The sound of hooves striking the ground ceased, and the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Cassian's attention flicked to the window. Though the wind outside was still whipping through the trees, rustling leaves and kicking up small clouds of dust, the stillness within the carriage felt almost unnatural.
Cassian's unease deepened, and his gaze darted back to the masked man just as he reached up and removed his mask. The man beneath was nothing like Cassian had imagined. Short blonde hair framed a strong, manly face, softened by a light beard that lent him a certain approachable charm. His piercing eyes carried both wisdom and warmth, a stark contrast to the enigmatic aura he'd exuded before.
