They left the shade behind and followed the road as it gently sloped downward again. The air stayed warm, but the light was softer now, turning the day calm instead of bright. Nothing pushed them. Nothing hurried.
After a few minutes, the land opened into a wide flat area. The grass here was shorter, moving only a little in the breeze. The road felt almost empty, but not lonely—just quiet in a normal way.
Fate looked around slowly. "It's all so open," they said.
"It gives you space," the Dreamer replied.
Fate nodded. "I like having space."
They kept walking. Off to the left, a single wagon sat near a small shed. No one was around, and the horse tied to the post was calmly eating from a bucket. Fate glanced at it, but didn't feel any need to go closer.
"It looks peaceful," Fate said.
"Most simple things are," the Dreamer answered.
