Rufus took about a day to gather the people needed to start their journey along the western coast to the Asterian merchant city of Vernan. The merchant caravan included about twenty people—not only men from the guild but also women, children, and their families. The families joined to support and help establish a sense of community once they reached Vernan, ensuring the trade efforts would be more sustainable and secure. Traveling with families made the caravan appear less conspicuous as they crossed potentially hostile territory.

The sun began rising as Rufus approached Alara and Rasa with two horses in tow. He held out the reins with a nod.

"Here, take these," he offered. "It'll be easier on horseback."

Rasa shook her head, her body tensing slightly as she kept her distance from the animals. "No, thank you. I'll walk. I prefer it that way."

Rufus raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Suit yourself." He handed the reins of one horse to Alara.

Alara took the reins, smiling softly. "I haven't ridden since I was a child." She looked at Rasa, noticing her friend's unease. "Are you sure you don't want to ride?"

Rasa shook her head again, her gaze lingering on the horses before meeting Alara's eyes. "I feel more in control on foot. I can react better to any dangers."

Alara nodded, though she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Rasa's reluctance—maybe something from her past, like a fall or an accident. She didn't press further, stroking the horse's neck as a memory flashed.

"My father used to take me riding," she said softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "He looked so proud watching me and my brother learn. It was one of the few times I felt I'd made him happy." She smiled wistfully, then looked at Rasa. "I think I'll take this one."

Rasa gave her a faint smile before returning to preparing for the journey. She moved swiftly, packing the dried foods and bread she had bought while the caravan assembled. The scent of sun-dried fruits and the earthy aroma of fresh loaves comfort her amid the anticipation. Even as she moved efficiently, tension gripped her. Each item she packed felt like a necessity and a weight, strengthening her resolve to protect Alara at any cost. She filled several water canteens, the metal clinking as she handed them to Alara to store in her horse's pouch.

The journey ahead promised to be long, and Alara and Rasa knew the road would be fraught with both expected and unforeseen dangers. As they prepared to depart, they exchanged glances, each knowing their bond would be tested by whatever lay ahead.

The caravan set off, the wagons creaking and the horses' hooves clopping against the gravel road. As they moved, Rufus rode alongside Alara's horse on a horse of his own, his expression thoughtful. Eventually, he cleared his throat, and Alara turned her gaze toward him.

"Thank you for your help, Guildmaster," Alara said gently, bowing her head. "It will be remembered."

"Anyone who cares about their people would do whatever they can to help," Rufus replied. He glanced toward Rasa, who rolled her eyes and moved to walk ahead of the caravan.

Alara smiled apologetically. "Nevertheless, it is appreciated."

Rufus returned her smile. "Of course." He began to turn away but hesitated. "My Lady," he said hesitantly. He urged his horse closer to her, her eyes questioning.

"Do you trust her?" Rufus asked, nodding toward Rasa, who had walked just out of earshot, her eyes narrowing as she watched them. "The Jabali?"

"My friend," Alara corrected him, her voice firm. "I trust her with my life."

Rufus shifted awkwardly. "Of course. I only mean these are dangerous times. Some people will try to use you if they know who you are. I don't want you getting hurt." He laid his hand softly on hers.

Alara gently pulled her hand away, her expression hardening. She urged the horse back a few paces, putting distance between them. "I think I understand, Guildmaster. I'll be cautious of those pretending to help." She nodded curtly. "Farewell." She trotted forward, leaving Rufus behind as she reached Rasa's side.

Rasa glanced at her face, then back at Rufus, trying to read their expressions. The tension in Alara's features was unmistakable.

"What did he say?" Rasa asked quietly as Alara matched her pace, her gaze fixed ahead.

"He asked if I trusted you," Alara replied, her fingers tightening around the reins.

Rasa raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. "And what did you say?"

Alara's gaze softened as she looked at Rasa. "I told him the truth. That I trust you with my life."

Rasa nodded, a surge of determination filling her chest. "Good. Because I'd do anything to keep you safe."

Alara smiled faintly, the tension in her chest easing slightly. "I know. And I'd do the same for you."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The caravan moved steadily forward, the wagon wheels crunching over the gravel path. The sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the road as a chill settled into the air. Alara kept her gaze ahead, her mind still clouded by the conversation with Rufus. She could feel Rasa's eyes on her, her friend's silence heavy with unspoken questions.

Finally, Alara broke the silence, her voice still tinged with irritation. "He called you 'the Jabali' too." She felt a deep frustration—Rufus's words reduced Rasa to a mere label, ignoring everything that made her who she was. It was as though he couldn't see beyond her heritage, which infuriated Alara.

"I am a Jabali," Rasa replied, somewhat amused, knowing where this conversation was going.

"Yes, but it would be different if he didn't know your name. He knew your name and still called you 'the Jabali.' It's like if he knew my name and called me 'that girl over there.'" Alara huffed.

Rasa smiled, her eyes softening. "It's alright, Alara. Some people are set in their ways. They see titles before they see the person. But you see me, and that's what matters." She reached out and patted Alara's leg. "Don't let his ignorance upset you. We have bigger things to worry about."

