As the sun dipped below the horizon, Noah, having succumbed to the day's adventures, slept soundly on Cedric's back. Having crossed the vast forest surrounding the province, Cedric welcomed the new terrain, plains that stretched out around them, the kingdom of Eldoria looming somewhere beyond the distant horizon.

A winding un-polished cobble road led the way, disappearing into the landscape. Cedric, aware of the approaching kingdom, noticed a lone horse-drawn carriage making its way toward them. The middle-aged, slightly chubby driver, looking remarkably like a traveling merchant, caught Cedric's attention. With a raise of his hand, the carriage came to a stop.

"Need a lift, travelers? Hop on, I'll get you there for a fair coin."" called out the merchant with a warm, charismatic grin, his eyes glinting in the fading light. Cedric signaled an affirmative, and the merchant, sensing fellow journeyers, beckoned them to join.

As Cedric settled Noah into a separate seat, ensuring the young mage's peaceful slumber, the merchant seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation.

"Headin' to the kingdom, aren't ya?" The merchant's voice echoed with a friendliness that welcomed them into the comfort of the carriage.

"Well, we're on a bit of a magical journey, you could say," Cedric responded with a casual grin, leaning against the carriage as they began their exchange. The merchant, adjusting his grip on the reins, raised an eyebrow in intrigue.

"Magic, eh? Sounds fancy. What's your specialty, then?"

With a chuckle, Cedric elaborated, "Teaching young minds the wonders of magic. This little one here," he motioned toward Noah, "is my promising student. We've been mastering the art of air."

The merchant's eyes widened, "Air magic, you say? Haha, kid must have gotten tired from all that oxygen. That's not something you hear every day. Must be quite the adventure. I'm no mage, but I can appreciate a good tale. Me name's Jack, by the way. What about you and the little lad?"

"Cedric," he replied, "and the youngster here is Noah."

Jack nodded in acknowledgment. "Pleasure to meet you both. So, what brings you to Eldoria? Business, pleasure, or just another stop in your path?"

As the journey continued, the conversation flowed naturally between Cedric and Jack. They shared stories of their travels, discussed the wonders of magic, and exchanged anecdotes from their respective worlds. The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the occasional creak of the carriage became the backdrop to their lively banter.

After a while, Jack glanced at Noah, who was still soundly asleep. "Must be an exciting life, teaching magic to a young one. Takes a special kind of person for that, Cedric. What made you take on such a path?"

Cedric, looking at Noah with a fond smile, replied, "Well, Jack, there's a joy in passing on the wonders of magic to the next generation. It's like watching a new world unfold before their eyes. Every spark of curiosity, every triumph—they're moments that make the journey worthwhile."

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Cedric and Jack continued their friendly exchange. However, the tone shifted as Cedric began sharing a bit about Noah's past. "You know, Jack, Noah's had a tough start. Lost his family to an accident. But in that loss, he found a spark, a curiosity for magic. It's my job, and privilege, to nurture that spark."

Jack, leaning back with a thoughtful expression, replied, "This world has it's way of mixing joy and sorrow, doesn't it? Poor lad, losing his family like that. But it's good he's got you, Cedric."

Cedric nodded, appreciating Jack's understanding. "Yeah, life can throw some tough spells at you. But Noah's a resilient kid. We're on a journey to not only master magic but to find a place where Noah belongs, where he can call home."

The wheels of the carriage continued to roll along the road, carrying the trio toward Eldoria.

As the carriage rolled along the medieval road, the rhythmic clatter of hooves and creaking of wheels became a familiar melody. Cedric and Jack engaged in amiable conversation, sharing stories and laughter against the backdrop of the open plains. The sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

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Amidst the casual banter, their attention was unexpectedly drawn to snippets of conversation from a group of men nearby. The words carried on the wind, revealing a sinister undertone that left an uneasy feeling lingering in the air.

"When will we snatch that girl from the harbor?" one of the men spoke, his voice carrying a hushed quality that hinted at nefarious intentions.

Cedric, alert to the sudden change in atmosphere, exchanged a concerned glance with Jack. The information hung in the air, a subtle threat that demanded attention. It was a moment that pierced through the pleasant journey, hinting at a darker underbelly beneath the surface of their seemingly ordinary road to Eldoria.

