Luke rode Tora with the villagers from Pathaven following close behind. Each villager rode their tiger, a sight that still amazed Luke despite his growing familiarity with this world. The villagers, though few, were determined and competent, ready to help fix the broken carriage and assist Gareth. As they neared the spot where Gareth and the carriage had been left, Luke was taken aback by the scene that greeted him.
Gareth was standing, though with difficulty, in front of a group of men clad in silver armour. Their armour, unlike Gareth's, was designed to intimidate, with jagged edges and dark embellishments. Two elephants, massive and daunting, stood behind the men. In this world, where the roles of predator and prey were flipped, elephants were undoubtedly considered predators. The sight of these men controlling such beasts was terrifying.
As the Pathaven party approached, the men in silver armour took notice. Their leader, a man with a sneering grin, jested about Gareth's reinforcements arriving. With an air of arrogance, the men mounted their elephants and rode off, their laughter echoing ominously. Milton, the man Gareth had instructed Luke to find, voiced his concern.
"Did they trouble you, Gareth?"
Gareth shook his head, though his expression remained tense.
"It's fine. Just help repair the carriage," he pleaded. The villagers set to work immediately, assessing the damage and gathering their tools.
Luke took this opportunity to approach Gareth.
"Who were they?" he asked, his voice low.
"Guards of the Fortress of Edenhide. They must have seen us in trouble and decided to poke fun. We were lucky to avoid a confrontation," Gareth, gritting his teeth, replied.
"Why are they here?" Luke continued, referring to the alternate road that bypassed Edenhide.
"They've realized that people from Purewood no longer stop by their fortress and have been using this road instead. So, they occasionally patrol this passage to find people to harass and intimidate," Gareth explained.
Luke nodded, absorbing this new information. The animosity between the Fortress of Edenhide and the City of Purewood was deeper and more complex than he had initially understood. The presence of these men and their actions added a new layer of danger to their journey. As the villagers worked diligently to repair the carriage, Luke couldn't help but feel a growing resolve. The challenges they faced were mounting, but he was determined to see their journey through, no matter what lay ahead.
The carriage now looked as good as new, thanks to the swift and skilful work of the Pathaven villagers. Milton approached Gareth, his eyes catching the fresh blood staining the bandages on Gareth's leg.
"I'm sorry to see you're hurt, Gareth. Must have been a rough ride," Milton said, genuine concern in his voice.
Gareth nodded, offering a tired but grateful smile. "Thank you, Milton. Your quick action has helped us more than you know."
Milton glanced at the repaired carriage and then back to Gareth. "Will you be heading straight to the City of Purewood, or do you plan to rest in Pathaven for a while?"
Gareth shook his head. "We'll head straight to Purewood. It's been a long while since I've been home, and I need to get back to my people. But thank you for the offer. I'm grateful for your hospitality and help."
Milton nodded in understanding. "Safe travels then, Gareth. And you," he added, turning to Luke, "take care of him."
Luke gave a small smile and a nod. "I will."
With their goodbyes said, the villagers mounted their tigers and rode back towards Pathaven, their figures soon disappearing into the distance. Luke and Gareth resumed their journey, the repaired carriage moving smoothly along the road. The incident with the guards from Edenhide and the sudden breakdown had shaken them, but the help from Pathaven had restored some of their spirits.
As they travelled, the landscape gradually began to change. The rolling hills and scattered trees gave way to denser forests and taller mountains in the distance. The path was well-worn but showed signs of fewer travellers, hinting at the isolation and the challenges the people of Purewood faced.
The journey remained quiet, each man lost in his thoughts. Luke couldn't help but feel a mixture of anxiety and anticipation about reaching Purewood. Gareth's words about the dangers from the east, the animosity with Edenhide, and the responsibility of protecting the city weighed heavily on his mind. Yet, beneath the worry, there was also a growing resolve. Luke was determined to help Gareth and the people of Purewood in any way he could.
Hours passed, and the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the landscape. The road ahead seemed endless, but the promise of reaching Purewood kept them moving forward. The challenges they had faced so far were just the beginning, but together, they pressed on, ready to meet whatever lay ahead.
In the silence of their journey, Gareth's mind retraced the harrowing encounter with the Guards of Edenhide. Although he had assured Luke that everything was fine, the truth was far more troubling. The actual confrontation had been far more intense than he had let on.
The moment Gareth heard the heavy stomp of elephants approaching, he forced himself to stand despite the searing pain in his leg. His eyes widened as he saw two massive elephants lumbering towards him, each carrying three men. The sight alone told him these were the notorious Guards of Edenhide.
Even from a distance, their jeering voices reached him, mocking his helpless state. As they drew nearer, the guards continued their taunts, clearly relishing his predicament. When they finally halted in front of him, two of them dismounted, and the leader of the group stepped forward, a sneer plastered across his face.
"Well, well, look what we have here," the leader mocked, his eyes gleaming with malice. "A lone knight from Purewood, stranded and helpless."
"Leave me be. I've no quarrel with you," Gareth kept his voice steady, masking his growing apprehension.
The guards only laughed harder, their mockery growing crueller. Gareth clenched his fists but remained silent, knowing that any sign of defiance could escalate the situation. When the leader questioned him, Gareth answered with careful politeness, trying to avoid provoking them further. His only desire was to return home without conflict.
However, when the guards began to draw their swords, clearly intending to damage the carriage further, Gareth felt a surge of urgency. Despite his injury, he unsheathed his sword, standing his ground. The guards jeered at him, their leader's voice dripping with scorn.
"Look at this! The crippled knight dares to fight!"
"If evidence of murder is found on this road, the Empire of Virencia will be involved," Gareth's response was calm but firm.
The mention of the Empire brought a momentary silence. The guards' expressions darkened, but they hesitated, knowing the repercussions of crossing that line. The Empire of Virencia had a protective rule regarding this road, a result of their alliance with the City of Purewood. The Empire had sent soldiers to help defend against monster outbreaks, and this road was a symbol of that collaboration.
Grumbling, the guards sheathed their swords, their insults turning more venomous. They called Gareth a coward for invoking the Empire's name, but he knew it was his only leverage. Their parting words were filled with bile, but they eventually mounted their elephants and left when Luke and the help came back, leaving Gareth with intense relief.
Now, as the carriage rolled along the road, Gareth struggled with whether or not to tell Luke the full story. He glanced at Luke, who was focused on guiding Tora. The young man had proven to be resourceful and brave, but Gareth didn't want to burden him with more worries. Yet, the distrust and hostility between Purewood and Edenhide were realities Luke needed to understand.
With a sigh, Gareth decided he would tell Luke, but perhaps not just yet. They had enough on their plates, and the immediate priority was to reach Purewood safely. Still, the memory of that encounter lingered, a stark reminder of the tensions they would continue to face.
As they travelled, Gareth couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of their challenges. The road ahead was long and fraught with dangers, both seen and unseen. But with Luke by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope. Together, they could navigate whatever lay ahead and protect the city they both were coming to care for deeply.
As they continued their journey, Gareth's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He considered the weight of his responsibility, not just to Luke but to the people of Purewood. The encounter with the Guards of Edenhide underscored the precariousness of their situation. His injury throbbed with each jolt of the carriage, a painful reminder of their vulnerability.
Yet, seeing Luke's determination, his quick thinking, and his growing understanding of this world, Gareth felt a renewed sense of resolve. The road ahead was uncertain, but with Luke's ingenuity and his own steadfast will, Gareth believed they could overcome the looming threats and fulfil the promise of a safer, stronger Purewood. The city, with its myriad challenges and opportunities, awaited their return, and Gareth was determined to meet them head-on.