Andy’s father had accepted his announcement that he needed to travel north to consult the seer in the village there. Chris thought that perhaps the soothsayer could give his boy some guidance that he, himself, could not. Thinking Andy could surely use the wisdom of the gods, he gave his consent, though he contended he could spare no horse for the journey.

Andy hadn’t really expected his father to part with one of his geldings, they were too valuable, to important to their livelihood. Instead, he fastened his boots well and carefully, and then set out on foot, whistling a merry tune, with a small rucksack on his back.

As Andy walked along the road, he thought on (Y/N) often. Her sense of humor suited his so well, and her story had been incredible, the stuff of legends! He also dwelled on how fine she always appeared, even if only via her reflection, though he wouldn’t allow himself to acknowledge that he was haunted by such visions whenever he was alone at night. She was more comely than any human he had ever seen, and by far.

Andy was grateful that the weather was reasonable; he was able to strike himself a small camp, opening the small bedroll he had brought, without having to seek out shelter. As he ate his meal of hardened cheese and even harder bread, he wondered what it would be like to be able to sit down and share a meal, just so, with (Y/N). For the moment, he supposed he’d have to remain content with providing her grapes, but hopefully, that would change.

He wondered what (Y/N) thought of him. Did she think of him as a man, or just as another human, albeit one that brought her grapes and reading material? She had not shied away from him, when he had agreed to close his eyes and beckoned her closer. Perhaps she did not find him repulsive or offensive; after all, she had trusted him a great deal already.

In fact, surely she couldn’t find him loathsome by now! He had been forward with her at all times, speaking from the heart. Knowing him as she did, perhaps better than anyone Andy’s own age, hopefully she could see the spark of good he felt he possessed. A desire for more in life, to do well by others. Andy felt that (Y/N), too, had a yearning for more than her lot, though she had buried it over time. He intended to help her get exactly that.

After a night’s sleep that was decent enough, considering the bugs in the grass and calling of the owls, Andy set off again along the main road. He had been to the nameless village to which he traveled before, though previously only on business for his father. He was feeling optimistic and began to whistle once again.

Come just before dusk that day, Andy saw that the farms and lodgings he passed were growing more frequent. He was almost at the village! He quickened his step, hope shining bright in his breast.

After some time, Andy reached the thick of the small town. He passed through the familiar marketplace, almost empty by that hour. Though the smell of salted fish made his stomach rumble, he did not stop to investigate. He was on a mission.

After he passed the bazaar and a few, larger shops, he found what he was looking for to his right. There stood the small hut of the seer, door open and strange, foreign smells coming from within.

Andy gathered his courage and walked past the feathers and charms strung about the doorway. His eyes were still struggling to adjust to the dim light when he heard a surprisingly boisterous voice coming from the far corner of the shack, “Well aren’t you a piece of work, son!”

Notes

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