A Forking Path

Before the sun had finished raising above the horizon, Arisa, Emmy, Silas, and Xarus were already up and moving along the road. Very soon they would be in Arish, the largest trade city in Nefetria. Only a dozen or so minutes into their trek, they heard the wheels of a stagecoach coming from behind them down the road. The carriage itself was quit simple looking. Tied to the top and almost spilling out of the windows were various crates a boxes, and a few rolled up carpets and rugs of earthly colors. The drive, holding the reigns of two large buffalo pulling the carriage along, sat side by side a large sakrah woman holding a a small piece of wood with two long metal cylinders attached. As it passed by, Xarus felt something hit his cheek. Wiping at his face pulled off what was unmistakenly saliva.

"They should really watch where they do that."

"What?" asked Emmy.

"I believe that driver spat on me." Xarus commented, cleaning off his face and hand using his already dirtied clothes.

"I guess they were right about Arish not really being accepting of outsiders." Arisa made a grumpy looking face, furling her eyebrows and frowning. "You know, to the north are the plains that lead into the woods. It's been a long while since I've been up this way, but I could track us through them without stopping in town if we want." Her face turned to one of confidence, as she clenched her hand into a fist, a look of determination coming over her.

"Well, it's an option. On the other hand, this is a large trade town. We likely could get supplies we otherwise couldn't come across, and we still have a fair bit of gold." Silas readjusted his pack and continued forward, getting a few paces ahead before facing back to the group.

The decision before them was a simple one: continue east to Arish or head northward through the plains to the Elven Circle. However, it was not one to be made lightly.