Runaway in Hyrule Chapter Fifteen - A Rained-Kissed Journey

Instructions

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*Chapter 15-A Rained-Kissed Journey°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ I wake up to the sound of rustling. People are getting up and starting their morning routines. I lie there for a moment, looking at the sky. It’s still a bit dark, but the stars are gone. On the horizon, a hot, flaming ball is rising, painting the clouds with streaks of orange and pink. I get up and open my bag to grab fresh clothes. Today I pick out a crimson-colored bodice and simple linen drawstring pants. I’m a good distance from anyone, so I slip behind the tree I slept under and change quickly. Once dressed, I stuff yesterday’s clothes and the thin sleeping linen into my bag, swinging it over my shoulder. I grab my bow and walk over toward a few people talking with Kael. “Good morning,” I say softly. “Hey, good morning,” Kael replies with a smile. I join in on their conversation. Jack is discussing plans to maybe head toward Zora’s Domain after Riverside Stable. Heather pipes up, “I’ve heard the path can be tricky with all the rivers, but I think it could be fun.” Niklaus adds, “We’d need to make sure we have enough rations and water, especially if it rains.” Jefferson laughs lightly. “A little adventure never hurt anyone. We just have to pace ourselves.” I listen, intrigued, but mostly happy to be part of the conversation. Eventually, people start packing up and getting back on the path. We fall in line, spaced among the twenty or so travelers moving forward together. I stay in the middle, listening to the chatter as Kael walks near me, occasionally nodding or commenting. A moment later, I notice the sun climbing a bit higher above the horizon. A big cloud hangs overhead—probably the same one from yesterday that lingered in the distance. I feel a warm drop of water hit the left side of my forehead. Others around me get a few drops as well. “Ah, here’s the rain,” a familiar woman behind us says cheerfully. “Hopefully it doesn’t pour,” Kael murmurs, glancing up at the grey sky. Jack shakes his head and laughs. “A little rain never hurt anyone. Might make the rivers a bit more lively.” Heather squints at the sky. “Let’s hope it stays light. I don’t want to be soaked all the way to Riverside.” The rain picks up slightly, creating a soft patter against the leaves overhead. I pull the strap of my bag a little tighter and adjust my grip on my bow, feeling the cool drops against my face. The path ahead is muddy in spots, and the smell of wet earth rises with the rain. As we walk, the forest around us seems more alive—birds chirping softly, leaves dripping, and the occasional distant splash of a small stream swelling from yesterday’s cloud. I glance around at the others, some laughing, some focused on their footing, all moving steadily forward. The sound of the wind and rain mixes with our footsteps. Kael occasionally points out a bird or a particular tree formation, keeping our pace steady and light. Despite the wet, everything feels… peaceful, almost like the forest itself is welcoming us. After a while, I notice the first hints of buildings peeking through the trees in the distance. “Riverside Stable must be close,” I think to myself. The group seems to pick up the pace slightly, eager for the warmth of shelter and dry ground. The rain picks up a little more as we near the clearing, mist rising from the ground. Still, no one complains—there’s an excited energy in the group, ready for the next stop on our journey.