On the plains, four people pushed a cart along the road, as the early autumn wind blew by, making the air slightly chilly.
"I say, haven't you ever raised any animals to pull the cart before? Doing it manually is really tiring," complained Flan, panting and leaning on the cart.
"We did raise them, but they fell sick later and died. Food has been scarce, and there hasn't been a strong need, so we haven't continued. We were actually thinking of buying a few young ones next spring," Guy paused as well. His status was much better than Flan's, probably because he knew how to use force efficiently, so he wasn't too tired.
"Bear with it, once we reach Lake Wind Settlent, we can buy an animal to pull the cart from them."
On the other side, Tilan and Ores weren't pulling the cart, just carrying lighter backpacks. At this mont, Tilan was giving Ores so water to drink, and oddly enough, Ores seed to have learned sothing during this ti. As soon as she felt thirsty, she'd look for Tilan to get water, and refused to eat or drink what other places offered.
Though having a sense of caution was a good trait, Tilan occasionally worried about what would happen when they eventually parted ways.
"Have you had enough to drink?" Tilan asked as she observed her putting down the cup.
"Yes, thank you, Tilan." She held the cup and returned it to Tilan, who then put it back into the pocket on the side of her backpack. Afterwards, Tilan helped her wipe her face.
The backpack held food for the four of them, a small amount of herbal dicine, silk cloth, so tools, and that special sword.
For the convenience of travel, the girl had changed into newly tailored long pants for this journey, along with a simple gray-brown hooded robe.
While traveling outside, a hood was almost essential; otherwise, it would be uncomfortable with all sorts of wind and dust blowing into her hair. If it rained, having a hood would feel much better, even though it's not waterproof.
This ti, tying a breathable scarf around the face helped prevent wind and sand from entering the nose and mouth, making it impossible to discern the appearance of her and Ores from the outside.
Before leaving, Sura remarked that this outfit was pretty good since their appearances were too distinctive, concealing them could save a lot of unnecessary trouble.
After resting for a while, the four resud their journey. They walked for a day and a half, and only by the afternoon of the second day did they see a group of people herding on the plains.
They rode on small, dappled horses, herding a flock of sheep marked with gray, black, and brownish stripes. Occasionally, a few brown-yellow dogs could be seen running within the flock, driving them.
"Those are Lake Wind Settlent people. I'll go say hello." Guy had the group stop as the herders riding on horses in the distance also noticed them but didn't rush over, instead keeping vigilant from afar.
"Oh hey—" Guy mimicked a rough hollering sound, shouting across the plains while raising one hand high to wave.
This action attracted barking from the shepherd dogs; several of them rushed out of the flock and sat on the grass, their barking serving as warning and alert.
Then the herders shouted a command, making the dogs cease their barking, and sent one among them riding a horse to approach, neither hurriedly nor leisurely.
After so dialogue in the open area, Guy waved to Tilan and the others, and then the three slowly followed the cart over.
"t a familiar face at just the right ti." Guy and the herder riding the small horse ca over. The latter wore a sheepskin felt hat and slung a matching sheepskin coat over his body, with a sheath and knife on one side of the horse, and a well-maintained shotgun on the other.
After reaching the group, the herder dismounted, carrying a scent of long interactions with livestock, his rough black hands covered in calluses.
"Good to et you." He spoke sowhat formally in standard language, handing over a sheepskin bag from the horse, which likely contained fernted milk wine.
Tilan waved her hand, indicating refusal and gratitude, but out of curiosity, Flan took it and sipped.
"Phew, the taste is strong." He returned the bag to the herder.
Fernted alcohol with the fishy taste of sheep's milk was a rare treat on this land, but for the two girls from the civilized world, it was still a bit too stimulating.
Later, the four followed the herders and nearly a hundred sheep in the journey under the sunset until nightfall gradually arrived at a settlent with bonfires and wooden fences.
About fifty people lived here, among whom are over twenty adult n, the rest being won and children. They resided in tents made of wool, even won carried knives, and so even bore guns.
"Long ti no see, Guy." The leader of Lake Wind Settlent was a middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache. He also sported a sheepskin coat and felt hat, sowhat corpulent but still formidable.
"Greetings Alliance Hierarch." Guy clasped hands and bent to salute. Since childhood, he had traveled various places with the rchant convoy, familiar with such manners.
"You sure are particular." The leader smiled, though he said this, he was quite pleased, instructing to hand the nearly roasted lamb ribs.
"Tonight, let's have a good al and restful sleep."
"Thank you." What's happened recently had indeed made him sowhat tense and weary.
"Hahaha~" The leader stroked his nearby mustache, laughing heartily, then called for everyone to sit.
Tilan and the others also sat by the bonfire, as Guy divided the lamb ribs using a knife and placed them on clean stone slabs in front of the three.
"You can skewer them with branches and grill them again by the fire." Guy suggested, while asking the nearby herders for so salt, placing it by the three.
"For drinks we only have milk wine here, if you're not accustod to it, you can take the water from your packs to drink."
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