Welcome to Gaia! ::

Amalric flushed.

“Well, it- It’s just not the most time to set every affair in order I might need, plan, prepare, and gather all the things I would want to take flight to another continent the likes of which I might be remaining at for any indeterminable amount of time…” he said. “But-” He shook his head. “I said I would make it happen and I will. I will speak with the council—I would go with nothing if I had to in order to make it. There is just so much there, the opportunities, the potential for expanding on my understanding of virtually anything-”

The possibilities were endless, and they had his mind hop-skipping from one potential to the next, all the while trying to organize the rest of his thoughts, particularly as to the logistics of actually leaving, travel, and what he would need along the way. There was much to be done.

But his thoughts were sidetracked temporarily by Maritza’s answer, and he found himself nodding. “We should be able to make it quicker than you did, then, certainly. There are merchant trains that run out of here on a fairly regular basis and sometimes they are happy to take a traveler or two for near nothing, but depending upon the funding I receive I may be able to pay our way with a traveler’s escort caravan.” Much of it would depend, but regardless, they wouldn’t need to walk.

Come to think of it, he did even have a friend…

But, that could remain a last resort. He did not like cashing in favors unless necessary, after all. In the meantime, if Ritz was embarrassed by her admittance, Amalric missed it, his mind too busy on the possibilities and filtering through options such that he merely waved it off. “We won’t get lost this time…”

Coat.

He glanced to her. “You…might fit one of mine, if it doesn’t bother you.” It would be the simplest possible solution, and as his eyes flit over her, they were not terribly disparate in height or build. It just might work.

“Mm.” Amalric nodded. “Of course, thank you—I will let you know. I do suspect they might be pleased to meet you and learn something of what I will be getting into and the opportunities for research I’ll have there…” For the most part, he would have to handle his preparation, but it certainly couldn’t hurt to have a live example in the flesh who knew far more about where he was going than he did.

“And absolutely! I’m sure I have something that will fit you, and it will be easiest and cheapest on both of us. I was actually just going over some of my travel journals in my room when you arrived, so if you have the time, I could show you that way now so you’ll have one at your back…”

Zena wasn’t the sort of place anyone wanted to be long without proper attire. There were parts of their climate that never unfroze, the tops of their highest mountains permanently white with snow. Of course, Zidel was no such extreme, but it wasn’t summer, and he could only respect Maritza’s perseverance for making it this far without better direction and under-equipped for the climate.

Making mental note of her own comment on Belrea’s temperature — relevant for what he ought to pack, in any case — he had just begun to step off and lead the way towards his room when she inquired about quarters, and Amalric hummed thoughtfully.

“Well, there certainly are inns, yes. Several in Zidel, of varying cost and quality. I could show you to one, if you preferred. Or, depending on your budget…” He spared a glance about the place as he walked, wondering how his soon-to-follow offer would sit with the authorities here, “…you could probably rest in my room. You could have the bed and I’d take the floor if you needed. I’m not certain what their policy is here on guests, but since you are part of my traveling party or will be…I might even be able to convince them to bring in an extra mattress or arrange you a room of your own.”

Amalric nodded. It wasn’t surprising to hear that hers had been one of, if not the first of the Belrean crews to successfully arrive, and it only stood to reason that such an intrepid and novel voyage would inspire large sums of investment and reward for those willing to make the trek. So far as he was aware, she had been among the initial landing crew in their first appearance on Tendaji soil, unless others had come to some other nation just prior—of which he hadn’t heard of until after their appearance in Sauti.

It must have been some feat, now that he thought on it, to have been selected to partake in such a mission. As if he didn’t have reason enough to be impressed with her already.

At the latter commentary, however, he couldn’t help the creeping flush in his cheeks—but managed to nod just the same. Certainly he knew he entertained no ulterior motives, but he wouldn’t have thought it unreasonable or even unexpected for a woman to feel or express concerns about a close-quarters arrangement. Particularly-

‘If your be is large enough, we could share it…’

He cleared his throat. “I am certain something can be arranged,” he assured. “It is simplest and of course you are welcome to my space.”

And so it went. Upon arriving at his room, he selected from his things a coat for her, discussed a few other preliminary matters, and then went about seeing to it that those who he would be meeting with were at least aware both of her presence and intent to room with him as well as her willingness to be available and attend when he presented his plans for the trip to come. Through all of it, he felt a building giddiness in gut. In his younger years, he had always known of his interest in and affinity for magic and knew knowledge.

This, though, sailed beyond his greatest imaginings for himself, and was somehow better in every respect. Though he maintained certain anxieties about the practicalities of the trip itself, they were personal, private fears more to do with height and danger to life and limb than anything else. If Maritza and her people could manage it, however, surely so could he—and he looked forward to it with an open and eager mind.

The future promised much, and he could not wait to unveil it.