Chapter 59

  A day has passed since the attack. Nothing much happened after that. Our journey toward Ashborough was peaceful.

  I should probably thank the heads dangling in front of the caravan for that.

  The heads of the bandits we defeated. The bandits I killed.

  It was disturbing at first. Watching them sway with every bump in the road, their faces frozen in whatever expression death caught them in. But I got used to it eventually. I mean, yeah, I killed them. I did that. But seeing their severed heads strung up like some kind of warding charm or threat? That was still uncomfortable.

  I tried not to look at them too much. Tried not to think about how easy it had become to take a life when it came down to survival.

  On the third day, morning came too early.

  I woke to the sounds of the camp stirring around me. The sky was still gray with pre-dawn light, but everyone was already moving.

  I sat up carefully, my back stiff from sleeping on uneven ground. Nox was already awake beside me, ears perked and alert. I patted his head, grateful he'd been here as my makeshift bed. Could've been worse without him.

  I packed my few belongings quickly. Around me, everyone was getting ready to move.

  After a short breakfast of jerky and a piece of bread, we were on the road again. It was something I'd gotten used to ever since I came to this world. Still, sometimes I missed the modern luxuries I used to have.

  I sighed.

  I really took them for granted back then.

  "What's with the long sigh?" Noel asked as he sat down next to me.

  "Nothing."

  "Cheer up, Viera. Today's going to be a very good day." He grinned

  I raised an eyebrow.

  He watched me work for a moment. "So, today's it, huh? We get to Ashborough, you get paid, and you're gone?"

  "That's the plan."

  "Where are you headed after? Or is that a secret too?"

  I glanced at him. "South. Into the mountains."

  "Mistfall Mountains?"

  I nodded.

  "You plan to go to the Mistfall Mountains?!" he repeated, his voice pitching higher now.

  Uh…

  "Is there something wrong?"

  "Pfft. 'Something wrong,' she says." He let out a laugh.

  "Don't you know how dangerous Mistfall Mountain is?"

  I stared at him blankly.

  Seeing my expression, he continued.

  "Mistfall Mountains is designated by the Adventurer's Guild as an A-rank area. Only A-rank adventurers and above are recommended to climb it. You're what, C-rank?" He gestured at me like that explained everything. "You'd be lucky to make it halfway up before something eats you. And that's not even mentioning the terrain. One wrong step and you're tumbling down a ravine, assuming the cold doesn't get you first."

  I frowned. "People live up there, don't they? The sanctuaries?"

  Noel gave me a confused look. "Sanctuaries? What sanctuaries?"

  I blinked. "The ones in the mountains. The Mistfall Sanctuaries."

  He shook his head slowly. "Never heard of them. And I've been around these parts for years. If there were people living up there, someone would know about it."

  My frown deepened. Was the sanctuary hidden? Or was the information Mikel and the others gave me wrong?

  I shook off the last thought. Before our journey, I'd had Nox smell Emil's belongings to help me track them faster. And the way he'd pointed? Straight toward the Mistfall Mountains. His nose hadn't failed me yet. So it was possible that ordinary people just didn't know about it. Maybe the sanctuary was deliberately kept secret.

  "Well," I said carefully, "I still need to go there."

  Noel groaned. "Of course you do."

  "Alright everyone!" Derrick's voice carried across camp. "Let's move out! Half a day to Ashborough!"

  Noel stood up, brushing dirt off his pants while I finished my remaining jerky before I shouldered my pack and fell into line with the caravan as it started rolling forward.

  Around midday, we crested a hill and I got my first look at Ashborough.

  It was way bigger than I expected. There were walls, maybe twenty feet high, with guard towers every so often. The town spread out beyond the walls, buildings packed together. Smoke rose from what looked like hundreds of chimneys.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  It was bigger than Oakenford for sure but shared the same style of architecture.

  Anyways what really caught my eye were the soldiers.

  They were everywhere. There were hundreds of them, maybe thousands, all in Argus colors.

  "Gods," Noel said beside me. "I knew they were mobilizing, but this..."

  Derrick had ridden back from the front. "War preparations. Capital must've sent reinforcements."

  "This many?" Noel asked.

  “If the Empire pushes through Thornwood Pass, they'll need to hold here." Derrick looked grim. "And if Drakmoor hits from the west at the same time..."

  He didn't finish. Didn't need to.

  We approached the gates slowly. Guards were checking every wagon, every person.

  One of them, a woman with sergeant stripes, stepped forward as we stopped.

  "State your business."

  Hugo leaned out from the lead wagon. "Merchant caravan from Fletchburt. Passing through to Valenhall."

  Her eyes swept over the wagons. "We need to inspect everything.”

  "Of course. We understand."

  The inspection took forever. Twenty minutes of soldiers going through every wagon, checking cargo, asking questions. When they got to me, the sergeant stared at Nox.

  "Great wolf. Tamed?"

  "Yes."

