Beginnings of a Town
6 Cylus, 720
It was dark when Brent caught sight of the first distant houses of the new settlement. But then, it had been dark for the last 5-trial, now that the moons dominated the sky and blotted out the sun. The cartographer was bundled in several layers of fur plus a cloak on top as he walked alongside his horse. Tony was harnessed up to the business wagon and was laden with additional blankets for warmth. Behind them were two distinct lines in the snow from the big wooden wheels. The wagon only carried a light load of mostly salted meats, dried breads and cheese. He also brought along some extra furs in case the inhabitants of the new settlement were in need. As the wind blew a light dusting of snow across the white landscape, Brent adjusted the woolen scarf around his neck.
“Nearly there ol’ boy.” Brent murmured as he patted the horse’s rump and carried on towards the growing village.
As they reached the outskirts of the village, Brent noticed that many of the buildings were simple one-storey houses, mostly made of wood but sometimes a bit of stone. Nearly all the rooftops were covered with snow and there was almost a temporary nature to most of the buildings. There was the odd one that looked more sturdy and permanent. All in all, Brent was fascinated by the beginnings of this village as he guided his horse and wagon between the buildings.
It didn’t take long to cross the small settlement and at the far side was an open area that prominently displayed the multi-coloured stone it was named after. The Svariella Stone. For several minutes Brent stepped around the stone curiously. It was enormous and situated fairly close to the lake, of which the great spirit called its own. The colours on the stone seemed to fuse and blend together like a melted down mosaic.
“Hello, are you new to the Svariella Settlement?”
The sudden voice made Brent turn sharply, but standing before him was simply a bundled up woman of a short stature.
“I… heard much about it and wanted to see the place for myself.” Brent explained.
“Oh… so you’re not planning to stay?” She was a brunette with long tasselled hair and there were hints of brightly coloured clothes under her outer gear. “We’re always looking for new dreamers, weavers, carpenters and those who love the great lady of the lake. But if you’re just visiting and need a place to stay…”
“I was planning just to stay in the wagon. There’s room enough, and I wouldn’t want to…”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you can stay at my place. And your horse too. It’s small, but we have a communal stables that everyone uses.”
Brent was a little overwhelmed by the sheer generosity of the woman and the community as a whole, but eventually agreed to the accommodations. He managed to get the woman to accept some of the furs he had brought in exchange for the hospitality and hoped that at least he could offer food when it came to mealtime. The people he met seemed simple but well prepared for the cold season of Cylus. When he had arrived, it had seemed almost deserted, but that was because everyone was inside by the warmth of their fires.
He soon learned that the woman was named Adelaide and she had a family with three youngsters living at the small house. There was just enough space to squeeze Brent in, but the family didn’t seem to mind and were actually quite curious to hear tales from beyond the little village.
When Brent mentioned that he was a cartographer and traveled around Melrath, the children were first ecstatic and then wanted him to prove it. Although he feigned it as a chore, Brent was secretly delighted by the youngsters’ interest and he produced the various Melrath maps from his bag.
“But where is Svar Town?” Asked the youngest child, unable yet to pronounce the Spirit Svariella’s full name.
“The Svariella Stone is right… here!” Brent replied and pointed to a place on the regional Melrath map. “In fact, I’ll jot it down right now.” With some precision, he added a little dot and a label indicating the location of the new settlement.
“You know what, I think I’ll do up a small map of just the Svariella Settlement. And since you’ve been so hospitable, I’ll make you a copy as a token of my appreciation.”
There were some excited shouts from the kids and even the two young parents smiled at the idea.
“Nearly there ol’ boy.” Brent murmured as he patted the horse’s rump and carried on towards the growing village.
As they reached the outskirts of the village, Brent noticed that many of the buildings were simple one-storey houses, mostly made of wood but sometimes a bit of stone. Nearly all the rooftops were covered with snow and there was almost a temporary nature to most of the buildings. There was the odd one that looked more sturdy and permanent. All in all, Brent was fascinated by the beginnings of this village as he guided his horse and wagon between the buildings.
It didn’t take long to cross the small settlement and at the far side was an open area that prominently displayed the multi-coloured stone it was named after. The Svariella Stone. For several minutes Brent stepped around the stone curiously. It was enormous and situated fairly close to the lake, of which the great spirit called its own. The colours on the stone seemed to fuse and blend together like a melted down mosaic.
“Hello, are you new to the Svariella Settlement?”
The sudden voice made Brent turn sharply, but standing before him was simply a bundled up woman of a short stature.
“I… heard much about it and wanted to see the place for myself.” Brent explained.
“Oh… so you’re not planning to stay?” She was a brunette with long tasselled hair and there were hints of brightly coloured clothes under her outer gear. “We’re always looking for new dreamers, weavers, carpenters and those who love the great lady of the lake. But if you’re just visiting and need a place to stay…”
“I was planning just to stay in the wagon. There’s room enough, and I wouldn’t want to…”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you can stay at my place. And your horse too. It’s small, but we have a communal stables that everyone uses.”
Brent was a little overwhelmed by the sheer generosity of the woman and the community as a whole, but eventually agreed to the accommodations. He managed to get the woman to accept some of the furs he had brought in exchange for the hospitality and hoped that at least he could offer food when it came to mealtime. The people he met seemed simple but well prepared for the cold season of Cylus. When he had arrived, it had seemed almost deserted, but that was because everyone was inside by the warmth of their fires.
He soon learned that the woman was named Adelaide and she had a family with three youngsters living at the small house. There was just enough space to squeeze Brent in, but the family didn’t seem to mind and were actually quite curious to hear tales from beyond the little village.
When Brent mentioned that he was a cartographer and traveled around Melrath, the children were first ecstatic and then wanted him to prove it. Although he feigned it as a chore, Brent was secretly delighted by the youngsters’ interest and he produced the various Melrath maps from his bag.
“But where is Svar Town?” Asked the youngest child, unable yet to pronounce the Spirit Svariella’s full name.
“The Svariella Stone is right… here!” Brent replied and pointed to a place on the regional Melrath map. “In fact, I’ll jot it down right now.” With some precision, he added a little dot and a label indicating the location of the new settlement.
“You know what, I think I’ll do up a small map of just the Svariella Settlement. And since you’ve been so hospitable, I’ll make you a copy as a token of my appreciation.”
There were some excited shouts from the kids and even the two young parents smiled at the idea.
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Template Credit: Navyri
