“From here, we’ll take the right path,” Sonia said. “From there, we just keep following the path and we’ll reach Traveler’s Passage by sundown.”
“Perfect,” Merry replied. “Just in time for supper. I’m starting to get hungry.”
“I am too,” Erik admitted.
“W-Would you two like some snacks to hold you over?” Sonia asked.
“I’ll be alright,” Merry answered. “How about you, Erik?”
“So long as neither of you mind.”
“Not at all!” Sonia beamed as she reached into her backpack. She swiftly pulled out an apple and handed it to the adventurer.
“Thank you,” Erik said.
Sonia smiled, and the trio continued their trek on the right path of the fork.
“So, about how you were in that cave,” Erik added before taking a bite.
“Right,” Merry nodded. “It’s hazy, but… the last thing I remember before waking up in there was being in my room at the castle. I was in bed, when I was awoken by the presence of a stranger.”
“The same one we met in the cave?” Erik inquired.
“Possibly. It was too dark to see anything, and I wasn’t awake for very long before I was promptly knocked out by… something. Regardless, what I do remember is that, whoever they were, they wore a green sash over their face.”
Erik thought back to the stranger. Though he didn’t get a great look at their face, he did remember the green sash he had worn.
“A green sash, you say?” Sonia interjected.
“Yes. Do you know anything about it, Sonia?”
“If I’m not mistaken, whoever your captor was must have been wearing the Emerald Windblocker.”
“What’s the Emerald Windblocker?” Erik asked.
“From what I could gather during my studies,” Sonia continued, “it’s essentially a piece of cloth enhanced by powerful magic. It blocks out and repels the scent of flatulence.”
Erik lowered his eyes in disbelief. “There’s a magic item just for that?”
“I know how it must sound,” Sonia admitted, “but here in Esteri, flatulence possessing more potent magical qualities is not uncommon. Especially if one is a mage studying in using magic in conjunction with their own flatulence.”
“I… see,” Erik replied, trying to wrap his head around the absurdity of what he just heard. “So… whoever captured Merry knew she’d be flatulent, and prepared for it.”
Sonia nodded. “Far as I’ve been able to find, only one such Windblocker exists. Whoever this was, they’re nothing to scoff at.”
“And… how long have I missing, would you say?” Merry asked.
Sonia put a finger to her chin, trying to recall. “Hmmmm… I’m not sure about that, Meredith. It’s possible word of your disappearance hasn’t yet reached this far out into the kingdom.”
“Fair point,” Merry said with a sigh. “Well, regardless, now that I’m freed, my priority is to send word to my father that I am in good health.”
“How do you plan on doing that?” Erik asked.
“I’m hoping there’s a messenger hawk in Traveler’s Passage that can send a letter for me,” Merry explained. “Once my father is ensured of my safety, I will rest easier.”
Erik pondered something as he continued eating his apple. Hmm… she keeps mentioning her father, the king of Esteri. But not a word about her mother. Not sure what that all is about.
“Perhaps there will also be those willing to escort you back to Central Esteri,” Sonia said. “They’d be fools to pass up such a grand opportunity.”
Merry chucked. “The perks of being a princess, I suppose.”
A sense of ease fell over the trio.
I feel relaxed, Erik told himself. It’s a shame what happened to me and the caravan… but with any luck, they managed to get past the bandits unharmed. Even after all that has happened, I am still safe, and in good spirits.
Erik then took a look at his surroundings. The plains and valleys of Esteri were not much different that of his home, but they were beautiful all the same. A gentle breeze blew across the grass and the sparsely placed trees, giving a subtle sway to the leaves.
Brrrppphhhtt…
Brrraaaappp…
The other wind, on the other hand, was something Erik still had to get used to, as both of his companions would casually break wind every so often. The sound and smell, though not as intense as it was before, made Erik feel slightly uncomfortable, though he chose not to say so.
Like it or not, he thought, if I’m to continue my travels here in Esteri, I’ll have to grow accustomed to all of this… farting. He fought the urge to pinch his nose as he could feel the stinky scent start to hover towards him.
