[NR] A Visitor - Chapter 724

Jason continues his work on the path and as the days pass by, he gets ever closer to completing it. So close that the path finally gets a bend in it. While close to spot on, which in and of itself is a miracle, the path’s direction was going to miss the clearing.

Not that Jason had expected anything else. It was just that with the more fluid nature of space inside of the Deep Wilds; he waited until the path’s current end point was quite close to the clearing. Yes, this did result in what Jason would judge as a 110°-ish turn, but at least he wouldn’t have to make more turns.

Then it is a few days after making said turn, that an unexpected visitor shows up.

“Hey, Jason! I assume I can find Rosha and Courtney down that way?”

Jason looks up from his work to find an unexpected face. “Oh, hey, Peter. Wasn’t exactly expecting you? Though I guess of all our acquaintances, you’re the most likely to find us out here. And yes, our clearing is that way.”

Peter Grey-Tail laughs, “Oh, if you think it is shocking that I came by, wait until you hear why! Though it isn’t any sort of rush. I’ll go and surprise the other two, then we can talk when you finish here.”

Jason, in a bit of a daze, nods, “Sure thing.” Then watches as Peter strolls past him and towards the clearing.

Peter smiles to himself as he walks the short distance to the clearing where he can feel Rosha. She isn’t an apprentice or anything official like that, but he had enjoyed tutoring her. Besides, for them to set up shop in the Deep Wilds, even if only for a little bit, showed a certain degree of connection.

After all, even with all the training Peter has dispensed over the years, only four of his students have done more than just make the occasional single-day excursion into the Deep Wilds. Though he knows some old hands that wouldn’t even count this area as a proper part of the Deep Wilds. Things are still too predictable.

That isn’t Peter’s view. It was sometimes a struggle, but he tried to keep in mind a beginners experience. Because yes, the surroundings here only changed slightly over time and tended to fit into the area’s natural cycle of the seasons. But it did change.

Just from where he was walking, Peter could identify a number of plants that were out of place locally. Likely left behind with the changing of terrain. Though at the same time, he could also recognize the stabilization had progressed pretty far. While this could be annoying for someone setting up a place, made him feel proud.

Every claimed space in the Deep Wilds will have the nearby area stabilized. The farther said stabilization spreads, the more rooted the claimed area has become. Which to Peter meant Rosha had remembered his lessons well.

Though yeah, the stabilization had some downsides, the annoying bit. Mainly in the fact that resources get locked in. Cut down trees for wood? Well, now they don’t magically replenish overnight as new trees are slower to be moved in.

And there’s the clearing! “Hey! Rosha! Courtney! Been a little while.”

The two turn around in shock.

Peter laughs, “I guess you all weren’t expecting a visitor?”

Rosha frowns, “I’m pretty certain you weren’t planning ongoing out this soon. Did something happen?”

Peter shrugs, “Yes, but no. A thing did happen, but it was not some sort of emergency or anything and I’m not being forced. Though I’ll go more into it when Jason gets here.”

Courtney nods, “Fair enough.” And she starts walking towards her and Rosha’s cabin. “I guess I should get more out for dinner. You two can spend some time getting reacquainted while I figure out what to make.”

Peter laughs again, “Fair enough, indeed.” And he walks over to the campfire pit, sits down, and looks at Rosha. “So, how has your experience with the Deep Wilds been so far?”

Rosha sits across the pit from him and shrugs. “These shallow areas have been fun enough. With the clearing as an anchor, we can routinely make it past an area that seems to be a bunch of regions squeezed together. We suspect that’s the result of this kingdom’s expansion. Is that the case?”

Peter nods, “That is one of the possible ways the Deep Wilds will react to an expansion. Though given the nature of the Deep Wilds, there aren’t any actual patterns which can be found. That is why I focused on general adaptability in your training instead of specific circumstances.

“Like, in deep and away from claimed areas, you can find areas like that. So while most agree such things can happen in reaction to an expansion? Well, so can any number of other things. Though it sounds like you’re having fun?”

Rosha nods, “Oh yes! In fact, it is only right now as we wait for the road to be finished that I’ve felt a bit down. I want to be out there exploring! Me and Courtney, seeing things few if any others have seen. Though I will admit, while varied, things are mostly different flavors of forest so far. No giant fields of grass taller than I am, no crumbling ruins, and certainly no giant bodies of water. Not that I want the last one as it would be hard for us to explore.”

Peter raises an eyebrow, “Not with Jason?”

Rosha stammers, “Ah, um, not that I don’t enjoy adventuring with him. Great fun. He isn’t able to join us for the moment. His level is just strange and would overtake us too quickly. Besides! I have Courtney with me.”

Peter smiles, “Mhmm. Anyway, I’m not going to dig on the whole leveling thing. My husband delved enough of the boy’s secrets already. Though I do have one thing you’ll need to think on.”

Rosha tilts her head to the side, “?”

Peter shrugs, “Well, if he’s going to be leveling faster right now, I doubt he will suddenly level slower later. How is your group going to hold up to that?”