That night, Seeker and Beautiful sat together on the beach, watching the waves reach their toes. She told him about going to the market with her mom, and he talked about his new room—and his work.
“I found the perfect place overlooking the ravine—where we can start our life. We’ll sit outside and watch the waterfalls together.”
“Seeker, you know I don’t care—as long as I’m with you.”
Seeker looked at her for a moment, then glanced down. “Only…”
“Yes?” she said, leaning in a little.
“It’s fifteen gold to begin building. I thought about it all day. Four years, Beautiful. At a silver a day… it’ll take me four years.”
“This is what you wanted, Seeker. We knew it would take a long time.”
“I thought about it all day. Things are different here. Eight silver a month for my room. Even a loaf of bread is six coppers.” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t be able to afford a bowl of Miss Cheerful’s stew.”
Beautiful laughed gently, her eyes lighting up the dream.
“I thought about it all day,” he repeated. “If I work hard, I can do it in two years. It won’t be easy… but I can do it.”
Beautiful nodded absently.
“Did you hear what I said?”
She nodded again. “I know you will,” she said. “It’s just… so far away.”
