merchant suddenly reappeared and I snapped my fingers. Jasher jolted up and faced the older man respectfully, "Pardon me, sir, I am merely tired from our journey."

          The merchant waved away his apology, "Ah, no need for apologies, son. These old legs know quite a bit o' journeyin' and I don't blame ye." He spread several thick, sturdy-looking blankets out on the wooden 'counter-top', "Here are some of my finest works. I integrate leather and a waterproof substance of my own makin' on the other side." He flipped a thick, gray blanket over to show the waterproof side, "Soft an' warm on one side, and the other will keep you dry, see?"