OOM: On the way to Highbridge
The sun beat down with the remains of its summer heat, sparkling on the waters of the Ratterlin. The river was wide here, and the shallows were filled with eddies where fish hid. A couple of delicious sunperch did much to soften Yrael's utter dislike of getting wet. Remembering that he was supposed to be practicing getting used to the water, as per his promise, helped as well.
That isn't to say that Yrael was not glad when the river traffic started to pick up enough that he needed to wade back to the shore to stay mostly unnoticed. It was another two hours to High Bridge, but there was no need to announce his presence prematurely, if at all.
He whistled a cheerful, warbling tune to fill the quiet left by the lack of birds singing near him. Those he met along the road who would recognize him as being other than just another traveller on his way to High Bridge were those he was seeking; Yrael would get to them soon enough. Those who would not recognize him would get a cheerful smile and a greeting from the strange traveller in white; the women would receive a smile and a nod accompanied by the tipping of the traveller's white hat. Such a strange hat, they would remark, in such a foreign style. He must be from Ancelstierre.
That isn't to say that Yrael was not glad when the river traffic started to pick up enough that he needed to wade back to the shore to stay mostly unnoticed. It was another two hours to High Bridge, but there was no need to announce his presence prematurely, if at all.
He whistled a cheerful, warbling tune to fill the quiet left by the lack of birds singing near him. Those he met along the road who would recognize him as being other than just another traveller on his way to High Bridge were those he was seeking; Yrael would get to them soon enough. Those who would not recognize him would get a cheerful smile and a greeting from the strange traveller in white; the women would receive a smile and a nod accompanied by the tipping of the traveller's white hat. Such a strange hat, they would remark, in such a foreign style. He must be from Ancelstierre.