The days of travel had settled into a monotonous rhythm—eat, travel, rest, repeat. Though the uneventful journey brought some relief from the looming threat of patrols, it also left Alara restless. She longed for something, anything, to break the tedium. She had spent much of her time lost in thought, her mind drifting to the true purpose of their mission. Anger had become her shield—a tool to keep her focused. She let her fury burn hotter than her grief; it was the only way she could keep moving without being overwhelmed by sorrow. She owed it to her people, herself, and her brother to keep fighting. The memory of his face fueled her rage and each time she thought of King Tiberian, her resolve hardened.

Rasa, on the other hand, remained vigilant throughout the journey. As they traveled, her eyes constantly scanned the path ahead, her posture tense and cautious. She looked up at Alara every so often, her gaze protective, as if ensuring everything was still alright.

Rasa's voice broke through Alara's thoughts, gentle but insistent. "Alara? Are you getting tired? Do you need to rest?"

Alara blinked, refocusing on the dusty road ahead. She gave Rasa a small smile. "No, I just need to stretch my legs." She glanced at Rasa thoughtfully before adding, "You could take the horse if you'd like."

Rasa shook her head quickly. "You know I prefer to walk."

Alara smirked. "Are you scared of the horse, Rasa?" she teased playfully.

A faint blush crept up Rasa's cheeks, and she looked away, muttering something under her breath. Alara laughed softly, slowing her pace to match Rasa's, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

"It's alright. I won't make you ride," Alara said, her tone gentle. "But what are you thinking about? You seem far away."

Rasa's expression grew serious. "I'm just thinking about what's ahead. Making sure we're ready for whatever comes next."

Alara nodded, her thoughts echoing Rasa's concerns. She felt the weight of the unknown—the uncertainty of what awaited them in Vernan and beyond. "I've been wondering about that too," she said before giving Rasa a mischievous grin. "I'm going to check with Rufus. You stay here with her for me."

Rasa's eyes widened in alarm, and she reached out instinctively. "Wait, Alara—" But Alara was already running ahead, her laughter trailing behind her as she sprinted to the front of the caravan.

Rasa's heart pounded as she watched Alara run off, leaving her alone with the horse. She bit her lip, half-annoyed and half-panicked, as she did her best to keep her distance from the animal.

At the head of the caravan, Rufus was riding on one of the wagons alongside another merchant. When Alara approached, Rufus turned to her with a look of surprise. "Your Highness? Is something amiss?"

Alara shook her head, climbing onto the wagon with his assistance as the two men shifted to give her room. "No, I just wanted to know—how long until we reach Vernan?"

Rufus nodded. "We were just discussing it, actually. We should be there by nightfall."

Alara's face lit up with excitement. "Finally!" she said, stretching her arms above her head.

Rufus chuckled at her enthusiasm. "It's not much farther now. You might even be able to see it soon."

Alara nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Guildmaster." She paused and asked, "What chance of being discovered once we reach town?"

He considered the question momentarily before replying, "We should be able to go mostly unnoticed in town. It's a trading city, and as long as there's coin to be made, most people mind their own business." He then pointed toward a large stone structure barely visible on the horizon. "But over there, that's the Vernanala—the fortress that gives the town its name. It's best to stay far away from it. The soldiers there are fiercely loyal to the crown, and bribery is out of the question, even in the worst-case scenario."

"I'll keep that in mind," Alara replied, making a mental note to avoid it.

"Alara!" She startled at the sound of her name, peering down to see Rasa looking up at her, the horse attempting to nip at her hair. Rasa jumped, almost dropping the reins as she tried to avoid its teeth. "Take this thing away from me!"

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Alara giggled, standing on the bench before swinging her leg back over the mare and steering it away from Rasa. Once she had control of the horse, Rasa wasted no time moving away, keeping her distance. Shuddering, Rasa looked back at Alara. "Please, don't leave me like that again."

The caravan settled outside Vernan's gates as night descended, and the light mist turned into a soft rain. Alara and Rasa moved through the encampment, saying their goodbyes to the merchants and fellow travelers they had grown used to over the journey. Alara took a final moment to pat her mare's neck, whispering a soft thank you before releasing her to the handlers.

With their belongings gathered, Alara and Rasa followed Rufus down the cobblestone streets, the rain making the stones glisten under the dim lantern light. The soft rhythm of the raindrops was calming, even as the slick roads made their steps cautious. Vernan had a quiet beauty—shuttered windows, faint lantern glows spilling across the wet roads, and the distant hum of activity coming from the town's center.

