The carriage rattled to a halt at the base of the Shadowspine Mountains, their jagged peaks disappearing into the perpetual twilight that shrouded the border between Solaria and the Shadow Lands. Elara peered out the window, her breath catching at the sight of the formidable terrain before them. The narrow path winding up the mountainside seemed barely wide enough for a mountain goat, let alone their small convoy.
Lord Draven's voice cut through the tense silence. "I'm afraid this is where our comfortable journey ends, Princess. The mountain pass is too treacherous for carriages. We'll have to proceed on foot."
Elara nodded, steeling herself for the journey. As she stepped out of the carriage, the cold mountain air bit at her cheeks, a stark contrast to Solaria's gentle warmth. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, the deep purple fabric seeming to absorb what little light there was.
