Vhalar 34 717, Late Afternoon
Location: Outskirts of Ne'haer
"Well now," A syncopated sigh left the lips of the peddler as they continued their steady walk towards the city, "Isn't this a lovely sight to see." Both her and Kayleigh were interested in the appearance of the environment, the way Vhalar had changed the leaves to a multitude of colors all around them. It was obvious that the Cold cycle had started, and that there would be another cold winter looming within the days ahead.
"It is lovely." Kayleigh agreed with a soft smile as she adjusted the strap on her shoulder.
"Now now dear," Uphrisca reached a hand up to take the pack from Kayleigh, "We're still a ways from the city. Why don't you leave that rested in the caravan?"
"It's a thoughtful gesture Uphrisca, and I appreciate it entirely I swear." The older woman looked to be expecting the but, which of course was exactly what Kayleigh would be getting at. "I'm fine though honestly, carrying my luggage while we're nearing the city feels..."
"Nostalgic?" The old peddler chimed in.
"Historic actually." The young musician correct. "I mean I know we left here together a few seasons ago, but coming back almost feels like I'm part of something. Something small but also a part of something much greater." Uphrisca laughed a little as she leaned in close, her arm now wrapped around Kayleigh almost affectionately.
"Youth these days! You are a part of something greater my child, believe it or not we're all part of something great. You just have to find that out for yourself dear, and the rest will come together on it's own I am sure."
"I hope that Higan see's it this way as well," Kayleigh added with a soft grin, "that everything he's learning is what's helping him grow stronger out there."
"He's definitely smart from the sound of it, not many boys his age would go out on their own into the world. Those that do are typically the fools that get nowhere in life, but if he's anything like you then he most definitely has that wayward spirit."
“You think?” Kayleigh nearly blushed at the compliment.
“I most certainly do! I’ll admit out of the few people I’ve traveled with, why you’re one of the most hearty of them I’ve grown attached to. And that isn’t easy kiddo!” The peddler added a brief giggle into that, before she leaned away to pet her ox a few times as they continued their walk.
“That’s so nice,” Kayleigh quietly murmured to herself, “I don’t know what to say.” Maybe Higan was getting along fine out there on his own, maybe he was doing something that would tie him into history. What if Kayleigh herself was and hadn’t realized it yet? What if Aelorn had already been doing that also?
Each step they made was a step she knew someone else already took before her, steps made by people who were there long before she was even. Steps from people driven by fate, empowered by destiny to create their own stories, while they were nothing more than just wanderers among caravans even. And here she was making her own walk to the city, traversing those same steps as they drew closer to the walls.
“But my, Ne’haer is lovely this time of the Arc. I’ll be sad when I have to leave again.” Uphrisca chimed in as Kayleigh looked back over to her.
“How long until you leave?” She asked curiously.
“Hm? Oh it won’t be until later into the season deary. Etzos was where I’m bound but Ne’haer’s probably got some good business to partake in, besides if fate is kind then you’ll be there to travel with me again.”
“Yeah? I hope so as well.” The musician admitted with her arm tucked over Uphrisca’s shoulder, the both of them walked onward as they made it through the forest and into the farmland surrounding the city.
“Y’know back in Treth, there was a handsome man watching you play. Back in my day I wouldn’t have waited to pounce on a boy like that.” The peddler snickered with a wry smile on her face.
“Uphrisca!!” Kayleigh laughed felt her face flush just a little. “Whatever will I do with you!”
“Oh but it’s true!” Uphrisca admitted with no shame. “When men literally drooled themselves ogling the beauty we have. I’m not ashamed to admit I was a real flirt back then.”
“So I’ve heard! Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Oh my dear, you were so caught up in playing that harp of yours.” The older lady shook her head with soft laughter. “I didn’t want to interrupt you, but at the same time seeing that man stare at you brought back memories. I definitely lived a fun and interesting life in my youth.”
Kayleigh’s smile widened as she squeezed the woman a little with her arm, then backed off some to release her as they continued their walk. “You’ve been to all kinds of interesting places, haven’t you?”
“No not quite dear,” The peddler answered with another sigh, “I’ve mainly traveled around central Idalos. Between the upper cities like Uthaldria and Hiladreth, but I’ve managed to mosey between Ne’haer and Etzos in my spare time as well. Oh! The stories I could tell you dear, I had such frivolous fun when I was younger. Never was as calm as I am now I can tell you!”
“That sounds like quite the adventure.” Kayleigh complimented with a hearty giggle.
“It was grand! I lived every moment to it’s fullest I’ll tell you, even the ones that I never saw coming.”
“Oh yeah?” Kayleigh could not help but wonder more about that. “How exactly did you do that?”
“By following my heart dear.” Uphrisca held a hand over the center of her chest. “When you live every moment following your heart, you’ll know you lived a satisfying life when you have reached my age.”
“My heart huh?” Kayleigh repeated the phrase in question, ultimately curious if such a philosphy really were true. “I guess you’re right there Uphrisca.” The comment made the peddler laugh a little more, as the farmlands they passed through seemed littered with people tending the fields. The vast majority of them seemed to look up but out of the many, some would actually rise to a stand and wave at them; greet the caravan passing by as it made it’s way up to the city.
Uphrisca and Kayliegh both waved back with hearty grin’s while they continued onward, the white walls of Ne’haer finally close by as they nearly reached the city gates. “It’ll be sad knowing we’ll part ways, but it’s been a fun trip both times.”
“I agree,” Kayleigh admitted, “Traveling with you has been completely uplifting. I can only hope we’ll meet again in the future.”
“Whether we do or not is up to Fate itself my dear!” Uphrisca chimed in and then raised a finger before Kayleigh. “But! No matter how far apart we may become, we’re always close in each other’s heart.”
“Yeah.” Kayleigh agreed almost a little teary eyed. “Always.”
“Tis not goodbye deary, just a temporary farewell! What was it that was said… ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’ I believe?”
Kayliegh laughed and raised an eyebrow at the quote. “Who said that?”
Uphrisca then seemed troubled and unable to remember. “Some sorry chap I may have known perhaps?” Kayliegh took a moment before finally another smile cracked her lips, the two brought to laughter once more as they finally reached the gates that would lead them into the city. “It’s been fun kiddo, I do hope we get to meet again someday soon.” She cheered as they both gave each other fond hugs.
“Maybe sooner than you think!” Kayleigh reiterated with a point at her chest where her heart would reside. Once she had everything that she’d taken with her off the caravan, and made sure that she was set to head off on her own, she gave a final farewell to Uphrisca’s ox first. With a hug at that creature’s side now done, she gave Uphrisca one last hug and then smiled to her before heading onward. Though she now headed back into the streets of Ne’haer by herself, she didn’t feel as though she was alone anymore.
She felt as though she were there with not just Uphrisca; but with both Higan and Aelorn in her heart. Finn and Fridgar too, even though they were likely far away by now. Still she wasn’t going to let her fear and worry slow her down, Kayleigh intended to continue this journey and search for her brother still. She felt as though Fates would determine her course as they had been doing, and that sooner or later she’d reunite her family as she hoped to do. Maybe then she’d have a number of stories to share, just as both Aelorna and Higan would, and they’ll carry with them the bonds of those that helped them out.
Almost confidently Kayleigh wandered the streets of Ne’haer, hopeful that once she had settled in she’d get started with searching for Higan once more.
