Gwynfor clicked the gear down on his new Frontier Three Speed Bicycle, the newest invention from the northern kingdom of Gwenffordd. He was impressed by the ease at which he could ascend the numerous hills of Caleah, including his daily commute’s worst offending hill, Marstone.
His satchel hung off his shoulder, full to the brim with a newspaper, a selection of breads and meats for lunch, and his emergency tool kit, comprising of a pump and spanner. He approached Marstone, the sun peaking over the top of the hill, dappling the woodland path in scattered sunlight. He could see other cyclists walking their bikes to the top, avoiding the struggles with the incline. He pressed on in low gear with relative ease, drawing the ire of his fellow citizens.
“Big shot over here with his new fancy bike.”
“Twenty gold, import only. Rich prick.”
“He’ll be lucky if that survives the day before being nicked.”
A drake flew overhead, its large wings casting a shadow over the cycleway. Small children stood off to the side gazed up with wonder, checking off something on a piece of paper. Gwynfor recognised his handiwork immediately, ‘The Drake Rider’s Route and Brood Checklist’. He had produced the product in his job on the tourism board for the Caleahan city council. It was a huge hit with foreigners and locals alike, offering a double-sided map of both Mount Triumph and Shield Valley with their respective Drake Rider patrol routes, with a checklist for the different kinds of drakes that were employed by the force. A speckle-backed fork wing was this morning’s drake of choice, identified by its namesake forked wing that cast a unique shadow.
Gwynfor smiled, watching the children run down the hill to the next checkpoint, eager to see the rest of the patrol route. One last push and he crested over the top of Marstone, soon after joining up with the main road filled with trams and other cyclists, pushing on to his office.
Today's prompt: gear
If you'd like to participate too, the contest can be found here: @mariannewest/day-1570-5-minute-freewrite-monday-prompt-gear