This is a strange kingdom…
—————————————————————
As the sun started to set in the horizon, and the once-blue sky shifted to a mix of orange and purple, the trio found themselves at the entrance to Traveler’s Passage. The residents of Traveler’s Passage lived where they worked, turning their homes into stations providing any necessities or amenities you could think of. The largest building was the tavern, and other buildings advertised themselves as supply stores, blacksmiths, and stables respectively.
Not even a few steps into the little settlement, and Erik was already met with a pungent odor hanging over the air. He couldn’t help but cough.
“Are you alright?” Sonia asked Erik.
“Y-Yeah… ahem, I’m alright,” he assured. “It’s just… the smell, is all.”
“Still getting accustomed to the delicate aroma of farts?” Merry joked.
“Ha ha,” Erik replied sarcastically. “This is different. It feels… dense, for lack of a better word.”
“That would happen,” Sonia agreed. “I believe just about half of the people who work here in Traveler’s Passage are flatulent.”
As if on cue, Erik could hear a faint collection of farts somewhere off in the distance.
Brrppp…
Brraaapphhhtt…
Fffrrrrrt…
Erik winced slightly. “Mmmgh… I-I’m sure I’ll get over it in time.”
Merry put a hand on his shoulder. “I know it’s a lot for an outsider to handle,” she told him earnestly. “If it’s any consolation, you’re actually holding your own very well.”
Erik couldn’t help but smile. “That… actually does help.”
“Hey… is that—?!”
Suddenly, the trio were approached by a small crowd of onlookers.
“It is!” One of them explained. “That young lady there is princess Meredith Merrifall, the king’s daughter!”
At the sound of that revelation, the crowd let out a wave of “ooo’s” and “aaahh’s,” clearly enamored by the prospect of being graced with the presence of royalty.
Merry couldn’t help but laugh. “Hahaha, yes, you got it! It is I, here in the flesh!”
The crowd began chattering amongst themselves.
“Wow, how fortuitous!”
“Can’t believe she’s all the way out here…”
“What business does she have—“
“To what do we owe this most valuable honor?” Said a man who stepped out from the crowd. He reached his hand out towards Merry in greeting, to which the princess took it in kind and gave it a good shake.
“Well, if it’s not too much to ask…” she answered as she patted her belly. “Me and my companions here would appreciate a meal and a place to sleep for the night.”
“But of course!” The man replied boisterously. “We would be more than welcome to! Isn’t that right, folks?”
The crowd then cheered amongst themselves as they delighted in the thought of having the Esterian Princess as their guest. Gossip followed shortly after.
“What luck, the princess in our little town!”
“She must be here on holiday!”
“More like official royal duties, if you ask me…”
The man then turned his attention to Erik. “You, lad. What’s your name?”
“Me? Oh, I’m Erik - Erik Leif, sir.”
“Well Erik, you’re damn-near stripped bare! What happened to you?”
“I-I would be willing to share over a meal, if it’s all the same.”
“Ah, right. Sorry for getting ahead of myself. You lot must have had a long day. Please, follow me!”
The man then guided the trio over towards the heart of the small town - a tavern by the name of Where the Wind Blows. Upon entering the tavern and its main dining area, the trio was greeted with the mixed scent of fresh ale and lingering farts. Erik wasn’t sure how to react to the odor, but the saving grace was that it wasn’t as overwhelming as he thought it would be, as a symphony of broken wind could be heard filling the establishment.
Brrraaaappphhttt…!
Fffrrrtttt…!
Brrrrr-fffrrrtt!
About half of the patrons, both men and women alike, were casually passing gas as they ate, drank, and conversed among themselves. Despite this, Erik was able to withstand the smell. As he observed his surroundings, he noticed that all the windows on the first floor were open, allowing the building to ventilate itself free of the gas. That explained why the stench wasn’t as concentrated as Erik anticipated.
“So, what can I get you three?” The man asked as he turned to face the trio. “It’s on the house!”
“Oh, er, I would like water and some salad, please,” Sonia answered.
“I’d like some ale and roast pork, if at all possible,” Merry added.
“My my, you sure are hungry, aren’t you princess?” The man joked. “And you, Sir Erik?”
“Oh, of course. May I have--”
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