Promise of the World [Canaan, Book 1]

Chapter Nine || Farinheld

Swaths of grass tumbled across the sweep beyond the open air windows of the carriage. Lavender eyes gazed out at the landscape, a freckled mosaic of cattle and farmland. The agrarian view made for a diverting ride. It took Essairyn back to childhood days of apple and pumpkin picking, horse and hayrides, and growing and eating fresh produce. Although her experience with farms was infrequent, no more than the typical person who visited them for holidays like Halloween or simply during the autumn, a sense of nostalgia billowed through her. Coupled with the soft breeze and balmy weather, Essairyn felt exceedingly content. Her eyelids drooped shut as she leaned out and let the wind glide across her face.

"Only about five minutes 'til we reach Farinheld," announced the driver with what must have been the accent of this world's countryside.

"Okay!" Darren called back before turning to his seating partner again to continue their conversation.

"So mine is about as big as that farm with the blue shutters we passed by previously. Our family has been living there for generations. That's how Farinheld came about; it was a farming village. And that's why there're so many farms down this road, too." Leœss gestured toward the outside.

Nodding, Darren remarked, "No wonder why Byar'non is supposedly considering whether to include Farinheld as part of their territory for when they eventually expand. There's basically a stretch of civilization from here to Farinheld. But doesn't that contrast with the current configuration? To include rural land as part of a city?"

"True, but these farms provide most of the city with food, so it's easier to integrate them for economic and trade purposes." Leœss slouched on the cushioned bench with his hands behind his well-tamed mop of wavy auburn hair.

At the mention of town economies, Essairyn retracted her head from the window to interject. "Do you think Byar'non will eventually establish a state with the surrounding towns including Reisparte?"

"I'm almost positive it will. Neu'arth has long been pushing for expansion of civilizations across As'pyze using an expanding node system of sorts through the five provinces with itself as the center." Resentment shaded Leo's face. "Unlike the elemental kingdoms who've had centuries of advancement, the human kingdom is weak and vastly underdeveloped."

"Another problem is the environmental erosion along of As'pyze's west border," interposed Aispin, opening his eyes from a light slumber.

"Oh sorry, did we wake you?"

Aispin shook his head at Essairyn's question. "I was just resting and heard the driver earlier. So I needed to wake up now anyway." He flexed his stiff back as Leœss commented on his remark.

"You mean the Borderlands, right? Yeah, that place will eventually become a problem for the cities of the Western Province. Even the ocean degrades the land at a slower rate."

"Heaven's Fall." Essairyn almost whispered the name. While ethereal sounding, the sinister undercurrent divulged the true nature of the northwestern corner of As'pyze. Beyond the guileless glimmer of the seashore laid misty crags with waterfalls that evaporated into the void. It was the abyss where the fabric of the world had been wrenched free by Water and Light. The very foundation of the land had been torn and stowed away into another dimension, leaving behind a forsaken beauty of nature.

Both Heaven's Fall and the Borderlands deteriorated the adjacent land. But the latter was ruthless in claiming fertile land and reaping it of all bounties. Lifeforms withered into dust and rose as occasional miasma in the heart of this barren stretch between the frozen kingdom and human nation.

"Those lucky ice elementals don't have to worry about the erosion. Their magic type preserves their land for the most part. Instead, it's like we get double the amount."