  "You're an adventurer?"

  I showed her my C-rank badge.

  Her expression shifted, got a bit more respectful. "C-rank. We could use people like you. We're offering premium contracts for border defense. Double the normal rates."

  "Thanks, but I've got other commitments."

  She looked like she wanted to push, but just nodded. "Your choice. But if you change your mind, report to the garrison commander."

  Finally, they let us through.

  Inside Ashborough was chaos. Soldiers everywhere, mixed with merchants and regular people. Smiths had set up forges right in the street, hammering out weapons and armor. Supply wagons being loaded, horses being prepared, weapons being handed out.

  It looked like the whole town was gearing up for war.

  Hugo steered the caravan to what looked like the merchant district. He stopped in front of a big inn.

  "This is where we split," he said, climbing down. "My family's resting here tonight, then heading to Valenhall tomorrow."

  I got off Nox and walked over.

  Hugo pulled out a coin pouch. "Two and a half gold, as promised. Plus a bonus." He handed it to me.

  I opened it. Three gold coins.

  "The extra half is for discretion," Hugo said quietly. "And gratitude. You did way more than guard duty."

  "You already paid me well."

  "And I'm paying you more." He smiled slightly. "Humor an old merchant. Let me settle my debts properly."

  I pocketed the pouch. "Thanks."

  "No, thank you." He stuck out his hand.

  I shook it.

  "If you ever make it to Valenhall, ask around for Hugo Vran. I'll take care of you."

  "Appreciate it."

  Noel had been helping unload but jogged over when he saw me.

  "So, this is it?" he asked.

  "This is it."

  "Right." He fidgeted with his crossbow strap. "Well, it's been... I mean, I know it's only been a few days, but..."

  He struggled for words. "Be careful out there, okay? The mountains are dangerous, and with everything going on..."

  "I'll be fine."

  "I know you will. He smiled, but it looked sad. "But still. Stay safe. And maybe someday, if I ever hit C-rank, we could work together again?"

  "Maybe."

  That seemed to make him happy. "Good luck, Vera.

  "You too, Noel.”

  Derrick walked up as Noel stepped back. He stuck out his hand.

  "If you ever need work in this region, ask for me at the Ashborough guild hall. I'll vouch for you."

  "Thanks."

  From the wagon, Hugo's grandkids waved.

  I waved back.

  Then I climbed on Nox and headed out, leaving them behind.

  First priority: new armor. The armor I had was riddled with holes from the fight with the bandits the other day.

  This wouldn't do. Even though I had Virel, I still needed to have armor for appearance purposes. Couldn't have people seeing me walking around with armor full of holes. That would raise questions.

  Conversations I don’t want to have.

  The market was busy despite all the soldiers. Or maybe because of them. War was apparently good for business.

  I found an armorer, a burly guy with impressive biceps, and spent an hour getting fitted.

  The new armor cost me a full gold, but whatever. Worth it. Better quality this time, reinforced leather with metal studs.

  At the end the armorer patched up what he could of my old stuff and gave me a few silver for the salvageable bits.

  Next was supplies. Food, water, rope, medical stuff.

  I stopped at a general store and bought a better map of the south, including the Mistfall Mountains. The shopkeeper, an old lady, gave me a concerned look when she saw where I was going.

  "Mistfall Mountains, hmm?"

  She looked up at me. "Heading to the sanctuaries?"

  I was surprised. And here I thought people didn't know about the sanctuaries. I mean, Noel had no idea about them and he'd been to Ashborough a few times. Hugo hadn't mentioned them either. Most people just talked about the mountains being dangerous and left it at that.

  "You know about the sanctuaries?" I asked carefully.

  "Of course I do. Been here seventy-three years after all." She rolled up the map with practiced hands. "Not many folks talk about them openly these days, but us old timers remember. The Mistfall Sanctuaries have been there longer than this town has."

  "I see."

  The old lady smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. "Seeing you have business at the sanctuaries, I believe nothing would change your mind about going. Just be careful in the mountains. The mountains are infested with monsters.”

  "I'll be careful."

  I paid and thanked her, tucking the map into my pack.

  I left the store and stepped back into the busy street.

  My eyes drifted to the mountains in the distance. Even from here, they were impressive. Impressive didn't quite cover it. They made the hills around Oakenford look like speed bumps.

  The mountains were still three days away by carriage. Maybe a day and a half with Nox if I pushed hard.

  But I wasn't in a hurry.

  My monsters needed rest.

  I couldn't have them exhausted if someone attacked. If Morris made a move again, or if we ran into something dangerous in the mountains, I needed Nox and Fei at full strength.

  So I'd take my time. Travel at a steady pace. Make camp early, let them rest properly.

  "Ready to go?" I asked, running my hand along Nox's neck.

  He rumbled in response.

  I was about to climb on Nox when my stomach growled. Loud enough that a passing merchant glanced at me.

  Right. Food. first