CH144

Days of travel passed but they’d finally made it to their destination. After making it through the gate, the cost for the next carriage to their destination of syro village was significantly more expensive. Unlike their initial ride from Stonewall, which would stop at other villages along the way so they could expect a constant stream of passengers and end with a more reasonable price overall, the one to syro had none of that.

Apparently, the small village was in the opposite direction of the gate they’d come out of from the next major city, and with only a few small towns in the area the cost went up and departure times were significantly more restricted.

All of this led to the place Ben saw in front of him; a rundown village filled with old, dilapidated houses and the sort of atmosphere that made him want to immediately turn back. From what he could see, there couldn’t have been more than one hundred people living there and even that felt like a bit too much. Even if it would take a few days, he would have thought that more people would move to the thriving city just a little while away, or at least one of the towns in its vicinity. But then again, plenty of people found themselves attached to their homes, who was he to judge?

Rather than dwell on it he wanted to do what he’d come here for, freeing Sachel and getting home. With that goal in mind, they walked past the houses and fields, looking for a building around that might have someone with a position of authority in it they could talk to when Ben started to notice something strange.

“Hey Thera, you notice anything odd about the people here?”

“You mean like how nobody will catch our eye?”

“No, I mean sure that’s odd too, but I feel like we’ve only seen women out.”

Young and old, all at varying levels of health, but there wasn’t a single male to be seen unless, of course, their race just didn’t have much differences between genders. Everyone was basically a standard hominid type, the main difference from himself was their dark green flesh with leaves and flowers growing out with their hair, and they were all distinctly feminine in appearance. He couldn’t be sure that wasn’t simply how both genders looked, but still, it felt odd.

“I’m not certain, but I’ve heard before that dryads are an entirely female race.”

“Wait, really? How does that work?”

“Ben, you can’t just ask things like that,” She said quietly, hoping none of the villagers around heard him. “Some races aren’t super open about those sorts of things.”

“Does that mean you don’t know?”

“Uhg, no I have a bit of an idea. Supposedly they’re able to reproduce with different trees, with the children taking on some of the traits depending on the species.”

“Hmm? Wait, that just raises some more questions. Like, if they normally reproduce with trees then how could a mixed breed like Sachel exist?”

“One of the aspects of the system the gods placed on all of the races that came to the world was to help facilitate reproduction between races, it’s kind of why I’m able to exist.”

“Yeah, I get that but pollination is different from the more fleshy stuff most races do, and given how they’re built it looks like dryads were probably able to manage that before they came to the world, so why is trees the norm for their species instead of just having two genders?”

“Ben, I’m begging you to leave it at that before anyone hears and we’re kicked out of town.”

His curiosity still nagged at him, but he resolved to question Sachel on it later; he had other things to deal with for the meantime.

“Alright, alright, I’ll be good. Since I’m not seeing anything that stands out here building-wise I’m going to ask for directions, give me a minute.”

He spotted a dryad walking by and tried to wave them down, putting on his best smile and cheeriest attitude as if he were trying to make a sale in the shop only to be quickly ignored.

Okay, maybe that one was a little shy.

Not letting it get to him he tried again, this time a bit more forcefully.

“Excuse me,” He said, quickly rushing up to the next person he saw and trying to keep the same friendly attitude. “I was sent to talk to the leader of the village, I was hoping you might direct me?”

This time went marginally better, at least in the sense that the woman he walked up to made eye contact before turning around and walking the opposite direction.

Okay, maybe the issue is me? If they aren’t used to guys then it’s time to tap out.

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“Alright Thera, your turn to make an attempt.”

She seemed put off but gave it a try, walking up to the nearest person and asking them.

“Excuse me, could you tell me-”

Only for them to walk away before she could get another word out.

Ben could only groan. He didn’t think things would be such a pain just upon arrival. All he wanted was some directions, was that too much to ask?

“Hey Myriad, you around?” I could use some help.”

<Hmm? I’m available, what’s the issue?>