Chapter 15
Nearby Village, located among the northern subcontinent's towns, was their first stop. Anon Norman and Revena were traveling to a distant village called Faymere, a remote settlement, lay near the edge of the Dark Forest, a perilous region shrouded in shadow. Beyond the forest stood hills, home to the ferocious fire rexes.
"So, you two are from Largon Academy?" the man driving the horse-drawn carriage asked, guiding the horses steadily along the bumpy path.
"Yeah, as you can see, we're from Largon Academy," Revena replied casually, her tone masking their true purpose.
"What's your business in such a rural village?" another passenger inquired.
Norman, ever quick on his feet, answered smoothly, "Oh, nothing much—just some work we need to check on."
In reality, they were trying to keep their mission under wraps. Whispers had spread of people being kidnapped—those with unique abilities or children with elemental powers were the primary targets. The reasons for these abductions remained a mystery.
The carriage carried seven passengers in total. Among them were an elderly woman and her grandson, two healthy, muscular merchant-looking men, and Anon and Revena. Anon turned to the grandmother with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Grandma, where are you heading?" he asked cheerfully.
The old woman didn't respond, but her grandson answered in her stead, his voice soft and hesitant.
"We… we're returning from the healer. My grandmother needed to see her."
The boy's timid tone piqued Anon's curiosity, but he didn't press further.
The sky had turned a brilliant mix of red and gold, the setting sun casting its light across the horizon. Norman leaned forward and addressed the carriage driver.
"Do you think we'll reach our destination on time?"
The driver glanced at the sky, judging the remaining daylight. "Looks like it'll be late when we get there," he replied thoughtfully.
The two merchant-like men, who had been quiet throughout the journey, suddenly spoke up.
"Are you two heading to Faymere Village?" one of them asked.
"Yeah, that's our destination," Revena confirmed.
"Where are you guy's headed?" Anon asked in return.
"We'll get off at the next town—it's nearby. We have some business there," one of them replied curtly.
The journey continued in relative silence. The rhythmic clatter of the horses' hooves and the occasional creak of the carriage were the only sounds. As the sun dipped below the horizon, stars began to fill the sky. The merchants disembarked at the town, bidding the group farewell.
"Take care. The path ahead isn't safe this time of year," one of them warned.
The sky was now a vast expanse of stars, but the moon was nowhere to be seen. Anon noticed the faint glow of the setting sun still peeking through gaps in the clouds before fading completely. The carriage driver lit a hurricane lamp at the front and small lamps inside to illuminate the journey.
"Why take the risk of traveling to Faymere this season?" Anon asked the driver, breaking the silence.
The driver was quiet for a moment before answering.
"It's not that I'm unafraid of the dangers," he began, his voice low. "But Faymere is so isolated from the nearby towns. Supplies, food, and basic necessities—they don't reach there without someone taking the risk. The people there rely on us."
He fell silent again, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The atmosphere was still, save for the occasional flicker of fireflies lighting up the surroundings. Somewhere in the distance, faint, eerie sounds of nocturnal creatures echoed.
Anon instinctively gripped his weapon, alert despite his drowsiness.
"Get some rest before we reach," he murmured to Revena, who was already leaning against the side of the carriage, her eyes half-closed.
Their journey stretched into the quiet, starry night, the dangers of the Dark Forest looming ever closer.
"You don't need to be so alert about those noises," the carriage driver said calmly, giving Anon a reassuring smile.
Anon, still gripping his weapon tightly, asked, "Are you sure they won't harm us?"
"Most monsters around here aren't aggressive unless provoked. Many of them stay hidden unless you threaten them first," the driver replied, his voice laced with the confidence of experience.
Anon wasn't convinced. "And you're certain they won't attack us?"
The driver chuckled softly. "Don't worry. Look, we're almost at our destination."
He gave the reins a firm tug, urging the horses forward. As they approached, Anon noticed a cluster of lights shimmering in the distance. The village lay nestled in a valley, surrounded by protective hills that seemed to shelter it. From afar, the glow of the lights illuminated rows of houses, some simple and others more elaborate.
"Those larger buildings are the guild hall and lodging for merchants and adventurers," the carriage driver explained as they neared the village.
Anon quickly nudged Revena awake.
"Hey, wake up. We're almost there."
Still groggy, Revena mumbled, "Are we still moving?"
"Yeah, but we're close now," Anon replied, shaking her shoulder gently.
Soon, the carriage reached the village gates—a towering, fortified structure that seemed unusual for such a rural settlement.
"What's with the gates?" Anon asked, staring up at the massive wooden structure.
"These? Well, this village is one of the closest to the Dark Forest. They need strong defenses," the driver said matter-of-factly.
"Wow, such a huge gate! It looks more like something from a fortress," Revena remarked, her voice tinged with awe.
As they approached the gate, a young gatekeeper called out, "Hey, old man! Why are you so late today?"
The driver exchanged pleasantries with the gatekeeper, their familiarity suggesting a long-standing relationship.
Another gatekeeper eyed Anon and Revena curiously. "Who are they?"
"They're here for their own work. Don't worry about them—they're strong enough to handle themselves," the driver assured him.
Once the gates creaked open, the carriage rolled into the village. Despite being labeled as a rural settlement, the place was bustling with activity. Shops, houses, and even two-story buildings lined the streets, giving it the appearance of a small town rather than a remote village.
The carriage finally stopped in front of a guesthouse. "Rest here for the night," the driver said. "You can continue on your way tomorrow."
Anon and Revena thanked him and handed him a small tip as he prepared to leave.
Ravena looked up at the two-story guesthouse, which seemed well-kept and organized specifically for merchants and adventurers. "This place doesn't feel like a typical village," she murmured.
As they stepped inside, an attendant greeted them warmly. "Hello, how may I assist you?"
Norman took the lead, knowing how to handle such protocols.
Meanwhile, Revena whispered to Anon, "Don't you think this place feels… strange?"
Anon scanned their surroundings, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah, it's unusual. But it'll do for now."
They followed the attendant inside, ready to settle in for the night, though a lingering unease remained in the air.
"Did we come to the wrong village?" Revena asked anxiously, her brow furrowed.
Anon shared her unease. Something felt off. They had been told to expect chaos, danger, and unease—but instead, the village was calm, almost unnaturally so. People were smiling, shopping at the stalls, drinking in the bars, and singing merrily. It didn't match what they had been warned about.
"Could we really be in the wrong place?" Anon murmured to himself, scanning the bustling village with suspicion.
Meanwhile, Norman approached the attendant at the counter.
"We'll take two rooms. Is that all right?" he asked.
"Yes, of course," the attendant replied with a polite nod.
Revena chimed in, "Are the rooms single? And do they have showers?"
"Yes, single rooms. Showers are available on the second floor," the attendant confirmed.
Satisfied, the group headed to their rooms. After taking a much-needed shower and changing into fresh clothes, they regrouped and made their way downstairs, intending to find food.
Revena joined Norman, who had already started talking to someone near the counter. Anon followed closely, his stomach growling audibly.
"Where should we eat? I'm starving!" Anon grumbled, rubbing his stomach dramatically.
Norman turned to him with a raised brow. "The guesthouse only provides rooms, not food. We'll have to eat outside."
Revena sighed but nodded in agreement. "Fine. Let's find a place quickly. I'm not waiting any longer."
The trio stepped out into the lively village streets, the faint tension still clinging to Anon and Revena as they searched for a meal.
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