The Tip of the Iceberg [Open]

[Kyle]

"I. . . have no history." Well not technically true, it was true to him, He'd never done anything of note so far. One day though, one day. . . He'll finally try to beat his father, and maybe find his supposed relatives his father told him about. "And I haven't been to many places, mostly just Lycia and Sacae." Most of his life was spent between those two areas after all.

[Locke]

"...Are you headed anywhere soon?"

Locke toyed with his hair absently as he spoke, his eyes fixed on the human youngster. It would be safer to travel with a companion...

"I might not seem like much of a fighting man, but I'm very well trained in martial arts. I am able to defend myself quite adequately, even against foes using weapons or wearing armor. I'll be a boon to your travel, I assure you, as I can also hunt, fish, trap, and have quite the knowledge of herbs, plants, and the environment, if I do say so myself."

Locke wondered if the deal would go through. If not, it wouldn't be awful... After all, he could find his way on his own. But this Kyle lad seemed like a nice companion... Plus, it was much safer, he thought again. Hopefully Kyle thought through it the same way.

[Kyle]

"Um. . . Not in particular." Truthfully he didn't know where he was going to go, he just needed to get stronger, and money helps too. Maybe he would head into the western isles to spar against seasoned pirates, or maybe go to ilia and join up an experienced mercenary group. The options were endless, yet he couldn't decide on any of them.

"Oh, Oh! Um, sure." Why would Locke want to travel with him? It wasn't like he was too impressive, what would the man have wanted? Well there is safety in numbers. But wow, that is a big skillset for being in a village that no one leaves. Maybe he would see if Locke was lying about any of them. Like how do you hunt without a bow? Or the environment if he was in a village in the dessert? Over estimating one's self was never a good thing. But there wasn't really a reason not to travel with him. "So, anyplace you want to go?"

[Locke]

"I've always wanted to see the ocean... Maybe we could head someplace by the sea?"

Locke smiled. He was quite happy; Kyle had agreed to his traveling along! He made sure his satchel was secure before slinging the strap back over his neck. "Regardless of where we go, we should probably get a few provisions. I have about a month's store of my plants for one person, so maybe it would last two weeks for both of us. I also have a half-dozen cactus fruits, your strips of meat, and my snares and line for hunting and fishing." Wait, he'd better keep his stone at the ready just in case... Locke slipped his hand inside his outer robe, making sure the pouch with his stone was secured around his neck. Yup, the cord was still tight, and his stone was safe. Good.

"Oh... I don't have any coin, though, unfortunately, but I'm sure I could trade some plants or snares for coin if we need to. So, Kyle, lead on! Where to?"

[Kyle]

"Sure. Which area?" The ocean was fine with him, but there were many ways to get to parts of the ocean, which one would Locke want to go to? The ocean could be accessed by most countries after all.

"Um, if you need supplies how could I lead you? You could just go get some." Was this man really that much of a follower? Surely he could gather his own supplies. Kyle himself didn't need much so it would take long himself. If the man followed him to get supplies that might be a little weird, considering he appeared to be a grown man, why would he need a kid's help shopping? So Kyle then walked towards a stall that appeared to have what he needed in the way of supplies, herbs.

[Locke]

As Kyle began his shopping, Locke also wandered, staying within eyesight of the younger man. Finally finding a dusty storefront, Locke entered and engaged the proprietor.

"Do you have a map? Of Elibe, I mean?"

"5 gold."

"How about... a snare, for catching game?"

"Make it two, and we have a deal."

Locke eagerly handed over the snares and snatched up the map, looking it over carefully. The closest sea was... to the west, in a place marked 'the Western Isles'. Clever. Oh, such a witty name. Exiting the shop, Locke made his way toward Kyle, holding the map and perusing the rest. So Kyle'd been here... and here... and here. Hmm.

"Kyle, how about the Western Isles? That seems like it has a lot of sea. Would that work for you?"

[Kyle]

"Sure."

The Western Isles was supposedly a good place to view the sea, but with all of the pirates that were there, or should be there, it might be dangerous if they went out on the seas themselves. But he'd gotten his herbs and was ready to leave, hopefully nothing bad would happen where ever they went.

"Are you ready to leave now?"

[Locke]

Locke nodded the affirmative. He was excited about this new adventure.

"The fastest route to the Western Isles seems to be either by boat around the continent, or by an overland passage across the desert to the north, and then a trip over the sea from that point... A difficult choice. However, I believe we should take the desert first. After all, it's not too long of a trek, and I'm more comfortable in the sands."

Locke closed the map and looked at Kyle. "So, we leave for the Western Isles. Ahh, what a good feeling it is to travel!"

---End Thread---