Padric plodded his way, up hill, through the dense dried up underbrush, autumn had removed it's green leaves, leaving only the brown skeletons of vines, and wild shrub bushes. On occasion a branch would snag the halflings cloak, or backpack or his hair. The recent rains in this area did not help either, mud made the way slippery, and with the weight of the backpack, it was easy to fall in the cold water and mud standing on the ground. As it was water was beginning to seep into his boots, Padric silently wished that he had taken the time to re-weather proof his boots before he start this trip.
A few days back he was talking with a reclusive Orange Dragon, a very rare breed, when news reached him. Many of the dragons were talking about it, and the news traveled quickly. Padric was stunned to hear what the Orange Dragon, S' aal GurThox was his known name, had to tell him. A dragon had laid an egg, a male dragon. Padric was in the middle of an interview about S'aals 'magical' abilities, but the polite dragon insisted Padric cover this new story. He too, S'aal, was intrigued with the story, and being a recluse he was not going to fly there to find out the details himself.
Padric finished the story he had started that day, and packed that night. It had been some five years since he had been home. Now he was going back, to RyhDin City. He decided he would get a room at the Red Dragon, as he had sold his small cottage on the outskirts of town. I wonder if my old friends will still be there? pondered Padric in thought.
The first past of the trip was easy, S'aal flew Padric to the boundaries of his territory, and dropped him off, from there it would be a four day walk to RhyDin, with thee days walk just to get to a road. From the road he could catch a ride into town, there was a small guard station not to far from town, and wagons and riders went back and forth from the station to Rhydin constantly.
Finally Padric crested the hill and looked down. Below the forest gave way and a muddy road snaked its way through the woods. It had been along time since Padric had seen this road. Tired, muddy and hungry, the road worn halfing smiled, "Home at Last" he quietly said, and headed down the hill to the road below.
A few days back he was talking with a reclusive Orange Dragon, a very rare breed, when news reached him. Many of the dragons were talking about it, and the news traveled quickly. Padric was stunned to hear what the Orange Dragon, S' aal GurThox was his known name, had to tell him. A dragon had laid an egg, a male dragon. Padric was in the middle of an interview about S'aals 'magical' abilities, but the polite dragon insisted Padric cover this new story. He too, S'aal, was intrigued with the story, and being a recluse he was not going to fly there to find out the details himself.
Padric finished the story he had started that day, and packed that night. It had been some five years since he had been home. Now he was going back, to RyhDin City. He decided he would get a room at the Red Dragon, as he had sold his small cottage on the outskirts of town. I wonder if my old friends will still be there? pondered Padric in thought.
The first past of the trip was easy, S'aal flew Padric to the boundaries of his territory, and dropped him off, from there it would be a four day walk to RhyDin, with thee days walk just to get to a road. From the road he could catch a ride into town, there was a small guard station not to far from town, and wagons and riders went back and forth from the station to Rhydin constantly.
Finally Padric crested the hill and looked down. Below the forest gave way and a muddy road snaked its way through the woods. It had been along time since Padric had seen this road. Tired, muddy and hungry, the road worn halfing smiled, "Home at Last" he quietly said, and headed down the hill to the road below.