The Road Less Traveled

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It gave him pause to see rolling green hills.  Patches of wild flowers sprung up among the grassy knolls and blossoming trees.  Rabbits and mice skittered through the tall grass, as birds flitted over head.  Everything was so alive.  It was springtime, but unlike any springtime he had ever seen.  Of course he had seen grass and flowers before, but never in this abundance.  Winston had spent his whole life among the bleak expanse of snow and the tall sturdy pines that grew in the mountains.  This was something entirely different. It was new.  Unfamiliar. Exhilarating.  He had to admit that watching the snow melt as he traveled down the mountain path was like saying goodbye to an old friend.  Maybe he would go back one day, but now he was headed to Avaleur.  

The decision had been shockingly easy.  He had been in a sleepy tavern giving himself a well deserved treat of civilization and a warm meal when he had overheard two travelers.  They were talking animatedly over drinks about the wonders of the kingdom, the people, the stores, the culture!  The wonders of that city captured Winston and wrapped him in an infinite amount of possibilities.  It had peaked his interest, to say the least, and frankly, he was tired.  Tired of the snow.  Tired of being cold.   Tired of being alone.  It was time for a change.  He was ready for it.  Preparations had been speedy.  Everything he owned was already on his back, a quick hunting trip had set him up with enough food for the journey, and he set off with map in hand.  It had taken him a couple of weeks, but he was almost there.  He had traveled a long distance, but it hadn't seemed so long until the very moment when he had stopped to think about it.

His feet were sore and his shoulders ached from bearing all of his worldly possessions.  He had been traveling for a few days without much rest, eager to get there as quickly as possible.  That didn't seem like a great plan now.  And it was hot, so much hotter than what he was used to.  He dragged himself to the shade of the nearest tree, dropped his bags, shrugged off his furs and settled down into the soft grass.  He pulled out his map, and carefully traced the path he had left to take.  It wouldn't be much farther, but he didn't think it would hurt to take a little rest before he finished his journey.  As he adjusted his furs into a make shift pillow against the tree's base, he noticed a tiny yellow daisy near his resting place.  He plucked it and observed it curiously.  He settled against the tree, spinning the flower idly between his fingers as he inspected it.  His eyelids grew heavy.

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It had been a full day since the events of the hunt, and Harul had decided that a walk was needed to clear his mind of the weekly events, as he always did for part of his meditation exercises. He had come to Avaleur on this path not too long ago, searching for an answer he still hasn't found. Usually he would be gone by now, and yet something about this land kept him here. It drew him in, like a home would. But Harul hadn't had a home in many, many years, and he didn't think Avaleur could ever replace the one he did have. He thought back to that fateful day, walking in to find his family mercilessly slaughtered. He recalled his vow to avenge them, no matter the cost. He thought about these things and more every day, just to clear them away and begin anew. It is what allowed him to keep his sanity in check most of the time.

He started to push those thoughts away, making room for happier ones. He noted how it was a fine day outside, the grass and trees booming in growth from the weather. He wondered how this land harbored such growth, when most places could barely grow the wheat planted in its tilled land. Avaleur was truly a wonder, a place out of the ordinary for both the good and evil of the world. He walked further from the city, noting that it has been out of his sights for longer than he anticipated. But he didn't care. It was a beautiful day for a meditating walk, and he was sure to absorb every moment he could out of it. He wore his usual garb, including the bracers, as they were lightweight enough to not impede any progress he would make. He smiled a bit, not much, but just enough for him to notice it. He sighed, then started examining his surroundings again.

That's when he noticed the man resting by the side of the road with a map. Another person coming to Avaleur maybe? Harul walked calmly over to the man, who seemed to be about to fall asleep. He appeared to be using furs as a pillow so he was probably from a colder region. Harul didn't recognize the rest of his garb, however. He was middle-aged, maybe the same age or younger than Harul, but he noticed one thing about the man immediately. His eyes. His eyes read like he had a troubled life that wasn't his fault, like a curse was placed upon him. Much like his own eyes; the eyes of a man looking for something. What he was looking for, Harul didn't know, but he wished him luck in finding it. "It's not safe to nap here. You'll be killed and looted as soon as you let your lids drop." Harul said, stepping up to and squatting by the man. He outstretched his hand in greeting. "I am Harul."

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Winston had almost dozed off.  He didn't notice Harul until he was kneeling beside him.  Through the fog of half-sleep, the man's voice was garbled and warped as if speaking from a distance.  Winston rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand wiping away the sleep and sat up trying to process what had been said to him.  The man's form swam into focus as his eyes readjusted.  He was old, like himself, and he spotted a few scars here and there.  He had similarly been weathered by life.   As his mental faculties began to kick back into gear, and he began to refocus on piecing Harul's words together, Winston felt a small sense of kinship with the man.  The corner of his mouth turned up slightly.  

"Too nice a day to kill," he rasped, voice hoarse from underuse. He had nothing of any value to take anyway.  Then he paused looking down at the hand Harul had offered to him.  He wracked his brain trying to pull up the social cues that this encounter required.  Greetings...Hands...How did they...ah...yes!  He gripped Harul's hand and shook it.  His momentary hesitation vanished.  He was getting the hang of this.  Ok, what else?  There was a second part to this he recalled.  The man had said Harul.  That must have been...oh right! His name.  "Winston," he supplied.  He smiled broadly, sincerely.

Spot on.

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The man had a strong grip, taking Harul by surprise. Furthermore, he had a name Harul had never heard before and spoke as if he wasn't used to language. Hell, it sounded like he just got over a sore throat from hell itself. "Too nice of a day for you, but there are people and creatures out there willing to do what it takes for a couple gold pieces." Harul said. He kept his squatting position, ready if this man turned out to be one of those people just trying to ruse a poor dope into trying to help. He scanned the man quickly, not really seeing any reason other than gut instinct to believe that.

"So, what brings you to Avaleur?" Harul asked the man.