This story is based off of this game
Call to Adventure: Destiny's a Funny Thing
Act 1: A Bright Start
Scene 1: A new home
Sweat stinging her eyes, her nose burning with the scents mingling in the market, Ellen helped her mother heave the last of the crates into the wagon. Her mother was acting odd; glancing at her, then glancing away and smiling at the ground. Half-laughing, she wiped her hands on her dress. “Why won’t you tell me where we’re going?” It must have been somewhere important; her father had taken a horse they’d recently acquired and ridden ahead to reserve a booth or stand.
“Oh, you won’t get me ta’ run over.” Her mother took the kerchief from around her neck and swiped at her forehead. “I’m not breathing a word.”
Ellen helped close the wagon up. After shooing away several urchins who tried to either pickpocket her or steal from the wagon, she made her way to the front. She didn’t say anything until they had both taken a seat and her mother had whipped the oxen into movement. Working her hands in her skirt, she scooted closer. “Are we going to Woodlyn? Wildrose Creek?” Her mother’s only answer was another side-glance and a smile. Ellen tilted her head back. “Oh, why won’t you show me the map?”
“You’ll see when we get there!”
———
The journey took several days. Each day heightened Ellen’s suspense, for each day landmarks that she’d only ever heard of dotted the road: the Goldblossom Rocks, the Forest of Flames (the leaves weren’t actual flame as she’d imagined, but instead jagged-edged, rose-red leaves). The landmark that made her feel like her heart had stopped was seen on the last day of travel.
Her mother had forced Ellen into the covered wagon for the last section of the journey. Sitting among the crates and barrels, Ellen fumed. Excitedly, of course, for she had an idea of where they were. When her mother called her out, she scrambled to the cloth flap and poked her head out. The path went to the right and to the left. Ahead was a rim of jagged stone. All vegetation and soil had been burned away for twenty feet, up to the edge of a cliff. “Witch’s Walk,” she breathed. She turned her head around, wishing she were an owl and could see everything at once. Far to the right, where the road ended abruptly at the scarred ground, a gate and two sentinels stood. The sentinels wore bright blue cloaks fastened with glimmering green pins at their throats.
Her mother’s laugh jolted her out of her amazement. “Remember to breathe, child.”
“We’re not...how did...Benetoit City?”
“No. Better.” Her mother turned the wagon down the left path. “Berylwood Ridge.”
Ellen felt a brief moment of disappointment, quickly replaced by feverish excitement. While Berylwood Ridge was smaller and held less legend in it, it was rumored to be the prettiest place north of the Whistling River, with a towering mountain rich in minerals and gemstones. It wasn’t the capitol, but it was close. “How did we ever manage to afford that?”
For a moment, her mother’s smile dimmed. “We made a few trades. Now heft yourself back up, enjoy the view.”
Ellen twisted this way and that in the seat, looking less at the town that was soon visible below and more at the mountain face.
Her mother nudged her. “What are you looking for?”
“The stories say that the mountain is so rich that veins of gems are visible on the surface.” She frowned. “So far, I haven’t seen any.”
“That must be the ‘tall’ of the tale you were told.”
“Like you didn’t believe it!” After sharing a laugh, Ellen leaned forward. “May I run ahead? I want to see the town.”
“We’ll be in sight in less than an hour. Besides, I think ye’ll have a hard time finding our place.”
“Is the market arranged differently than we’re used to?”
“Noooo,” her mother said, pursing her lips. “We just bought differently. Ah!” She clicked at the oxen and lashed at the reins. “You’ll not get another word from me. Be patient. Here, something to occupy your mind.”
Ellen took her turn at the reins. It seemed like her family was finally getting their dream; a place to settle down, and grow their business. “I can’t wait.”
“We’ve waited this long; an hour more will do us no harm.”
Ellen grinned and toyed with the reins. “Neither will getting there early.”
“Don't you dare.”
“Yes mum,” she sighed.
About an hour later, they could see the town below them.
Ellen pulled the oxen to a stop and leaned over. “I could walk on the rooftops from here!”
Looking from the coruscating verandas and shingled rooftops nearest her to those further out, it seemed someone else had the same idea.
With his free hand—he had a coat of some sort slung on the other arm—he waved jauntily at them.
Ellen could practically hear her mother's thought: Dear Ve, someone else as crazy as my daughter!
A bell rang out over the town. Ellen could just see the flash in the steeple—presumably the Ronin School, named for one of the most prosperous miners who first came to the valley—situated in the center. The boy on the rooftops gave one last wave, then headed towards the school.
Ellen listened to the bell for a moment longer, and imagined being down on those cobbled streets, heading to class. They taught politics, history, arcana...
“I thought you wanted to get to the city sooner than later,” her mother teasingly said.
“Sorry.” Ellen got the oxen moving again. She didn't feel as excited as she had earlier.
The creak of the wheels and the dull murmur of the town were the only sounds for a while. Clearing her throat, her mother said, “We'll have to get you a scholar's shawl, if you want to fit in with that crowd.”
Shaking her head, Ellen tapped her heel against the boards. “I'll be busy helping you and da.”
“Ah, the one time I try to give you a hint, and you don't hear it.”
Ellen twisted in the seat. “You were able to get me into the school?”
“No, you'll have to do that on your own. We have no doubt you will, and arranged the shop so we can manage it alone.” Her mother smiled.
Holding back a whoop so as not to startle the oxen, Ellen faced forward again. “Can this month get any better?”
“That's up to you!”
This was a fun story! I enjoyed the world it was set in.
ReplyDeleteI liked this a lot! A cool world and a fun start to a story. I'd like to see more!
ReplyDelete