Alara took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "You're right. I just... I wouldn't say I like the way he looks at you. Like you're less than you are."

"I didn't like the way he looked at you either. Like you were a piece of meat." Rasa tried to lighten the mood with a smile.

"I know!" Alara replied, her eyes wide. "Did you see how often he touched my hand? I've never had a man touch my hand so often in my entire life." She shuddered, shaking the hand Rufus had touched not that long ago.

Rasa laughed softly. "He doesn't know you like I do. He underestimates you. They all do." She looked ahead, her eyes narrowing. "And that will be their mistake."

Alara gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Rasa. I'm glad I have you by my side."

When the sun finally set, the caravan gathered off the road and began building fires, preparing for dinner and rest.

Alara and Rasa approached a fire where a family was gathered—a father with graying hair, a mother with kind eyes, and their two young children, a boy and a girl, with curious expressions. The family was reheating a tomato-based soup they kept in clay jars, their faces lit warmly by the flickering fire.

"We're hoping to sell this soup once we reach Vernan," the mother said with a hopeful smile. "If it's popular enough, we might get enough orders to justify making this journey again in a few months."

"It's shelf-stable for months," the father added proudly. "Keeps well even after the harvest is over."

Alara sipped at her bowl, delighted by the taste, and turned to Rasa. "What do you think? Should we buy some for our journey?"

Rasa nodded, smiling. "I think it's a good idea. It's delicious and practical. We'll buy some when we reach town."

The warmth of the fire, the comforting taste of the soup, and the friendly conversation helped ease some of the tension that had built up during the day. As the stars began to emerge above them, Alara felt a slight sense of peace, however fleeting it might be, knowing they were facing whatever came next together.

They slept well under the moon, the soft breeze from the nearby beach carrying a comforting salty scent. As dawn broke, they woke early and resumed their journey. Still wrapped in sleep, the children rested quietly in the backs of some of the wagons, their soft breaths blending with the early morning sounds.

Rufus rode up and down the path around the caravan, checking on everyone. Alara couldn't help but notice that his gaze lingered on her longer than she liked. Each time Alara caught him staring, she quickly looked away, pretending to be focused on something else. The unease gnawed at her, and she wished they would reach Vernan sooner, eager to put some distance between herself and Rufus.

As the caravan rounded a bend in the road, mounted soldiers emerged from the treeline. The Asterian patrol, dressed in bright red and silver armor, blocked the path ahead, their presence immediate and imposing. The leader, a stern-faced man with a scar across his cheek, raised a hand, signaling the caravan to halt. The sunlight glinted off the polished metal of their armor, casting long shadows over the caravan, and a tense silence settled over the travelers.

Rufus quickly spurred his horse forward, a disarming smile spreading across his face as he addressed the soldiers. "Good day, sirs. We're just a merchant caravan heading to Vernan, nothing more," he said, his voice carefully calm, though Alara could see how his shoulders stiffened, betraying his underlying anxiety.

The leader eyed Rufus for a moment, then slowly scanned the length of the caravan, his gaze lingering on the families and their wagons. The children peeked out from behind their parents, eyes wide with curiosity and fear. The mothers clutched them close, whispering reassurances that sounded more like prayers. The leader's eyes eventually fell on Alara, and for a long, unsettling moment, he studied her, his eyes narrowing as if trying to place her.

Alara's heart pounded in her chest, her fingers tightening around the reins until her knuckles turned white. She tried to maintain her composure, forcing her expression to remain neutral, but the intensity of his stare made her skin prickle. She could feel Rasa's presence beside her, her friend's gaze locked onto the patrol leader as if readying herself to intervene.

The patrol leader's scrutiny seemed to stretch forever, and Alara felt a sweat trickle down the back of her neck. She could sense Rasa shifting slightly. Just when Alara thought she could no longer bear the tension, the leader's gaze finally moved on, his interest fading. He nodded curtly, his expression unchanging.

"See to it that you keep to the main road and cause no trouble," he said gruffly, his voice carrying an edge of authority that left no room for argument. He signaled to his men, and the patrol slowly moved aside, their horses snorting and shifting restlessly as they made way for the caravan.

Rufus gave a polite nod, his smile never wavering. "Of course, sir. We'll be on our way." He turned back toward the caravan, his posture relaxing slightly as he gestured for them to continue forward.

Alara let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding, her shoulders slumping in relief. She glanced at Rasa, who met her eyes with a steady look, her expression softening. "You alright?" Rasa asked quietly, her voice barely audible over the noise of the caravan beginning to move again.

Alara nodded, though her heart still hammered in her chest. "I'm fine," she whispered, her voice shaky. "Thank you."

Rasa gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We're almost there. Just keep focused." She briefly placed a hand on Alara's arm before moving forward, her eyes still trained on the patrol until they were well out of sight.

The caravan resumed its journey, the tension slowly dissipating as the patrol disappeared behind them. The travelers began to speak in hushed voices, the children slowly emerging from their hiding places, their curiosity overcoming their fear. Alara took another deep breath, steadying herself, and urged her horse onward, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. Vernan felt closer than ever, but the encounter left a lingering unease that settled deep in her bones.