A Chance Encounter: A New Journey

"The village is gone, Daniel," I said, having pulled him aside.

"Gone? What do you mean Tash?" He responded, bewildered.

"The entire mountain range was annexed by our neighboring empire."

"Holy- what did they do to the village?"

"Nothing. Being part of the empire changed our entire economic position. For reasons that go right over my head, it meant the region's pelt market crashed."
"That's all-"

"The village has. Yeah. The winter was especially harsh too, so we made the decision to leave the village before it was too late."

"No, Tash." He said sternly, "It's all you have, isn't it? All the other kids had a dream at some point of leaving the village, but I never saw anyone more content with their life than when you were there." An awkward silence began to ensue which I knew I had to break. I can't be dragging the groom down like this. I curve my lips upward and scratch the back of my head.

"Well y'now-"

"You don't smile like you used to, Tash." Well, busted. "What are you going to do now." Another awkward silence. "Claire and I can-"

"This." I give him a peck on the cheek. We both go beet red. "Claire's nice. I'm sure she'll understand if the 'childhood friend' wants her catharsis."

"Um. yeah." The baffled Daniel responded.

"As for my plans after that, I'll be traveling. With a companion." Natalie waited patiently by the cathedral doors. "Thank you, Daniel."

"For what?"

"For being you." 

"Well right back at you, Tash." By now, a curious Claire was making her way over. "Good luck on your journey." I looked at Claire. She looked really good in that wedding dress.

"Good luck to you to."