Chapter 46 Southlands
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nArcher flew through the sky as he left the jungle behind and crossed over a small mountain range before he finally saw the rolling hills.
nAs he passed over them, he saw a vast expanse of green terrain dotted with small patches of wildflowers.
nThe hills are gentle, with soft curves making them perfect for rolling down, and there are deep ravines and gullies that cut through the landscape.
nThe scene beneath him looks like a painting as the colors blend and meld together, creating a stunning display that commands his attention.
nSmall streams flow here and there, and the occasional pond reflects the surrounding hills in their waters.
nAs he flies further and closer to the hills, he can make out the mysterious shapes of shrubs, bushes and trees clinging to the hill slopes.
nThe rolling hills seem to go on forever, and the boy is left in awe of the natural beauty.
nIn the distance, he could see a crystal blue lake, surrounded on three sides by a tall skinny tree with colorful leaves.
nArcher loves how peaceful it looks.
nHe ascends to get a better view.
nAs he did, he spotted a farmstead in the distance and quickly made his way there.
nAs he approaches it, he feels a rush of excitement and anticipation as he can find out where he actually is. đđł.đ¸â´đ
nâWell, I could have asked the soldiers, but I didnât think about it. Oh wellâ
nWith a swift thought, he commands his dragon wings to flap faster and harder.
nHe glides through the air.
nArcherâs body rises and falls with each beat of his wings, propelling him forward with incredible speed.
nHis dragon wings create a low humming sound as they slice through the air with ease, carrying the boy across the open fields.
nBy twisting and turning his body, Archer expertly maneuvers through the air, navigating around obstacles and picking up momentum as he approaches the farmstead.
nAs it comes into view, the surrounding landscape becomes a blur as the boyâs dragon wings propel him at breakneck speed.
nThe wind whips past his face as he closed in on the farm.
nHe lands about a mile outside and made his way towards it on foot, dismissing his teeth and claws.
nIt took him a little while to get there, he realized it was two houses the second house hid behind the first.
nAs he walked up to them, he spotted a group of kids.
nOne of the girls spotted him before nudging a boy who looked like her but was a few years older.
nHe said something, then the whole group turned around to stare at him.
nArcher raised an eyebrow at the children, well he thinks of them as children, but they are only a couple years younger than him.
nAs he walked over, they ran back to their houses.
nAfter a minute or two a man came out of the first house and approached Archer.
nThe farmer was a sturdily built man, and a sun-browned face that spoke of years spent toiling in the fields.
nHis eyes were brown, and he wore a simple tunic and trousers.
nA wide-brimmed straw hat shielded his face from the afternoon sun, and a pair of sturdy boots protected his feet from the rough terrain.
nHe stopped in front of Archer and spoke with suspicion in his voice.
nâWhat are you doing here, boy?, where did you come from?â
nArcher looked at the man as he narrowed his eyes, but calmed down in the end because he couldnât blame the man as he did walk up to the house.
nâI come from the Avalon Empire, but got lost down here.â
nThe man scrutinized the boy before his face softened before smiling.
nâBoy, my names Raymond, I can tell youâre not lying to me, how in the goddesses will did you get down here? Did you fly?â
nRaymond looked at his wings and tail as he thought.
nâWhat beautiful wings? What is he?â
nArcher also looked back at his wings and tail, he thought about how much he liked them before turning back to the man.
nâI was on a guild mission, we arrived to see the defenders of a local city fighting against a beast hoard in the Rhodora Kingdom, I got knocked into a river, and next thing I know I woke up on a beach with a bunch of cannibals.â
nThe man scratched his beard and turned on his heels.
nâCome on boy, letâs get you something to eat. The wife will kill me if I let you go without feeding you.â
nHe dismissed his wings and tail while following Raymond.
nArcher entered the house and finds himself in a large, open foyer that was decorated with intricate tapestries and ornate carvings on the walls.
nOn the right side of the foyer, there is a wide staircase that leads up to the second floor of the house.
nOn the left side of the foyer, a set of double doors leads you into the main living area.
