Chapter 1
The need for adventure is a deep primal feeling within those wishing to challenge themselves, to escape the daily grind or to explore new and interesting places. From the highest and most frigid peaks, to the darkest crushing depths of the ocean and everything in between, the need for adventure can be all consuming, sometimes it consumes one whole and sends them to their grave. For myself and a new friend it became something different, something which I did not expect.
I met my friend through a table top gaming group which we attended regularly after work. My first impression of her, was when I first arrived at the group and was confronted with a tall, slender Elvish woman with scruffy black hair and a fair face. She wore a long black dress, with long sleeves and a thick dark red belt around the waist. Upon approaching the table, I felt nervousness form up inside and contort my stomach. I almost wished to just sneak way as she seemed intimidating, dominating even, amongst the fairly average sized people. Yet when I was a mere persons length away she looked up from the table and straight at my face, with a rather neutral expression as she stated “Oh hello. You must be the new person here. Come on in I shall get you set up”.
I pressed myself into the newly formed space and as she set about introducing me to the group, and the game, which I possessed a little idea about, but not much. “Hello. I am Chamelle, the table host of for this group, and if you need there is a bar for drinks over to the left helmed by Tavon” She pointed over to the left side of the wall where another elf looking person stood, cleaning a glass, entirely fixated on their task. She turned back to me and asked “So, may you introduce yourself?”
I looked at her and awkwardly answered “Hello… I am Darius, and I like fantasy”.
The group collectively smiled, some nodded their heads before Chamelle introduced me to each member who in turn told me a snippet about themselves. I still felt nervous, however as time passed, slowly, but surely the tension from within slowly unravelled, loosening up into something like a soft sponge. Before long I was having a load of fun, and enjoyed my time with the group as we played different games every night, taking the weekend off as a break. Chamelle was always there to reign us in if things went too over the top, however overall it remained a fantastic group which helped loosen me up over social situations. Around 6 months later Chamelle proposed a cabin holiday to the group in the mountains during the winter holiday, as she stated “This year I plan on taking a trip to the Cassadian mountain resort atop mount Harlech, and if anyone is interested I shall help pay for their travel expenses. I plan on going mountain climbing, however there are also other activities if that is not your thing”. At first a few came forward, alongside myself out of a whim, however slowly over time they eventually backed out, with prior commitments until it was just myself and Chamelle as confirmed as going on the trip. When the months rolled into weeks, it suddenly became very real and I felt at odds with myself as the days rolled on. One side desired to remain at home in comfort playing games whilst relaxing and whiling away the hours, whilst another side grew increasingly more powerful. That side felt completely different, a deep desire to go out, to have an adventure, to go beyond the comfort of home, to see the world and explore with my own eyes what was truly out there.
Within those weeks I began having more private conversations with Chamelle, regarding the trip. We spoke over the online text and video platform Mysea, at first the conversations were casual regarding the trip and how I felt about it, however it escalated when she organised a shopping day out to fetch the tools and equipment we needed. We met in the town centre where many shops and business’ ran down a single huge stretch of street, from one end to the other. Much of the street being dominated by wide cobble paths, stretching out a buildings length before meeting a 2 way road in the middle, separated by round iron posts linked together by rope, with the occasional split where a pelican crossing is present. Many of the buildings were old dark stone, with dark grey roofs and all possessed old heavy doors. When the bus came to the middle bus stop, I departed the bus and saw Chamelle standing/leaning against a black iron lantern post, twiddling with her phone. Just as I approached her she said “Oh, hello. It is nice to see you here, now today I plan on getting you ready for the trip”.
I replied “Ah, yes. I do need a few things as I have never been near the mountains before, let alone climbed one. I do hope it is not too expensive, and the mountains are not too difficult”.
Chamelle smiled and replied “Some items do cost a fair amount, but we will try our best to get what you need for a reasonable price. There are things we cannot cheap out on though, however I have some spare if you need. The mountain we will be climbing will be fairly easy, as it’s the smallest one and has an established path, whilst the others do not have such luxuries. So let us begin”.
We began our shopping expedition which felt like an adventure in on itself, as we strolled into various climbing and camping shops, down many isles of tents, climbing gear, stoves, clothing etc. Sometimes charity shops became very useful places for finding thick clothing, and old torches or bags for a fair price, with one where I struck gold, in the form of a large backpack for a quarter of the price of a new one. When all was said and done Chamelle brought me to a bench near the bus station, whereupon she went over our inventory of what we had purchased. She pulled out all of the receipts and one by one I conformed each item, pulling them out of the bag, pockets or otherwise with the tents, pointing at them. It was a slow and meticulous process, going over item, by item until we finally reached the end. After which she informed me “In two weeks we meet in this very spot, where the bus will come to pick us up. Make sure to bring all of your items, as the resort does hire them, but they are exorbitant. Our journey will take a day or so, so be prepared for that. We will be staying in a cabin, so you do not need to worry about the cold, sleeping in a tent as I did last year. So any questions?”
I asked her “How long are we going to be staying, just to remind myself?”
“It shall be two weeks, with a return journey on the weekend”.
I nodded in acceptance and gathered up my items, strapped them to my back and prepared to depart for home on the bus when it came. I thanked Chamelle for helping me out to which she replied “It is no trouble. I perform this with everyone before we go on any adventure, as simply put, I would rather we be prepared now, than fetching items at the last minute, or renting out equipment”.
Looking around I saw no bus coming and so asked her “Is the elf from the bar coming?”
She replied casually “He might be coming with their partner Sylvana, though they may have prior engagements back in Sere Meadows, their family home. Should they be with us, then they will be great company as we will have an additional pair of familiar faces”.
She looked to her right and stated “Looks like your bus is coming. I shall see you soon”.
I see a single bus approaching with a familiar number and destination, which gradually came to a halt inside the bay, before the doors were opened, letting out a small group of passengers. We said our farewells and waved goodbye, as I stepped onto the bus, handed in my return ticket, and began my journey back home.
