The Amber Road

The Amber Road crosses Surayan from river ferries to high grass markets, carrying salt, horses, silkgrass, envoys, scouts, brides, captives, rumours, and old promises with sore feet. A house that protects a stretch grows wealthy; a house that fails becomes public shame. The road smells of dust, horse sweat, salt sacks, river mud, sun-warmed leather, and cooking smoke at caravan halts. It is Surayan's spine because every oath eventually has to travel. Its beauty is motion under wide sky. Its dread is that safe passage can be sold twice.