As they ventured further, clinging to a fragile thread of hope, their eyes widened as a massive wall loomed before them, its sturdy gates hinting at a settlement bustling with life. The sight of people moving about behind the gates left them momentarily stunned.
"This... reminds me of my home," Lucius murmured, his voice distant and tinged with melancholy.
Yu Xuan and Nai turned to him, their brows furrowed in confusion. Nai, however, broke into a smile and let out a soft chuckle. "There are people... real people! Let's head in!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. Without hesitation, Lucius nodded in agreement and began pulling the carriage with renewed vigor, heading straight for the gate. Nai eagerly followed close behind.
"Wait! We need to be cautious. We don't know who they are or if we can trust them!" Yu Xuan called out in alarm, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and frustration. Yet his warning fell on deaf ears as his companions charged ahead. Left with little choice, Yu Xuan reluctantly quickened his pace, determined to stay close and protect them.
At the gate, two guards clad in mismatched armor greeted them, their weapons sheathed but hands never far from the hilts. One of them, a burly man with a bushy beard and an easy grin, stepped forward.
"Aye, mate. You don't look like the regular folk we see around here. New arrivals, are you?" the guard asked, his tone friendly but his eyes sharp, scanning them with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
They all tensed, their unease palpable. "Y-yes... we've never been here before," Yu Xuan stammered, his voice steady but careful.
The second guard, taller and sterner than the first, stepped forward. His demeanor was cold and unyielding, and his piercing gaze lingered on each of them. "And how do we know you're not some kind of fraud, or worse—shape-shifters sent to cause trouble?" His voice was deep, laced with suspicion and an edge that sent a shiver down Nai's spine.
The first guard, in contrast, let out a hearty chuckle, waving off his companion's sharp accusations. "You're scaring them, you fool! Look at 'em—they're just kids. And that carriage—there's someone unconscious in there. If they meant harm, they'd hardly drag around dead weight like that."
The second guard flicked his tongue in irritation but grudgingly stepped aside, still glaring at them as though daring them to make a wrong move. "Fine," he muttered, his voice clipped. "But mark my words—any trouble, and you'll regret it."
"Welcome in, young adventurers," the first guard said, his warm smile returning as he gestured for them to pass.
Lucius and Nai hesitated only for a moment before stepping forward, their eyes lighting up as they crossed the threshold. Within the walls, the hum of life—people talking, children laughing, the clang of tools—was almost overwhelming.
Yu Xuan, who had lingered behind to cast a wary glance at the guards, finally caught up to them. He gave a quick nod of thanks to the first guard before hurrying to rejoin his companions. His expression was cautious, but the faint glimmer of relief in his eyes did not go unnoticed.
The tantalizing scent of food lingered in the air, wafting through the bustling streets and making their empty stomachs growl in protest. Nai's gaze locked onto a vendor's stall, where steaming skewers of meat glistened under the sun. Unable to resist, she reached out impulsively.
"Hey! We need money for that!" Yu Xuan scolded, pulling her back by the wrist. He let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temples in frustration as Nai's shoulders slumped, her wide eyes fixed longingly on the food. Around them, townsfolk exchanged what appeared to be rough golden rocks for their purchases.
Lucius watched the scene in silence before reaching into his pocket. His expression was thoughtful, almost conflicted. Yu Xuan noticed and furrowed his brow. "What's up, Luci?"
Lucius pulled out a handful of the same rough golden rocks the townsfolk had been using. The shimmering stones sat in his palm, catching the light.
Yu Xuan's eyes widened in shock. "Where... where did you get this? You didn't have anything back in the shelter." His voice was incredulous, though Nai simply observed in quiet curiosity.
"I kept it..." Lucius murmured, his voice barely audible. He hesitated before continuing, his gaze falling to the ground. "I stole it... from dead corpses. I…" His words faltered, and his grip on the gold tightened, guilt etched across his face.
Yu Xuan stared at him for a moment, then, to Lucius's surprise, smiled in relief. "That's great! At least we can buy food now!" he said, his tone reassuring and practical, brushing off Lucius's guilt with ease.
Nai's mood brightened instantly. "Seriously?! That's amazing!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.
Lucius held out the gold, his expression still burdened. "You two go ahead and buy some food first. I'll look for a place to get Harriet treated," he said quietly, his eyes flickering toward the carriage where Harriet lay unconscious.
Yu Xuan nodded, taking the gold. "Alright, but I'll get something for you too. Don't take too long, or it'll get cold," he said with a small smile before turning toward the stalls.
Nai followed eagerly, leaving Lucius behind. As they walked away, Lucius lingered for a moment, his eyes on the ground, before steeling himself and heading in the opposite direction, the weight of responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Nai walked alongside Yu Xuan, the tantalizing aroma of food guiding them from one vendor to the next. She clutched a bundle of skewers in one hand and a small loaf of bread in the other, her eyes occasionally drifting to Lucius's receding figure in the distance.
"That's odd," she murmured, nibbling on the edge of her bread. "Why won't he eat first? Any normal person would fill their stomach before running off to handle something else. Does that guy even get hungry? It's like he doesn't need food at all."
Yu Xuan, who had been scanning the vendors with casual indifference, turned his gaze to Lucius. His expression darkened slightly, a shadow of unease flickering across his face. "…," he remained silent, though suspicion began to fester in the back of his mind.
Meanwhile, Lucius moved through the bustling streets, his shoulders tense as he stopped to ask passersby about medical assistance. Most of the locals hesitated to speak, some glancing at Harriet's unconscious form in the carriage with a mix of pity and discomfort. Finally, a weathered old man pointed toward a shadowy alleyway, muttering something about a "cheap treatment center."
Lucius sighed as he approached the narrow, dimly lit passage. The air here felt damp and oppressive, a sharp contrast to the lively streets behind him. At the end of the alley stood a crooked wooden door, its surface cracked and faded with age. The faint scent of medicinal herbs mixed with something less pleasant lingered in the air.
"This better not be some kind of scam," Lucius muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair as he examined the door. The worn and eerie appearance certainly explained why it was the cheapest option.
With a resigned sigh, he raised his fist and knocked firmly, the sound echoing faintly in the confined alley. He waited, tension coiling in his chest, hoping—praying—that someone would answer and offer aid for Harriet.
To be continued.