The Journal of Novi Rimor, Epilogue

I have been granted the opportunity of a lifetime to travel the wondrous expanse of Kaeoma with the great explorer Ethan the Wanderer. I know he is not one for documenting his travels, and so I have taken it upon myself to do so in his stead and purchased this book. It is not entirely the work of Feliss that I am one of the few to travel with Ethan. My parents were exotic merchants, that is to say we travelled long distances to trade items from faraway places around Kaeoma. We often ran into Ethan, sometimes in a city, sometimes on the road where he would join us in our caravan. I was only a boy at the time, and despite having seen quite a few sights myself, Ethan always mystified me with tales of places he had seen. Waterfalls that fell upwards. Mountains with huge caverns bored into the side that used to hold dragons. Despite their extinction being common knowledge, Ethan was adamant there must be one of the colossal species left. I feel as though I was selected for this trip not only because of my previous experience with travelling and literacy skills, but also because Ethan doesn't have many close friends. Wanderers rarely do. I have rambled long enough. Tonight I check my things and tomorrow we begin. I can feel my core brimming with excitement for the open road, as I settled down many years ago after my parents passed, but within that excitement rests a kernel of fear and doubt. I know this road will be treacherous, and Ethan isn't the most cautious of beings. I will take things as they come however. I know I am in experienced hands.
I wouldn’t think a well seasoned traveller such as Ethan would be excited for a new journey, but this one is the longest single trip he's ever done, according to him. We'll even be exploring places he hasn't seen before, which I did not believe was possible. We are starting in the Capital, and shall be heading south to the marshes. My scarce childhood memories of that region are not giving me confidence. It was humid, foul and not all that interesting. It seems I am the only one among our party to be hesitant about our first destination. Ferox's smile is as infectious as her laugh. Her wit is sharper than the knife at her hip. Her brother Trux constantly looks around, a stern look on his face, but I note the corner of his lip lift whenever Ferox doubles over and slaps her knees. I'd like to think I'm not the weakest link here, but everyone else seems far fitter than I for travel. I am a merchant's boy, but I will try to do my best for the people here. For Ethan.
Capital Hill seems like an ant's nest on the horizon now. The three spires around the palace are barely visible, especially the north western one, hidden behind the south western one at this angle. Half the walls and eastern spire are coloured orange in the morning light, and I feel the Goddesses with us, warming us with their well wishes for our journey. I settle in for a long ride.