nThe living area is spacious and cozy, with several comfortable couches and armchairs surrounding a large fireplace.
nArcher saw the walls were adorned with paintings of fantastical landscapes, and fur rugs cover the wooden floor. In the center of the room, there is a long wooden dining table that can seat up to ten people.
nTo the right of the living area, a set of double doors lead to the kitchen.
nThe kitchen is well-equipped, with a magic stove, multiple element ovens, and a spacious pantry that is stocked.
nAs he walked further into the house, his eyes widen in amazement.
nHe is greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
nArcher smelt the air was filled with the sweet scents of baking bread and simmering stew, and the crackling of a roaring fireplace.
nThe interior is spacious and beautifully decorated, with tapestries and paintings hanging along the walls, and large, comfortable furniture scattered throughout the room.
nAs he takes a moment to look around, the boy notices the myriad of intriguing details that make up the home.
nThere are cozy reading nooks tucked into corners and a grand central staircase that winds its way up to the second floor.
nAs his eyes follow the winding staircase, he catches glimpses of the other rooms in the house, each filled with its own unique furnishings and decorations.
nIn awe, the boy realizes that this house must belong to a large family.
nâI see you like the place, took me many years to build, without Luan I couldnât have done it.â
nRaymond spoke as he sat down on a comfortable sofa and motioned for Archer to sit down.
nâOh boy, whatâs your name?â
nâArcher.â
nHe replied as he sat down and took out a Moon Juice and offered one to the man.
nâOh, whatâs this?, a drink from the north!â
nRaymond got happy as he popped the lid and started to drink.
nâAhhhh, that taste is heavenly.â
nHe stopped drinking to savor its taste. Itâs not every day he gets offered a drink from the north.
nâThank you, Archer.â
nNodding his head as he asked.
nâCould you tell me about this land?â
nHe got a serious look on his face as he started to speak.
nRaymond leaned down, looking him in the eye.
nâListen closely, young one,â
nHe said in a stern tone.
nâIf you want to reach the mountain range that leads north, then youâll need to cross through the howling forest first. Itâs a dangerous place, filled with 100s of evil tribes and beasts that will try to attack you. But if youâre careful and keep your wits about you, youâll make it through.â
nWhen Archer heard that it was filled with 1000s of cannibals, he smiled as his eyes shined at the thought of the slaughter he was going to commit.
nâHeheheâ
nRaymond looked at this crazy spectacle going on before him.
nHe coughed to get the boyâs attention.
nThe man then straightened up and pointed beyond the forest.
nâOnce youâve made it out of there, youâll find yourself in the grass desert. Itâs a vast expanse of golden grass that stretches out as far as the eye can see. Youâll need to travel across that until you reach the base of the Shavano mountain.â
nTaking another drink before continuing.
nâIf you want to get home, youâre going to have to cross the mountains. Itâs going to be a tough and treacherous journey. But if you make it to the other side, youâll find yourself stuck between the Kingâs Run river and Snakehold swamp with only a few roads leading north.â
nHe paused for a moment before continuing.
nâThe swamp is a dangerous place. Itâs filled with all sorts of beasts and foul creatures that will try to stop you from reaching your destination. Youâll need to be careful and pick your path carefully. But if you make it through, youâll finally be on your way to the north.â
nAs he finished speaking, a woman with dark green hair, big blue eyes, and a slim body walked into the room and stopped when she saw Archer.
nâDear, who is this child?, where did he come from though?â
nRaymond turned to his wife before introducing them to each other.
nâAlima, this is Archer.â
nHe turned back to Archer.
nâThis is my wife, Alima.â
nThe two of them stared at each other before she nodded her head and spoke.
nâYouâre welcome to stay for dinner, Archer.â
nHe nodded, and she smiled. Seeing his reaction, he turned back to Raymond and asked.
nâCan you tell me about the Southlandâs different kingdoms?â
nRaymond smiled.
nâIf you share more of that drink, Iâll be happy to tell you everything I know, boy.â
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