The first rays of dawn painted the sky as Kael and Draven arrived at Stormhaven Square, their breaths misting in the crisp morning air. The square, bustling during the day, was eerily quiet now, save for a small gathering of carts and figures preparing for their journey. Tarian and his team were already there, checking the last of the supplies.
"Right on time," Tarian greeted them with a nod. "This is Edric Fairweather, the merchant we'll be escorting."
The merchant, a stout man with graying hair and a weathered face, extended a hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Kael and Draven. I'm counting on you to keep these goods safe."
"We won't let you down," Kael assured him, shaking his hand firmly.
The caravan consisted of four carts laden with crates of goods covered in sturdy tarps. Tharian and his team took positions on one of the carts, while Kael and Draven settled themselves between two goods-laden wagons, their weapons within easy reach. As the caravan creaked forward, the town's streets came alive with merchants setting up stalls and townsfolk beginning their day. The sun climbed higher, bathing the cobbled streets in a golden glow.
The caravan soon reached the outskirts of the town, where the paved roads gave way to a dirt trail leading into the forest. The trees grew denser, their canopies forming a patchy veil against the sun. At the forest's edge, a group of royal guards stood watch, their polished armor gleaming even in the dim light.
"Halt!" one of the guards ordered, raising a hand. "Business in the forest?"
Edric stepped forward, presenting a folded parchment. "Trade permit, as issued by the royal court."
The guard examined the document, nodding before turning to Kael and the others. "Adventurer cards, please."
Kael and Draven handed over their cards without hesitation. The guard scrutinized them briefly before returning them.
"Everything checks out," the guard said, stepping aside. "Be cautious—lizardmen have been spotted in the area. They're more aggressive this time of year."
"Thanks for the warning," Tharian replied as the caravan resumed its journey.
The trail through the forest was rough, with the carts occasionally jolting over exposed roots and rocks. Birds chirped intermittently, and the air was rich with the earthy scent of damp leaves. After several hours of travel, Tarian called for a break.
Kael stretched his arms, the stiffness from the journey making him wince. He noticed Edric crouching near one of the carts, tying bundles of strange herbs to its sides.
"What are those for?" Kael asked, approaching the merchant.
Edric glanced up. "These are wyvern-thorn herbs. They give off a scent that keeps most wild animals at bay, especially lizardmen. The smell irritates their senses and causes allergic reactions. It's a handy deterrent."
"That's clever," Kael remarked, sniffing cautiously at the herb. The pungent odor made him grimace. "Definitely not pleasant."
Draven chuckled from nearby. "Looks like it'll work on more than just lizardmen."
As the day wore on, the caravan made occasional stops to gather wild fruits and berries, which Edric assured them could serve as emergency rations. The forest's beauty was undeniable, with towering trees, vibrant flowers, and the occasional glint of a distant stream. Yet, something felt off. There were no signs of large animals, only birds fluttering between branches. The absence of predators made everyone uneasy.
By late afternoon, the golden light of the sun began to fade, casting long shadows across the forest path. Just as the caravan reached a bend in the road, a thunderous crash echoed ahead. A massive tree had been felled, blocking their way.
"Ambush!" Tarian shouted, drawing his sword.
From the shadows of the trees, a band of thieves emerged, their weapons glinting menacingly. They surrounded the carts, their leader stepping forward with a wicked grin.
"Leave the carts and walk away," he sneered. "We'll let you live."
Edric's face hardened. "These goods are under royal protection. You'll get nothing from us."
"Wrong answer," the leader growled, signaling his men to attack.
Kael's heart pounded as he leapt from the cart, drawing his sword. A thief charged at him, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. The thief was skilled, his movements quick and precise. Kael matched him blow for blow, his muscles straining with each parry.
"You're better than I expected," the thief taunted, lunging forward. Kael barely dodged, feeling the blade graze his side. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it into the thief's eyes. As the man staggered back, Kael delivered a decisive slash, ending the fight.
Before Kael could catch his breath, an arrow struck his shoulder, sending him stumbling. He quickly ducked behind a tree, wincing as he pulled the arrow free. Blood seeped from the wound, but he couldn't afford to stop. Drawing a knife from his pack, he stepped back into the fray, using his shield to deflect the archer's attacks. With a well-aimed throw, he silenced the archer for good.
The battle raged on. Kael faced opponent after opponent, each encounter pushing him to his limits. A thief with a hammer sent him flying, leaving him gasping for air. Despite the pain, Kael stood again, his determination unwavering. When the thief charged, Kael sidestepped, using the momentum to sever the man's arm. The thief's screams filled the air as Kael ended the fight with a swift strike.
But Kael's strength was waning. His vision blurred, and his breathing grew labored. Poison, he realized, his mind racing for a solution. Just as another thief closed in, a glass bottle smashed against Kael's head, sending him to the ground. Pain radiated through his skull, but he forced himself to rise.
"Stay down, boy," the bottle-wielding thief sneered, raising another projectile.
Before he could throw it, an arrow whistled through the air, striking him in the chest. Draven emerged from the shadows, bow in hand. "You okay, Kael?" he called.
Kael nodded weakly, retrieving a healing potion from his pack. The cool liquid dulled the pain and neutralized the poison, giving him the strength to rejoin the fight.
The final thief Kael faced was a hulking man wielding an axe. Their battle was fierce, each blow threatening to overwhelm Kael. When the thief's axe lodged in a tree, Kael seized the opportunity, delivering a spinning kick that knocked the man back. Their fight continued, but Kael's determination prevailed. With a devastating slash, he ended the battle.
As the dust settled, Selene, an elf mage from Tharian's team, moved swiftly among the wounded, her healing magic mending their injuries. "Let's get moving before more trouble finds us," Tharian urged, helping Edric onto a cart.
Kael and Draven collapsed among the goods, exhaustion weighing heavily on them. Kael stared at his bloodied hands, the weight of his actions pressing down on him.
"First time taking a life?" Draven asked quietly.
Kael nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "It's… not easy."
"It never is," Draven replied. "But you did what you had to do."
The carts resumed their journey, the forest's silence broken only by the creak of wheels and the rustle of leaves. Kael's thoughts swirled, the faces of the thieves haunting him. As night fell, the caravan pressed on, leaving the battlefield and its memories behind.