Leo checked his watch. It was already 2:30 PM. They had started at the city gate at 9 o'clock, and now there were only thirty minutes left until the first group change. So far, all Leo had seen outside the city were endless plains and dense clusters of trees. The only signs of human habitation were a few abandoned houses near the city. The journey had been eerily quiet, and Leo found himself growing bored. He wore his bracelets on his wrists, though they remained inactive. As he scanned the surroundings for any suspicious activity, he also tried to take in the serene beauty of the landscape.

Suddenly, a voice sounded in his head. ‘We have a group change in twenty minutes; when Adam and Liamond come out, Carter and Leo will go in.’

Another voice responded, ‘Understood.’

Leo recognized it as Carter's voice. Realizing that Captain Cirnath had created a telepathy group, so he also added, ‘Understood.’

He glanced at Carter, who was smiling reassuringly. Taking a deep breath, Leo tried to calm his nerves. Concentration was crucial when using any ability, especially one as critical as this.

After twenty minutes, the carriage door opened, and Liamond and Adam stepped out, looking a bit tired. Carter placed a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Leo nodded, his stomach fluttering with a mix of nerves and determination, and followed Carter into the carriage. Inside, it was spacious but claustrophobic, with dark red walls and no windows. In the center stood the large golden harp, an aura of power radiating from it. Surrounding the harp was a magical circle composed of three nested rings filled with intricate symbols and marks. Leo recognized most of them as enchanting circles, along with some illusions and light circles. Although some magical words were unfamiliar, he felt confident from his previous experience with the secret meeting spell.

Two cushions were placed on either side of the circle. Carter sat on one side, and Leo took the other. Cirnath appeared at the door, his presence imposing. “Carter, I leave the rest to you.” He then closed the door, leaving them in the dimly lit space.

Carter looked at Leo, and a few seconds later, his voice echoed in Leo’s head. ‘This spell uses a little mana, but be careful; if you don’t control your mana, you can run out before the six hours are up.’ Carter placed his hand near the circle and began channeling his mana into it. ‘Also, don’t worry about anything outside of here; our duty is now this. If you have any questions, just ask with telepathy.’

Leo was impressed and slightly awed. Carter was activating the spell while using telepathy to explain things to him. Cirnath was right; Carter had excellent mana control.

Leo placed his hand on the ground, focusing his mind. After a few seconds, he began to channel his mana into the spell slowly, feeling the familiar surge of power flow through him.

‘Oh, and do not listen to the harp.’

‘What? What does that mean?’ Leo wondered, confused by the cryptic warning but refrained from using telepathy to ask. The words clung to his thoughts, heightening his sense of unease.

He refocused and activated the spell, letting his mana flow into the carefully inscribed circle beneath his feet. The air shimmered with energy as his power intertwined with the intricate patterns. In the corner of his vision, the harp loomed in the dim light, its golden strings shimmering faintly. It stood silent, yet its presence felt both majestic and foreboding.

As Leo maintained the spell, he glanced at Carter, who stood calm and composed, exuding an aura of quiet confidence. It was a small comfort amidst the tension of the task.

Minutes bled into each other, and Leo’s focus started to blur. His mana reserves were already halfway depleted, and beads of sweat rolled down his face, irritating his eyes. Maintaining the spell was draining, and although Leo suspected Carter was taking on most of the burden, the monotony was wearing him down. His mind drifted, the quiet moments stretching endlessly.

Then, it happened.

A single note, clear and soft, reverberated through the air.

‘Strum.’

Leo’s eyes shot open in surprise.

‘What was that?’ He scanned the dimly lit carriage, careful not to make any sudden movements that could disrupt the spell.

Then came the voice. Soft, seductive, and uninvited.

‘Strum me.’

The sound of it made his skin crawl. Slowly, Leo's eyes moved toward the harp, its strings shimmering ominously in the faint glow of it’s magical light. He had heard of enchanted objects before, the ones powerful enough to develop their own consciousness. High-ranking magical items could indeed possess a will of their own.

‘So this is how it works,’ Leo mused, a mix of curiosity and irritation building up. ‘Does it think I’m an idiot?’

His pulse quickened, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. The idea that the harp was trying to communicate, to compel him to play it, was both fascinating and terrifying. The harp’s presence seemed to loom larger, its silent demand pressing against his mind. Leo's determination hardened, and he focused even more intently on maintaining the spell, resisting the sinister allures of the harp’s call. Just as Leo felt he was on the verge of breaking, the door behind him opened.

“It’s time to switch.” It was Wina.

Leo sighed in relief. He stood up, and followed Carter out of the carriage. Carter looked tired, his usually calm demeanor now slightly strained. Outside, Cirnath was waiting for them.