Eventually, Rufus led them to an old barn near the docks, pushing open the large wooden doors just enough for them to slip inside. He scanned the surroundings for any signs of unwanted attention before shutting the door behind them. The barn was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of hay and damp earth. The rhythmic rain on the roof added to the sense of isolation.

"I paid the owner to not ask any questions," Rufus said, his voice low as he looked at the girls. "You're to stay here for the night. In the morning, you're to board a ship that's coming on the eastern dock. If you miss it, you're going to be stuck here. Is that understood?"

Rasa nodded, her face solemn, while Alara couldn't help but glance back toward the street. Something in the air had caught her attention—a sound, a flicker of light, maybe even laughter. Rufus saw her wandering gaze and frowned. "Don't worry about what's happening out there," he said. "Stay inside, and make sure no one sees you. It's safer that way."

Alara hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright," she said softly.

Rufus took her hand and kissed it briefly. "Be safe, my Lady." He nodded towards Rasa, then turned and left, shutting the barn door behind him. Alara made an exaggerated gagging face, then shook her hand, looking at Rasa. Rasa rolled her eyes and put her bag on the ground, looking over the barn.

"We should make a bed," she said, gesturing toward a pile of hay in the corner.

Alara slightly nodded, helping gather enough hay for a comfortable resting spot. After they finished, she plopped down onto the makeshift bed, her stomach growling slightly. She glanced at Rasa. "I'm hungry," she admitted.

Rasa rummaged through her bag, pulling out a piece of jerky. "Here," she offered, holding it out to Alara.

Alara shook her head, a small smile on her lips. She had quickly grown tired of the bread, water, and dried foods they'd been eating for the past few days. "Maybe later," she said. "Do you not think we can heat up some of the soup?"

Rasa said, "I don't think it would be wise to start a fire here." She kicked at the hay before sitting on the bed beside Alara.

She leaned back, her eyes drifting toward the barn's ceiling. "You're right," she admitted. "It was silly of me to ask."

Rasa lay down beside her, pulling her cloak tighter for warmth. Slowly, her breathing evened out, and she drifted off to sleep.

The sound of laughter and the scent of food woke Alara from her drowsy state. She sat up, her eyes narrowing as she looked toward the small window near the top of the barn. Curiosity got the better of her, and she climbed up the ladder and peered out. The rain stopped, and she saw people moving through the streets. Lanterns lit the way, and stalls had been set up, their vendors calling out to the passersby. It looked like a festival; the roads flooded with laughter and excitement.

Without a second thought, Alara climbed down, careful not to wake Rasa. She pushed the barn door open slightly, slipping outside. The cool air greeted her as she stepped into the street, the festive atmosphere drawing her in. She walked up to a stall where a man was selling fried chicken on skewers, the aroma making her stomach growl.

"That smells amazing," Alara said with a smile, her eyes on the golden-brown skewers. "But I… forgot to bring money."

The vendor gave her a friendly grin and shrugged. "Take one, miss. It's a happy occasion tonight—consider it a sample. If you like it, come back tomorrow and buy more."

Alara's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. "Thank you," she said, taking the skewer. She took a bite, savoring the flavor. "What's the occasion?" she asked curiously, but another customer stepped up before the vendor could answer, drawing his attention away from her.

Alara turned, chewing thoughtfully as she continued down the street. She watched people move with purpose, some heading up a street along a large hill blocking the view from afar. Another vendor, this one with umbrellas, called out to her.

"Need an umbrella, miss? Looks like it might rain again soon."

Alara shook her head. "I don't have any money," she admitted again.

"They already paid for them. Umbrellas are free for the occasion," the man handed her one. "No telling when it'll rain again."

Alara gratefully accepted the umbrella. "Thank you," she said, then hesitated. "Who are 'they'?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

But just as before, another person arrived asking for an umbrella, interrupting the vendor before he could answer. Alara frowned slightly, her curiosity growing stronger. She followed the crowd as they moved up a large hill with a large main street. When she reached the top, she recognized a large building that Rufus had pointed out. Her heart skipped a beat—this must be the Vernanala, the fortress Rufus had warned her to avoid. She looked around, trying to find a way to turn back, but the crowd was too dense, and they were all moving forward.

Taking a deep breath, Alara decided her best option was to blend in. She pulled the umbrella lower and pulled her hood up, hiding her face as much as possible. If she acted like everyone else, maybe she wouldn't be noticed.