A few days later, Gravel used a portal spell cast in a secluded forest on the outskirts of Ves-Dinas, allowing Iris, Nia, and Gravel to slice through the gaps in time and traverse a great distance, arriving instantly in a forest on the outskirts of Froikton.
The familiar sight of Froikton came into Gravel's view. The recognizable outer walls and buildings of the city, along with the faces of the soldiers guarding the gates.
After a long absence, they settled into seats at the Bellfog tavern, which still retained its serene and cozy atmosphere. Spreading out a map of the area around Froikton for Nia to see, Gravel pointed to the city of Tollu south of Froikton with a fingertip, indicating their next destination.
Afterward, at Derta's general store, they purchased several saddlebags to hang on the horses' saddles. With an introduction from the store owner Derta, they bought three horses and set off toward the southern road from Froikton leading to Tollu. (Along the way, they encountered Fahrtu, who led them to buy two bottles of newly available ink—one black and one deep blue.)
Riding along the winding path, Gravel's party observed the changed scenery around the road, different from before.
It took a moment to recognize the trees and grass that had once been lush green but now had lost their color. They also passed the spot where Diara's wagon had been ambushed by Gulick.
The wind was cold. Though the warmth from the moving horse transmitted through the saddle and legs prevented feeling the chill enough to huddle up, the breeze brushing against the cheeks felt increasingly frigid as the sun set. Pursing lips into a circle and exhaling warm breath into the air produced a puff of white vapor.
As the sun set and the path grew dark, the party set up camp not far from the road for the night.
With familiar motions, they gathered small branches and kindled a reddish campfire to illuminate the night. From the bags hung on the horses' saddles, they took out dried meat and small chunks of cheese shaped for easy eating, making a simple meal to warm their insides. Once satisfied, there was leisure to tilt heads back and admire the countless stars dotting the sky.
"How's the cold treating you, Nia?"
Gravel asked, looking at Nia wrapped in thick leather clothing.
"It's fine, Karka. Not really cold at all."
"But Nia, that luggage looks awfully heavy... What's packed in there so much?"
Gravel asked, eyeing the bulging saddlebag stuffed to the brim.
"Weapons bought in Ves-Dinas... food... clothes for winter... the griffon egg bought from Diras... And what else was there, hmmr..."
"Hmm?! Nia, what did you just say? A griffon egg? Diras is the one who often commissioned Altus Boar meat from the guild, right?"
"That's right, Karka. The griffon Graka that Diras raises laid eggs, and one of the two was small, so it was sold to me."
"No way... Even so, it must have been quite expensive. How did you afford it?"
Gravel asked, alternating glances between the thickly packed bag and Nia with wide, surprised eyes.
"With the prize money from winning the tournament... and money saved from guild quests."
The next day dawned, and the three adventurers' journey continued. The chill of early morning air enveloped the trio. Gravel, Iris, and Nia set out once more on the long path toward Tollu.
The sound of horse hooves striking the ground echoed along the forest path at dawn. Occasionally, when the terrain flattened, they quickened the horses' pace. They were drawing closer to their destination, Tollu, bit by bit. And once again, the sun that had hung in the sky sank, giving way to night.
That night's campsite was a small clearing in the forest. It was a chilly evening with thin branches swaying in the wind.
Gravel gathered wood and started a fire, while Iris fetched water from a nearby stream to give to the horses.
As night deepened, Iris was teaching Nia about the location of a new mana veins.
"Nia, rather than explaining with words or drawings, I'll show you directly by channeling mana. Focus and feel where the flowing mana lingers."
Iris spoke in a quiet voice, and Nia closed eyes to concentrate on the sensation.
The following day, as sunlight filtered into the forest, Gravel's party departed again. Emerging from the woods revealed a vast plain, with a cold wind blowing and a clear sky overhead. Gravel led the way, urging the horse to a brisk pace, while Iris rode alongside Nia, continuing explanations on mana rotation and manipulation.
Reaching the edge of the plain, the party rested the horses briefly and had a simple lunch. Nia sat and practiced concentrating mana as Iris had instructed, while Gravel quietly kept watch over the surroundings.
In the afternoon, Gravel's party picked up speed once more, galloping onward. As the sky began to tint red, they kindled a fire at that day's campsite. This time, it was on a hill overlooking the plain they had crossed.
As the sky darkened to black, Gravel tended to the horses, Iris built the bonfire and spread out sleeping bags around it.
Dinner was a simple stew with rabbit meat and mushrooms. The aroma of a handful of spices added just before it finished cooking wafted subtly through the campsite, and the three travelers shared the meal in silence, warming their bodies.
After eating, as night grew deeper, Iris taught Nia swordsmanship. Sharp sounds sliced through the winter night air, and Nia swung the sword, mimicking Iris's movements. Under the moonlight, the flashing blades gleamed, and only the clash of two swords echoed in the quiet night.
The final campsite before reaching Tollu was by a river where the water flowed deep and slow. Gravel prepared dinner by skewering trout caught by fishing onto branches and roasting them beside the bonfire.
