A few hours of walking later...

The sun filtered down through the canopy of the forest that you and your companion had been trecking through for more than a while now. You continued to put one booted foot in front of the other, Mizuki humming to herself as she trailed a few steps behind you. Of course, you're the one carrying all of the camping supplies on your back. Mizuki, as she had explained earlier, was far too dainty to be carrying ruck sacks.

Sweat beaded on your brow as the ground took up a slight upward tilt, the narrow woodland path beginning to wind around what seemed to be a smallish hill. Birds sang their songs around you, Mizuki's humming seeming to keep in tune with the ambiance of the wood. All in all, it wasn't a bad walk save for the heavy pack on your shoulders.

Eventually you reached the top of the hill and had to stop. In front of you, circling the whole of the top of the hill, was a wooden palisade, with several thatched roofs and chimneys poking up beyond it. Before you was a simple wooden gate, shut, with a man standing outside. He was tall, broad, and grey. He regarded the two of you with a curious eye and leaned on a simple spear.

"'Allo." He began, a heavy hand lifting to scratch at the thick grey sideburns on his face. "A boy an' his Mrs?"

"I am no such thing!" She piped up, and you shot a warning look at her. She huffed, pouted, and shut up.

"Just two adventurers scouring the forest for, well, adventure." You replied, pushing your glasses back up your nose. Mizuki fit the description more than you, but at least the sword on your hip gave you some credibility. "Might we come in and resupply?"

"Aye." The man nodded. He took his spear and banged the butt of it on the gate. "Open 'er up, laddie!" He yelled.

"Yes'sir Grandpa!" came a younger voice from behind the wall, and the gate swung open.