Chapter 2: Us and the Grand Valleys Below
A gorgeous amber morning awoke me since I was the one closest to the windows; I was listening to the reports of the goings-on of the war and home news since we left the radio on because of our laziness and not wanting to get out of the awfully comfy beds.I checked my watch on the decorative end table to see it was about seven in the morning. It took some encouragement for me to get out of bed, but I managed; I headed to the washbasin, pulling my shirt off and exposing myself to the mirror.
I looked at myself — the scar from a knife fight with an orc ran down my bearded, slightly gaunt cheek; my thick, wavy black hair with the natural ginger being the lower half was slightly messy from a good night's rest; and my muscular but athletic chest that was fairly hairy and lastly, my piercing emerald eyes.
I looked as I stroked over the scar before then turning on the tap and letting warm water fill the basin. As I opened the mirrored medicine cabinet, I pulled out the soap and various other things to clean with and made sure I was looking in order.
It took a while before I finished and then left the bathroom, pulling my shirt back on myself and then putting on a leather jacket and head for the door that goes onto the walkways, the airship was fairly quiet, the odd elf and such on the gangway waved to me and gave me a hello as I headed up a few metal stairs and then into the dining hall for breakfast.
The place was extravagant, wood flooring that seems to be lacquered and polished consistently, decorated walls and massive windows, since the place was fairly empty I took my time looking for a seat at the windowed parts of the dining hall before I finally catch a seat near a window and took a seat, pulling my jacket off and then relaxing.
It wasn't too long until I saw a familiar face come out and give a smile that gave a warm glow, as if seeing a familiar friend and then that well-spoken voice said, "Ah, Sir, how is one?"
"Pretty well, Roderick. I Woke up this morning and like most living things, I am hungry for breakfast. Can I have a menu?
"Of course, Sir." He smiles before then pulling the menu from under his arm and putting it in front of me "May I ask where your elven companion is?"
I replied with a polite smile and answered, "In bed still, I'm quite a light sleeper you see."
"Ah, very well, sir, take your time as I serve a few others. Do you wish for any drinks before I depart?"
"Yeah, can I take one cup of tea with a splash of milk and honey?"
The minotaur nodded humbly and then departs to the kitchen to put in the order for me as I observed and looked to the lands below, watching the world as if I were a giant, realizing how varied the landscape is of the homeland as we kept baring east from mine and Ari's home city of Delespool, over our great island kingdom and all the way to the frigid tundra of Elderen to find the tombs of a long-lost people.
I was not paying attention since I was so distracted with looking out the window that I didn't even notice Ari entering the dining hall. She was a hell of a scout, and she scared the hell out of me when she shouted in orcish, which jumped the other dining patrons who gave a foul look to the snow elf, but Ari wasn't too bothered.
"Danguluz! Danguluz! DAG RAM GULMAZ URAK!"
I jumped to turn around and Ari laughing before ruffling my hair as I sighed and I went to combing it back into place and shaking my head "Alright, Ari, you got me, get yourself a seat."
"How's it going Joe? Ordered anything nice for breakfast?" The white-haired elf asked me with a smile showing through her crimson-painted lips.
"Just a cup of milky honey tea," I replied, looking out the window.
"Nothing else?"
"Got a food order in mind, to be honest."
"Go on,"
"A fine selection of eggs, toast, sausages and bacon."
"Not bad, don't mind if I take a look at the menu?"
I hand her the menu as I keep looking out the window before finally getting my honey milk tea from the towering minotaur, as he said, "Here we are, sir. Apologies for it, being late had a slight problem with the kettle. Ah, your companion! Anything to want, ma'am?"
She nods and replied, "Yes, can I get the same as Joseph please, that will be all."
"Of course, honey and milk tea as well?"
"Aye, that'd be fantastic."
I then took a sip of my tea as I looked out the window and sighed a sigh of relief, happy to be adventuring more peacefully with my eternal best friend from birth, away from the whistling of shells and the crack of guns and out hunting for great treasures, of a time of peace long past and of heroes long gone.
I felt this sense of comfort warming my body, already feeling sorry for those lone adventurers quite a lot, unable to share their adventure and time with someone they care for as I sipped my tea.
Being lost in thought made the wait for food a lot shorter, Roderick coming out with plates on a tray and another cup of tea, which got put in front of us as Roderick asked in his proud voice, "Another tea, sir?"
"Please, if you can, Roderick,"
"Of course, sir."
It wasn't long before Ari pulled out a pretty ancient-looking journal and put it on the table with a smile.
"Read that once we finished breakfast, I think I might be on to something."
I nod and we went to eating and drinking our cups of tea, cracking jokes and smiles like we usually do with our firm sense of friendship and comradery.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone