[b]Chapter 3: Just say Ed[/b]

Oliver had never been talkative or social; he gladly enjoyed being alone with his animals. Because Nicolas didn't have anything to say either, their trip went along with silence. Moment by moment Nicolas drifted more and more away from his home. He had never travelled outside of his home village or its the nearby forest, so he felt a little bit nervous. He didn't even know what direction he should take to travel to reach his destination. Oliver would escort him only to Village of Hundred Passages and after that he would have to get along on his own. The thought slightly horrified Nicolas.

Men didn't talk, so the only noises were the creak of carriages and clattering of hooves as well as the singing of the birds. Currently they were travelling through some forest, branching of the trees creating shadows above them. Everything seemed so peaceful. Nicolas tried to focus onto this moment, attempting to move away the feeling of insecurity that was tormenting his mind. The nature had always brought comfort for him, no matter how bad day he had been having. Thus he now concentrated as well to listen the sounds of nature and looking around him, trying to make observations of what kind of animals thrived on these parts.

Little by little they approached the Village of Hundred Passages. Oliver had travelled countless of times to this village in order to fetch supplements for Raymond's beer stock. It was again his reason for his trip to the Village of Hundred Passages, he just had now gotten some company for his journey. Nicolas felt a bit tense to see this place in question because it was bigger than his home village. Even though he otherwise felt insecure regarding his travel, he was interested to see this village where few of the people he know had visited but which was unknown to him.

Village of Hundred Passages was a center of travelers. Through it went different kinds of people, whoever they were, like emissaries, merchants and other wanderers. The village was a good waypoint for many travelers, no matter which direction they were going. Because through of it went a lot of people, the village was pretty wealthy.

After about two hours the forest dodged away. The travelers were currently on top of some hill and below their destination were in sight; Village of Hundred Passages. They started to descend downwards with a stable pace. Nicolas was excited. He wanted to see already this place in question.

And after some time his wish was granted as Oliver directed his horse to the main street. Nicolas looked around in an interested manner. A lot of people were going their ways, remarkably more than in Rose Path. These people probably were mostly cheerful, for from everywhere emanated joyful murmuring. From some booths came a delicious food's scent that seduced the nose, the reason being fresh bread or soup or some other local people's work of art. Somewhere aside the main street was fire-eaters among other things displaying their amazing skills. All in all the Village of Hundred Passages was lively place.

After a moment Oliver stopped his carriage in front of certain inn. A sign that was attached to a wall swung in a mild wind and told: Mad Hound.

“I won't carry you further than this”, Oliver blurted silently.

“All right”, Nicolas said. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Good luck”, Oliver bided.

Nicolas may could have marched into the inn and reserved a room, but he was too interested in the colorful every day life of Village of Hundred Passages, so he set off to wander and look around. He felt hungry and thirsty, so he bought with the silver coins he had acquired from his mother a flask that could be attached to his belt as well as bread and then continued his wandering in the village while enjoying his simple meal.

The young man was so focused on glancing around him that he forgot to look forward. He accidentally bumped against someone.

“Oh, sorry, mister”, Nicolas said, embarrassed.

“It's okay, son”, the man replied cheerfully. He was approximately a middle aged man, whose blond beard and hair had already started to turn to gray.

Nicolas didn't know how he should act now, so he just stood in place, mortified.

It didn't seem to hinder the unfamiliar man.

“Name is Edgar”, the man introduced himself. “But you can just say Ed. Who are you?”

“Nicolas.”

“Let's shake hands.”

Edgar handed over his left hand, but before Nicolas could grab it, he pulled his hand back.

As Nicolas was wondering the man's behavior, this just commented: “Oops, wrong hand.”

The young man wasn't sure was this trick intentional or not. Edgar raised his hand to display and then Nicolas noticed: the man was missing a part of his limb. His hand was cut off slightly above his wrist.

“Another hand”, Edgar stated and offered his right, whole hand. Nicolas grabbed it and they shook hands.

“Well… um…” Nicolas started.

“Yes?”

“Can I ask… What's happened to your hand?”

“But of course!” Edgar shouted shrilly. “It was I who brought the subject up forth! But first, have you heard about Old Wind Mountain's war raging in the west?”

“Yeah, I have”, Nicolas replied. “I know a carpenter whose three sons were recruited into the army to fight there.”

Though they were never heard from again.

“Anyhow, I took part in the battle as well”, Edgar told. “But one day some enemy soldier managed to cut off my hand. It was my sword hand in question, so I couldn't partake in the battle anymore. Waging war is such a foolish thing, by the way. It's full of unnecessary violence and losing lives. Hopefully Old Wind Mountain's war would end soon.”

“I agree”, Nicolas blurted out.

“I just visited Crescent Valley in order to bury one of my comrades who fought beside me. Rest in piece, my old buddy. And now I'm here, travelling towards my home. What about you, where are you from, where are you going?”

“I am from Rose Path village. And – “

“Aa, Rose Path, nice little village. I made a short visit to it once. Well, what about your destination?”

“I am traveling to Violet Hillock.”

“Oh wow! I'm going to the same direction! How about it, would you like to travel with me?”

Nicolas was surprised by this offer. What were the odds for him to find so easily someone whom to travel with? Not that he'd complained. He was actually happy about this suggestion.

That's why the young man answered: “Of course!”

Nicolas felt relieved. Maybe his journey wouldn't turn out to be as awful as he had first thought it to be.