The grassland seemed to stretch endlessly before them, each hill revealing only more hills beyond. The landscape itself was beautiful, wild grasses swaying in the breeze, patches of wildflowers adding splashes of color to the green, yet the continued absence of wildlife made it feel like walking through a painting rather than a living land.
"You know what this reminds me of?" Nik called from where he limped along using a makeshift walking stick. "That time I performed in Lord Halwick's manor, where he had those enormous landscape paintings in his great hall. Beautiful things, perfect in every detail, but completely lifeless. His guests would stare at them for hours, drinking his expensive wine and pretending to understand art."
He attempted a laugh that sounded strained even to his own ears. "I made the mistake of suggesting they were boring. Nearly got thrown out on my ear."