“Everything went well?” Cirnath asked, his sharp eyes assessing them.

Carter smiled weakly, then glanced at Leo. “Yes, just in the last thirty minutes, I felt that your concentration wavered.”

Leo nodded, not wanting to hide the truth. “Yes, the harp was trying to break my mind.”

Cirnath nodded, his expression serious. “You’ve done great. Leo, walk on this side. Carter, you go to the other side of the carriage.”

Leo looked at the back of the carriage where he and Carter had been before. Liamond and Adam were there now, and Liamond was waving his hand and smiling. Leo managed a tired smile in return.

Cirnath raised his voice, ensuring everyone could hear. “There is a small village four hours away; we’ll stay there for the night. Now, let’s move.”

The carriage started moving, and everyone fell into step behind it. Now that Leo was paying attention, he realized there wasn’t any horse or driver; the carriage was moving on its own.

‘What the hell?’ he thought, a mix of amazement and confusion.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

He scanned the surroundings, deciding to ask Carter or Liamond about the carriage's mysterious movement later. For now, he focused on staying alert, determined to keep his mind sharp despite his exhaustion. Fortunately, his last four to five months of training made this six hours walking easier.

The next four hours passed without incident. The village they reached was small, about the size of the poor neighborhood in Flesa City, but the houses were spaced farther apart. In the center of the village, there was a single paved main street. In the middle of this street was a square, and on its east side stood the largest building in the village. A quick glance told Leo it was the church.

As they arrived at the church, Cirnath approached the guards stationed there. Though Leo couldn't hear the conversation, the guards' surprised expressions made it clear that Cirnath's presence was unexpected, suggesting the mission was a secret. After a brief exchange, one of the guards went inside and returned with a priest. The priest bowed slightly to Cirnath and instructed the guard to open the gate. Once the gate was open, the carriage moved forward again, and Cirnath gathered everyone outside, except for Wina and Evelyn, who remained in the carriage.

“We still need one person to stay on guard. Liamond and Adam, go inside and get some sleep. You’re up next for maintaining the spell. Carter and Leo, you too. I’ll take the first watch. After two hours, it’ll be Carter’s turn, and then Leo’s. We’ll stay here for eight hours. Oh, and Two priests will take over keeping the spell active for six hours so we can rest properly.”

Everyone nodded in agreement and proceeded inside. Leo could feel the weight of exhaustion settling in, he knew rest was crucial for the mission ahead. The village, though small and humble, seemed to provide a sense of temporary safety.

As they settled in, Leo couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and anticipation. The day's events had been draining, but knowing they had a brief respite gave him a momentary peace. The church’s interior was modest yet comforting, with wooden benches and simple decor. Leo found a spot to sit, letting his mind wander as he prepared for his turn on the watch.

Cirnath stood watch at the entrance, his eyes scanning the surroundings with unwavering focus. As Leo settled in for a brief rest, he couldn't shake the lingering thoughts about the harp and its ominous power. He closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts aside and focus on regaining his energy. The quiet of the village, combined with the faint sounds of the night, provided a momentary lullaby, easing him into a light, restless sleep.

After four hours, Carter gently shook Leo awake. Groggy but alert, Leo switched places with Carter and stood guard for the next two hours. The village was eerily quiet, with only the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence. He glanced at the peculiar carriage, now occupied by two priests who sat inside. Leo did his best to stay focused, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

When his shift ended, Liamond arrived to take over. Leo gratefully went inside, finding a spot to sleep for another four hours. The exhaustion from the day’s events made him fall asleep quickly, and when he woke up, it was nearly the end of Adam’s watch. Adam soon went inside to catch another two hours of sleep, while everyone else, except for Liamond, was now awake.

Seizing the moment, Leo approached Carter, who was washing his face at a small basin.

“Mr. Paddley, how does this carriage move?” Leo asked, curiosity piqued.

Carter splashed his face with water again, glancing sideways at Leo with a friendly smile. "You haven’t heard about that?" he asked, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity. Grabbing a nearby towel, Carter briskly wiped his face dry, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "It’s an interesting mix of magic and science," he began, his tone shifting to something more instructive. "Inside the wheels, there are embedded gems—those gems store and release energy to power the enchantments. The first enchantment makes the wheels move, and the second is tied to the captain’s mind, allowing him to control the whole thing mentally."

Leo’s attention shifted to the carriage, his eyes lingering on the wheels as he processed what he’d just learned. The idea of controlling something so complex through sheer will fascinated him.

Carter rested a hand on Leo’s shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. "What do you make of it?" he asked, his voice calm but encouraging.

