Windy, rough, and with little respite. The days march through the tundra was arduous, and without magic and the added burden on my back, it was even more difficult than I expected. And yet, as the remembrance of warm air filled my lungs, it made the march through the tundra worthwhile.
From the horizon, the black-stone ramparts of Higala over shadowed the first and second outer log walls. Imposing, and yet it was the least of my worries. Walking down the faded dirt road, my steps felt heavy as I approached the first gate.
I walked alone, carrying a basket strapped to my back, made from roots and woven a few days before marching through the tundra. Yu'ri was already hidden out of sight, and the road was long, with the uneven flatness of the land only disturbed by peeking shrubbery and log stakes that sharply protruded from the ground at a defensive angle. Weathered, fallen, slowly rotting, and some even broken from the base. Passing by them always made me wonder what monster it was used against. And a wish that I would never meet them.
There are only a few things beyond me that truly frighten me, Reilya, when she's mad, a paladin-inquisitor, the hollowed, and the one man that I wish I would only meet a few times. Yeo'ldmen. The village sentinel and a man as old as the village itself. A pure blood elf with silver hair and glossy skin, with eyes that seemed always shut and a face that attracted any man or woman, wearing heavy fur clothes that stuck to their lean frame. And with my bad luck, they just had to be the person who stood in the middle of the first gate.
"Well," His voice was worn and didn't match the youth of their face. "What a pleasant surprise," He greeted with a smile that held a thin smoke pipe. "With how the weather was going, I was sure you'd be dead." They said with a chuckle as they approached, and I stood still. Friendly as they were, my body could not say the same, reacting as if the air around them was plagued.
"Where's-" He stopped himself as he got close. Their smile faded, and their eyes widened for a moment before he let out a smoke-filled sigh. "…Apologies for your loss."
His words registered late, and I let out a sigh and replied. "She is in a better place." It was not a lie.
A solemn silence passed before Yeo'ldmen turned his head up to look at mine. "Her spirit is strong, even now, I still sense another presence with you." He said, offering a reassuring smile. Though it did the opposite, what they probably sensed was Yu'ri, but with how the situation is playing out, it was going better than I expected.
"It's good to know she still keeps me company," I said with a small smile. Again, it was not a lie
Yeo'ldmen nodded and turned their back to face me. "It's good to see that you're alright, Ches." He paused, and a stream of smoke left him before he continued. "I'll handle the paperwork with the guild and the order. You should get some proper rest."
"Thank you," I said, and he gave an understanding nod in reply.
Yeo'ldmen walked through the gate with steady ease, and I followed them while keeping my distance. We passed more defensive stakes, but unlike the first, they were in even worse condition. The second wooden gate was closed, and Yeo'ldmen took out the smoke pipe from his mouth and whistled.
The gate opened a second later, and out came a pair of spear-wielding guards of equal height, and like Yeo'ldmen they wore heavy clothes suited for the cold weather. Their faces were wrapped with a green scarf with a yellow end that bore the heraldry of a lamb sitting on a pile of swords. It was the only thing that distinguished them as guards. They turned their heads to me.
"Yi," One of the guards spoke, and from a distance their voice was clear. A voice young, as if they were just entering adulthood. "Who do we have this time?"
"It's Chester," Yeo'ldmen answered.
"Chester?" The young one said, nudging his elbow to the other guard's shoulder.
"Not now, Hue." The other guard said. Their voice was rougher.
Yeo'ldmen turned his head to the one who spoke last, and both guards turned their attention to him. They moved closer and spoke with lowered voices too quiet to understand, and yet a shiver traveled through my spine along with a feeling that they were talking about me.
"Kid, how much longer can you last?" I asked quietly.
"A few more hours," Yu'ri answered from my back, his voice fainter than a breath. It was already midday, and it was interesting how much they had improved in such a short time, even more so was their endurance. They just need to last a little longer, just a bit more until we make it past the second gate, just until we pass the last gate.
"Ches," My eyes snapped to Yeo'ldmen as he spoke. His body turned to me, and the guards were already gone. "It shouldn't take them long to open the main gate." He paused, taking a long drag from their smoke pipe before continuing. "You've already been through a lot, so I'll make this quick." His right eye peeked, revealing a lapis pupil that pierced through mine. "Are you bringing anything dangerous?" He asked with smoke escaping his lips.
"No," I answered.
The wind whistled, and time stretched longer by the second. His lack of response made my heart beat faster, and I forced it to slow down. It was not a lie; they were not dangerous.
"Is there something wrong?" I managed to ask, and Yeo'ldmen took another breath from his pipe before opening his mouth.
THING! THING! The sound of a bell cut cleanly through the air, emanating from high above the black-stone gate. DONG! Another bell roared, and the pattern repeated for half a minute. Two sharp clangs in quick succession, followed by one roar.
"No, it's nothing." He said and turned, entering the second gate.
"Welcome back, Ches. It must have been a long way back for you."