Change of scenery (open)

[Kiltrin Hikory]

The wilderness of Syliras was hardly the place you expect to find anyone at a permanent disadvantage, even one on business. And yet, as much to his own disbelief as to the man assigned to escort him, Kiltrin was there. Weaponless and feeling quite exposed with just the covered cart (pulled by a horse well past its peak) full of boring documents and a small assortment of supplies for the journey for cover from attack and the elements. Of course they had been provided with a tent, such as it was- merely a once-waterproof canvas and some poles and pegs, but it hardly served to reassure him. Almost as soon as he had been told of his journey he had suspected it was more likely an opportunity to remove him from Syliras for some time readily taken by his superior. He was not far wrong, but as the majority of Kiltrin's thoughts not concerned with his work revolved around plots against him and immagined antipathies towards him, he had merely assented respectfully and gone to make arrangements. Interestingly, from when they had left the city Kiltrin had felt no paranoia towards his escort, a near-middle aged man originally from their destination, Ravok.

He had tried to converse with the man, whose name was Berran, but to no avail. Berran seemed immersed in memories of his childhood brought on by the journey, and so conversation tended to be rather one-sided. They had only been travelling less than two days, but Kiltrin was already eager to reach their destination. He had already resolved to see about hiring another guide when they reached the city on the lake. He tuned in briefly to hear Berran talking about a girl he had loved, and quickly tuned out again. At least the horse was silent.

They were passing through a narrow gorge in the rock, surrounded by shrubs and trees which, in Kiltrin's mind, provided the perfect cover for ambushers. He could see where the terrain levelled out somewhat, some seven hundred metres ahead, but it seemed to stretch further.

"Is there no... err... quicker way through?" he asked Berran, who seemed to need no map. The man seemed slightly put off at being interrupted, but answered obligingly.
"Nope. Straight through." He quickly returned to an account of some mischief or other he and his brothers had gotten into, prompting Kiltrin to set his teeth and silently urge the horse on faster.