Nathan then proceeded on his journey south into the central areas; for the most part, it was pleasant, aside from the occasional encounter with wildlife and the abrupt shifts in weather, making it a relatively smooth trip. However, after traveling for another hour, he realized that the taiga forest was becoming increasingly visible. As he was about to hurry along, he spotted several groups loitering at the entrance of the woods. Unable to resist the urge to investigate, he decided to check it out, as that road led to the first town where he planned to spend the night.
Nathan approached the gathering cautiously, pulling his hood lower over his head to obscure his features. The group at the entrance of the taiga woods consisted of armored figures bearing the Empire's insignia—a stern eagle perched upon a sword—standing in rigid formation. Their presence suggested authority, though their posture betrayed a tension that did not go unnoticed by Nathan. The mercenaries he had passed earlier were now engaged in what appeared to be a heated exchange with the imperial guards.
He dismounted his horse with practiced ease, leading it by the reins as he moved closer. The murmurs of the gathered crowd—traders, travelers, and mercenaries alike—created a cacophony of whispers and grumbles. Nathan stopped at the edge of the throng, his sharp gaze darting over the scene. He was careful not to draw attention to himself, his dark cloak blending with the shadows cast by the towering trees at the forest's edge.
"…it's just a shipment of cloth and spices!" one of the mercenaries growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His tone carried the frustration of someone unused to being denied. "Our patron has paid handsomely to ensure this delivery makes it to Bordge. There's no reason to halt us here."
The imperial guard he addressed remained unyielding, his expression as stoic as the steel of his armor. "The road through the taiga is closed until further notice. Orders from the capital. No one is permitted to enter without explicit authorization."
Nathan's ears perked up at the mention of the capital. His mind raced with questions. Why would the Empire close such an essential trade route? Bordge, while modest, relied heavily on the flow of goods to sustain its population. The closure of the road would cause ripples, affecting not only the town's economy but its survival.
"Explicit authorization?" another mercenary scoffed. "From who? The emperor himself? We've been traveling for days, and now you expect us to just turn around?"
The guard's eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening. "There's been... disturbances. Unnatural ones. This is for your safety as much as anyone's. If you value your lives, you'll find another way."
Disturbances. The word hung in the air like an unspoken threat, heavy with implication. The crowd shifted uneasily, whispers spreading like wildfire. Nathan frowned, his thoughts darkening. The rumors of the man-eating beast resurfaced in his mind, though he quickly dismissed them. Superstitions were often bred from fear, but the Empire's involvement suggested something tangible, something real.
He edged closer, careful not to draw the guard's gaze. The mercenaries seemed unwilling to relent, their voices growing louder in protest. Yet the guards did not waver, their formation a wall of unspoken authority.
Nathan considered his options. The road ahead was clearly more complicated than he had anticipated. But retreat was not an option—he had no time to waste finding an alternate route. His mission, as uncertain as it was, demanded progress. Besides, curiosity itched at him, a quiet voice urging him to uncover the truth behind the imperial blockade.
For now, he remained silent, observing the exchange and listening for anything that might hint at a solution.
Nathan approached the gathering cautiously, pulling his hood lower over his head to obscure his features. The group at the entrance of the taiga woods consisted of armored figures bearing the Empire's insignia—a stern eagle perched upon a sword—standing in rigid formation. Their presence suggested authority, though their posture betrayed a tension that did not go unnoticed by Nathan. The mercenaries he had passed earlier were now engaged in what appeared to be a heated exchange with the imperial guards.
He dismounted his horse with practiced ease, leading it by the reins as he moved closer. The murmurs of the gathered crowd—traders, travelers, and mercenaries alike—created a cacophony of whispers and grumbles. Nathan stopped at the edge of the throng, his sharp gaze darting over the scene. He was careful not to draw attention to himself, his dark cloak blending with the shadows cast by the towering trees at the forest's edge.
"…it's just a shipment of cloth and spices!" one of the mercenaries growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His tone carried the frustration of someone unused to being denied. "Our patron has paid handsomely to ensure this delivery makes it to Bordge. There's no reason to halt us here."
The imperial guard he addressed remained unyielding, his expression as stoic as the steel of his armor. "The road through the taiga is closed until further notice. Orders from the capital. No one is permitted to enter without explicit authorization."
Nathan's ears perked up at the mention of the capital. His mind raced with questions. Why would the Empire close such an essential trade route? Bordge, while modest, relied heavily on the flow of goods to sustain its population. The closure of the road would cause ripples, affecting not only the town's economy but its survival.
