The canvas flap fell back into place as Auriel stepped inside.
The interior of the cart was dim, lit only by thin streaks of daylight slipping through the fabric. Wooden crates were stacked and tightly secured with ropes, leaving just enough space for the group to sit.
Lyra was already crouched near the center, a rough map spread across a small crate. Kael leaned against the side, arms crossed, eyes half-closed. Sirine sat slightly apart, silent as ever.
Malconte and Aldric had taken position near the entrance.
Auriel said nothing and simply sat down, his back resting lightly against the wooden frame.
Lyra glanced at everyone before speaking.
"Alright. Since we're all here, let's go over it one last time."
Her finger moved across the map.
"We follow the main road for the first ten days. After that, we cut through the outer ridge to save time. It's riskier, but we avoid the heavier traffic."
Aldric frowned.
"Bandits?"
"Among other things," Lyra replied calmly.
Malconte leaned forward slightly.
"We've had reports of increased activity near the ridge. Not just bandits. Something else."
A brief silence settled in the cart.
Auriel's gaze shifted slightly, but he didn't speak.
Lyra continued.
"Our priority is simple: protect the cargo and the client. We don't chase, we don't split unless necessary."
She paused, then added: "If something goes wrong, we regroup around the cart. No exceptions."
Kael let out a quiet breath.
"And if regrouping isn't possible?"
Lyra didn't answer immediately.
Malconte did. "Then you survive."
His tone was flat, but no one laughed.
Auriel's eyes flickered briefly toward him, then back to the map.
Sirine lowered her gaze.
Lyra straightened up slightly and then continued coldly, "For rotations, two on watch at all times. Nights will be the most dangerous once we leave the main road."
She glanced at Auriel.
"You're used to working alone. Think you can adapt?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I'll manage."
Malconte grinned.
"Good. Because out there, no one's watching your back unless you earn it."
Auriel didn't reply.
Malconte continued. "I know your senses are the most acute; I'll leave the little one to you."
Sirine, like a cat being petted the wrong way, glared at Malconte.
"Who's calling you little?!"
Kael sighed and then whispered, "Put her on standby. Little one."
Hummm!
[They're talking more than usual. Stress, I imagine.]
Auriel looked away, ignoring their bickering. His gaze drifted for a brief second toward the crates behind them.
Then back to Lyra who rolled up the map.
"Any questions?"
No one spoke.
Outside, the muffled sounds of the checkpoint drifted through the canvas. They could hear voices, footsteps, and the squeaking of wheels.
Lyra exhaled softly.
"Then we move as planned."
Auriel closed his eyes for a brief moment, steadying his breathing.
After a while, a man in armor approached the entrance.
Malconte nodded and opened the removable wooden barrier.
The soldier ascended the steps, one hand on his heavy metal sword, the other gripping the cart. His eyes swept over the six people before settling intently on the cargo, specifically on the symbols covering its faces.
His face tightening, he asked coldly, "Dolgen's merchandise?"
The others weren't sure whether to answer yes; the soldier's behavior was too strange.
How could he know without asking them, if he hadn't recognized Ma'am Dolgen?
Why hadn't he asked who they were?
Auriel didn't hesitate for a second and replied sharply, "Yes. Is that all?"
The soldier looked him straight in the eye, then finally lowered his head and stepped down.
Everyone turned to Auriel, disturbed by what had just happened. But he closed his eyes again and began to rest in preparation for the journey.
The others kept their comments to themselves and continued what he was doing.
In the distance, the town was gradually becoming smaller, and a few slender silhouettes of carts persisted along the long, bumpy road.
[Should I warn them? They're not stupid; they must have understood the danger more clearly than usual. Nevertheless, if it is indeed the cargo I suspect, the journey will be more complicated than expected.]
Auriel leaned his head through a hole in the web.
In the distance, an immense mountain range bordered the coasts, stretching far into the mainland.
[Are those the Shoreridge Mountains? I vaguely remember they were south of Ravenspire; they're magnificent.]
Looking up, he could see among the craters and peaks a gigantic structure in the shape of a black metal bar planted deep in the mountains.
[So I conclude that this thing is Saltridge; I'd heard locals talking about it. The mighty blade of God with which he vanquished the evil creatures of hell that invaded the world at its creation ten thousand years ago. It would point the exact way to Blackridge.]
A small smile appeared on his face
It wasn't there before, so I conclude it must be a remnant of our little game, probably. Oh well, it doesn't really matter. The main road runs along these chains; as long as they're visible, we're not in much danger.]
He turned his elongated head again, this time in the other direction, toward the others.
His gaze lingered on Sirine.
"Aren't you too stressed?"
Her eyes were lowered, examining her arrows carefully. Hearing no response, she understood he was speaking to her.
She replied a few moments later. "No, I'm fine, but it's kind of you to have asked."
She hesitated a little, then gritted her teeth and looked up at him.
"Auriel, is that right? Pleased to meet you, I... I hope we can have a good collaboration."
It wasn't shyness in her voice but more like a revulsion at the idea of opening up to a stranger that paralyzed her.
Although surprised, Auriel smiled immediately afterward, "My pleasure, Sirine."
At the same time, Kael turned to Lyra.
"Do you have what I asked for?"
She looked at the man who had been silent since the beginning, then passed him a small vial filled with a blackish liquid. "I colored it with charcoal as requested. Lethality 0.4; duration of effect 1 min 30."
Then she took out three plants and gave them to him as well.
"The antidote? It's better than I expected. Thank you."
Aldric turned to him. "You really intend to use it?"
He looked at him coldly.
"If necessary. I'll wait and see how the situation develops, then I'll decide. It's expensive."
Seeing that no one was asleep, Malconte spoke up.
"It's been a few hours. Who's taking over for Ma'am Dolgen?"
Just as Sirine and Aldric were about to agree, Auriel stood up, leaving no room for discussion.
"No problem, I'll take care of it until the next rest stop."
He gave a sudden push and reappeared at the front of the cart.
"So, you're back, Auriel?"
"Did you hear our conversation?" he asked coldly.
She smiled before handing him the reins and moving to the side. "Here's your place."