Chapter 1: Unexpected Traveler
The morning breeze blew across the meadow of the Shepherds Village. The tall grasses swayed gracefully as its leaves tilted to reveal the paler side, casting a pleasant illusion of green waves flowing across the field.
Atop the hillside at the edge of the grassland, a young man jumped down from the seat of his wagon, limping a little when he reached the ground as he struggled for balance.
He yawned as he stretched his arms, satisfied moans escaping his lips with every crack of his bones. He had been sitting for two hours straight, it made his shoulders and legs go numb and tingling.
On a normal day, two hours of driving shouldn't be this tiring for him. If he hadn't had to wake up and pack his things two hours before daybreak he could still go on until noon. Last night, he wasn't able to get a nice sleep from the occasional howling of wolves and other beasts, unable to let his guard down to safeguard his horse.
While still yawning, he drowsily walked from the roadway to the edge of the hill. His brown eyes gently brightened as he saw the scenery below him. As if struck by a spell, his sleepiness started to fade.
A sudden strong breeze of air blew the hood of his cloak, he closed his eyes and savored the fresh spring air. His almost-yellow brown hair seemed to dance with the wind as he admired the stunning view. A nature's work of art. The blotches of flowers that spread across the field were practically glowing from the light of the sun. They seemed to be floating above the sea of grass whilst colorful insects danced around them.
Orloh felt the sudden will to stay at that place for a while. He had been traveling and trading for more than a year now, he felt the need for a vacation. But the scenery below him was practically screaming that he couldn't and he should be hurrying.
Three months ago, he contracted several craftsmen in Hyndrel Town to bring them their requested materials. He needed to get there before the Flower Festival. If he couldn't accomplish the requests in time the pay would be lowered according to the contract. He even showed them his merchant pass, proof that he was a licensed merchant and could be trusted to do the work. It would be really bad for his reputation if he failed the requests.
He sighed in acceptance. He still has a lot of time for vacation. Extending his left hand forward as if catching something, he felt a weird sensation on his skin from the gold bracelet he was wearing. In an instant, a thickly folded parchment covered in faint light appeared above his hand, floating. The parchment revealed to be light brown as the white light slowly vanished.
The bracelet was one of Orloh's most prized possession. Interspatial objects were rare. They contained a different dimensional space inside them. They could only be created by wizards using spatial magic, runes, and exceptional crafting ability. Done with immense difficulty, not a lot of wizard craftsmen could successfully make one.
The light brown parchment gently opened itself as it floated in the air, expanding from the size of a notebook to an arm's span length and width.
It was the map of Hyndrel Town where he contracted his clients. A sketch of mountains and forests was drawn upon it. Drawn with only black ink, at first glance, it would be mistaken as a parchment with just a lot of random small sketches on it. But looking at it closely, you would notice that it actually had a lot of details, they were just too small to notice.
The first time Orloh used a map, he got lost in a forest full of dangerous beasts. Carnivorous and toxic plants almost killed him. He aimlessly wandered around until he miraculously found his way out. He still cringed to himself every time he remembered that.
He looked for the Shepherds Village on the map, the grassland before him was just a tiny speck on the parchment. Hyndrel Town was still two days away from the Shepherds Village. But the Flower Festival would be happening in four days.
The route he took was a lot closer to Hyndrel Town, so he thought it would be faster. He never thought that the road would be so rough and steep. He didn't want to damage his wagon so he drove a lot slower than usual.
Far across the grassland, about two miles away, patches of white would be seen dotted near each other. That should be the sheep and the shepherds. Farther across the meadow, a lot of square stone houses clustered not too far from the shepherds. That must be the villager's home.
With a wave of his hand the map folded itself, a faint white light covered it and vanished. He stored it again in his spatial bracelet.
He walked back to his wagon, his dark brown cloak swayed with his motion. The horse neighed as it noticed his owner approaching. He gently rubbed the brown skin of the horse before climbing at the seat of his wagon.
The road down the hill gently stooped down to the level ground. The horse shouldn't have any problem pulling the wagon this time. He could go a little faster now.
He reached for the reins and gave it a light flick.
The horse felt the slight force from the leather straps connected to its mouth, a signal from the rider. Responding with a neigh, it started to pull the wagon.
****
In the middle of the meadow, the tips of the tall grasses brushed above the knees of the shepherds. Every morning they would tend to the sheep to feed them with grasses. After this they would lead them near the river to let them drink.
A small sheep was walking away from the herd, completely covered by the grasses. Even if the grasses concealed the sheep thoroughly a young shepherd standing afar still noticed it.
He immediately walked after it, careful not to startle the other sheep. He extended his crook to block the sheep, his huge white cloak swaying along with the wind appeared even wider as he extended his arms sideward.
The sheep stopped on its track and started walking back to the herd led by the young shepherd.
As he guided the small sheep back, the young shepherd noticed an incoming wagon being pulled by a horse. A man wearing a dark cloak was sitting in front of it.
He felt startled. Wagons shouldn't be able to pass through that road. The road on the mountains was too steep and narrow for a wagon after all. After contemplating for a while, he thought that horses could possibly make it, but a wagon was impossible.
With a bewildered look on his eyes he turned to his father. He too was looking at the direction of the wagon, along with the three other shepherds.
The father turned his gaze to the young shepherd with a stern look plastered across his face.
"Notify the village. Tell them to prepare for trouble."
"Yes, father."
With a sense of urgency, the young shepherd hurried toward the village.
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
dried_shiitake
dried_shiitake Thank you for reading up to this point.
I just started this book. Feel free to comment the shortcomings of this book. That would be greatly appreciated.
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