For what seemed a while, the two sat there without speaking a word. The sound of the waves lapping at the wide stretch of beach carried the silence, as did a light breeze as first light broke the darkness, and sunrise led into a pallid, gray and cold morning.
The fire’s flames flickered and gradually diminished, revealing more of the glowing wood underneath, and the two remained in silence. The robed figure, still, looking at them with all sorts of seriousness. They themselves, looking into the flames and finishing off their meal, not wanting the company so much, but having invited it, not feeling as though they could say much of anything.
Eventually the silence broke as the robed figure spoke:
“You know, this is perhaps a strange place to rest for a traveler.”
“…How so?”
“Well, you’re on an island that’s along a dangerous route, or so a lot of people believe. It’s one you take if you want to avoid attention.”
“I wanted to see what is out here. Have some time to spare.”
“Would you not prefer to reach your destination sooner?”
“Not really, no.”
“Well, that is of course your choice, but the tide comes in here quite rapidly. Easy to get stranded in the wrong location, such as this alcove.”
“Is that why you’ve come out here? To warn me?”
“To warn you? You could say that.”
“For what other reason would you come out to a spot like this on a dangerous route?”
“Perhaps I was looking for rest. Maybe it was company. Just to talk to another traveler. Why wouldn’t you want to reach your destination sooner? What attention are you looking to avoid?”
“I’m not. I’m just making a delivery, and the recipient won’t be available until a certain date, so I’m also going along sightseeing.”
“What sights are there to see? It’s all water out there.”
“Well, I also log many things, take sketches, try to gather information.”
They reached over to their pack and pulled out a salmon leather-bound journal. Unwinding the lock, they carefully showed the robed figure some of the sketches and notes, being sure to only allow glimpses rather than full information.
“This path is dangerous, yes, but this job has allowed me time to go through here, and see what is along here. Hopefully find things not studied well enough, flow patterns, structures. Maybe some of the various animals around, hopefully get a good start for a good study.”
“So you’re a courier and a researcher?”
“Mostly a hobby researcher. Not looking to sell the information I come across, but maybe improve things. Make some things safer. You know.”
“Perhaps there’s a good argument to let this region and let this route remain as it is. Let the flow of nature decide, rather than start rendering it hospitable to all. There’s a lot lost when a place becomes crowded. It transforms into an idea of what it once was, and not as it should be… not that this place is untouched, of course. But it feels untouched, and maybe it’s better we try to stop it from fragmenting.
Why not delivery by boat or cart, though? Seems like it would be faster. Safer. Better at ensuring a quick delivery, and keeping it ready upon arrival.”
“This is what they wanted, and plenty of parcels are delivered on foot still. And yes, it is good to preserve what we can, and the act of study and understanding is key to that. But if we can make things safer and retain the surrounding area, then maybe that’d be best for all.”
“Well, you best be careful. You don’t know what’s going to happen along this chain. The nearest town, if you don’t turn back, is still a few days away. Some people live along here, but they’re not necessarily amenable to travelers. Food is not necessarily plentiful, and you’ve come at the wrong time if you want a good bit of fish along the way. Sometimes the waters are dark and quiet; sometimes they are abundant and loud.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You know, perhaps you’d like some company along the journey.”
“No, thank you. I prefer to travel alone.”
“Where are you heading?”
“A good way far from here. Toward the city.”
“That’s a good while away. About a month’s journey with little rest. I happen to be heading some of that way myself.”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“If that’s what you so wish. But you best be careful. And perhaps we will run into each other along the way.”
“Perhaps we will. Well, I should probably make the most of the time, before the tide comes in and stops my leaving. Thank you for the information.”
And with that, they packed the last of their things, left the last of the embers to go out, nodded at the robed figure and left.
As they walked across the beach and the waves tried to reach for their feet, they felt as though the robed figure was watching them, trying to get a good sense of who they were. It was unnerving; the conversation was simple, straightforward, and they didn’t give much of anything; nothing important to the delivery, anyway.
It was as though the figure was looking through the conversation, seeing past the words and trying to work out a truth, though little, if anything of what they said could be seen as untrue.
They felt it best to keep their pace brisk, try and save a day on their journey, and so once they were off the beach they moved quickly. It was easier in the cold of the morning, and that cold would persist for a good part of the day. The nearest town was a few days away, but so was the last one they visited. If they got there sooner, then they’d have time to work out some different routes. They couldn’t help but feel they were now being followed.
The time it took to write one thousand words: 29:17:22
Slow, but that’s fine for this one, I think.
I’d been meaning to continue this for a while now, but things get away some times. I don’t think what I’ve written here is that good, but I do think it is better than a good chunk of other things I’ve written, especially recently.
I’m trying to further story and narrative, and work out the whole worldbuilding thing I’m trying to do. It’s taking time and I’m getting there, and if I keep chipping away, maybe everything will fall into place.
The other bits I’ve written:
An Interaction
A Heavy Storm
A Fishing Day Commences, A Fishing Day Ends
A Passion for Boats, Leaving Home
A Rest at a Beach
Written at home.
Stupidity Hole 