Dawn crept across Ashstone not with warmth, but with a quiet persistence—an indifferent light pressing through layers of frost as if simply reminding the world that cycles continue, whether anyone is ready or not.
Kel woke before the sun fully rose.
The room was still cold from the night. The embers in the corner stove had dimmed to a soft red glow, hardly giving off heat. His breath misted faintly as he sat up, the blanket falling from his shoulders. For a moment, he simply sat at the edge of the bed, eyes half closed, listening to the soft groan of the wooden walls as they adjusted to morning chill.
No dreams lingered.
No restlessness.
Only the echo of a single thought from last night.
Everything I have done so far… was worth it.
He stood.
Dressed with quiet precision: inner thermal wraps first, then the fitted dark garments, followed by a layered coat constructed for light movement and insulation. The bow was strapped across his back, quiver aligned at his hip. He adjusted it twice to ensure it wouldn't obstruct his spine's motion.
Every motion calculated.
Every adjustment designed to minimize strain.
His fingers brushed the hilt of the small dagger hidden inside his coat—not the weapon he preferred, but a last measure.
He stepped out of the room.
The hallway was silent.
Only when he descended the stairs did faint sound greet him—murmurs from the tavern side and the soft clink of utensils being cleaned.
Reina and Landon waited near the exit.
Both ready.
At the Inn Entrance
Reina stood straight, her coat a deep charcoal grey, hair loosely tied back to permit peripheral vision. Her eyes, calm but watchful, swept over Kel as he approached. A faint trace of relief flickered there—gone as quickly as it came.
Landon leaned lightly against the wall, one hand resting casually near the hilt of his sword. The weight distribution in his posture was different today—rested, balanced. Last night's internal strain seemed remote now, tucked beneath layers of trained control.
Neither spoke.
Kel gave one small nod.
Both returned it.
That was all it took.
They left the inn together.
Into the Streets
Ashstone's streets were less lively than the day before. It was early—traders just unshuttering their stands, sweeping snow off wooden counters. A blacksmith doused embers into life, sparks rising through the frigid air like fleeing fireflies.
They crossed silently, boots pressing tracks into snow already beginning to settle again.
On their way toward the city gates, Kel stopped once.
At a small craftsman's shop.
Supplies
Inside the shop, the air was warmer from stored furs and bundles of wrapped goods. Kel selected what he missed yesterday—
Fresh bowstring fibers treated with icing resistance. Reinforced arrow shafts of steelwood. A resin jar for weather stabilization. Spare string wax. Two additional fletching packets.
He paid without bartering.
The shopkeeper didn't question him.
Few questioned buyers who moved like they knew the value of precision.
Kel exited.
Reina studied his posture.
"Retrieved what you needed?"
He nodded.
"Everything."
Landon adjusted his cloak.
"Good."
That was enough.
They resumed walking.
At the Gates
The outer wall of Ashstone loomed overhead, frost layering its stone. The gates were partially open, guards yawning under heavy cloaks, morning shift still sluggish. Sentries watched the trio but offered no obstruction. Travelers leaving at dawn were not uncommon.
As they crossed beneath the archway, a voice called out.
"Hey—Heral!"
Kel slowed.
Reina's eyes subtly narrowed.
Landon's hand neared his sword.
Kel turned calmly.
Jace was striding toward them.
Flanked by the same companions from the hunt: Mara, Baird, Lysia, and Torren. The group carried themselves with the same quiet readiness they'd displayed yesterday—but something in their gaze toward Kel now held more weight.
Respect.
Curiosity.
Even caution.
Jace reached them first, snow crunching beneath his boots.
He wore a brown-trimmed travelling coat, sword sheathed at his hip. His expression carried a faint smile.
"Leaving already?"
Kel nodded once.
"Heading northeast."
Jace glanced back at his group briefly before returning his gaze.
"We're heading east. Eastern nobles filed a request—monster purging along the supply route."
Kel said nothing.
Jace continued.
"Not quite the same direction… but for a portion of the road, it overlaps. If you don't mind, we could travel together until the roads divide."
Reina and Landon both looked toward Kel.
He shifted his attention their way.
Their responses were silent.
Landon's chin dipped slightly.
Reina's eyes held steady.
Both were in agreement.
Kel faced Jace again.
"Very well."
A faint breath in the cold air.
