Chapter 151 - 146: The Long Road to Valenor
The road leading away from Greenhollow was peaceful.
Unlike the dense forests and dangerous ruins John had traveled through in the past, this road was well maintained. Wagon tracks marked the dirt path, and stone mile markers appeared every few kilometers, worn smooth by years of travelers passing by.
Fields of wheat swayed gently beneath the afternoon breeze.
Small farms dotted the countryside, their owners tending crops or repairing fences.
For the first time in weeks, the scenery around them continued to change as they walked.
John glanced back one last time.
Greenhollow had long since disappeared beyond the hills.
"...We’ve really left."
Lythriel walked beside him.
"You miss it already?"
John smiled.
"A little."
She laughed softly.
"I thought you’d deny it."
"I was going to."
"But?"
"I’ve learned there’s not much point pretending."
She gave him an approving nod.
"That’s progress."
---
The four of them continued along the road at a comfortable pace.
No one hurried.
Aerion estimated that Valenor was still several days away, and there was little reason to exhaust themselves.
The countryside itself was worth enjoying.
A flock of sheep crossed the road ahead, forcing a merchant caravan to stop.
The shepherd apologized repeatedly while trying to gather the wandering animals.
Instead of becoming impatient, the merchants climbed down from their wagons to help.
Within minutes, the sheep were safely back together.
The caravan moved on with cheerful waves.
John watched the entire exchange.
"No one complained."
Aerion smiled.
"Life is slower outside the great cities."
"It teaches patience."
---
Around midday, the road curved alongside a shallow stream.
The clear water flowed lazily over smooth stones.
Lythriel stopped.
"I’m taking a break."
John looked at the stream.
"I’m not arguing with that."
They set down their packs beneath a large willow tree.
Sylvara immediately knelt beside the water.
"It’s so clear."
Tiny fish darted between the rocks, disappearing whenever shadows passed overhead.
John crouched beside the stream and splashed cool water over his face.
It felt refreshing after hours of walking.
Lythriel smiled.
"I think this is the first time I’ve seen you enjoy doing absolutely nothing."
John thought about it.
"...You’re probably right."
---
As they rested, another traveler approached from the opposite direction.
He appeared to be in his late fifties, wearing a faded brown cloak and carrying an oversized backpack filled with rolled maps.
He paused when he noticed the group.
"Mind if I rest here for a few minutes?"
"Not at all," Aerion replied.
The man gratefully sat beneath the willow tree with a relieved sigh.
"My knees aren’t what they used to be."
John smiled.
"Long journey?"
The traveler chuckled.
"Long life."
That answer caught John’s attention.
---
"My name’s Cedric."
"I’m a cartographer."
Lythriel tilted her head.
"You make maps?"
Cedric nodded proudly.
"For nearly thirty years."
He carefully removed a leather tube from his backpack before unrolling a beautifully drawn map across the grass.
John leaned closer.
It showed rivers, villages, mountain ranges, and roads stretching across a vast region.
"You drew all this?"
"Every line."
Cedric smiled.
"Some people collect treasures."
"I collect places."
John studied the map with genuine interest.
Greenhollow appeared as nothing more than a tiny dot.
Beyond it lay dozens of villages.
Several towns.
And, farther northeast...
A city surrounded by thick walls.
Valenor.
It looked much farther away on the map than it had in his imagination.
---
Cedric noticed John’s expression.
"First time traveling this region?"
John nodded.
"It is."
The old cartographer smiled knowingly.
"Then here’s a piece of advice."
John listened carefully.
"Never rush to your destination so much that you forget to look around."
He gently tapped the map.
"The places people remember most..."
"...are rarely the ones they planned to visit."
John couldn’t help but think of Greenhollow.
He had never intended to stay there.
Yet it had become one of the most memorable places in his journey.
"I’ll remember that."
Cedric rolled the map back up.
"Good."
---
Before continuing on his way, the old traveler reached into his bag and pulled out a small folded parchment.
"Here."
John accepted it.
"A map?"
"A local one."
"It’ll make reaching Valenor a little easier."
John looked surprised.
"I can’t accept this."
Cedric waved a dismissive hand.
"I’ve already memorized every road on it."
"It’ll help you more than it’ll help me."
John bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
The old man smiled before shouldering his heavy backpack once more.
"Perhaps we’ll meet again somewhere down the road."
"Safe travels."
"And to you."
The four companions watched him disappear along the winding road until he was no more than a distant silhouette.
---
Lythriel looked toward John.
"You’ve met a lot of interesting old people recently."
John laughed.
"Now that you mention it..."
"The woodcarver."
"Old Mira."
"Harvin."
"Elder Rowan."
"And now Cedric."
Aerion closed his eyes briefly.
"Age often brings stories."
John nodded.
"And wisdom."
"Sometimes."
Aerion smiled.
"Other times it simply brings stubbornness."
Lythriel pointed at him.
"That sounded personal."
"It was."
Everyone laughed.
---
The rest of the afternoon passed quietly.
The road gradually climbed higher, offering a beautiful view of the countryside below.
Golden fields stretched toward the horizon.
Small villages rested between patches of forest.
In the distance, faint outlines of mountain peaks rose against the sky.
John slowed his pace.
He took a deep breath.
"This world is bigger than I imagined."
Aerion glanced toward him.
"You’ve only seen a fraction of it."
John smiled.
"Then I have a lot left to explore."
---
As evening approached, they reached a small travelers’ rest built beside the road.
It wasn’t an inn.
Just a simple stone shelter with a roof, a well, and several wooden benches where weary travelers could spend the night without sleeping in the open.
A few merchants had already settled there, preparing dinner over a shared campfire.
One of them waved as the group approached.
"Plenty of room over here."
John returned the wave.
"Thank you."
---
The atmosphere reminded him a little of Greenhollow.
Strangers shared food without expecting payment.
Stories replaced silence as night settled over the countryside.
One merchant spoke about trading in distant kingdoms.
Another described crossing snow-covered mountain passes during winter.
John mostly listened.
He enjoyed hearing about places he had yet to see.
Lythriel leaned back against her pack.
"So..."
She looked at John.
"Are you excited?"
"For Valenor?"
He nodded.
"I am."
"What are you hoping to find?"
John stared into the campfire for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"Knowledge."
Aerion smiled faintly.
"I thought so."
John chuckled.
"And maybe..."
He glanced at his companions.
"...another place worth remembering."
The fire crackled softly.
Above them, countless stars filled the night sky.
Their journey had begun once again.
But this time...
John wasn’t walking alone.
And somehow...
That made every road ahead feel a little less uncertain.
---
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