The late morning sun hung low, casting golden hues over the horizon as Karrigan's carriage rolled steadily away from Admiral's bustling streets and into the quieter, rugged paths that stretched toward the Ashenfen Forest. The wheels creaked rhythmically over uneven dirt, punctuated by the occasional thud as they crossed stones and roots protruding from the earth.
Luke sat next to Ilyrana, whose gaze remained fixed on the landscape ahead, her expression pensive but unreadable. The journey felt heavy with the quiet they shared, a silence that Karrigan eventually broke, glancing over his shoulder at the two.
"Luke, I have to say," Karrigan began, the reins held loosely in one hand as he adjusted his seat. "You being a mage and all, isn't this a bit much? Ashenfen isn't exactly known for its hospitality. What's the point of heading there, anyway?"
