[The Sunset Falls] Happy Campers (open)

[Seamus Okibbon]

Timestamp: Season of Spring, 14th Day, 510AV

Seamus rode slowly through the ancient forest, allowing Ruby to pick her way leisurely through the debris fallen across the long time unused track. He listened to the roaring of Sunset Falls, growing louder by the minute. He leaned his head back and looked at the clear blue spring sky through the dense canopy of evergreens. He took in a deep breath and let himself relax. After this week, he deserved it.

After five years of traversing the wilderness, the return to Syliras was a shock to his system. The streets were too crowded, the walls were too high, and worst of all the city positively stank.

To think I had once called that place home...

Seamus turned a corner and came across a half rotten sign reading "Sunset Falls Pool, 500 paces." He had come here to relax for a few nights, set up a modest campsite, hunt some small game to smoke and salt, and perhaps bathe in the pool which sat at the foot of the great waterfall. He was not regularly a clean man, but the filth of the city permeated his skin and clung to his clothes. The stench of the streets was in his hair and beard, both of which needed a wash and trim.

He hoped no one else would show up to disturb his peace.

The clearing at the end of the path was evidently well used, but not for a long time. No one came here to camp during the winter, and clearly he was the first to take advantage of the clear spring skies and warmer weather. Seamus knew that this place would be crowded with families come summer, children yelling and parents drinking ale and wine by the campfires. But, for now at least, he had this space to himself, and he was looking forward to a few days of peace before he returned to the city.

The city, which held too many memories. Memories of blood, murder, betrayal. Memories of a family which no longer existed, of brothers who had been slain before his very eyes as he was forced to watch, and then let live for no reason but to suffer in his loneliness.

But this respite would be good for him. Ruby came to a stop in the dead centre of the clearing, and began to graze. She was done with riding, and nothing he could do now would make her go on. That was fine with him, he was ready to dismount and set up camp. He swung himself off the saddle and took stock of his surroundings.

The clearing sat directly on the shore of the pool, perhaps a thousand paces from where the glowing falls crashed into the rocks and water at the bottom of the two thousand foot cliff. It was clear why this was a favorite spot for tourists - the view afforded of the falls was magnificent, and Seamus counted it amongst the most beautiful things he had ever seen. He was not prone to fancy, but he took a few moments, holding his breath due to the sheer beauty of the cascading water which caught the morning light so perfectly.

The only thing which would make this morning better would be a stiff drink though Seamus, and turned to fetch his wineskin from the saddlebags strapped to Ruby's back.