The road widened as the trees thinned, trunks spacing out until the forest gave up and the land tilted downward.
Dawn had barely settled when the merchant arrived at the edge of the forest, cart lantern still hooded, horse blowing steam into the cold air.
He spoke Airan cleanly, with the ease of someone used to border roads, and that alone smoothed the exchange. Vencian showed him the seal and, names that carried weight without explanation, and the price they named was one the man accepted without hesitation.
Another cart joined them before the sun cleared the trees, a subordinate taking its reins and keeping distance. By the time the forest thinned, the road was already behind them.
Gravel shifted under the cart's wheels. The canopy broke apart, patches of sky showing through, and the air felt cooler along the slope. The descent came in long grades rather than drops, the road cut to follow the hillside, bordered by a low rail of fitted stone.
The merchant cleared his throat.
