The sky stretched soft and blue above the winding road, dotted with clouds that moved like slow ships across the sea of morning. The path was quiet, lined with gentle hills and tall grasses that danced with the wind.
Elaina walked a few steps ahead, her hands behind her back, humming a song she had likely made up on the spot. Every so often, she glanced back at the adventurer with a teasing smile.
"You know," she said, turning as she walked backwards, "this feels too peaceful. Should I be worried?"
He gave a slight shrug. "You could just enjoy it."
"Where's the fun in that?" she smirked. "But fine, fine. I'll enjoy the quiet... for now."
Then came the snap.
A sharp crack echoed down the road, followed by a voice—frustrated and clearly at the end of its patience.
"No, no, no! Not now, please not now!"
Curious, they hurried around a bend and saw the source. A wooden carriage sat crooked by the roadside, one wheel broken clean off. Crates were scattered across the grass, and sitting beside them was a young woman in light armor, her braid messy, her sword slightly too big for her side.
She looked up with wide, hopeful eyes. "Oh thank goodness! You two look like you've got your lives together—please tell me you can help?"
Elaina blinked. "What gave you that idea?"
"I'm Kaela!" the woman said quickly, standing and brushing dirt off her armor. "Knight-in-training. Kind of. I was delivering cargo to the next town, but I… might've taken a goblin trail. I thought it was safe! It wasn't."
The adventurer knelt by the broken wheel, already assessing it.
Elaina looked at the scattered crates. "Is any of this food?"
"One of them has sweetbread," Kaela offered.
"You're lucky," Elaina said. "You just bought my protection."
With some rope, effort, and teamwork, they helped Kaela turn the broken carriage into a hand-pulled cart. She walked beside them, tugging the cart and constantly apologizing each time something tipped or nearly fell.
"Sorry! I'm really not used to this. Most of the time, people just tell me to guard gates…"
"You're doing fine," the adventurer said, his voice calm.
Elaina leaned in close to him, whispering, "She's a mess, but kind of cute, huh?"
He didn't answer.
Kaela grinned sheepishly. "You two travel together often?"
Elaina answered first. "Of course. I follow him around. He pretends not to care, but he'd be lost without me."
Kaela laughed. "I can tell. You two feel… safe. Like home."
That made Elaina pause—just for a second.
The road wasn't as peaceful as it seemed. As the sun climbed higher, shadows moved among the trees. From the sides of the road, bandits emerged—five of them, armed with rusted blades and crooked grins.
"Well well, look what we've got here," one of them said, licking his lips. "A pretty lady, a clueless knight, and a bunch of crates. I'd say we hit the jackpot."
Another stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "We'll take the cargo… and maybe those two girls too. Depends on our mood. HAHAHAHAHA!!"
Kaela stepped forward. "I've got this!" she said confidently.
She drew her sword.
Then tripped on a rock.
Elaina sighed and quickly grabbed a stick from the ground, holding it like a staff. "I don't have powers," she muttered, "but I've read a hundred ways to knock a man out. Let's hope the first one works."
The bandits laughed.
The adventurer didn't speak. He stepped forward, calm and quiet. One of the bandits swung, but the adventurer ducked smoothly, gripped the attacker's wrist, and struck him on the neck. The man dropped like a sack of grain.
Another charged. The adventurer weaved around him and slammed his elbow into the back of the bandit's neck—one hit, and he was out cold.
The others backed off a step.
"What the hell… he didn't even use a weapon…"
One rushed in desperation. Again, the adventurer moved fast—precise. He grabbed the man's arm, twisted behind him, and knocked him out with a blow to the neck.
By the end, five groaning figures were scattered across the grass.
Kaela was still holding her sword, unsure if she should cheer or apologize.
After the fight, they rested by the road. Kaela sat on the grass, panting, while Elaina passed her a canteen.
"You're strong," Kaela said to the adventurer. "Really strong."
He just looked at the sky.
"Thanks for helping me," she added softly.
"You needed help," he said.
As the stars began to show in the sky, they reached the edge of the next city, Eiderwall. Lanterns glowed warmly on the streets, and the scent of roasted corn and firewood drifted through the air.
Kaela stopped and turned to them. "I don't have much to offer… but if we meet again, I'll repay this."
Elaina gave her a small smile. "Just stay upright next time."
They parted ways at the city gate, Kaela waving goodbye with both hands, nearly dropping her sword again.
As the adventurer and Elaina walked toward the inn, she looked up at him and said, "She was sweet."
He nodded.
"She reminded me of someone," Elaina said softly. "Someone who always fell… but always stood back up."
He glanced at her, but she didn't explain further.
They walked on beneath the stars.
At last, they entered the city and found a quiet inn to rest in. The streets were growing quiet, lit only by the dim golden glow of hanging lanterns. The night wrapped around the city like a gentle blanket.
They would sleep peacefully that night, unaware that far beyond the western horizon… something was coming.
An army.
And it would reach the city soon.