"Nia, is it okay to just keep that griffon egg in the luggage bag like that?"
While sprinkling a mix of spices and salt on the cleaned trout, Gravel asked Nia, who was sitting by the bonfire waiting for the fish to roast.
"Diras said it's fine to just carry it in the bag like this. It should hatch after a little over a year."
"Oh... So it takes more than a year. What will you do when the griffon hatches from the egg?"
"Raise it."
Nia replied to Gravel's question, eyes still fixed on the trout by the bonfire.
"Uh... Yeah, raising it makes sense... But Nia, isn't it too big for you to handle?"
"Still going to raise it. Since it's a smaller egg than the other, it won't grow as big as Grakka."
Nia spoke in a hurried tone, as if worried Gravel might say, "You can't raise a griffon."
"Haha! Don't worry, Nia. Skyhold has plenty of space suitable for raising a griffon, so I won't say you can't. Just make sure to take good care of that expensive griffon egg so it doesn't crack. (A whole year, huh... Didn't realize it took that long.)"
"Got it, Karka."
"Then we'll need to find where Skyhold is within that year. Though I'd prefer to locate it sooner, of course... Come on, eat up, Nia. You too, Iris. The trout turned out perfectly roasted."
It was a night where the not-too-distant destination and the well-roasted trout satisfied their hunger.
*****
"Mauuuu!"
A roar echoed through the forest. At the source of the sound stood a bear anthro with thick brown fur, attempting to lift a massive fallen tree on the path with both hands while standing on two legs. A Dawi, with a bear-like appearance, robust build, and muscular body, covered in dense fur but clad in a tunic, a leather belt around the waist. Wide-legged breeches, with metal armor pieces protecting the thighs and shoulders.
"Grrrrrr!"
With a loud grunt, the Dawi gripped the end of the fallen tree and slowly shifted it, finally managing to move the single massive trunk off to the side of the path before collapsing onto the ground, exhaling wearily.
"Don't overdo it, Mau..."
A small owl anthro Muwa flew over and perched beside Mau, speaking. Clad in a dark navy tunic, the Muwa's garment had wide sleeves to avoid hindering wingbeats. Made of light, soft fabric, it seemed to impose no great restriction on flight.
"What are we going to do about this..."
Patting Mau's back with spread wings, the Muwa let out a deep sigh, gazing at the dozens of trees fallen across the path with large, round eyes.
"I thought we'd be resting in Tollu tonight, Dallen..."
"I was looking forward to that too, Mau. Who on earth piled all these trees on the path like this! And in this narrow stretch between the river and the rocky cliffs, no less!"
"No idea... Whoever it is, thanks to them, that wagon loaded with cardamom, rugs, and uh... what else were we carrying?"
Mau said, glancing at the large cargo wagon pulled by two Mooloomooks stopped on the path. Built to accommodate Mau's large frame, the wagon appeared three or four times the size of an ordinary one.
"Leather bags, Mau. The harpoon fishers in Damu are eager for quality leather bags, so we bought fifty of them."
"Ah! Right, that's it. Anyway, whoever blocked the path... because of them, we're sleeping in this forest tonight!"
"But I informed Tollu, so people should come soon. Though clearing these trees will take much longer, of course."
"You rest up, Dallen. You must be tired from flying to Tollu and back alone."
Mau looked at the companion Dallen with concerned eyes.
The trees fallen across the path. It was clearly a deliberate act to block wagons passing through. They were birches with dark grayish-brown bark, uncommon in the area. Dallen perched on the edge of the massive pot—nearly as large as the wagon's wheel—hanging beside the wagon, tilting head and pondering deeper about why someone would block the pass with so many birches.
-Grrrrrrrrrrrr-
A fierce growl demanding food rumbled from Mau's stomach.
"It's about time to be hungry."
"You're right, Dallen. Looks like it's time to use that pot over there."
"Yeah, let's eat something while we wait, Mau. It'll take a while for the helpers from Tollu to arrive and clear these trees."
"Whew! So, what should we cook, Dallen?"
"Hmm... How about Nansaf? Digging a pit in the ground for Qarb would make a tasty one since there's plenty of wood for fuel, but it'd take too long, so no go..."
"Nansaf? Sounds good! I'll get it ready right away!"
Mau first retrieved a sack of rice from inside the wagon. Untying the string binding the sack, and with the other hand, lowering the pot from the wagon to the ground, then inverting the sack over it.
The rice soon filled the pot, and Mau carried it toward the riverbank.
"I'll be right back, Dallen!"
The riverbank was close enough that the sound of water could be heard from the wagon, so it didn't take long for Mau to fill the large pot with water.
Mau gently shook the water-filled pot to wash the rice. Plunging both hands in, grasping handfuls and rubbing to clean it. Draining the murky white water mixed with dirt, then refilling with clean water, where the translucent white grains shimmered, reflecting the light.
In the meantime, Dallen prepared the firewood.
"Hmm~ Phew. Firewood's overflowing..."