Into the Grasslands
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 20268
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She and Andrea had gone north from Croix Keep to Chante, Astra recalled,
and then southeast to the farmhouse where they had been betrayed. So to
the west, this road probably ran to the Keep. Not only would it not take
her in the direction she wanted to go, whether she went west or east, if
she took it she would risk running into a band of the Dragon's men using
it. No, she would continue going southeast, the direction in which she
believed Caemlyn lay.
She recalled a conversation which she had had with Andrea. On foot, the journey would take two weeks or more, whilst if she could somehow obtain a horse it would be less than half that. [15628] Still too long, she thought. I must find a mage or witch who can help me before that. The only consolation was that, if she had been informed correctly, the border of the Royal Province should not be more than a day or two's journey. Once she had crossed into the King's own lands, she hoped that she would be safe from the Dragon's forces. The road marked the southern edge of the forest, and Astra now passed into a land of open plains. She kept alert, for it was the sort of terrain where she could both see and be seen for a considerable distance. But she saw no-one. It seemed that the soil was not fertile enough to have attracted farmers to the region, and there was little game here to bring hunters or trappers. The lack of much wildlife, or even of much vegetation other than grass, was not good news for Astra, though. She had no supplies, and not having eaten since yesterday evening her stomach was already beginning to rumble. Then, she estimated about four hours after she had crossed the road, she crested a low ridge, and saw a small valley ahead of her through which a stream ran from northeast to southwest. Four or five cottages were clustered by the stream, surrounded by small fields. After her recent experience, Astra was wary. But she really did need to get some food from somewhere, and it seemed unlikely that enemies could be found in such an isolated hamlet.
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JH (direction to Caemlyn is based on The Traveler's map of Allaria)
7/28/2002 1:53:53 PM
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