After the commotion at the village square, I led Sora to a quiet spot at the edge of the village, away from the murmurs and curious glances of the locals. The golden light of dusk cast long shadows, painting everything in muted shades of orange and purple. I turned to face her, my curiosity boiling over, but she merely raised an eyebrow, wearing that playful, almost teasing smile.
“You know what you did back there?” I asked, feeling a hint of frustration slip into my tone.
She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening as if savoring some private joke. “Did what exactly?” she replied, her voice light, feigning innocence.
My patience frayed, and I took a deep breath. “The whole… grandstanding in front of the headman, telling everyone about the Empire’s laws. You caused quite a scene. I thought we agreed that keeping a low profile was essential to this journey.”
Her teasing smile softened, and she moved closer, gently taking my hands in hers. Her touch was warm and unexpectedly steady, grounding me amid my worries. Leaning in, she whispered, “Are you afraid I’ve ruined our plan? Drawn too much attention?”
A part of me almost forgot why I’d been so anxious in the first place. There was a surprising sincerity in her gaze, a vulnerability that caught me off guard. For a fleeting moment, I felt the layers she usually kept hidden, the inner strength and resolve mixed with traces of doubt. I was about to let my frustration slip away when she spoke again.
“Look, Augustus,” she said softly, her gaze unwavering. “You have to understand that I wasn’t about to stand by and let that headman break every law in the Empire. Those villagers needed to see someone defend them. They needed hope.”
Her words lingered, filling the quiet space between us. I exhaled, some of my tension melting. “So you’re saying there was no other way?”
A ghost of a smile returned to her face. “Perhaps. But even if it caused a stir, I’m not worried. By now, the people who ordered that bandit attack likely already know I’m gone. With any luck, they’ll hesitate to act, knowing we’re close to crossing into Aserai territory.”
I nodded, understanding her logic, even though it hadn’t fully eased my concerns. “Fine. I’ll admit your reasons make sense. But, Sora, we’re on a journey full of risks, and I don’t want to have to watch my back every time someone thinks they recognize you.”
A small, playful laugh escaped her lips, lifting some of the weight that hung over us. “You worry too much. I may not be much help right now while you’re playing my guardian, but once we’re in Aserai lands…” she trailed off, a twinkle of excitement in her eyes.
Curiosity pricked at me, and I couldn’t resist asking, “And how exactly are you going to help once we’re there?”
She turned her head, looking out toward the horizon as though picturing our destination. “Once we’re there, I can communicate with the locals. You’d be surprised how few people speak the Imperial language fluently in Aserai. Most speak their own dialect, and without understanding it, even finding a place to sleep can be challenging.”
Her words sparked something in me. I’d noticed the system had given me some language skills that looked similar to Imperial Roman script. I decided to test it, to see if I could understand or speak the Aserai language, which might just give us an advantage.
Trying to mask my surprise, I said, “You know, maybe I’ll manage to pick up a few words myself.”
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The expression on her face told me she wasn’t buying it entirely, but before she could press further, I decided to steer the conversation back. “Either way, thank you. For being willing to help and for trusting us to get you safely across.”
We stood there in silence for a while, watching as the stars began to dot the twilight sky. A cool breeze swept through the trees, carrying with it the earthy scent of freshly tilled soil and distant fires from village cookouts. The atmosphere was peaceful, and for a brief moment, it felt like everything beyond this small village could wait.
After a while, I decided to return to the camp to check on the recruits and finish the day’s preparations. Our group waited through the night, gathering supplies, tending to the wounded and adjusting gear, getting ready for the road ahead. I could see some of the recruits leaning on their spears, chatting quietly, their faces illuminated by the firelight. Silvana was making rounds, ensuring everyone had what they needed, her focused demeanor contrasting with Sora’s relaxed confidence.
With dawn breaking, we assembled at the village’s edge. The sky was tinged with hues of pink and gold, and a faint mist clung to the ground, dampening the morning’s chill. We moved with purpose, the hush of early morning making our footfalls sound louder than usual.
“Keep together,” I said, gesturing for Silvana and Leon to position themselves at the front and rear of our formation. The soldiers fell into place, their movements practiced, almost routine. Even Sora walked among us with a certain grace, her hood drawn up to keep her identity concealed.
The road to Aserai was long and winding, and we kept to the shadows, avoiding the main paths where we could. The terrain shifted from lush greenery to sparser fields, the soil gradually turning drier, and dustier. Each step brought us closer to our destination, but also deeper into unknown territory.
The first day’s journey was uneventful, the monotony of the landscape only broken by the occasional bird call or rustle in the underbrush. We kept our voices low, the tension simmering beneath our casual conversation as we passed by a few other travelers, merchants mostly, pushing carts or riding worn-out donkeys.
By evening, we’d made it to another small village, a settlement even quieter than the one before. The village was built around a well, the central gathering point where villagers came to fill buckets and trade news. The air was thick with the smell of livestock and the faint, earthy scent of herbs hanging in bundles from nearby huts.
As we entered the village, a few locals cast curious glances our way, but they kept their distance. I approached an elder man who seemed to be watching over the village square, hoping he’d be open to trading supplies.
After a brief exchange, we managed to barter for fruits and meat in exchange for some of our less-needed provisions. The elder’s gaze lingered on Sora for a moment, but he said nothing, merely nodding respectfully before retreating into the shadows.
We set up camp on the outskirts of the village, lighting a small fire and cooking what little we had. The air grew cooler as night fell, and the sky darkened to a deep, inky blue, dotted with stars. Sora sat beside me, her gaze distant as she stared into the flames.
The next morning, we resumed our march before dawn, the recruits falling into step without a word of complaint. Their discipline had improved, the result of countless hours of training and Silvana’s constant guidance. The path to Aserai was drawing closer, and with each step, the landscape around us began to shift, the air drier, and warmer.
By mid-afternoon, we could see the outlines of low, rolling hills, the beginnings of the arid plains that marked the Aserai lands. The terrain grew tougher, and the recruits fell silent, their focus on the road ahead. I could feel the weight of the journey settling on us all, a mixture of anticipation and unease.
As we drew closer, Sora walked up beside me, her eyes scanning the horizon. “Do you feel it?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“Feel what?” I replied, glancing at her curiously.
She smiled faintly, her gaze distant. “The change. We’re not in the Empire anymore. Aserai lands have their rhythm, their own life. You’ll see.”
Her words hung in the air, a promise of the unknown that lay ahead. And as we continued our march, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our journey was just beginning. There were challenges to face, alliances to forge, and secrets to uncover.
Discord