Leo met Carter's gaze, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "It’s... pretty impressive," he said after a moment.

Carter chuckled, a low sound that held genuine amusement. "There’s more to it than you’d think. When magic and creativity meet, the possibilities are almost endless."

Leo nodded slowly, his thoughts turning to the potential applications of enchantments beyond just moving carriages. There was so much he didn’t know yet, but his curiosity kept him engaged.

"Are you an enchanter, Mr. Paddley?" Leo asked, his interest now more personal.

Carter’s smile widened, his pride evident in the way he stood a little taller. "I am," he replied. "And I hear you’re planning to dive into enchanting as well?"

Leo nodded again, this time more confidently. "Yeah, after I hit D rank. It’ll be my second specialization."

Carter gave an approving nod. "That’s a smart move. Enchanting pairs well with illusion—it’ll open up a lot of doors for you."

The village, now bathed in the soft light of early morning, seemed almost serene despite the tension of their mission. As the morning progressed, the team began to prepare for the next leg of their journey.

Leo used the rest of the time to start exercising a little. After a while, Cirnath called everyone together, his commanding presence bringing a sense of order and focus.

“It’s time to move on,” Cirnath announced. “Remember, the harp’s power is not to be underestimated.” He then looked at Leo and Carter. "Leo, Carter, your group will start first."

Cirnath led the way, the carriage following behind him with its magical wheels turning silently. As they left the village behind, the landscape began to change. The plains gave way to rolling hills, and the trees grew denser. The road was less traveled, and the sense of isolation grew stronger.

From the inside of the carriage, Leo couldn't feel its movement. This time, he was able to maintain the spell more easily, and though he heard voices from the harp, they didn't affect him as much. The dark, confined space felt less oppressive now that he was growing accustomed to it.

After six hours, when they switched with Wina and Evelyn, the view outside had changed significantly. The lush forests were gone, replaced by barren hills and jagged rocks. Leo did some stretches to ease his stiff muscles, feeling the tension slowly dissipate. Looking at Carter, he saw that he was doing the same thing, shaking out his arms and rolling his shoulders.

Carter went to the other side of the carriage as before, and they started walking beside it. The rhythmic crunch of gravel underfoot and the steady creak of the carriage were oddly comforting. After another six hours, they switched again. Leo and Carter moved to the back of the carriage. Leo took this opportunity to ask Carter some questions that had been nagging at him.

"Mr. Paddley, have you ever seen an orc?" Leo’s voice carried a hint of eagerness as he glanced up at Carter.

"An orc?" Carter repeated, his gaze drifting over the quiet landscape as if expecting danger at any moment. "No, not personally. I’ve heard there are a few left in the Northern Kingdom."

"Only a few?" Leo asked, frowning. "What happened to the rest?"

Carter’s expression grew more serious. "According to the history books, most were wiped out during the War of the Four Kingdoms in the Middle Era. They were nearly driven to extinction." He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “There are rumors of orcs hiding in the Land of Darkness, also known as the Shadow Land.”

Leo leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Has anyone ever seen what’s in the shadow land?" His voice dropped almost to a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might invite the unknown.

"I doubt it," Carter replied, his face clouding with thought. "It’s said that the creatures living behind it are far too dangerous, even for armies. No one’s made it through."

Leo considered the information, his mind wandering to the legends he’d heard, before another thought struck him. "What about elves?"

Carter shot him a surprised look. "You’re kidding, right?"

"Huh?" Leo blinked, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over him. "Why?"

Carter’s expression grew even more incredulous. "You seriously don’t know?"

"Know what?"

"Liamond. He’s an elf."

Leo’s jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wait, what?"

Carter nodded firmly. "Think about it: blue eyes, blond hair… it’s kind of obvious."

"Yeah, but that could describe Captain Cirnath too," Leo argued, still trying to wrap his head around the idea.

Carter shook his head in disbelief. "You’re with Liamond all the time, and you never noticed? How could you not know?"

Leo shrugged, feeling a bit defensive. "Well, it’s not like you just go up to someone and ask what race they are."

Carter chuckled and nodded. "Fair point. But here’s something you might not know: elves and vampires are surprisingly similar. Both have pale skin, blue eyes, and sometimes even dark hair instead of blond. People tend to distrust elves because of those similarities."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Wait, vampires have blue eyes too?"

Before Carter could respond, Captain Cirnath’s voice sliced through the air, commanding and urgent. "Everyone, be on guard! We’ve got company!"

The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension gripping the air. Leo’s pulse quickened as adrenaline surged through his body. He scanned the horizon, every sense alert. What had been a peaceful journey moments ago now crackled with the threat of danger.