On the far eastern outskirts of Valedrian, Eldric finally reached a safe distance. He pulled the carriage to a stop, took a deep breath, and called out, "It's safe now." Climbing down from the driver's seat, he moved to the side of the carriage and carefully opened a cleverly hidden and compressed compartment beneath where he had been sitting.

Inside, Ravena emerged, her assassin's flexibility allowing her to fit perfectly into the confined space. The compartment was even smaller and narrower than the false compartment Sylas had inspected earlier. Ravena stretched, feeling the stiffness from her time hidden, and looked around, grateful for the safety of their current location.

Ravena thanked Eldric for his help and expressed her desire to part ways, concerned that their journey might become more dangerous if he continued to accompany her.

Eldric, however, refused to leave her side just yet. "Where do you intend to go?" he asked.

"To the East: Eldoria, the Eastern Kingdom," Ravena replied. "I've been there once, and it's the complete opposite of Valedrian."

"Do you know anyone there?" Eldric inquired.

"No, but I can manage," she answered.

After a moment of silence, Eldric offered, "I can help you get there faster, but we'll part ways afterward. I still need to head to Iserith in the North-East."

Seeing no reason to refuse his offer, Ravena gratefully accepted Eldric's help. With their plan set, they continued on their path toward Eldoria.

As they traveled at a steady pace, Eldric couldn't contain his curiosity about Ravena's plans. "Ravena-sama, what will you do when you reach the East?" he asked. After a moment's hesitation, Ravena replied, "I don't know. My goal is to get revenge on..." She paused, struggling with the words, the memories too painful to articulate. Finally, she continued, "On Sylas, and my former allies who turned against everything we stood for."

Eldric, cautious yet curious, ventured another question, aware it might be painful. "It may be rude to ask, Ravena-sama, but what really happened before you came to our place?"

A heavy silence followed, louder than the rustling leaves and chirping birds around them. Ravena's face tightened, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions. Eldric quickly realized the weight of his question and regretted prying. "I'm sorry," he said softly, respecting her unspoken refusal to relive that nightmare. "You don't have to answer."

Ravena gave a slight nod, appreciating his understanding. They continued in silence, the unspoken words hanging between them, a reminder of the scars she bore and the dangers they faced ahead.

After a few moments of allowing Ravena to regain her composure, Eldric tried to lighten the mood with some humor. His efforts paid off as Ravena joined in, momentarily setting aside her troubles.

By noon, they stopped under the shade of a tree. Eldric brought out some food and shared it with Ravena, both of them grateful for the respite.

As dusk settled, they continued their journey, and a vast forest came into view. Nightfall found them at the edge of a forest, aware of its reputation for being large, dense, and home to various creatures lurking in the shadows. Despite the potential dangers, they decided to press on, with Ravena staying vigilant and ready for any threats that might emerge from the darkness.

Stolen story; please report.

Deep inside the forest, the carriage creaked as it moved through the eerie silence. Ravena's keen senses picked up a faint rustling behind them. She turned around, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the source of the sound. A small rabbit hopped out of the bushes, seemingly harmless.

"What is it, Ravena-sama?" Eldric asked, noticing her sudden movement. Ravena turned back and replied, "Nothing, just a rabbit in the bush."

But when she glanced back again, something strange happened. The rabbit had vanished, and in its place stood a shadowy human figure, barely discernible in the darkness. The figure's outline was entirely black, making it impossible to see any features.

A chill ran down Ravena's spine. Panic set in as she feared that Sylas or his men had found them. Her heartbeat quickened, and her breathing became erratic, anxiety coursing through her veins.

"Ravena-sama?" Eldric's voice broke through her panic, grounding her. She turned back to the bushes, but this time, only the rabbit remained. The figure had disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared. She frowned, puzzled by the strange vision, but decided to focus on the journey ahead, dismissing it as a trick of her tired mind.

Ravena brushed off her fears as they pressed forward. The forest remained dense and dark, but the promise of rest kept them going. They eventually decided to stop in a secluded spot, far from any signs of civilization.

Eldric tied his horse to a tree and expertly gathered wood and prepared a small campfire. He set up his cooking tools and began preparing a stew from scratch. The aroma of simmering meat and fresh herbs filled the air, providing a comforting scent amidst the forest's darkness.

Ravena watched as Eldric worked, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. Once the stew was ready, Eldric served a generous portion to Ravena, who accepted it gratefully.

“This is wonderful, Eldric,” she said between bites. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

Eldric smiled. “I’m glad you like it. It’s the least I can do after all you’ve been through.”

As they ate, their conversation flowed more easily. Eldric asked about Ravena’s past and her reasons for her journey, while Ravena shared what she could, careful to avoid the more painful details. Eldric, in turn, spoke of his experiences as a merchant and the challenges he faced.

After dinner, they settled back against a sturdy oak tree. Eldric catered his horse for a while, then spreads out a blanket for comfort and both leaned against the tree, letting the warmth of the fire soothe their weary bodies.

Ravena’s eyes were heavy with fatigue. Despite her attempt to stay alert, the events of the past few days had taken their toll. The constant stress, coupled with the physical exertion, made it hard for her to keep her eyes open.

Eldric noticed Ravena’s struggle to stay awake. “You should rest, Ravena-sama. I’ll keep watch.”

Ravena shook her head. “I don’t want to impose. I can stay up.”

Eldric gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s no trouble. You need to rest, and I’ll make sure nothing disturbs us.”

Grateful for the offer, Ravena leaned back and closed her eyes. The crackling of the fire and the soothing sounds of the forest provided a calming backdrop. Though her mind was still racing with thoughts and worries, the exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted into a restless sleep.

Eldric kept a vigilant watch, his senses alert to any sounds or movements in the forest.