"Explicit authorization?" another mercenary scoffed. "From who? The emperor himself? We've been traveling for days, and now you expect us to just turn around?"
The guard's eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening. "There's been... disturbances. Unnatural ones. This is for your safety as much as anyone's. If you value your lives, you'll find another way."
Disturbances. The word hung in the air like an unspoken threat, heavy with implication. The crowd shifted uneasily, whispers spreading like wildfire. Nathan frowned, his thoughts darkening. The rumors of the man-eating beast resurfaced in his mind, though he quickly dismissed them. Superstitions were often bred from fear, but the Empire's involvement suggested something tangible, something real.
He edged closer, careful not to draw the guard's gaze. The mercenaries seemed unwilling to relent, their voices growing louder in protest. Yet the guards did not waver, their formation a wall of unspoken authority.
Nathan considered his options. The road ahead was clearly more complicated than he had anticipated. But retreat was not an option—he had no time to waste finding an alternate route. His mission, as uncertain as it was, demanded progress. Besides, curiosity itched at him, a quiet voice urging him to uncover the truth behind the imperial blockade.
For now, he remained silent, observing the exchange and listening for anything that might hint at a solution.
*****
The argument at the forest's edge grew louder, voices rising and clashing like swords in an unseen battle. Nathan, tiring of the spectacle, decided he'd lingered long enough. He tugged his hood a little lower, ensuring his face remained obscured, and turned to slip away into the anonymity of the crowd. The quiet, steady steps of his boots on the dirt road should have been inconspicuous, but a sudden shift in the air made him stop mid-step.
A voice, sharp and unyielding, sliced through the murmurs. "Halt."
Before Nathan could react, the cold kiss of steel was at his throat. He turned his gaze to meet the wielder of the blade—a young woman, her imperial uniform bearing the emblem of the investigation division. Her dark hair was tied tightly at the nape of her neck, and her piercing gaze scrutinized him with an intensity that made his hand instinctively hover near his dagger.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her tone clipped and authoritative.
Nathan's heartbeat quickened, but his outward composure remained calm. "A passerby," he replied evenly, keeping his hands where she could see them.
Her eyes narrowed as she stepped back just slightly, her blade still poised to strike. "A passerby? Strange how passersby often disappear when things turn suspicious." Her gaze raked over him, head to toe, as though searching for a crack in his story. "Or perhaps you're fleeing after pilfering goods from the carriages."
Nathan blinked, baffled by the accusation. "Pilfering?" His voice betrayed his confusion before hardening with indignation. "I've stolen nothing. I was merely observing the commotion from afar. I've never even come near those carriages."
For a moment, her eyes lingered on him, weighing his words against her own suspicions. Slowly, the blade lowered, its tip retreating from his neck. The young woman's expression softened, and she straightened, her posture less aggressive now. "I see," she said at last, though her tone still carried a hint of reservation. "My apologies. In times like these, one cannot afford to trust easily."
Nathan exhaled quietly, his tension easing only slightly. "Understandable," he said, though his irritation at the misunderstanding simmered just beneath the surface.
"As compensation for my mistake," she began, sheathing her sword, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Elayne, a member of the Imperial Knights' Investigation Division. We've been conducting inquiries into reports of missing persons in the forest near Bordge. My patrol is to ensure no suspicious individuals or activities go unnoticed."
"Suspicious individuals like me," Nathan remarked dryly, adjusting his cloak.
Elayne's lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but she maintained her professional demeanor. "Where are you headed?"
"To Bordge," he replied simply. "Or at least, I was. Now, I'll need to find another route and shelter since the road is closed."
Elayne nodded, a flicker of understanding in her gaze. "The forest is treacherous at the best of times, but lately, it's become... unpredictable. Be cautious if you decide to circle around it. And should you see anyone suspicious—or encounter anything unusual—report it to the nearest imperial outpost."
"Duly noted," Nathan said, his tone polite but noncommittal.
With a parting nod, she turned and resumed her patrol, her figure disappearing into the shadows of the forest. Nathan watched her go, her words lingering in his mind. The mention of missing persons only deepened the mystery of the taiga woods, and for a brief moment, he wondered if it would have been wiser to stay and investigate. But his mission called, and distractions would only complicate matters further.
He returned to his horse, unfurling the map he carried. Tracing his finger along the edges of the taiga forest, he identified an alternate route skirting the western edge. It would add several hours to his journey, but it was the safest option available. The sun hung high in the sky now, casting its golden light across the landscape.