They stayed on the road, keeping a steady pace with the other travelers. No one paid them special attention. A few people passed them going the opposite way. Others walked ahead at the same speed. It felt normal, like they had stepped back into a routine that had been waiting for them.
Rhys noticed how easy it was to keep moving like this. He didn't need to think about where to place his feet or how fast to walk. His body handled it on its own. His mind stayed clear, focused only on what was directly around him—the sound of wheels on stone, voices drifting past, the occasional animal call.
Caria stayed close, but not so close that it looked deliberate. She looked like any other traveler—alert enough to be sensible, relaxed enough to avoid trouble. When someone passed too near, she adjusted slightly. When the road opened, she gave it space. Everything she did was practical.