"Let's walk."
Jace grinned slightly.
"Actually, no need to walk. We secured a caravan this time."
He gestured to where Torren was directing two horses tugging a covered wagon at the roadside.
Kel regarded the transport for a heartbeat.
Then nodded.
The Caravan
The canvas flaps were reinforced, offering moderate shelter. Inside, there was room for six passengers. Kel entered first, adjusting his bow to avoid damage. Landon followed, sitting opposite him. Reina sat next to Kel, her posture relaxed yet strangely composed, as though even seated she remained standing in spirit.
Lysia, Baird, and Mara joined inside, nodding brief greetings. Torren mounted the front driver bench, reins wrapped around thick gloves. Jace sat beside him, cross-legged, glanced over his shoulder.
"All settled?"
Kel raised his head slightly in acknowledgment.
Torren clicked his tongue.
The caravan began moving.
Wheels ground through snow.
Hooves thudded softly.
Ashstone receded behind them.
Introductions
Inside the caravan, silence held for a short while. Then Baird broke it, tone curious.
"So, Heral," he said, referencing Kel's cover name, "you've got quite the presence with that bow. How long have you been practicing?"
Kel didn't immediately answer.
His gaze remained on the flapping side of the canvas, studying the landscape sliding by.
"Recently."
Mara blinked.
"Recently?"
He turned to her.
"Yes."
She gave a faint smile, half disbelief, half intrigue.
Kel shifted slightly, glancing toward Reina and Landon.
"These are my companions," he said. "Traveling with me."
He gestured subtly.
"Reina—cover name, Lira."
Reina inclined her head.
Her eyes remained calm, measured.
"And Landon—cover name, Ari."
Landon nodded once.
No unnecessary words.
The hunt group accepted the introductions.
Then Jace, still seated near the front, called back without turning.
"You know us already, but for formality—"
He raised a hand slightly.
"Jace. That's Torren driving. Mara with the axe. Baird—battle mage. Lysia—ice mage."
Each nodded or greeted with a simple glance.
Kel met each gaze briefly.
Measured.
Not dismissive.
Not overly invested.
A precise acknowledgement.
The Road
Snow stretched across the plains, untouched beyond faint tracks. Frost-dusted shrubs clung to life. Occasional pine emerged through white, branches sagging with ice.
The sky remained a washed-out grey, cold light filtering through thick cloud layers. The wind outside bit at the canvas walls, rattling slightly.
Inside, breath gathered softly.
Kel sat with arms folded beneath the cloak, conserving warmth. His eyes remained open, tracking surroundings instinctively. Reina's gaze followed the window slit, studying the terrain rhythmically, memorizing. Landon sat still, his hand gently resting on his sword pommel—not with tension, but with quiet familiarity.
The others spoke in intervals.
Soft exchanges about monster tracks, recent guild postings, weather shift patterns.
Kel did not join, but listened.
He was not withdrawn.
Just… parsing.
Filtering.
Lysia eventually directed a question toward him.
"You said you're heading northeast," she asked. "City-bound?"
Kel's expression remained unchanged.
"Through the mountains."
Baird frowned slightly.
"That's not a trader route. Dangerous travel."
Kel's gaze did not flinch.
"Yes."
Mara studied him.
"So why take it?"
Kel looked back at the slowly falling snow outside.
A single line of breath left his lips before he answered.
"Because I need to reach something."
The caravan fell quiet.
No one pressed further.
Sometimes, answers that don't explain everything carry more meaning than full disclosure.
Reina's hand shifted below her cloak — just slightly.
As if in quiet approval.
Landon's eyes remained forward, but his jaw set in resolution.
The caravan continued.
Snow thickened.
Wind hardened.
Conversation quieted.
At some point, Jace looked back once more.
"Heral," he said under his breath, low enough only Kel and those nearest heard.
Kel's eyes lifted to meet his.
Jace studied him.
Then gave a slow, knowing half-smile.
"When roads divide… walk carefully."
Kel's answer came without delay.
"I will."
A pause.
Then, softly.
"You too."
Jace nodded once, a brief flicker of respect in his gaze before turning back.
The wheels rolled on.
The horizon stretched wider.
And beneath a grey sky smothered in winter's breath, two paths began to weave together—
For a short while.
Until the world, once more, would demand they walk their own.