The sun rose higher as the group continued their journey. The sound of hooves on the dirt road filled the air. Birds chirped, and leaves rustled in the wind. Cassian led the group at the front, and everyone followed behind him in a neat row.
The road became narrower with each passing day. The plains become rocky terrain and dense woods. The landscape grew more rugged and isolated. Villages became rare and finding an inn was impossible. They had been taking rest in the open of the forest.
Finally, on the fifth day, they reached a small village. The village had a few wooden huts surrounded by a weak wooden fence. Smoke rises from some chimneys. The air smelled faintly of livestock. When the group arrived at the entrance of the village, the expression of villagers froze.