The trio of bandits emerged on the roadside, their attire blending seamlessly with the rugged landscape. Clad in tattered clothing reminiscent of the wilderness, their outfits bore the unmistakable mark of banditry – a patchwork of fur, earthy tones, and the dirt of countless misdeeds.

As the carriage approached, the bandits took notice, their eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam. With a menacing swagger, they advanced toward the merchant's carriage. One of them, brandishing a wicked dagger, licked the blade with a sinister grin, his voice carrying the threat of impending danger.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" he sneered, his tone dripping with malice. "Nice carriage, nice horses. But you see, the road's not free, my friend. You'll have to pay the toll – a measly 500 gold if you want to pass safely."

Cedric, hearing the extortionate demands, stepped forward, attempting to reason with the threatening bandit. However, in the midst of negotiations, an imposing figure emerged behind him – the apparent leader of the trio. This tall, bulky figure cast an assessing gaze over Noah, a chilling notion forming in his mind.

"Maybe we can take this kid too," he suggested to his accomplices with a sly grin, the implication of their intentions hanging heavily in the air.

Jack, nervously shifting in his seat, piped up, "Look, we're not exactly rolling in gold at the moment. But I've got valuable goods in the carriage. We can work something out."

Meanwhile, the one wielding the machete, a wiry individual with a frenzied glint in his eyes, licked the blade suggestively. "Gold, gems, and anything else shiny. We don't mind takin' a little extra if you catch my drift."

Cedric, sensing the escalating tension, tried to reason with the bandits. "There's no need for violence. We can negotiate a fair deal without any trouble. Just let us pass, and I assure you, you won't regret it."

The wiry bandit, still eyeing the machete with a disturbing fascination, sneered. "Fair deal? We make the rules here, pretty boy. Now, hand over the goods and the kid, or we might decide to have some fun."

The bandits remained skeptical, eyeing the potential prize in Noah. As they deliberated, Cedric, his patience wearing thin, and as Jack finished his line, Cedric reached his limit. "Let me handle it," he declared with a confident yet dangerous smile. He then stepped out of the carriage with a calm yet determined look.

The merchant, understanding Cedric's unspoken intention, nodded in agreement, his eyes pleading for a peaceful resolution. Cedric, now stepping out of the carriage, faced the trio of bandits with a determined gaze

Wasting absolutely no time, Cedric's hand blurred as he materialized a gleaming water blade upon his hand, its edge honed with precision. In a fluid motion, he swung, cleanly cutting the neck of the towering bandit. A crimson fountain of blood sprayed forth, staining the ground as the bandit struggled, groaning and screaming in extreme pain as he succumbed within a few seconds.

The remaining bandits, wide-eyed with shock, attempted a hasty retreat. Cedric's concentration deepened, conjuring colossal hands formed of water. Like giants, these liquid appendages closed around the fleeing bandits, their escape cut short.

Agony painted the faces of the trapped men as the water hands exerted their pressure. The air echoed with their desperate screams, drowned out only by the sickening sound of flesh succumbing to the force. In a horrific crescendo, the bandits met their demise, bursting into grotesque displays of gore and torn flesh. The sound of eyes popping, liver, lungs and what not, gushing out.

Cedric ascended back onto the carriage, wiping the water blade clean. He glanced at the slumbering Noah and then turned to Jack, the merchant, with a questioning look. "Is he still asleep?"

Jack, surprisingly composed despite the recent display of violence, nodded calmly. "Like a log. Kid must be having sweet dreams."

Cedric's brow furrowed in surprise. "How can you be so calm? You just witnessed... that."

Jack shrugged nonchalantly. "Seen worse. In my line of work, you get used to the chaos of the world. Besides, you handled those ruffians pretty well, mate."

Cedric, still processing the stark contrast between Jack's tranquility and the recent brutality, couldn't help but ask, "Your line of work? What exactly do you do, Jack?"

Jack's eyes carried a hint of distant memories as he replied, "Well, I've been to the Canyon."

Cedric's expression changed, a silent understanding passing between them. The Canyon, a place with a reputation for shaping those who ventured into its depths, both physically and mentally. No further words were exchanged, but the weight of that single sentence hung in the air, resonating with the unspoken tales of trials and tribulations within that "place".